Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | | 92-1008893 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | ||
1150 West Century Avenue, Bismarck, ND (Address of principal executive offices) | | | 58503 (Zip Code) |
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 | | | New York Stock Exchange |
Large accelerated filer ☐ | | | Accelerated filer ☐ | | | Non-accelerated filer ☒ | | | Smaller reporting company ☐ |
| | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | | Emerging growth company ☐ |
Item 1. | Business. |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors. |
Item 2. | Financial Information. |
Item 3. | Properties. |
Item 4. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. |
Item 5. | Directors and Executive Officers. |
Item 6. | Executive Compensation. |
Item 7. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. |
Item 8. | Legal Proceedings. |
Item 9. | Market Price of, and Dividends on, the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. |
Item 10. | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities. |
Item 11. | Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered. |
Item 12. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Item 13. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
Item 14. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. |
Item 15. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(a) | Financial Statements |
(b) | Exhibits |
Exhibit Number | | | Exhibit Description |
2.1 | | | Form of Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Knife River Holding Company* |
| | Form of Transition Services Agreement by and between MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Knife River Holding Company | |
2.3 | | | Form of Tax Matters Agreement by and between MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Knife River Holding Company* |
2.4 | | | Form of Employee Matters Agreement by and between MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Knife River Holding Company* |
| | Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Knife River Holding Company | |
| | Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Knife River Holding Company | |
| | Form of Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement by and between MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Knife River Holding Company | |
| | Form of Knife River Corporation Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan | |
| | Form of Knife River Corporation Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, including Rules and Regulations | |
10.3 | | | Form of Knife River Corporation Director Compensation Policy* |
10.4 | | | Form of Knife River Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors* |
10.5 | | | Form of Knife River Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan - Plan Document and Adoption Agreement* |
10.6 | | | Form of Knife River Corporation Supplemental Income Security Plan* |
10.7 | | | Form of Knife River Corporation Nonqualified Defined Contribution Plan* |
| | List of Subsidiaries** | |
| | Information Statement of Knife River Holding Company, preliminary and subject to completion, dated April 7, 2023 | |
| | Form of Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials |
* | To be filed by amendment. |
** | Previously filed. |
| | Knife River Holding Company | |||||||
| | | | | | ||||
| | By: | | | /s/ Brian R. Gray | ||||
| | | | Name: | | | Brian R. Gray | ||
| | | | Title: | | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 2.2
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
by and between
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
and
Knife river holding company
dated as of [ ], 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | 2 | |
Section 1.01. |
Definitions
|
2 |
ARTICLE II SERVICES | 7 | |
Section 2.01. |
Services
|
7 |
Section 2.02. |
Performance of Services
|
7 |
Section 2.03. |
Charges for Services
|
8 |
Section 2.04. |
Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Costs and Expenses
|
9 |
Section 2.05. |
Changes in the Performance of Services
|
9 |
Section 2.06. |
Transitional Nature of Services
|
10 |
Section 2.07. |
Subcontracting
|
10 |
Section 2.08. |
Contract Manager
|
11 |
Section 2.09. |
Use of Services
|
11 |
ARTICLE III BILLING; TAXES | 11 | |
Section 3.01. |
Procedure
|
11 |
Section 3.02. |
Late Payments
|
11 |
Section 3.03. |
Taxes
|
12 |
Section 3.04. |
No Set-Off
|
12 |
ARTICLE IV TERM AND TERMINATION | 12 | |
Section 4.01. |
Term
|
12 |
Section 4.02. |
Early Termination
|
12 |
Section 4.03. |
Extension of Services
|
13 |
Section 4.04. |
Interdependencies
|
13 |
Section 4.05. |
Effect of Termination
|
14 |
Section 4.06. |
Information Transmission
|
14 |
ARTICLE V CONFIDENTIALITY; PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS | 14 | |
Section 5.01. |
Parent and SpinCo Obligations
|
14 |
Section 5.02. |
No Release; Return or Destruction
|
15 |
Section 5.03. |
Privacy and Data Protection Laws
|
15 |
Section 5.04. |
Protective Arrangements
|
15 |
ARTICLE VI LIMITED LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION | 16 | |
Section 6.01. |
Limitations on Liability
|
16 |
Section 6.02. |
Obligation to Re-Perform; Liabilities
|
17 |
Section 6.03. |
Third-Party Claims
|
17 |
Section 6.04. |
Provider Indemnity
|
17 |
Section 6.05. |
Indemnification Procedures
|
17 |
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS | 17 | |
Section 7.01. |
Mutual Cooperation
|
17 |
Section 7.02. |
Further Assurances
|
18 |
Section 7.03. |
Audit Assistance
|
18 |
Section 7.04. |
Title to Intellectual Property
|
18 |
Section 7.05. |
Independent Contractors
|
18 |
Section 7.06. |
Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power
|
18 |
Section 7.07. |
Governing Law
|
19 |
Section 7.08. |
Assignability
|
19 |
Section 7.09. |
Third-Party Beneficiaries
|
20 |
Section 7.10. |
Notices
|
20 |
Section 7.11. |
Severability
|
21 |
Section 7.12. |
Force Majeure
|
21 |
Section 7.13. |
Headings
|
21 |
Section 7.14. |
Survival of Covenants
|
21 |
Section 7.15. |
Waivers of Default
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21 |
Section 7.16. |
Dispute Resolution
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22 |
Section 7.17. |
Specific Performance
|
22 |
Section 7.18. |
Amendments
|
22 |
Section 7.19. |
Precedence of Schedules
|
22 |
Section 7.20. |
Interpretation
|
23 |
Section 7.21. |
Mutual Drafting
|
23 |
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [ ], 2023, by and between MDU Resources Group. Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Knife River Holding Company, 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 80.1 percent (80.1%) or more 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, Parent plans to dispose of the SpinCo Shares that it holds following the Distribution, which Parent expects will include dispositions through one or more exchanges for debt and may include dispositions through one or more pro rata distributions to holders of Parent Shares, exchanges for equity or a sale of shares for cash;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Contribution and the Distribution (and the Clean-Up Distribution and Debt-for-Equity Exchange, if any, and the Hook Stock 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, 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 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 [ ], 2023 (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 shall 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” 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.
“Additional Services” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Ancillary Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
“Charge” and “Charges” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
“Confidential Information” shall mean all Information that is either confidential or proprietary.
“Contract Manager” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.08.
“COVID-19” shall mean SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions, variants, mutations or worsening thereof or related or associated epidemics, pandemics or disease outbreaks (including any subsequent waves).
“Dispute” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.16(a).
“Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“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.
“Effective Time” shall mean 12:01 a.m., Bismarck, North Dakota time, on the Distribution Date.
“e-mail” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.10.
“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, acts of terrorism, cyberattacks, embargoes, epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19 and Pandemic Measures) 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 Party’s response thereto shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.
“Governmental Authority” shall mean 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” 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, 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; provided that “Information” shall not include Registrable IP.
“Interest Payment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.
“Law” shall mean 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” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(c).
“Liability” 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.
“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.
“Minimum Service Period” shall mean the period commencing on the Distribution Date and ending ninety (90) days after the Distribution Date, unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular service on the Schedules hereto.
“Pandemic Measures” shall mean any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester, immunization requirements, safety or similar Law, directive, guidelines or recommendations promulgated by any Governmental Authority, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or in response to a pandemic, including COVID-19.
“Parent” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“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 Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.
“Party” or “Parties” shall mean the parties to this Agreement.
“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.
“Provider” shall mean, with respect to any Service, the Party providing such Service.
“Provider Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.03.
“Recipient” shall mean, with respect to any Service, the Party receiving such Service.
“Recipient Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.04.
“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.
“Registrable IP” shall mean all patents, patent applications, statutory invention registrations, registered trademarks, registered service marks, registered Internet domain names and copyright registrations.
“Representatives” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys or other representatives.
“Separation” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Separation and Distribution Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Service Baseline Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(c).
“Service Extension” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.
“Service Suspension Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.
“Service Period” shall mean, 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” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“SpinCo” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“SpinCo Business” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
“SpinCo Change of Control” shall mean 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 SpinCo’s 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; or
(iii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of SpinCo and its Subsidiaries.
“SpinCo Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of SpinCo.
“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, 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” shall mean 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” shall mean a national, foreign, municipal, state, federal or other Governmental Authority responsible for the administration of any Tax.
“Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.
“Termination Charges” shall mean, with respect to the termination of any Service pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(i), any and all costs, fees and expenses unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular Service on the Schedules hereto, or in the other Ancillary Agreements, payable by Provider or its Subsidiaries to a Third Party to the extent resulting from the early termination of such Service.
“Third Party” shall mean any Person other than the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates.
“Third-Party Claim” shall mean 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) If, after the date of this Agreement, Recipient identifies a service that Provider provided to Recipient within twelve (12) months prior to the Distribution Date that Recipient reasonably needs in order for the SpinCo Business or the Parent Business, as applicable, to continue to operate in substantially the same manner in which the SpinCo Business or the Parent Business, as applicable 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) and Recipient provides written notice to Provider within ninety (90) days after the Distribution Date requesting such additional services, then Provider shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide such requested additional services (such requested additional services, the “Additional Services”); provided, however, that Provider shall not be obligated to provide any Additional Service (A) if Provider does not, in its commercially reasonable judgment, have adequate resources to provide such Additional Service, (B) if the provision of such Additional Service would significantly disrupt the operation of Provider’s or its Subsidiaries’ businesses, (C) if the Parties, acting reasonably and in good faith, are unable to reach agreement on the terms thereof (including with respect to Charges therefor) or (D) if Recipient is reasonably in a position to provide such Additional Services to itself or obtain such Additional Services from a Third Party on the same time frame as such services would be available from Provider. In connection with any request for Additional Services in accordance with this Section 2.01(b), the Parties shall, in good faith, negotiate 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, 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 prior to the Effective Time.
(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 the potential for any such violation, Provider shall promptly advise Recipient of such potential violation, and the Parties 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, licenses or approvals 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 documented and 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, license or approval, 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 materially 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 Provider’s last fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the Distribution (the “Service Baseline Period”).
(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 SET FORTH HEREIN, 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, STATEMENTS, COVENANTS, 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 constituting 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 to 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 to by the Parties, (b) any adjustments due to a change in Level of Service requested by Recipient and agreed upon 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 Provider’s 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 2.03, Recipient shall reimburse Provider for reasonable and documented 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 one thousand dollars ($1,000) individually, or ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in the aggregate, 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 Provider’s 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 from time to time, in its good faith determination, modify, change or enhance the manner, nature, quality and/or standard of care of any Service provided to Recipient to the extent Provider is making similar changes in performing analogous services for itself or its Affiliates or to the extent that such change is in connection with the relocation of the Provider’s employees 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. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Recipient acknowledges and agrees that the provision of the Services is subject to any upgrades, changes and modifications that Provider may implement to its information technology services in the ordinary course or otherwise in connection with the relocation of its employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if as a result of requirements of applicable Law (including any changes under the requirements of applicable Law) or guidance by any Governmental Authority, Provider must, in its good faith determination, modify, change or enhance the manner, nature, quality and/or standard of care of any Service provided to Recipient, Provider shall provide reasonably prompt notice to such Recipient and shall have the right to make such modifications, changes or enhancements, in each case solely to the extent necessary to comply with such applicable Law or guidance and, to the extent legally permissible, provide the Recipient with advance notice, as promptly as practicable, setting forth in reasonable detail the modifications contemplated and the reasons therefor. Any incremental cost or expense incurred by Provider in making any such good faith modification, change or enhancement to the Services performed hereunder or in providing such Services on an ongoing basis shall be paid by Recipient to the Provider in accordance with Article III in addition to the charges for the Services included on the applicable Schedule.
(b) Subject to the limitations on Additional Services set forth in Section 2.01(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 that Recipient shall be responsible with respect to transitioning off of the provision of Services. Provider agrees to reasonably cooperate with Recipient, upon Recipient’s written request, 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. Recipient shall transition responsibility for the performance of Services from Provider to Recipient in a manner that minimizes, to the extent reasonably possible, disruption to the Parent Business or the SpinCo Business, as applicable, and the continuing operations of Provider and its relevant Affiliates. Provider shall have no obligation to perform any Services following the Term. The Parties acknowledge and agree that time is of the essence with respect to the foregoing in this Section 2.06.
Section 2.07. Subcontracting. Provider may, upon such Recipient’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, 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 Provider’s 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 shall 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 Schedules. The Parties may change their respective Contract Managers from time to time upon notice to the other Party in accordance herewith.
Section 2.09. Use of Services. Provider shall not be required to provide Services to any Person other than Recipient and its Subsidiaries. Recipient shall not, and shall not permit its or any of its Subsidiaries’ Representatives to, resell any Services to any Third Party or permit the use of any Services by any Third Party.
Article III
BILLING; TAXES
Section 3.01. Procedure. Charges for the Services shall be charged to and payable by Recipient. 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). An invoice detailing all recurring fees, one time charges, approved Additional Services and out-of-pocket expenses shall be prepared by Provider and sent to Recipient by the 15th of each month. All amounts due shall be payable within thirty (30) days of Recipient’s receipt of the monthly invoice. Provider shall include 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 pursuant to this Agreement and which are not disputed in good faith (and any amounts billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that are not paid within thirty (30) 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”). Failure to pay such Charges due hereunder within ten (10) days from receipt of a non-payment notice from Provider pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall constitute Recipient’s failure to perform a material obligation under Section 4.02(b) and Service Provider may terminate this Agreement with respect to the applicable Service for which such payment failure applies under Section 4.02(b) (after the applicable cure period set forth therein).
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 Provider’s 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 to in writing by Provider and Recipient, neither Recipient nor any of its Affiliates shall have any right of set-off or other similar rights with respect to any amounts owed to Provider or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement on account of any obligation owed by Provider or any of its Subsidiaries to Recipient or any of its Subsidiaries.
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 Provider is obligated to provide any Service to Recipient 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 two (2)-year anniversary of the Distribution Date (the “Term”). 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.
Section 4.02. Early Termination.
(a) Without prejudice to Recipient’s rights with respect to Force Majeure, Recipient may terminate any Service set forth on any part of the Schedules hereto without terminating all or any other Services set forth on the same Schedule as such terminated Service; provided, however, that Recipient must terminate the entirety of any Service, and not just a portion thereof:
(i) for any reason or no reason, upon the giving of at least forty-five (45) days’ prior written notice (or such other number of days specified in the Schedules hereto) to Provider, unless prohibited by the applicable Schedule hereto); provided, however, that any such termination (x) may not be effective prior to the end of the Minimum Service Period, (y) may only be effective as of the last day of a month and (z) 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 to perform materially and adversely affects the provision of such Service or Recipient or an Affiliate thereof or the SpinCo Business or the Parent Business, as applicable, and such failure shall continue to be uncured by Provider for a period of at least ninety (90) days after receipt by Provider of written notice of such failure from Recipient; provided, however, that 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 or portion of any Service 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, which are not disputed in good faith, for such Service when due, and such failure shall continue to be uncured by Recipient for a period of at least ninety (90) days (or thirty (30) days in the event of a failure to make payment of Charges which are not disputed in good faith for such Service when due) after receipt by Recipient of a written notice of such failure from Provider; provided, however, that 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. Extension of Services. Upon written notice by Recipient to Provider at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the applicable Service Period for any Service (unless the Schedules hereto specify that such Service is not eligible for extension), Recipient shall have the right to request that Provider extend the Service Period of any Service so that such Service ends on the earlier of (a) ninety (90) days following the last date on which Service Provider is obligated to provide such Service in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (b) the Term (each such extension, a “Service Extension”). If Provider agrees to provide such Service during the requested Service Extension period, then (i) the Parties shall in good faith negotiate the terms of an amendment to the Schedules hereto, which amendment shall be consistent with the terms of the applicable Service; and (ii) the Charge for such Service during the Service Extension period shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Charge for such Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Service Period of any particular Service may not be extended more than once. Each amendment of the Schedules hereto, as agreed to in writing by the Parties, shall be deemed part of this Agreement as of the date of such agreement and any Services provided pursuant to such Service Extensions shall be deemed “Services” provided under this Agreement, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 4.04. 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, Provider’s 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 Provider’s 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, Provider’s obligation to provide such Service shall terminate automatically with such termination.
Section 4.05. 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 clause (b), shall not be payable in the event that Recipient terminates any Service pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(ii). 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 4.06. 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 to 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 six (6)-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 Parent’s 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 Party’s 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, (c) is independently developed or generated without reference to or use of the Confidential Information of the other Party or any of its Subsidiaries or (d) was in such Party’s or its Subsidiaries’ possession on a non-confidential basis prior to the time of disclosure to such Party and at the time of such disclosure was not known by such Party or any of its Subsidiaries to be prohibited from being disclosed by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such Confidential Information. 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 that was disclosed 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 will exercise reasonable efforts to obtain assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such Confidential Information, 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 THE AGGREGATE CHARGES PAID OR PAYABLE TO SUCH PROVIDER BY RECIPIENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OVER THE PREVIOUS TWELVE (12) MONTHS OR SINCE THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT (IF PRIOR TO THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THIS AGREEMENT) WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES GIVING RISE TO SUCH LIABILITY.
(b) IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, REMOTE, SPECULATIVE OR SIMILAR DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF COMPENSATORY DAMAGES OF THE OTHER PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF, OR THE FORESEEABILITY OF, SUCH DAMAGES (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 Party’s Liability for breaches of confidentiality under Article V, (ii) the Parties’ respective obligations under Section 6.03 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 seeking 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 (1) month from the later of (x) the date on which such breach occurred and (y) 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 Recipient’s 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 Provider’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud.
Section 6.05. Indemnification Procedures. The procedures for indemnification set forth in Article IV 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 to 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 Party’s or its Subsidiary’s 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 Distribution and would not have been entered into 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, Provider may assign this Agreement or all of its rights or obligations hereunder to any Affiliate without Recipient’s prior written consent (but with notice to the Recipient) solely to the extent such Affiliate can continue to deliver the Services hereunder without interruption.
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):
If to Parent, to:
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
1200 West Century Avenue
P.O. Box 5650
Bismarck, North Dakota 58506
Attention: Jason Vollmer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
E-mail: jason.vollmer@mduresources.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Attention: Stephanie Barth
E-mail: stephanie.barth@mduresources.com
If to SpinCo, to:
Knife River Holding Company
1150 West Century Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Attention: Karl Liepitz, Chief Legal Officer
E-mail: karl.liepitz@kniferiver.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Attention: John Quade
E-mail: john.quade@kniferiver.com
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 (other than a payment obligation) 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. Without limiting the termination rights contained in this Agreement, in the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligation (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 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.
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 Party’s 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 in accordance with the dispute resolution process referred to in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
(b) 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 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 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, 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 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” shall not be exclusive; (g) 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”; (h) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (i) 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 Bismarck, North Dakota; (j) 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 (k) unless expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement, all references to “the date hereof,” “the date of this Agreement,” “hereby,” “hereupon” and words of similar import shall all be references to [ ], 2023.
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.
MDU Resources Group, Inc. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
Knife River Holding Company | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement]
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED and restated
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
OF
KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION
Knife River Holding Company (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as it may be amended (the “DGCL”), hereby certifies as follows:
1. | The name of this Corporation is Knife River Holding Company. The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 9, 2022. |
2. | This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL and by the written consent of its sole stockholder in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL, and is to become effective as of [ ], Eastern Time, on [ ], 2023. |
3. | This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and amends the original Certificate of Incorporation to read in its entirety as follows: |
ARTICLE
1
NAME OF CORPORATION
The name of the Corporation is Knife River Corporation.
ARTICLE
2
REGISTERED OFFICE; REGISTERED AGENT
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The Corporation may have such other offices, either inside or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.
ARTICLE
3
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the DGCL.
ARTICLE
4
STOCK
Section 1. Authorized Stock. The total number of authorized shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be [ ] million ([ ]) shares, consisting of (i) [ ] million ([ ]) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) [ ] million ([ ]) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 2. Common Stock. Except as otherwise provided by law, by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or by the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors designating the rights, powers and preferences of any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall have the right to vote on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote, including the election of directors, to the exclusion of all other stockholders. Each holder of record of Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock standing in the name of the stockholder on the books of the Corporation.
Section 3. Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be authorized and issued in one (1) or more series. The Board of Directors (or any committee to which it may duly delegate the authority granted in this ARTICLE 4) is hereby empowered, by resolution or resolutions, to authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of Preferred Stock in one (1) or more series, for such consideration and for such corporate purposes as the Board of Directors (or such committee thereof) may from time to time determine, and by filing a certificate pursuant to applicable law of the State of Delaware as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended to establish from time to time for each such series the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the designations, powers, rights and preferences of the shares of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the laws of the State of Delaware, including, without limitation, voting rights (if any), dividend rights, dissolution rights, conversion rights, exchange rights and redemption rights thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors (or such committee thereof) providing for the issuance of such series of Preferred Stock. Each series of Preferred Stock shall be distinctly designated. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series of Preferred Stock shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
(a) the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;
(b) the number of shares of the series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the certificate of designations governing such series) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding);
(c) the amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in respect of dividends, and whether such dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative;
(d) the dates at which dividends, if any, shall be payable;
(e) the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;
(f) the terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for purchase or redemption of shares of the series;
(g) 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;
(h) whether shares of the series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for 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 or such other security, the conversion or exchange price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible or exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made;
(i) the restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and
(j) the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series.
ARTICLE
5
TERM
The term of existence of the Corporation shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE
6
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “Whole Board”).
Section 2. Classes of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock provided for or fixed pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Preferred Stock Directors”), the Board of Directors shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three (3) classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible. The first (1st) term of office for the Class I directors shall expire at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. The first (1st) term of office for the Class II directors shall expire at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. The first (1st) term of office for the Class III directors shall expire at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, the Class I directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, the Class II directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, the Class III directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders. Commencing at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders and at all subsequent annual meetings of stockholders, the Board of Directors will no longer be classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL, and all directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. Prior to the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, in case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of directors (other than the Preferred Stock Directors), the number of directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II or Class III, with such assignment becoming effective as of the time at which the initial classification of the Board of Directors becomes effective. Unless and except to the extent that the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (as may hereafter be amended, the “Bylaws”) shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the Bylaws.
Section 3. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class, if any, for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, any director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of directors and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 4. Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any director(s) of the Corporation may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class (the “Voting Stock”) (a) until the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders or such other time as the Board of Directors is no longer classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL, only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock and (b) from and including the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders or such other time as the Board of Directors is no longer classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock.
Section 5. Rights of Holders of Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the provisions of this ARTICLE 6, whenever the holders of one (1) or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately or together by series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorship shall be governed by the rights of such Preferred Stock as set forth in the certificate of designations governing such series.
Section 6. No Cumulative Voting. Except as may otherwise be set forth in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing the issuance 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.
ARTICLE
7
STOCKHOLDER ACTION
Section 1. No Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of stockholders may only be called by or at the direction of (1) the Chair of the Board of Directors, (2) the Lead Independent Director (if one has been appointed) or (3) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. At any special meeting of stockholders, only such business shall be conducted or considered as shall have been properly brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting.
ARTICLE
8
DIRECTOR LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, no director or officer of the Corporation will be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer; provided, however, that the foregoing provisions will not eliminate or limit the liability of (a) a director or officer for any breach of that director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) a director or officer for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) a director under Section 174 of the DGCL, as the same exists or as that provision hereafter may be amended, supplemented or replaced, (d) a director or officer for any transactions from which that director or officer derived an improper personal benefit or (e) an officer in any action by or in the right of the Corporation. If the DGCL is amended after the filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided herein, will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by that law, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE 8 by the stockholders of the Corporation will be prospective only and will not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of that repeal or modification.
ARTICLE
9
INDEMNIFICATION
The Corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such persons in connection with their service as a director or officer, as applicable, of the Corporation, or their service at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other enterprise, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), and such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives; provided, however, that, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred by this ARTICLE 9 shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this ARTICLE 9 or otherwise.
The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees, and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this ARTICLE 9 to directors and officers of the Corporation.
The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE 9 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation, any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Any repeal of this ARTICLE 9 by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification
ARTICLE
10
AMENDMENTS
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the DGCL, and all rights herein 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 ARTICLE 6, ARTICLE 7 and this ARTICLE 10 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 ARTICLE 6, ARTICLE 7 and this ARTICLE 10 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 (66⅔%) 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.
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 (66⅔%) 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, this [ ] day of [ ], 2023.
By: | ||
Name: [ ] | ||
Title: [ ] |
Exhibit 3.2
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
OF
KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION
These Amended and Restated Bylaws (these “Bylaws”) of Knife River Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), are effective as of [ ], 2023 and hereby amend and restate the previous bylaws of the Corporation in its entirety:
Article 1
OFFICES AND RECORDS
Section 1. Offices. The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be as stated from time to time in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”). The Corporation may have such other offices, either inside or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.
Section 2. Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept inside or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.
Article 2
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Meetings.
(a) Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and time as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
(b) Special Meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.
(c) Place of Meeting / Record Date. The Board of Directors or the Chair of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, may designate the place of meeting for any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or may designate that the meeting be held by means of remote communication. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation. The record date for, and the date and time of, any special meeting shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(d) Notice of Meeting. Written or printed notice, stating (i) the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, (ii) the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, (iii) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and (iv) such other information as may be required by law or as may be deemed appropriate by the Chair of the Board, the Secretary or the Board, shall be given by the Corporation not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by electronic transmission in the manner provided in General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as amended, the “DGCL”) or by mail, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting, subject to such exclusions as are then permitted by the DGCL. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. If notice is given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the times provided in the DGCL. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by applicable law. Meetings may be held without notice if all stockholders entitled to vote are present, or if notice is waived by those not present in accordance with Article 8, Section 2 of these Bylaws. Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and unless the Certificate of Incorporation otherwise provides, any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders. If the stockholder list referred to in Article 2, Section 1(h) 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.
(e) Quorum and Adjournment. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Stock”), represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, 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 shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Lead Independent Director (if one is appointed) may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum. No notice of the time and place, if any, of adjourned meetings need be given except as required by applicable law. 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.
(f) Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by such person as the Board of Directors may designate as chair of the meeting, or in the absence of such a person, the Chair of the Board of the Directors, or if none or in the Chair of the Board of Directors’ absence or inability to act, the Chief Executive Officer, or if none or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or inability to act, the Lead Independent Director, or if none or in the Lead Independent Director’s absence or inability to act, a President, or, if none of the foregoing is present or able to act, by a chair to be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the Secretary’s absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the presiding officer of the meeting shall appoint any person present to act as secretary of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chair of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chair shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
(g) Proxies.
(i) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. A stockholder may authorize a valid proxy by executing a written instrument signed by such stockholder, or by causing his, her or its signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including but not limited to by facsimile signature, or by transmitting or authorizing an electronic transmission 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.
(ii) 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.
(h) Voting Lists. 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. Such list 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 2. Order of Business.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors shall be made, and only such other business shall be conducted or considered, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations to be properly made at an annual meeting, and proposals of other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and proposals of other business must be: (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly made at the annual meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with these Bylaws. For nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors or proposals of other business to be properly requested by a stockholder to be made at an annual meeting, a stockholder must (A) be a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors and at the time of the annual meeting, (B) be entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (C) comply with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such nomination or business. Subject to Article 2, Section 8 of these Bylaws, the immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals (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 Corporation’s notice of meeting) before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted or considered as shall have been properly brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. To be properly brought before a special meeting, proposals of business must be (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) otherwise properly brought before the special meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board of Directors from submitting additional matters to stockholders at any such special meeting. If the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at a special meeting of stockholders and the Corporation’s notice of meeting specifies that such business shall be conducted at the special meeting, then nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at such special meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such special meeting and at the time of the special meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) complies with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such nomination. This Article 2, Section 2(b) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals before a special meeting of stockholders.
(c) General. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chair of any annual or special meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was properly made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that no action shall be taken on such nomination or other proposal and such nomination or other proposal shall be disregarded.
Section 3. Advance Notice of Nominations and Business.
(a) Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Without qualification or limitation, subject to Article 2, Section 3(c)(v) of these Bylaws, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Article 2, Section 2(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof (including, in the case of any nomination of individuals for election to the Board of Directors, the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement and majority voting-related conditional resignation required by Article 2, Section 4 of these Bylaws), and timely updates and supplements thereof, in each case in proper form, in writing to the Secretary, and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action.
To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day and not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which first anniversary date shall, for the purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting held after the shares of the Corporation are first publicly traded (the “First Annual Meeting”), be deemed to be [ ]; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year (other than in connection with the First Annual Meeting) or the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting or (y) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. For the avoidance of doubt, a stockholder shall not be entitled to make additional or substitute nominations following the expiration of the time periods set forth in these Bylaws.
Notwithstanding anything in the immediately preceding paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased by the Board of Directors, and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least seventy (70) days prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Article 2, Section 3(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to 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. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at the annual meeting.
In addition, to be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, subject to the provisions of Article 2, Section 2(b) of these Bylaws. Subject to Article 2, Section 3(c)(v) of these Bylaws, if the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one (1) or more directors to the Board of Directors, then, subject to the provisions of Article 2, Section 2(b) of these Bylaws, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, provided that, the stockholder gives timely notice thereof (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Article 2, Section 4 of these Bylaws), and timely updates and supplements thereof in each case in proper form, in writing, to the Secretary.
To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date of such special meeting or (y) the tenth (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 of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting of stockholders, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. For the avoidance of doubt, a stockholder shall not be entitled to make additional or substitute nominations following the expiration of the time periods set forth in these Bylaws.
In addition, to be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) days prior to the date for the meeting, any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
(c) Disclosure Requirements.
(i) To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice pursuant to Article 2, Section 2 or this Article 2, Section 3 of these Bylaws must include the following, as applicable:
(A) As to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal, as applicable, is made, a stockholder’s notice must set forth: (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, (2) a representation that the stockholder giving the notice is a holder of record of Voting Stock entitled to vote at such meeting, will continue to be a stockholder of record of Voting Stock entitled to vote at such meeting through the date of such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make such nomination or to propose such business, (3) (a) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, together with proof of ownership similar to that required under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, (b) 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, or any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any contract, future, forward, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, future, forward, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares of the Corporation, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard to whether the stockholder of record, the beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit (including profits interests) derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, (c) any proxy, contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding, or relationship (whether written or oral) pursuant to which such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, has or pursuant to any proxy, contract, understanding or relationship may acquire any right to vote any class or series of shares of the Corporation, (d) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” or “stock loaning” agreement or arrangement, involving such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, directly or indirectly, the intent, purpose or effect of which may be to mitigate loss to, transfer to or from any such person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership or reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation by, manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, with respect to any class or series of the shares of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Short Interest”), (e) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (f) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or similar entity in which such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner or is the manager or managing member or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns any interest in the manager or managing member of such general or limited partnership or similar entity, (g) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, is entitled based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, including without limitation any such interests held by members of the immediate family sharing the same household of such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, (h) any significant equity interests or any Derivative Instruments or Short Interests in any principal competitor of the Corporation held by such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, and (i) any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, in any contract with, or any litigation involving, the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (4) if any such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates, or others acting in concert therewith, intends to engage in a solicitation with respect to a nomination or other business pursuant to this Article 2, Section 3 or Article 2, Section 8, a statement disclosing the name of each participant in such solicitation (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) and, if involving a nomination, a representation that such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates, or others acting in concert, therewith intends (i) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee or (ii) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination, including pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act; (5) a certification that each such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates, or others acting in concert therewith, has complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with its acquisition of shares or other securities of the Corporation and such person’s acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation; (6) the names and addresses of other stockholders (including beneficial owners) known by any such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates, or others acting in concert therewith, to financially or otherwise materially support (it being understood, for example, that statement of an intent to vote for, or delivery of a revocable proxy to such proponent, does not require disclosure under this section, but solicitation of other stockholders by such supporting stockholder would require disclosure under this section) such nomination(s) or proposal(s), and to the extent known the class and number of all shares of the Corporation’s capital stock owned beneficially or of record by, and any other information contemplated by clause (3) of this Article 2, Section 3(c)(i)(A) with respect to, such other stockholder(s) or other beneficial owner(s); (7) all information that would be required to be set forth in a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) or an amendment pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) if such a statement were required to be filed under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, and (8) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form of proxy 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) 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, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (A) above, also set forth: (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, such beneficial owner, if any, and each of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, in such business, (2) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such proposal or business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the text of the proposed amendment), and (3) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (whether written or oral) between such stockholder, such beneficial owner, if any, and any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, on the one hand, and any other person or persons (including their names), on the other hand, in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;
(C) As to each individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (A) above, also set forth: (1) the name, age, business and residence address of such person, (2) the principal occupation or employment of such person (present and for the past five years), (3) all information relating to such individual 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 individual’s written consent to being named in any proxy statement as a nominee) and a written statement of intent to serve as a director for the full term if elected), and (4) a reasonably detailed description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings (whether written or oral), including the amount of any payment or payments received or receivable thereunder, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, if any, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, if any, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all biographical and related party transaction and other information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 or any successor provision promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, if any, 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 individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraphs (A) and (C) above, also include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement and majority voting-related conditional resignation required by Article 2, Section 4 of these Bylaws. 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 stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws, including without limitation, Article 2, Sections 2, 3 or 4, shall be eligible for election as directors.
(ii) A stockholder seeking to submit business at a meeting must promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) submitting business does not appear at a meeting of stockholders to present such business, the nomination shall be disregarded and 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.
(iii) For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a 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.
(iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of these Bylaws, 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 Bylaw; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the separate and additional requirements set forth in these Bylaws with respect to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, unless otherwise required by law, if any stockholder (i) provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act with respect to any proposed nominee and (ii) subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) or Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or fails to timely provide reasonable evidence sufficient to satisfy the Corporation that such stockholder has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act in accordance with the following sentence), then the nomination of each such proposed nominee shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies or votes in respect of the election of such proposed nominees may have been received by the Corporation (which proxies and votes shall be disregarded). Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Company, no later than five (5) business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 2, Section 3, the Board of Directors may waive any of the provisions of this Article 2, Section 3.
(vi) Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock if and to the extent provided for under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Subject to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed to permit any stockholder, or give any stockholder the right, to include or have disseminated or described in the Corporation’s proxy statement any nomination of a director or directors or any other business proposal.
Section 4. 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 nominated by a stockholder for election or reelection to the Board of Directors must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Article 2, Section 3 or Article 2, Section 8 of these Bylaws, as applicable) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such individual and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request), an irrevocable conditional resignation in accordance with the Corporation’s resignation policy in connection with majority voting and Article 2, Section 4 of these By-laws, and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary, which form shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request of any stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or business proposal, as applicable, is made; provided such written request identifies both the stockholder making such request and the beneficial owner(s), if any, on whose behalf such request is being made) that such individual (a) is not and will not become a party to (i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) 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 to the Corporation, or (ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such individual’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such individual’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (b) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) 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, (c) will comply with the Corporation’s corporate governance guidelines and other policies applicable to its directors, and has disclosed therein whether all or any portion of securities of the Corporation were purchased with any financial assistance provided by any other person and whether any other person has any interest in such securities, (d) in such individual’s personal capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply, with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation publicly disclosed from time to time, (e) consents to being named as a nominee in any proxy statement relating to the next annual meeting or special meeting, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 14a-4(d) under the Exchange Act and any associated proxy card and agrees to serve if elected as a director, and (f) will abide by the requirements of Article 2, Section 5 of these Bylaws.
Section 5. Procedure for Election of Directors; Required Vote.
(a) Except as set forth below, election of directors at all meetings of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected shall be by ballot, and, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, a majority of the votes cast at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present shall elect directors. For purposes of this Bylaw, a majority of votes cast shall mean that the number of shares voted “for” a director’s election exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the number of votes cast with respect to that director’s election. Votes cast shall include votes against in each case and exclude abstentions and broker nonvotes with respect to that director’s election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a “contested election” of directors, directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present. For purposes of this Bylaw, a “contested election” shall mean any election of directors in which the number of candidates for election as directors exceeds the number of directors to be elected, with the determination thereof being made by the Secretary as of the later of (i) the close of the applicable notice of nomination period set forth in Article 2, Section 3 of these Bylaws or under applicable law and (ii) the last day on which a Nomination Notice may be delivered in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article 2, Section 8, based on whether one (1) or more notice(s) of nomination or Nomination Notice(s) were timely filed in accordance with said Article 2, Section 3 and/or Section 8, as applicable; provided, however, that the determination that an election is a “contested election” shall be determinative only as to the timeliness of a notice of nomination and not otherwise as to its validity. If, prior to the time the Corporation mails its initial proxy statement in connection with such election of directors, one (1) or more notices of nomination are withdrawn such that the number of candidates for election as director no longer exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the election shall not be considered a contested election, but in all other cases, once an election is determined to be a contested election, directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast.
(b) If a nominee for director who is an incumbent director is not elected and no successor has been elected at such meeting, the director shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors in accordance with the agreement contemplated by Article 2, Section 4 of these Bylaws. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors shall act on the tendered resignation, taking into account the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation, and publicly disclose (by a press release, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other broadly disseminated means of communication) its decision regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision within ninety (90) days from the date of the certification of the election results. The Nominating and Governance Committee in making its recommendation, and the Board of Directors in making its decision, may each consider any factors or other information that it considers appropriate and relevant. The director who tenders his or her resignation shall not participate in the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee or the decision of the Board of Directors with respect to his or her resignation. If such incumbent director’s resignation is not accepted by the Board of Directors, such director shall continue to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected, or his or her earlier resignation or removal. If a director’s resignation is accepted by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Bylaw, or if a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, then the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may fill any resulting vacancy pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, Section 8 of these Bylaws or may decrease the size of the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, Section 2 of these Bylaws.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders.
(d) Any individual who is nominated for election to the Board of Directors and included in the Corporation’s proxy materials for an annual meeting, including pursuant to Article 2, Section 8, shall tender an irrevocable resignation effective immediately, upon a determination by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof that (1) the information provided to the Corporation by such individual, or if applicable, by the Eligible Stockholder (or any stockholder, fund that is a Qualifying Fund (as defined in Article 2, Section 8) and/or beneficial owner whose stock ownership is counted for the purposes of qualifying as an Eligible Stockholder) who nominated such individual, was untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (2) such individual, or if applicable, the Eligible Stockholder (including each stockholder, fund that is a Qualifying Fund and/or beneficial owner whose stock ownership is counted for the purposes of qualifying as an Eligible Stockholder) who nominated such individual, shall have breached any representations or obligations owed to the Corporation under these Bylaws.
(e) At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy executed in writing (or in such manner prescribed by the DGCL) by the stockholder, or by such stockholder’s duly authorized attorney in fact. Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for exclusive use by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls. The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint one (1) or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may, but does not need to, include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One (1) or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chair of the meeting shall appoint one (1) or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, 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 have the duties prescribed by law.
The chair of the meeting shall fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for the matters upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting.
Section 7. No Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
Section 8. Inclusion of Stockholder Nominees in Proxy Statement.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article 2, Section 8, if expressly requested in the relevant Nomination Notice (as defined below), the Corporation shall include in its proxy statement for any annual meeting of stockholders (but not at any special meeting of stockholders): (i) the names of any person or persons nominated for election (each, a “Stockholder Nominee”), which shall also be included on the Corporation’s form of proxy and ballot, by any Eligible Stockholder (as defined below) or group of up to twenty (20) Eligible Stockholders that, as determined by the Board of Directors, has (individually and collectively, in the case of a group) satisfied all applicable conditions and complied with all applicable procedures set forth in this Article 2, Section 8 (such Eligible Stockholder or group of Eligible Stockholders being a “Nominating Stockholder”); (ii) disclosure about each Stockholder Nominee and the Nominating Stockholder required under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other applicable law to be included in the proxy statement; (iii) any statement included by the Nominating Stockholder in the Nomination Notice for inclusion in the proxy statement in support of each Stockholder Nominee’s election to the Board of Directors (subject, without limitation, to Article 2, Section 8(d)(ii); provided that, such statement does not exceed five hundred (500) words and fully complies with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Rule 14a-9 (the “Supporting Statement”)); and (iv) any other information that the Corporation or the Board of Directors determines, in its discretion, to include in the proxy statement relating to the nomination of each Stockholder Nominee, including, without limitation, any statement in opposition to the nomination, any information relating to the Eligible Stockholder or Stockholder Nominee any of the information provided pursuant to this Article 2, Section 8 and any solicitation materials or related information with respect to a Stockholder Nominee.
For purposes of this Article 2, Section 8, any determination to be made by the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors, a committee of the Board of Directors or any officer designated by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors, and any such determination shall be final and binding on the Corporation, any Eligible Stockholder, any Nominating Stockholder, any Stockholder Nominee and any other person so long as it is made in good faith (without any further requirements). The chair of any annual meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall have the power and duty to determine whether a Stockholder Nominee has been nominated in accordance with the requirements of this Article 2, Section 8 and, if not so nominated, shall direct and declare at the meeting that such Stockholder Nominee shall not be considered.
(b) Maximum Number of Stockholder Nominees.
(i) The Corporation shall not be required to include in the proxy statement for an annual meeting of stockholders more Stockholder Nominees than that number of directors constituting the greater of (A) two (2) and (B) largest whole number that does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total number of directors of the Corporation on the last day on which a Nomination Notice may be submitted pursuant to this Article 2, Section 8 (the “Maximum Number”).
(ii) The Maximum Number for a particular annual meeting shall be reduced by: (A) Stockholder Nominees whose nominations are withdrawn by the Nominating Stockholder or who become unwilling to serve on the Board of Directors; (B) Stockholder Nominees who the Board of Directors itself decides to nominate for election at such annual meeting; and (C) the number of incumbent directors who had been Stockholder Nominees at any of the preceding two (2) annual meetings of stockholders and whose reelection at the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders is being recommended by the Board of Directors. In the event that one (1) or more vacancies for any reason occurs on the Board of Directors after the deadline for submitting a Nomination Notice as set forth in Article 2, Section 8(c)(vi), but before the date of the annual meeting of stockholders and the Board of Directors resolves to reduce the size of the Board of Directors in connection therewith, the Maximum Number shall be calculated based on the number of directors in office as so reduced. In no circumstance shall the Maximum Number exceed the number of directors to be elected at the applicable meeting as noticed by the Corporation.
(iii) If the number of Stockholder Nominees pursuant to this Article 2, Section 8 for any annual meeting of stockholders exceeds the Maximum Number, then, promptly upon notice from the Corporation, each Nominating Stockholder will select one (1) Stockholder Nominee for inclusion in the proxy statement until the Maximum Number is reached, going in order of the amount (largest to smallest) of shares of the Corporation’s common stock that each Nominating Stockholder disclosed as owned in its Nomination Notice, with the process repeated if the Maximum Number is not reached after each Nominating Stockholder has selected one (1) Stockholder Nominee. If, after the deadline for submitting a Nomination Notice as set forth in Article 2, Section 8(c)(vi), a Nominating Stockholder or a Stockholder Nominee ceases to satisfy the eligibility requirements in this Article 2, Section 8, as determined by the Board of Directors, or the Maximum Number is reached, a Nominating Stockholder withdraws its nomination or has its nomination withdrawn or a Stockholder Nominee becomes unwilling to serve on the Board of Directors or is thereafter not submitted for director election, whether before or after the mailing or other distribution of the definitive proxy statement, then the Corporation: (A) shall not be required to include in its proxy statement or on any ballot or form of proxy the Stockholder Nominee or any successor or replacement Stockholder Nominee proposed by the Nominating Stockholder or by any other Nominating Stockholder and (B) may otherwise communicate to its stockholders, including, without limitation by amending or supplementing its proxy statement or ballot or form of proxy, that the Stockholder Nominee will not be included as a Stockholder Nominee in the proxy statement or on any ballot or form of proxy and will not be voted on at the annual meeting of stockholders.
(c) Eligibility of Nominating Stockholder.
(i) An “Eligible Stockholder” is a person who has either (A) been a record holder of the shares of common stock of the Corporation used to satisfy the eligibility requirements in this Article 2, Section 8(c) continuously for the three (3) year period specified in subsection (c)(ii) of this Article 2, Section 8(c) below or (B) provides to the Secretary of the Corporation, within the time period referred to in Article 2, Section 8(c)(vi), evidence of continuous ownership of such shares for such three (3) year period from one (1) or more securities intermediaries in a form that the Board of Directors determines acceptable.
(ii) An Eligible Stockholder or group of up to twenty (20) Eligible Stockholders may submit a nomination in accordance with this Article 2, Section 8(c) only if the person or group (in the aggregate) has continuously owned at least the Minimum Number (as defined below) (as adjusted for any stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends or similar events) of shares of the Corporation’s common stock throughout the three (3) year period preceding and including the date of submission of the Nomination Notice and as of the record date for determining stockholders eligible to vote at the annual meeting, and continues to own at least the Minimum Number of shares through the date of the annual meeting of stockholders. The following shall be treated as one (1) Eligible Stockholder if such Eligible Stockholder shall provide together with the Nomination Notice documentation satisfactory to the Board of Directors that demonstrates compliance with the following criteria (each such fund, a “Qualifying Fund”): (A) funds under common management and investment control; (B) funds under common management and funded primarily by the same employer; or (C) a “group of investment companies” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended); provided that, each fund otherwise meets the requirements set forth in this Article 2, Section 8. In the event of a nomination by a Nominating Stockholder that includes more than one (1) Eligible Stockholder, any and all requirements and obligations for a given Eligible Stockholder or, except as the context otherwise makes clear, the Nominating Stockholder, that are set forth in this Article 2, Section 8(c), including the minimum holding period, shall apply to each member of such group; provided, however, that the Minimum Number shall apply to the aggregate ownership of the group of Eligible Stockholders constituting the Nominating Stockholder. Should any Eligible Stockholder cease to satisfy the eligibility requirements in this Article 2, Section 8(c), as determined by the Board of Directors, or withdraw from a group of Eligible Stockholders constituting a Nominating Stockholder at any time prior to the annual meeting of stockholders, the Nominating Stockholder shall be deemed to own only the shares held by the remaining Eligible Stockholders. As used in this Article 2, Section 8(c), any reference to a “group” or “group of Eligible Stockholders” refers to any Nominating Stockholder that consists of more than one (1) Eligible Stockholder and to all the Eligible Stockholders that make up such Nominating Stockholder.
(iii) The “Minimum Number” of shares of the Corporation’s common stock means three percent (3%) of the number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation as of the most recent date for which such amount is given in any filing by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the submission of the Nomination Notice.
(iv) For purposes of this Article 2, Section 8(c), an Eligible Stockholder “owns” only those outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock as to which such Eligible Stockholder possesses both: (A) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to such shares and (B) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit from and the risk of loss on) such shares; provided that, the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (A) and (B) shall not include (and to the extent any of the following arrangements have been entered into by affiliates of the Eligible Stockholder, shall be reduced by) any shares: (1) purchased or sold by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (2) sold short by such Eligible Stockholder, (3) borrowed by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates for any purpose or purchased by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell or subject to any other obligation to resell to another person, or (4) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of: (x) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such Eligible Stockholder’s or any of its affiliates’ full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, and/or (y) hedging, offsetting, or altering to any degree any gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates. An Eligible Stockholder “owns” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the Eligible Stockholder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the shares. An Eligible Stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the Eligible Stockholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney, or other similar instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the Eligible Stockholder. An Eligible Stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the Eligible Stockholder has loaned such shares; provided that, the Eligible Stockholder has the power to recall such loaned shares on not more than five (5) business days’ notice. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings. Whether outstanding shares of the Corporation are “owned” for these purposes shall be determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Article 2, Section 8(c)(iv), the term “affiliate” or “affiliates” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.
(v) No Eligible Stockholder shall be permitted to be in more than one (1) group constituting a Nominating Stockholder, and if any Eligible Stockholder appears as a member of more than one (1) group, such Eligible Stockholder shall be deemed to be a member of only the group that has the largest ownership position as reflected in the Nomination Notice.
(vi) Nomination Notice. To nominate a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Article 2, Section 8(a), the Nominating Stockholder (including each group member in the case of a Nominating Stockholder consisting of a group of Eligible Stockholders) must have delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, and the Secretary must have received, all of the following information and documents in a form that the Board of Directors determines acceptable (collectively, the “Nomination Notice”), not less than one hundred twenty (120) days nor more than one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the anniversary of the date that the Corporation mailed its proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders (and in no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of the Nomination Notice):
(A) one (1) or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and from each intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the requisite three (3) year holding period) verifying that, as of a date within seven (7) calendar days prior to the date of the Nomination Notice, the Nominating Stockholder owns, and has continuously owned for the preceding three (3) years, the Minimum Number of shares, and the Nominating Stockholder’s agreement to provide, within five (5) business days after the record date for the annual meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Nominating Stockholder’s continuous ownership of the Minimum Number of shares through the record date, together with any additional information reasonably requested to verify such person’s ownership of the Minimum Number of shares;
(B) an agreement to provide immediate notice if the Nominating Stockholder ceases to own the Minimum Number of shares at any time prior to the date of the annual meeting;
(C) a Schedule 14N (or any successor form) relating to each Stockholder Nominee, completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Nominating Stockholder, as applicable, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules;
(D) the written consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named as a nominee in any proxy statement, form of proxy and ballot relating to the next annual meeting as a Stockholder Nominee (and stating that such Stockholder Nominee will not agree to be named in any other person’s proxy statement, form of proxy or ballot with respect to the Corporation) and to serving as a director if elected;
(E) a written notice, in a form deemed satisfactory by the Board of Directors, of the nomination of each Stockholder Nominee that includes the following additional information, agreements, representations and warranties by the Nominating Stockholder: (1) the information that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination pursuant to Article 2, Sections 3 and 4; (2) the details of any relationship that existed within the past three (3) years and that would have been described pursuant to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14N (or any successor item) if it existed on the date of submission of the Schedule 14N; (3) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder acquired the securities of the Corporation in the ordinary course of business and did not acquire, and is not holding, securities of the Corporation for the purpose or with the effect of influencing or changing control of the Corporation; (4) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting any person other than such Nominating Stockholder’s Stockholder Nominee(s); (5) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder has not engaged in and will not engage in a “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act (without reference to the exception in Section 14a-1(l)(2)(iv)) with respect to the annual meeting, other than with respect to such Nominating Stockholder’s Stockholder Nominee(s) or any nominee of the Board of Directors; (6) a representation and warranty that each Stockholder Nominee’s candidacy or, if elected, membership on the Board of Directors would not violate applicable state or federal law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are traded; (7) a representation and warranty that each Stockholder Nominee: (A) does not have any direct or indirect relationship with the Corporation that would cause the Stockholder Nominee to be deemed not independent, and otherwise qualifies as independent, pursuant to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines (as amended from time to time or any successor policy), the rules of the primary stock exchange on which the Corporation’s shares of common stock are traded and any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission; (B) meets the audit committee and compensation committee independence requirements under the rules of the primary stock exchange on which the Corporation’s shares of common stock are traded; is a “non-employee director” for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule); (D) is an “outside director” for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision); (E) is not and has not been subject to any event specified in Rule 506(d)(1) of Regulation D (or any successor rule) under the Securities Act of 1933 or Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K (or any successor rule) under the Exchange Act, without reference to whether the event is material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of such Stockholder Nominee; and (F) meets the director qualifications set forth in these Bylaws and the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, if any; (8) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth in Article 2, Section 8(c); (9) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder intends to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Article 2, Section 8(c) through the date of the annual meeting; (10) details of any position of a Stockholder Nominee as an officer or director of any competitor (that is, any entity that produces products or provides services that compete with or are alternatives to the principal products produced or services provided by the Corporation or its affiliates) of the Corporation, within the three (3) years preceding the submission of the Nomination Notice; (11) if desired, a Supporting Statement; (12) in the case of a nomination by a Nominating Stockholder comprised of a group, the designation by all Eligible Stockholders in such group of one (1) Eligible Stockholder who is authorized to act on behalf of the Nominating Stockholder with respect to matters relating to the nomination, including withdrawal of the nomination; and (13) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are and will be true and correct in all material respects and do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and will otherwise comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in connection with any actions taken pursuant to this Article 2, Section 8;
(F) an executed agreement, in a form deemed satisfactory by the Board of Directors, pursuant to which the Nominating Stockholder (including, in the case of a group, each Eligible Stockholder in that group) agrees: (1) to comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and listing standards in connection with the nomination, solicitation and election and to promptly provide the Corporation with such other information as the Corporation may reasonably request; (2) to file any written solicitation or other communication with the Corporation’s stockholders relating to one (1) or more of the Corporation’s directors or nominees for director or any Stockholder Nominee with the Securities and Exchange Commission, regardless of whether any such filing is required under any rule or regulation or whether any exemption from filing is available for such materials under any rule or regulation; (3) to assume all liability stemming from an action, suit or proceeding concerning any actual or alleged legal or regulatory violation arising out of or relating to (x) any communication by the Nominating Stockholder or any of its Stockholder Nominees with the Corporation, its stockholders or any other person in connection with the nomination or election of directors, including, without limitation, the Nomination Notice (and any other information provided to the Corporation in connection therewith), (y) the Nominating Stockholder’s efforts to elect any of its Stockholder Nominees or (z) a failure or alleged failure of the Nominating Stockholder or any of its Stockholder Nominees to comply with, or any breach or alleged breach of, its or their obligations, agreements or representations under these Bylaws; (4) to indemnify and hold harmless (jointly with all other Eligible Stockholders, in the case of a group of Eligible Stockholders) the Corporation and its affiliates and each of its and their directors, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss, damages, expenses or other costs (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the Corporation or any of its affiliates or its or their directors, officers or employees arising out of or relating to (x) any communication by the Nominating Stockholder or any of its Stockholder Nominees with the Corporation, its stockholders or any other person in connection with the nomination or election of directors, including, without limitation, the Nomination Notice (and any other information provided to the Corporation in connection therewith), (y) the Nominating Stockholder’s efforts to elect any of its Stockholder Nominees or (z) a failure or alleged failure of the Nominating Stockholder or any of its Stockholder Nominees to comply with, or any breach or alleged breach of, its or their obligations, agreements or representations under these Bylaws; (5) in the event that any information included in the Nomination Notice or any other communication by the Nominating Stockholder (including with respect to any Eligible Stockholder included in a group) with the Corporation, its stockholders or any other person in connection with the nomination or election ceases to be true and accurate in all material respects (or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements made not misleading), to promptly (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours of discovering such misstatement or omission) notify the Corporation and any other recipient of such communication of the misstatement or omission in such previously provided information and of the information that is required to correct the misstatement or omission; it being understood that providing any such notification will not be deemed to cure any defect or limit the remedies (including, without limitation, under these Bylaws) available to the Corporation relating to any such defect; and (6) in the event that the Nominating Stockholder (including any Eligible Stockholder in a group) has failed to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Article 2, Section 8(c), to promptly notify the Corporation; and
(G) an executed agreement, in a form deemed satisfactory by the Board of Directors, by each Stockholder Nominee: (1) to provide to the Corporation such other information and certifications, including completion of the Corporation’s director nominee questionnaire, as the Board of Directors may reasonably request; (2) at the reasonable request of the Board of Directors or any committee, to discuss matters relating to the nomination of such Stockholder Nominee to the Board of Directors or any committee, including the information provided by such Stockholder Nominee to the Corporation in connection with his or her nomination and such Stockholder Nominee’s eligibility to serve as a member of the Board of Directors; (3) that such Stockholder Nominee has read and agrees, if elected, to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, to adhere to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and any other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to directors; and (4) that such Stockholder Nominee is not and will not become a party to (A) any compensatory, payment or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity in connection with his or her nomination, candidacy, service or action as a director of the Corporation that has not been fully disclosed to the Corporation prior to or concurrently with the Nominating Stockholder’s submission of the Nomination Notice, (B) any Voting Commitment that has not been fully disclosed to the Corporation prior to or concurrently with the Nominating Stockholder’s submission of the Nomination Notice or (C) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such Stockholder Nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with his or her fiduciary duties under applicable law.
The information and documents required by this Article 2, Section 8(c)(vi) to be provided by the Nominating Stockholder shall be: (i) provided with respect to and executed by each Eligible Stockholder in the group in the case of a Nominating Stockholder comprised of a group of Eligible Stockholders; and (ii) provided with respect to the persons specified in Instructions 1 and 2 to Items 6(c) and (d) of Schedule 14N (or any successor item) (x) in the case of a Nominating Stockholder that is an entity and (y) in the case of a Nominating Stockholder that is a group that includes one (1) or more Eligible Stockholders that are entities. The Nomination Notice shall be deemed submitted on the date on which all of the information and documents referred to in this Article 2, Section 8(c)(vi) (other than such information and documents contemplated to be provided after the date the Nomination Notice is provided) have been delivered to and received by the Secretary of the Corporation. In order to be considered timely, any information required by this Article 2, Section 8 to be provided to the Corporation must be supplemented (by delivery to the Secretary of the Corporation) (1) no later than ten (10) days following the record date for the applicable annual meeting, to disclose the foregoing information as of such record date, and (2) no later than the fifth (5th) day before the annual meeting, to disclose the foregoing information as of the date that is no earlier than ten (10) days prior to such annual meeting.
(d) Exceptions.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 2, Section 8, the Corporation may omit from its proxy statement any Stockholder Nominee and any information concerning such Stockholder Nominee (including a Nominating Stockholder’s Supporting Statement) and no vote on such Stockholder Nominee will occur (notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation), and the Nominating Stockholder may not, after the last day on which a Nomination Notice would be timely, cure in any way any defect preventing the nomination of such Stockholder Nominee, if: (A) the Corporation receives a notice pursuant to the advance notice requirements set forth in Article 2, Section 3 that a stockholder intends to nominate a candidate for director at the annual meeting, whether or not such notice is subsequently withdrawn or made the subject of a settlement with the Corporation; (B) the Nominating Stockholder (or, in the case of a Nominating Stockholder consisting of a group of Eligible Stockholders, the Eligible Stockholder that is authorized to act on behalf of the Nominating Stockholder), or any qualified representative thereof, does not appear at the annual meeting to present the nomination submitted pursuant to this Article 2, Section 8, the Nominating Stockholder withdraws its nomination or the chair of the annual meeting declares that such nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by this Article 2, Section 8 and shall therefore be disregarded; (C) the Board of Directors determines that such Stockholder Nominee’s nomination or election to the Board of Directors would result in the Corporation violating or failing to be in compliance with these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation or any applicable law, rule or regulation to which the Corporation is subject, including any rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are traded; (D) such Stockholder Nominee was nominated for election to the Board of Directors pursuant to this Article 2, Section 8 at one (1) of the Corporation’s two (2) preceding annual meetings of stockholders and either withdrew from or became ineligible or unavailable for election at such annual meeting or received a vote of less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares of common stock entitled to vote for such Stockholder Nominee; (E) such Stockholder Nominee has been, within the past three (3) years, an officer or director of a competitor, as defined for purposes of Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, as amended; (F) the Corporation is notified, or the Board of Directors determines, that the Nominating Stockholder or such Stockholder Nominee has failed to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements, any of the representations and warranties made in the Nomination Notice ceases to be true and accurate in all material respects (or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements made not misleading), such Stockholder Nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve on the Board of Directors or any material violation or breach occurs of any of the obligations, agreements, representations or warranties of the Nominating Stockholder or such Stockholder Nominee under this Article 2, Section 8; (G) such Stockholder Nominee is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in such a criminal proceeding within the past ten (10) years; (H) such Stockholder Nominee is subject to any order of the type specified in Rule 506(d) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933; or (I) such Stockholder Nominee is not independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the common stock of the Corporation is listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing independence of the Corporation’s directors, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 2, Section 8, the Corporation may omit from its proxy statement, or may supplement or correct, any information, including all or any portion of the Supporting Statement or any other statement in support of a Stockholder Nominee included in the Nomination Notice, if the Board of Directors determines that: (A) such information is not true in all material respects or omits a material statement necessary to make the statements made not misleading; (B) such information directly or indirectly impugns the character, integrity or personal reputation of, or directly or indirectly makes charges concerning improper, illegal or immoral conduct or associations, without factual foundation, with respect to, any individual, corporation, partnership, association or other entity, organization or governmental authority; (C) the inclusion of such information in the proxy statement would otherwise violate the Securities and Exchange Commission proxy rules or any other applicable law, rule or regulation; or (D) the inclusion of such information in the proxy statement would impose a material risk of liability upon the Corporation.
The Corporation may solicit against, and include in the proxy statement its own statement relating to, any Stockholder Nominee.
Article 3
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Duties and Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all powers of the Corporation and perform all lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or performed by the stockholders.
Section 2. Number and Tenure. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation (the “Preferred Stock Directors”), the Board of Directors shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three (3) classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible. The first (1st) term of office for the Class I directors shall expire at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. The first (1st) term of office for the Class II directors shall expire at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. The first (1st) term of office for the Class III directors shall expire at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, the Class I directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, the Class II directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, the Class III directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders. Commencing at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders and at all subsequent annual meetings of stockholders, the Board of Directors will no longer be classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL, and all directors shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. Prior to the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, in case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of directors (other than Preferred Stock Directors), the number of directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible.
Section 3. Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders, or such other date, time and place as the Board of Directors may determine. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, provide the date, time and place, if any, for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called at the request of the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Lead Independent Director, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place, if any, date and time of the meetings.
Section 5. Telephone Meetings. Any or all directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof by means of conference telephone or videoconference or any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 6. Notice of Meetings. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director at such person’s business or residence in writing by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail or courier service, email or facsimile transmission, or orally by telephone. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five (5) days before such meeting. If by overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by email, facsimile transmission, telephone or by hand, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least twelve (12) hours before such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Article 8, Section 2 of these Bylaws.
Section 7. Quorum. Subject to Article 3, Section 8 of these Bylaws, a whole number of directors equal to at least a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. 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 8. Vacancies. Subject to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class, if any, for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, any director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of directors and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 9. Chair of the Board of Directors. The Chair of the Board of Directors shall be chosen from among the directors and may be the Chief Executive Officer. The Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Lead Independent Director or another director chosen by a majority of the directors present shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 10. Lead Independent Director. The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, appoint an independent director to serve as the Lead Independent Director in order to coordinate the activities of the independent directors. The Lead Independent Director shall be appointed annually by a majority vote of the independent directors and shall serve until his or her successor shall have been appointed or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification as an independent director. The Lead Independent Director may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority of the independent directors. The Lead Independent Director shall have such powers and perform such duties as are assigned by these Bylaws and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties, not inconsistent with these Bylaws, as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors. A majority of the independent directors shall fill any vacancy in the position of Lead Independent Director at such time and in such manner as such directors shall determine.
Section 11. Committees. The Board of Directors may designate any such committee as the Board of Directors considers appropriate, which shall consist of one (1) or more directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee may to the extent permitted by law exercise such powers and shall have such responsibilities as shall be specified in the designating resolution. Each committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors as appropriate.
A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Article 3, Section 6 of these Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve, any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board of Directors from appointing one (1) or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 12. Removal. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any director(s) of the Corporation may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Voting Stock (a) until the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders or such other time as the Board of Directors is no longer classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL, only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock and (b) from and including the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders or such other time as the Board of Directors is no longer classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock.
Section 13. Action Without a Meeting. The Board of Directors or a committee thereof may take any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to such action, all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors, or committee. 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 14. Compensation of Directors. The Board of Directors may, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, fix fees or compensation of the directors for services to the Corporation, including attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Article 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers or assistant officers as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. All officers and assistant officers elected by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article 4. Such officers and assistant officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may from time to time elect such other officers and assistant officers (including one (1) or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, and Assistant Treasurers) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Assistant officers and agents also may be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer. Such other officers, assistant officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or such committee or by the Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be.
Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 3. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management and supervision over and responsibility for the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incident to the office which may be required by applicable law and all such other duties as are properly required of the Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation may also serve as President, if so elected by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. President. If the Board of Directors elects a President who is not the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall act in a general executive capacity and shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervision of its policies and affairs.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. Each Vice President, including any Vice President designated as Executive, Senior, or otherwise, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such Vice President by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and shall have such further powers and duties as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in one (1) or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the committees of the Board of Directors and the stockholders. The Secretary shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by applicable law. The Secretary shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by applicable law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed. The Secretary shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such Secretary by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Lead Independent Director (if any) or the President.
Section 8. Removal. Any officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board of Directors may be removed from office with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board. Any assistant officer or agent appointed by the Chief Executive Officer may be removed from office by the Chief Executive Officer with or without cause. No elected officer or assistant officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his or her successor, his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal from office, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.
Section 9. Vacancies. A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or the President because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Article 5
STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS
Section 1. Stock; Transfers. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the interest of each stockholder of the Corporation will be uncertificated.
The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation, in the case of certificated shares of stock, if any, by the holder thereof in person or by such person’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require; and, in the case of uncertificated shares of stock, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.
The certificates of stock, if any, shall be signed, countersigned and registered in such manner as the Board of Directors may by resolution prescribe, which resolution may permit all or any of the signatures on such certificates to be in facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, at all times that the Corporation’s stock is listed on a stock exchange, the shares of the stock of the Corporation shall comply with all direct registration system eligibility requirements established by such exchange, including any requirement that shares of the Corporation’s stock be eligible for issue in book-entry form. All issuances and transfers of shares of the Corporation’s stock shall be entered on the books of the Corporation with all information necessary to comply with such direct registration system eligibility requirements, including the name and address of the person to whom the shares of stock are issued, the number of shares of stock issued and the date of issue. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation in both the certificated (if any) and uncertificated form.
Section 2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. As applicable, no certificate for shares of stock in the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Corporation of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such surety, as the Board of Directors or any financial officer may in its or such person’s discretion require.
Section 3. Record Owners. 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 required by applicable law.
Section 4. Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one (1) or more transfer offices or agencies and registry offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Article 6
CONTRACTS, PROXIES, ETC.
Section 1. Contracts. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board of Directors may determine. The Chair of the Board of Directors, the Lead Independent Director (if any), any Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and any other officer of the Corporation elected by the Board of Directors may sign, acknowledge, verify, make, execute and/or deliver on behalf of the Corporation any agreement, application, bond, certificate, consent, guarantee, mortgage, power of attorney, receipt, release, waiver, contract, deed, lease and any other instrument, or any assignment or endorsement thereof. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board of Directors or the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Lead Independent Director (if any), the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer or any other officer of the Corporation elected by the Board of Directors may delegate contractual powers to others under his or her jurisdiction, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.
Section 2. Proxies. Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Lead Independent Director (if any), or any officer of the Corporation elected by the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other entity, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other entity, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other entity, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he or she may deem necessary or proper in the premises.
Article 7
DIVIDENDS
Dividends may be declared and paid at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may in its absolute discretion determine and designate, subject to the restrictions and limitations imposed by law and the Certificate of Incorporation.
Article 8
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. Seal. The corporate seal, if the Corporation shall have a corporate seal, shall have inscribed thereon the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware,” the name of the Corporation and the year of its organization. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
Section 2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 3. Resignations. Any director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Lead Independent Director (if any), or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the date said notice is received by the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Lead Independent Director (if any), or the Secretary, or at such later time as is specified therein. Except to the extent specified in such notice, no formal action shall be required of the Board of Directors or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.
Article 9
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first (1st) day of January in each year and end on the thirty-first ( 31st) day of December next succeeding; provided that, the Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix a different fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.
Article 10
INDEMNIFICATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Indemnification. Each person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer 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 (each such director or officer, hereinafter, an “indemnitee”), shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater indemnification rights than the DGCL permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification) against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 2. Advancement of Expenses. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater rights to advancement of expenses than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), each indemnitee shall have (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to have) the right, without the need for any action by the Board of Directors, to be paid by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred by such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding; such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, that, if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not, except to the extent specifically required by applicable law, in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Bylaw or otherwise.
Section 3. Determination of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article 10 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances, because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL. With respect to an indemnitee who is a director or officer of the Corporation at the time of such determination, such determination shall be made (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion of such independent legal counsel, or (iv) by the stockholders.
Section 4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person in this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other right that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote or consent of stockholders or directors. Additionally, nothing in this Article 10 shall limit the ability of the Corporation, in its discretion, to indemnify or advance expenses to persons whom the Corporation is not obligated to indemnify or advance expenses pursuant to this Article 10. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate to such officer or other person as the Board of Directors shall specify the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any person pursuant to this paragraph.
Section 5. Indemnification Agreements. The Board of Directors is authorized to cause the Corporation to enter into indemnification agreements with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or any person serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including employee benefit plans, providing indemnification rights to such person. Such rights may be greater than those provided in this Article 10.
Section 6. Continuation of Indemnification. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article 10 shall continue notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be an indemnitee and shall inure to the benefit of his or her estate, heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnity in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Effect of Amendment or Repeal. The provisions of this Article 10 shall constitute a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, each individual who serves or has served as an indemnitee (whether before or after the adoption of these Bylaws), in consideration of such person’s performance of such services, and pursuant to this Article 10, the Corporation intends to be legally bound to each such current or former indemnitee. With respect to current and former indemnitees, the rights conferred under this Article 10 are present contractual rights and such rights are fully vested, and shall be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon adoption of these Bylaws. With respect to any indemnitee who commence service following adoption of these Bylaws, the rights conferred under this Article 10 shall be present contractual rights, and such rights shall fully vest, and be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon such indemnitee’s service in the capacity which is subject to the benefits of this Article 10. No elimination of or amendment to this Article 10 shall deprive any person of any rights hereunder arising out of alleged or actual acts or omissions occurring prior to such elimination or amendment.
Section 8. Notice. Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Article 10 shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, 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.
Section 9. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Bylaw shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (A) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Bylaw (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Bylaw containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (B) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Bylaw (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Bylaw containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
Section 10. Forum Selection for Adjudication of Certain Disputes. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum (an “Alternative Forum Consent”), to the fullest extent permitted by law:
(a) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware; provided, however, that, in the event that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding shall be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware, in each such case, unless the Court of Chancery (or such other state or federal court located within the State of Delaware, as applicable) has dismissed a prior action by the same plaintiff asserting the same claims because such court lacked personal jurisdiction over an indispensable party named as a defendant therein.
(b) the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This exclusive forum provision does not apply to claims arising under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article 10, Section 10. The existence of any prior Alternative Forum Consent shall not act as a waiver of the Corporation’s ongoing consent right as set forth above in this Article 10, Section 10 with respect to any current or future actions or claims.
Article 11
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. By the Stockholders. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be amended, altered, changed or repealed, or new Bylaws adopted, at any special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation if duly called for that purpose (provided that, in the notice of such special meeting, notice of such purpose shall be given), or at any annual meeting, in each case, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66⅔ percent) of the Voting Stock.
Section 2. By the Board of Directors. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, these Bylaws may also be amended, altered, changed or repealed, or new Bylaws adopted, by the Board of Directors, 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
34
Exhibit 4.1
STOCKHOLDER AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.
AND
KNIFE RIVER HOLDING COMPANY
DATED AS OF [ ], 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
TABLE OF CONTENTS | i |
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | 1 |
ARTICLE II REGISTRATION RIGHTS | 6 |
Section 2.01 Registration | 6 |
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. | 19 |
Section 2.07 Indemnification | 20 |
Section 2.08 Reporting Requirements; Rule 144 | 22 |
Section 2.09 Registration Rights Covenant | 22 |
ARTICLE III VOTING RESTRICTIONS | 23 |
Section 3.01 Voting of SpinCo Shares | 23 |
ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS | 23 |
Section 4.01 Further Assurances | 23 |
Section 4.02 Term and Termination | 23 |
Section 4.03 Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power | 24 |
Section 4.04 Disputes and Governing Law | 24 |
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 | 27 |
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 |
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 [ ], 2023 (this “Agreement”), is by and between MDU Resources Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Knife River Holding Company, 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 eighty and one tenth of a percent (80.1%) or more of the outstanding SpinCo Shares owned by Parent to Parent’s stockholders (the “Distribution”);
WHEREAS, Parent may Transfer those SpinCo Shares that are not distributed in the Distribution (such SpinCo Shares not distributed in the Distribution, the “Remaining 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 Remaining 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 Remaining Shares in proportion to the votes cast by SpinCo’s other stockholders, subject to the terms and 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” shall mean an Underwritten Offering not involving any “road show” which is commonly known as a “block trade.”
“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.
“Effective Time” 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.
“Exchange Offer” shall mean an exchange offer of Registrable Securities for outstanding securities of a Holder.
“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) SpinCo’s plan to file the relevant Registration Statement and engage in the offering so 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 Holder’s possession prior to it being furnished to such Holder by SpinCo or on SpinCo’s 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” shall mean 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 Transfer 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 Transfer 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 Remaining Shares and any SpinCo Shares or other securities issued with respect to, in exchange for, or in replacement of such Remaining Shares; provided, that the term “Registrable Securities” excludes any security (i) the offering and Transfer of which has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and which has been Transferred pursuant to a Registration Statement, (ii) that has been Transferred 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 Transfer of such securities by the transferee or assignee is not restricted under the Securities Act or (iii) that has been Transferred by a Holder in a transaction in which such Holder’s rights under this Agreement are not, or cannot be, assigned.
“Registration” shall mean a registration with the SEC of the offer and Transfer 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 Group’s 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 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 Transfer 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, Transfer, distribution or delivery of the Registrable Securities or other SpinCo Shares to be Transferred, including any fees of counsel for any underwriters in connection with the qualification of the Registrable Securities or other SpinCo Shares to be Transferred for offering and Transfer 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.
“Remaining Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“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 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).
“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 Transfer” 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.
“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.
“Transfer” shall mean the direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment or other disposition of a security. The term “Transferred” shall have a correlative meaning.
“Transferee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(b).
“Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which Registrable Securities are Transferred to an underwriter or underwriters on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public.
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 therefor 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 as expeditiously as possible 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 Form 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 three 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 in this Agreement, the Parent Group shall be permitted to engage in up to four Debt Exchanges within any nine-month period following the date hereof, and Demand Registration request(s) made by the Participating Banks in such 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 Debt Exchanges outside of such nine-month period, but each Demand Registration request by the Participating Banks for such additional 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 in this Agreement, if, at the time of the third 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 Transferred and (ii)(x) in the case of a Registration Statement that is not a Shelf Registration Statement, 60 days from the effective date of such Registration Statement, (y) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1, 12 months from the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement and (z) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement on any other form, 24 months from the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (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 during 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 or as a result of such need to update or supplement the Registration Statement.
(d) With respect to any Registration Statement or Takedown Prospectus Supplement, whether filed or to be filed pursuant to this Agreement, if the SpinCo Board, in good faith, 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 or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries that, if disclosed at such time, would be materially adverse to SpinCo or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries (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 Transfers 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 such 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 Transferred 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 reasonable best efforts to take such action as to eliminate any restriction imposed by federal securities Laws on the timely delivery of such Registrable Securities; provided, further, that, if implementation of such Blackout Period would materially impair the ability of Parent or any member of the Parent Group to Transfer its Registrable Securities in accordance with its or their intended method of distribution, then SpinCo may not impose such Blackout Period (and any Blackout Period then in effect shall automatically expire) and SpinCo shall as soon as reasonably possible revise, amend and/or supplement the Registration Statement, as applicable, so that it does not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. When any Disadvantageous Condition as to which a Blackout Notice has been previously delivered shall cease to exist, SpinCo shall as promptly as reasonably practicable 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 Registration Period for any 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 the SpinCo Board 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 SpinCo’s 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 Transfer 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 Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer and the inclusion of such Holder’s 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 Transferred 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 if this sentence would result in a reduction of the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holder to be included in such Registration, 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 with respect to such abandoned or withdrawn Registration Statement. 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 reasonable best efforts to make and keep effective in accordance with Section 2.01(c) (including by filing any post-effective amendments or prospectus supplements as required by law or 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 Holder’s intended method of distribution thereof (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)). 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 elects, such offering shall be in the form of a Block Trade, in which case 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 reasonable best efforts to cooperate with such requesting Holder(s) 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 (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 and 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 Transfer”), 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 Transfer 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 Transfer, 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 Transfer. 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, SpinCo’s filing of a Shelf Registration Statement shall not be deemed to be a SpinCo Public Transfer; 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 Transfer, unless such offering qualifies for an exemption from the SpinCo Public Transfer definition in this Section 2.02(a).
(b) In the case of any Underwritten Offering, each Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s 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 Holder’s request to withdraw and, subject to the preceding clause, each Holder shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of such Holder’s 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 Transferred 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 SpinCo’s executive officers and directors) for whom SpinCo is effecting the Registration, as the case may be, that SpinCo and such Persons propose to Transfer, (ii) second, the number, if any, of Registrable Securities of such class that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters, can be Transferred 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 Transfer, (iii) third, the number, if any, of Registrable Securities of such class that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters, can be Transferred 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 Transfer, (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 (i) shall treat the Offering Confidential Information as confidential information, (ii) shall 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) shall 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 shall 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 SpinCo’s Registration obligations under Section 2.01 and Section 2.02, SpinCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the offer and Transfer of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof as expeditiously as reasonably 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 Transfer 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 reasonable best 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 Transfer 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 Transfer 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 reasonable best 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 Transfer 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 Transfers 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 Transfer 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 Transferred 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 Transfer of Registrable Securities; provided that SpinCo may satisfy its obligations under this clause (x) without issuing physical stock certificates through the use of the Depository Trust Company’s 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 SpinCo’s securities are then listed or quoted and on each inter-dealer quotation system on which any of SpinCo’s 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 reasonable best 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 Transfer 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 under this clause (xii) without issuing physical stock certificates through the use of the Depository Trust Company’s 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 SpinCo’s 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 reasonable best 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 SpinCo’s 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 SpinCo’s securities are then listed or quoted and on each inter-dealer quotation system on which any of SpinCo’s 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 Transfer 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 Group’s 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 Group’s 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 Transfer 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 Transfers of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement until such Holder’s 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 SpinCo’s 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 Registration Period 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 any member of the Parent Group is a participating Holder, to such member of the 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) If requested by the managing underwriter(s) for any Underwritten Offering or dealer manager(s) for any Exchange Offer, (i) the Holders hereby agree, in the event of a SpinCo Public Transfer 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) and (ii) SpinCo hereby agrees, in the event of a SpinCo Public Transfer of SpinCo Shares or other equity securities of SpinCo in an Underwritten Offering or an Exchange Offer, and, except in the case of a Shelf Registration, SpinCo shall cause its executive officers and directors to agree, in each case of clause (i) and (ii), that they shall not effect any Transfer or distribution (including any offer to Transfer, contract to Transfer, short Transfer 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 Transfer, 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 Transfer such Holder’s 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 Debt Exchange with one or more Participating Banks, SpinCo shall enter into a registration rights agreement with the Participating Banks in connection with such Debt Exchange on terms and conditions consistent with this Agreement (other than the voting provisions contained in Section 3.01 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, defend and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by applicable Law, each Holder whose shares are included in a Registration Statement, such Holder’s 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 Transfer 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 then 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 Transfer 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 had provided such then current copy of the Prospectus and it was the responsibility of such Holder or its agents to provide such Person with a then current copy of the Prospectus and such then 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 (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, 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 Transfer 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, defend and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by applicable Law, SpinCo, its officers, directors, 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 any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to SpinCo by or on behalf of such Holder, in either case expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or (ii) resulting from (A) the fact that a then 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 Transfer 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 had provided such then current copy of the Prospectus to such Holder or the applicable underwriter or dealer manager prior to such confirmation and it was the responsibility of such Holder or its agent to provide such Person with a then current copy of the Prospectus and such then 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 (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 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 Transfer 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 4.5 and 4.6 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 Transfer 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 reasonable best efforts to be and remain in compliance with the periodic filing requirements imposed under the SEC’s 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 Transfer 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 Transfer 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 Parent’s 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 Remaining Shares, Parent shall, and shall cause each other member of the Parent Group to (in each case, to the extent that they then own any Remaining Shares), be present, in person or by proxy, at each and every SpinCo stockholder meeting, and otherwise to cause all Remaining Shares then 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 Remaining 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 Remaining Shares, Parent hereby grants, and shall cause each other member of the Parent Group (in each case, to the extent that they own any Remaining 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 Remaining 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 Remaining Share upon any Transfer of such Remaining 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 Transfer.
(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 reasonable best 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 earliest 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 Transferred pursuant to one or more Registration Statements; provided that the provisions of Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Article III 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 with respect to such subject matter 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 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 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.
Section 4.04 Disputes and Governing Law.
(a) Subject to Section 3.01(c), 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.
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, and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, that neither Party 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 Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (except as may be otherwise provided herein and therein, as applicable) in whole (i.e., the assignment of a party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and all 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 Transfer 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 Transfer: (i) a member of the Parent Group to which Registrable Securities are Transferred; (ii) one or more Participating Banks to which Registrable Securities are Transferred; (iii) any transferee to which Registrable Securities are Transferred, if SpinCo provides prior written consent to the transfer of such Registration-related rights and obligations along with the Transfer of Registrable Securities; or (iv) any other transferee to which Registrable Securities are Transferred, unless such Transfer consists of Registrable Securities representing less than 1% of SpinCo’s then-issued and outstanding securities of the same class as the Registrable Securities and such Registrable Securities are eligible for Transfer 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 Transfer stating the name and address of the transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which the Registration-related rights and obligations are being Transferred 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 Transfer, a “Transferee”). In connection with the Transfer 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 Transferred, (B) any subsequent transferee to which Registrable Securities are Transferred, if SpinCo provides prior written consent to the transfer of such Registration-related rights and obligations along with the Transfer of Registrable Securities or (C) any other subsequent transferee to which Registrable Securities are Transferred, unless such Transfer consists of Registrable Securities representing less than 1% of SpinCo’s then-issued and outstanding securities of the same class as the Registrable Securities and such Registrable Securities are eligible for Transfer 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 clause (A), (B) or (C), (x) SpinCo is given written notice prior to or at the time of such Transfer 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 and are not intended to confer upon any Person other than the Parties 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 by electronic mail (“e-mail”) 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:
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
1200 West Century Avenue
P.O. Box 5650
Bismarck, North Dakota 58506-5650
Attention: Jason Vollmer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
E-mail: jason.vollmer@mduresources.com
with a copy to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Andrew R. Brownstein
John L. Robinson
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
JLRobinson@wlrk.com
If to SpinCo, to:
Knife River Holding Company
1150 West Century Avenue
P.O. Box 5568
Bismarck, ND 58503
Attention: Karl Liepitz, Chief Legal Officer
E-mail: karl.liepitz@kniferiver.com
with a copy to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Andrew R. Brownstein
John L. Robinson
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
JLRobinson@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 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 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 Bismarck, North Dakota 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; (j) 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 (k) 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 [ ], 2023.
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 Party’s 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.
MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement]
KNIFE RIVER HOLDING COMPANY | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[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 MDU Resources Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Knife River Holding Company, 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 are 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 (other than, if the undersigned is not a member of the Parent Group (as defined in the Agreement), the terms and conditions of Section 3.01 of the Agreement) 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__ .
(Signature of transferee) | |
Print name |
A-1
Exhibit 10.1
FORM OF
KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION
LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE PLAN
Article 1
Establishment, Purpose and Duration
1.1 Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Knife River Corporation Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company by linking the personal interests of Participants to those of Company stockholders and customers. The Plan permits the grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other awards.
The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract and retain the services of Participants upon whose judgment, interest and special effort the successful conduct of its operations is largely dependent.
1.2 Duration of the Plan. The Plan became effective on the date on which the Spin-Off occurred (the “Effective Date”). Prior to the Effective Date, this Plan was approved by the Board and by MDU Resources Group, Inc. as the sole shareholder of the Company. The Plan shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board of Directors to terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article 13, until all Shares subject to it shall have been purchased or acquired according to the Plan’s provisions.
Article 2
Definitions
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below and, when such meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word is capitalized:
“Assumed Spin-Off Award” means an award granted to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company, MDU Resources Group, Inc. and their respective subsidiaries under an equity compensation plan maintained by MDU Resources Group, Inc., which is assumed by the Company in connection with the Spin-Off pursuant to the terms of the Employee Matters Agreement.
2.1 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares or any other type of award permitted under Article 8 or an Assumed Spin-Off Award.
2.2 “Award Agreement” means an agreement entered into by each Participant and the Company, setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.
2.3 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.4 A “Change in Control” shall mean:
(a) | The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation= pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2.4; or |
(b) | Individuals who, as of the Effective Date constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or |
(c) | Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation or entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or |
(d) | Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
For avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the sale of a subsidiary, operating entity or business unit of the Company shall not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement.
2.5 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.6 “Committee” means the Committee, as specified in Article 3, appointed by the Board to administer the Plan with respect to Awards.
2.7 “Company” means prior to the Spin-Off, Knife River Holding Company, and on and after the Spin-Off, the Knife River Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto as provided in Article 16.
2.8 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.9 “Disability” means “permanent and total disability” as defined under Section 22(e)(3)of the Code.
2.10 “Dividend Equivalent” means, with respect to Shares subject to an Award, a right to be paid an amount equal to dividends declared on an equal number of outstanding Shares, whether deliverable in the form of cash or additional Shares.
2.11 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.
2.12 “Eligible Individual” means non-employee director, Employee or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any prospective non-employee director, Employee or consultant who has accepted an offer of employment or consultancy from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
2.13 “Employee” means any full-time or regularly-scheduled part-time employee of the Company or of the Company’s Subsidiaries, who is not covered by any collective bargaining agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. For purposes of the Plan, transfer of employment of an Employee between the Company and any one of its Subsidiaries (or between Subsidiaries) shall not be deemed a termination of employment.
2.14 “Employee Matters Agreement” means the Employee Matters Agreement entered into between the Company and MDU Resources Group, Inc. in connection with the Spin-Off.
2.15 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.
2.16 “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a Share and except as otherwise provided by the Award Agreement, the average of the high and low sale prices as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system or, if there is no such sale on the relevant date, then on the last previous day on which a sale was reported or in the event that there shall be no public market on the relevant date, the fair market value as determined by the Committee.
2.17 “Full Value Award” means an Award pursuant to which Shares may be issued.
2.18 “Participant” means any Eligible Individual who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan or who receives an Assumed Spin-Off Award.
2.19 “Performance Goals” means the performance goals established by the Committee, which may be based on one or more of the following measures or other measures selected by the Committee: sales or revenues, earnings per share, shareholder return and/or value, funds from operations, cash flow from operations (dollar target or as % of revenue), gross margin or gross profit (dollar target or as % of revenue), operations and maintenance expense (dollar target or as % of revenue), general and administrative expense (dollar target or as % of revenue), total operating expense (dollar target or as % of revenue), operating income (dollar target or as % of revenue), pretax income (dollar target or as % of revenue), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or “EBITDA” (dollar target or as % of revenue), earnings before interest and taxes or “EBIT” (dollar target or as % of revenue), gross income, net income, cash flow, earnings, return on equity, return on invested capital, return on assets, return on net assets, working capital as percentage of revenue, days sales outstanding/accounts receivable turnover, current ratio, capital efficiency, operating ratios, stock price, enterprise value, company value, asset value growth, net asset value, shareholders’ equity, dividends, customer satisfaction, accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or similar extraordinary business transactions, safety, sustainability, profit returns and margins, financial return ratios, and market performance. Performance goals may be measured solely on a corporate, subsidiary, business unit or individual basis, or a combination thereof. Performance goals may reflect absolute entity or individual performance or a relative comparison of entity or individual performance to the performance of a peer group of entities or other external measure.
2.20 “Performance Share” means an Award granted to an Employee, as described in Article 7.
2.21 “Performance Unit” means an Award granted to an Employee, as described in Article 7.
2.22 “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Restricted Stock is limited in some way, as provided in Article 6.
2.23 “Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
2.24 “Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
2.25 “Restricted Stock” means an Award of Shares granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 6.
2.26 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award of Shares granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 7.
2.27 “Separation from Service” has the meaning set forth in Article 20.
2.28 “Shares” means the shares of common stock of the Company.
2.29 “Spin-Off” means the distribution of 80.1% or more of the outstanding Shares to the stockholders of MDU Resources Group, Inc. in 2023, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement between the Company and MDU Resources Group, Inc entered into in connection with such distribution.
2.30 “Subsidiary” means any corporation that is a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company as that term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
Article 3
Administration
3.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, or by any other Committee appointed by the Board. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors.
3.2 Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full power except as limited by law, the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, subject to such other restricting limitations or directions as may be imposed by the Board and subject to the provisions herein, to determine the size and types of Awards; to determine the terms and conditions of such Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan; to construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; to establish, amend or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and (subject to the provisions of Article 13) to amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award. Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations which may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. As permitted by law, the Committee may delegate its authorities as identified hereunder.
3.3 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to Awards under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions to comply with applicable Federal securities laws, with the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded and with any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.
3.4 Approval. The Board or the Committee shall approve all Awards made under the Plan and all elections made by Participants, prior to their effective date, to the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
3.5 Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders or resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its stockholders, Employees, Participants and their estates and beneficiaries.
3.6 Costs. The Company shall pay all costs of administration of the Plan.
Article 4
Shares Subject to the Plan
4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to Section 4.2, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be [ ] which includes Shares subject to the Assumed Spin-Off Awards. Shares underlying lapsed or forfeited Awards of Restricted Stock shall not be treated as having been issued pursuant to an Award under the Plan. Shares withheld from an Award to satisfy tax withholding obligations shall be counted as Shares issued pursuant to an Award under the Plan. Shares that are potentially deliverable under an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, settled in cash or otherwise settled without the delivery of Shares shall not be treated as having been issued under the Plan.
Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be (i) authorized but unissued Shares of Common Stock, (ii) treasury shares, or (iii) shares purchased on the open market.
4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any equity restructuring such as a stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, the Committee shall cause an equitable adjustment to be made (i) in the number and kind of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan, (ii) in the individual limitations set forth in Section 4.3 and (iii) with respect to outstanding Awards, in the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, any Performance Goals relating to Shares, the market price of Shares, or per-Share results, and other terms and conditions of outstanding Awards, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, such as a merger, consolidation or liquidation, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause an equitable adjustment as described in the foregoing sentence to be made to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. The number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to a whole number when adjustments are made pursuant to this Section 4.2. Adjustments made by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be final, binding and conclusive.
4.3 Individual Limitations. Subject to Section 4.2, (i) the total maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Awards granted in any calendar year to any Participant (other than a non-employee director)shall not exceed 2,250,000 Shares; (ii) the total maximum value of cash Awards that may be granted pursuant to Article 8 in any calendar year to any Participant shall not exceed $6,000,000; and (iii) the maximum value of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Awards to any non-employee director in any calendar year shall be equal to $350,000 as of the applicable date of grant. None of the foregoing individual limitations set forth in this Section 4.3 shall apply to Assumed Spin-Off Awards.
Article 5
Eligibility and Participation
5.1 Eligibility. Eligible Individuals shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.
5.2 Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all Eligible Individuals those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award.
Article 6
Restricted Stock
6.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Stock may be granted to Eligible Individuals at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee.
The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to each Participant (subject to Article 4) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such Restricted Stock.
In addition, the Committee may condition the grant or vesting, as applicable, of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of the Performance Goals selected by the Committee.
6.2 Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock grant shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement that shall specify the Period or Periods of Restriction, the number of Restricted Stock Shares granted and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.
6.3 Transferability. Restricted Stock granted hereunder may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction established by the Committee and specified in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement. All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant or his or her legal representative.
6.4 Certificate Legend. Each certificate representing Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may bear a legend substantially as follows:
The sale or other transfer of the shares of stock represented by this certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, is subject to certain restrictions on transfer as set forth in Knife River Corporation Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan and in a Restricted Stock Award Agreement. A copy of such Plan and such Agreement may be obtained from the Knife River Corporation.
The Company shall have the right to retain the certificates representing Restricted Stock in the Company’s possession until such time as all restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied.
6.5 Removal of Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the Period of Restriction applicable thereto. Once Restricted Stock is released from the restrictions, the Participant shall be entitled to have the legend referred to in Section 6.4 removed from his or her stock certificate.
6.6 Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Restricted Stock may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares.
6.7 Dividends and Other Distributions. Subject to the Committee’s right to determine otherwise at the time of grant, during the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Restricted Stock shall receive all regular cash dividends paid with respect to all Shares while they are so held. All other distributions paid with respect to such Restricted Stock shall be credited to Participants subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid and shall be paid to the Participant within forty-five (45) days following the full vesting of the Restricted Stock with respect to which such distributions were made.
6.8 Termination of Employment. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to vest in unvested Restricted Stock upon termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement entered into with Participants, need not be uniform among all grants of Restricted Stock or among Participants and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment.
Article 7
Restricted Stock Units, Performance
Units and Performance Shares
7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units and Performance Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units and/or Performance Shares may be granted to an Eligible Individual at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee.
The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units and/or Performance Shares granted to each Participant (subject to Article 4 herein) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such Awards.
7.2 Restricted Stock Units/Performance Unit/Performance Share Award Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units and/or Performance Shares shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit and/or Performance Share Award Agreement that shall specify the number of Restricted Share Units, Performance Units and/or Performance Shares granted, the initial value (if applicable), the vesting conditions which may be time-based or performance based and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine, including but not limited to any rights to Dividend Equivalents.
7.3 Value of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units/Performance Shares. Each Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may set Performance Goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units/Performance Shares that will be paid out to the Participants. The time period during which the Performance Goals must be met shall be called a “Performance Period.”
7.4 Earning of Performance Units/Performance Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Performance Shares shall be entitled to receive a payout with respect to the Performance Units/Performance Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals have been achieved.
7.5 Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Stock Units/Performance Units/Performance Shares. Except as provided in the Award Agreement, payment of a Restricted Stock Unit shall be made as soon as administratively practicable following the date on which such Restricted Stock Unit becomes vested and may be made in the discretion of the Committee, in cash or in Shares (or a combination thereof). Payment of earned Performance Units/Performance Shares shall be made following the close of the applicable Performance Period. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Performance Shares in cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof). Such Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee.
7.6 Termination of Employment. Each Restricted Stock Unit/Performance Unit/Performance Share Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive a Restricted Stock Unit/Performance Unit/Performance Share payment on or following termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries during a Performance Period or other vesting period. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with Participants, need not be uniform among all grants of Restricted Stock Units/Performance Units/Performance Shares or among Participants and may reflect distinctions based on reasons for termination of employment.
7.7 Transferability. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit/Performance Unit/Performance Share Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit/Performance Units/Performance Shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and a Participant’s rights with respect to Restricted Stock Units/Performance Units/Performance Shares granted under the Plan shall be available during the Participant’s lifetime only to such Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.
Article 8
Other Awards
The Committee shall have the right to grant other Awards which may include, without limitation, the grant of fully vested Shares (subject to Article 15), the grant of Shares based on attainment of Performance Goals established by the Committee, the payment of Shares in lieu of cash, the payment of cash based on attainment of Performance Goals established by the Committee, and the payment of Shares in lieu of cash under other Company incentive or bonus programs. Payment under or settlement of any such Awards shall be made in such manner and at such times as the Committee may determine.
Article 9
Beneficiary Designation
Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.
The spouse of a married Participant domiciled in a community property jurisdiction shall join in any designation of beneficiary or beneficiaries other than the spouse.
Article 10
Deferrals
The Committee may permit a Participant to defer the Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under the Plan. If any such deferral election is permitted, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals.
Article 11
Rights of Employees
11.1 Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment or services at any time, for any reason or no reason in the Company’s sole discretion, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any right to be retained as a service provider of the Company or any Subsidiary in any capacity.
11.2 Participation. No Eligible Participant shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.
Article 12
Change in Control
The terms of this Article 12 shall immediately become operative, without further action or consent by any person or entity, upon a Change in Control, and once operative shall supersede and take control over any other provisions of this Plan.
Upon a Change in Control, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement,
(a) | Any restriction periods and restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Awards granted pursuant to Article 8 (if not performance-based) shall be deemed to have expired and such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Awards shall become immediately vested in full; and |
(b) | The target payout opportunity attainable under all outstanding Awards of Performance Units, Performance Shares and Awards granted pursuant to Article 8 (if performance-based) shall be deemed to have been fully earned for the entire Performance Period(s) as of the effective date of the Change in Control, and shall be paid out promptly in Shares or cash pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement, or in the absence of such designation, as the Committee shall determine. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, with respect to any Award that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, a Change in Control shall not constitute a settlement or distribution event with respect to such Award, or an event that otherwise changes the timing of settlement or distribution of such Award, unless the Change in Control also constitutes an event described in Section 409A(a)(2)(v) of the Code and the regulations thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph shall have no bearing on whether an Award vests pursuant to the terms of the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement.
Article 13
Amendment, Modification and Termination
13.1 Amendment, Modification and Termination. The Board may, at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part; provided that no amendment shall be made which shall increase the total number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, or materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, in each case unless such amendment is approved by the stockholders to the extent such approval is required by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
13.2 Awards Previously Granted. No termination, amendment or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award, unless such termination, modification or amendment is required by applicable law (including Section 409A, applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards or accounting rules) and except as otherwise provided herein.
Article 14
Withholding
14.1 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state and local taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to an Award made under the Plan.
14.2 Share Withholding. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, with respect to withholding required upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock, or upon any other taxable event arising out of or as a result of Awards granted hereunder, Participants may elect to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by tendering previously-owned Shares or by having the Company withhold Shares having a value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the statutory total tax which could be imposed on the transaction, in each case, in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes. All elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing and signed by the Participant.
Article 15
Minimum Vesting
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (a) the minimum vesting period for Full Value Awards with no performance-based vesting characteristics must be at least three years (vesting may occur ratably each month, quarter or anniversary of the grant date over such vesting period); (b) the minimum vesting period for Full Value Awards with performance-based vesting characteristics must be at least one year; and (c) the Committee shall not have discretion to accelerate vesting of Full Value Awards except in the event of a Change in Control or similar transaction, or the death, disability, or termination of employment of a Participant; provided, however, that the Committee may grant a “de minimis” number of Full Value Awards that do not comply with the foregoing minimum vesting standards. For this purpose “de minimis” means 5% Shares available for issuance as Full Value Awards under the Plan, subject to adjustment under Section 4.2.
Article 16
Assumed Spin-Off Awards.
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, each Assumed Spin-Off Award shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the equity compensation plan and award agreement to which such Award was subject immediately prior to the Spin-Off, subject to the adjustment of such Award by the Compensation Committee of MDU Resources Group, Inc. and the terms of the Employee Matters Agreement; provided that following the date of the Spin-Off, each such Award shall relate solely to Shares and shall be administered by the Committee in accordance with the administrative procedures in effect under this Plan.
Article 17
Successors
All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
Article 18
Legal Construction
18.1 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
18.2 Severability. In the event that any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
18.3 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
18.4 Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by Federal law, the Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware.
Article 19
Accounting Restatements
This Article 19 shall apply to Awards granted to all Participants in the Plan. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the securities laws, the Company or the Committee may, or shall if required, take action to recover incentive-based compensation from specific executive officers in accordance with the Company’s guidelines or policies, as they may be amended or substituted from time to time, and in accordance with applicable law and applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange.
Article 20
Section 409A Compliance
This Plan and the Awards hereunder are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and, with respect to amounts that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, it is intended that this Plan be administered in all respects in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under any Award shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. In no event may a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under any Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company), amounts that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that otherwise would be payable by reason of a Participant’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (“Separation from Service”) during the six-month period immediately following such Separation from Service shall instead be paid or provided on the first business day following the date that is six months following the Participant’s Separation from Service or any earlier date permitted by Section 409A of the Code. If the Participant dies following the Separation from Service and prior to the payment of any amounts delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code, such amounts shall be paid to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate within 30 days following the date of the Participant’s death.
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Exhibit 10.2
FORM OF KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
I. | ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE |
The Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of Knife River Corporation (formerly known as Knife River Holding Company) (“KRC”) in connection with the distribution of 80.1% or more of the outstanding shares of KRC’s common stock to the stockholders of MDU Resources Group, Inc. in 2023, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement between the Company and MDU Resources Group, Inc. entered into in connection with such distribution (the “Spin-Off”) and is effective as of the date on which the Spin-Off occurs. In connection with the Spin-Off and pursuant to the Employee Matters Agreement, KRC is assuming liability for certain awards deferred under the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan by current and former KRC employees in respect of the 2021 Plan Year and prior Plan Years (as such amounts are adjusted from time to time to reflect crediting of interest, the “Grandfathered Deferred Amounts”), and such Grandfathered Deferred Amounts will be administered from and after the Spin-Off by KRC pursuant to this Plan and the Rules and Regulations (as defined below).
The purpose of the Plan is to provide an incentive for key executives of KRC and its segments and/or subsidiaries to focus their efforts on the achievement of performance objectives. The Plan is designed to reward successful performance as measured against specified performance measures. When performance reaches or exceeds the target performance measures, incentive compensation awards, in conjunction with salaries, provide a level of compensation which recognizes the skills and efforts of the key executives.
II. | DEFINITIONS |
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Rules and Regulations.
III. | BASIC PLAN CONCEPT |
The Plan provides an opportunity to earn annual incentive compensation based on the achievement of specified annual performance measures. A target incentive award for each Participant within the Plan is established based on the approved salary grade structure. The target incentive award represents the amount to be paid, subject to the achievement of the performance measures established for each Plan Year. Larger incentive awards than target may be authorized when performance exceeds targets; lesser or no amounts may be paid when performance is below target.
It is recognized that during a Plan Year major unforeseen changes in economic and environmental conditions or other significant factors beyond the control of management may substantially affect the ability of the Participants to achieve the specified performance measures. Therefore, in its review of performance the Administrator may modify the performance measure targets. However, it is contemplated that such modifications to the performance measure target will be necessary only in years of unusually adverse or favorable external conditions or other unforeseen significant factors beyond the control of management.
IV. | ADMINISTRATION |
The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of KRC, with respect to employees who are subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Administrator”). With respect to employees who are not subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Chief Executive Officer of KRC shall be the Administrator. The Board of Directors of KRC or its Compensation Committee shall adopt Rules and Regulations for the administration of the Plan (the “Rules and Regulations”).
The Administrator shall approve the list of eligible Participants and the target incentive award level for each Participant within the Plan. It is contemplated that the Plan’s performance measure targets for the year shall be approved by the Administrator no later than 90 days after the beginning of that Plan Year. The Administrator shall have final discretion to determine actual award payment levels, method of payment, and whether or not payments shall be made for any Plan Year.
The Board of Directors of KRC may, at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, supersede or terminate the Plan in whole or in part, provided that no termination, amendment or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way an award that has met all requirements for payment without the written consent of the Participant holding such award, unless such termination, modification or amendment is required by applicable law.
V. | ELIGIBILITY |
Executives who are determined by the Administrator to have a key role in both the establishment and achievement of their company’s objectives shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.
Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of an employer to terminate any Participant’s employment at any time, for any reason or no reason in its sole discretion, or confer upon any Participant any right to remain employed by the employer. No employee shall have the right to be selected to receive an award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future award.
VI. | PLAN PERFORMANCE MEASURES |
Performance measures shall be established that consider stakeholder interests and shall be evaluated annually based on achievement of specified objectives.
The performance measures will be determined by the Administrator. These measures may be applied at the KRC level or subsidiary level. The Administrator may assign different performance measures and/or different weights to performance measures for each Participant.
The Administrator may establish threshold, target and maximum or other award levels annually for some or all of the performance measures. The Administrator will retain the right to make all interpretations as to the actual attainment of the desired performance measure and will determine whether any circumstances beyond the control of management need to be considered.
VII. | TARGET INCENTIVE AWARDS |
Target incentive awards are expressed as a percentage of each Participant’s Salary. These percentages may vary by position and reflect larger reward opportunity for positions having greater effect on the establishment and accomplishment of the performance objectives. A schedule showing the target awards as a percentage of Salary for eligible positions will be prepared for each Plan Year.
VIII. | INCENTIVE FUND DETERMINATION |
The target incentive fund is the sum of the individual target incentive awards for all eligible Participants. Once the incentive targets have been determined by the Administrator, a target incentive fund shall be established and accrued ratably by KRC and each of its segments and/or subsidiaries, as applicable. The incentive fund and accruals may be adjusted during the year.
At the close of each Plan Year, the Chief Executive Officer of KRC will cause an analysis to be prepared showing the actual performance results in relation to each of the target performance measures. This will be provided to the Administrator for review and comparison to threshold, target and maximum or other performance levels, if applicable. In addition, any recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer of KRC or the Administrator will be presented at this time. The Administrator will then determine the amount of each Participant’s incentive award and the total target incentive fund earned.
IX. | INDIVIDUAL AWARD DETERMINATION |
Each Participant’s award will be based upon the level of actual performance achieved relative to the established performance measures, as determined by a percentage from 0 percent to a maximum of 250 percent, as determined by the Administrator.
X. | PAYMENT OF AWARDS |
Except as provided below or as otherwise determined by the Administrator, in order to receive an award payment under the Plan, the Participant must remain in the employment of KRC or one of its subsidiaries for the entire Service Year. If a Participant terminates employment after the Participant’s 65th birthday and if the employment termination occurs during the Service Year, determination of whether the performance measures have been met will be made at the end of the Service Year, and to the extent met, payment of the award will be made to the Participant, prorated. Proration of awards shall be based upon the number of full months elapsed from and including January to and including the month in which the employment termination occurs. The prorated award shall be paid as soon as practicable in the year following the Service Year, but in all events between January 1 and March 10.
A Participant who transfers between KRC and one of its subsidiaries during the plan year may receive a prorated award at the discretion of the Administrator.
Payments made under the Plan will not be considered part of compensation for 401k Plan employer matching purposes. Payments will be made in cash as soon as practicable in the year following the Service Year, but in all events between January 1 and March 10.
To the extent approved by the Administrator of the Plan with respect to executives of KRC or its subsidiaries, as applicable, incentive awards may be deferred. Except as otherwise provided in the Rules and Regulations with respect to Grandfathered Deferred Amounts, deferred amounts shall comply with and be subject to the terms of the KRC Deferred Compensation Plan.
XI. | ACCOUNTING RESTATEMENTS |
This Section XI shall apply to incentive awards granted to all Participants in the Plan. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or the Rules and Regulations to the contrary, if KRC is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the securities laws, KRC or the Administrator may, or shall if required, take action to recover incentive-based compensation from specific executive officers in accordance with its guidelines and policies, as they may be amended or substituted from time to time, and in accordance with applicable law and applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange.
FORM OF KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors of Knife River Corporation (formerly known as Knife River Holding Company) (“KRC”) adopted these Rules and Regulations for the administration of the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), following adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors of KRC. These Rules and Regulations, together with the Plan, were adopted in connection with the distribution of 80.1% or more of the outstanding shares of KRC’s common stock to the stockholders of MDU Resources Group, Inc. in 2023, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement between the Company and MDU Resources Group, Inc. entered into in connection with such distribution (the “Spin-Off”) and are effective as of the date on which the Spin-Off occurs (the “Effective Date”).
I. | DEFINITIONS |
The following definitions shall be used for purposes of these Rules and Regulations and for the purpose of administering the Plan:
1. | The “Administrator” shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of KRC with respect to employees subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. With respect to other employees, the Chief Executive Officer of KRC shall be the Administrator. |
2. | “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following transactions or events: (a) any person (which shall not include KRC, any subsidiary of KRC or any employee benefit plan of KRC or of any subsidiary of KRC) (“Person”) or group (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) ownership of stock of KRC possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of KRC; (b) any Person or group (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)), acquires ownership of the stock of KRC that, together with stock held by such Person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of KRC (this part (b) applies only when there is a transfer of stock of KRC and KRC’s stock remains outstanding after the transaction); (c) a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of KRC is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of KRC; or (d) any Person or group (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) assets from KRC that have a gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of KRC immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. |
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no transaction or event shall constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan unless the transaction or event constitutes a change in the ownership of a corporation (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)), a change in effective control of a corporation (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi)) or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii)) and the term Change in Control shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the proper interpretation of the similar provisions in the Section 409A Treasury Regulations.
3. | The “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
4. | The “Compensation Committee” shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of KRC. |
5. | The “HQM Rate” is the number that results from adding the daily Treasury High Quality Corporate Bond Yield Curve for the last business day of each month for the 12-month period ending September 30 and dividing by 12. The Treasury High Quality Corporate Bond Yield Curve corresponds to United States corporate bonds whose credit quality is a market-weighted average of the top three qualities – AAA, AA, and A. |
6. | “KRC” shall refer to Knife River Corporation alone and shall not refer to any of its segments or subsidiaries. |
7. | “Participants” for any Plan Year shall be those employees who have been approved by the Administrator as eligible for participation in the Plan for such Plan Year. |
8. | “Payment Date” shall be the date set by the Administrator for payment of awards pursuant to Section X of the Plan, other than those awards deferred pursuant to Section X of the Plan and Section VIII of these Rules and Regulations. |
9. | The “Plan” shall refer to the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as it has been and may be amended. |
10. | The “Plan Year” shall be the calendar year. |
11. | “Service Year” means the Plan Year during which the services giving rise to the incentive award are performed. |
12. | “Specified Employee” means an employee who, as of the date the employee separates from service, is a “specified employee” (as that term is used in Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code), as determined under KRC’s policy for determining specified employees. |
II. | ADMINISTRATION |
1. | The Compensation Committee shall have the full power to construe and interpret the Plan and to establish and to amend these Rules and Regulations for its administration. |
2. | The Administrator shall not participate in a decision as to the Administrator’s eligibility for, or award of, an incentive award payment. |
3. | For each Plan Year, the Administrator shall approve a list of eligible employees and notify those so approved that they are eligible to participate in the Plan for such Plan Year. |
4. | The Administrator shall approve the Plan’s performance measures, performance targets and target incentive award levels for the Participants for the Plan Year. |
5. | The Administrator shall have final discretion to determine actual award payment levels, method of payment, and whether or not payments shall be made for any Plan Year. |
III. | PLAN PERFORMANCE MEASURES |
1. | The Administrator shall establish the performance measures reflecting company performance objectives and may establish more or fewer performance measures as it deems necessary. |
2. | The performance measures may be established for KRC or any of its subsidiaries as deemed appropriate by the Administrator. The Administrator may assign different performance measures and/or different weights to performance measures for each Participant. |
3. | The Administrator shall cause to be prepared a list of Participants to whom the Plan performance measures will be applied and shall identify the applicable performance measures for each Participant, which may vary among Participants. |
4. | The Administrator may set threshold, target, maximum and other award levels for some or all of the performance measures, and those levels shall be included on the list referred to in paragraph 3 above. |
5. | The Administrator will retain the authority to determine whether or not the actual attainment of these measures has been made. |
IV. | TARGET INCENTIVE AWARDS |
1. | Target incentive awards are expressed as a percentage of each Participant’s Salary and may vary by position, as defined in the Plan. |
2. | Target incentive awards shall be set by the Administrator annually and will be included on the list referred to above. |
V. | INCENTIVE FUND DETERMINATION |
1. | The target incentive fund is the sum of the individual target incentive awards for all eligible Participants. |
2. | Once individual incentive targets have been determined, a target incentive fund shall be established and accrued ratably by KRC and each of its subsidiaries, as applicable. The incentive fund and accruals may be adjusted during the year. |
3. | As soon as practicable following the close of each Plan Year, the Chief Executive Officer of KRC will cause an analysis to be prepared showing the actual performance results in relation to the target performance measures. The Administrator will review the analysis and determine, in its sole discretion, the amount of each Participant’s incentive award and the actual total incentive fund. |
4. | In determining the actual incentive fund, any recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer of KRC or the Administrator will be considered. |
VI. | INDIVIDUAL AWARD DETERMINATION |
1. | The Administrator shall have the sole discretion to determine each Participant’s award. The Administrator’s decision will be based upon the level of actual performance achieved. |
2. | Each Participant’s award will be based upon the level of actual performance achieved relative to the established performance measures, as determined by a percentage from 0 percent to a maximum of 250 percent, as determined by the Administrator. |
VII. | PAYMENT OF AWARDS |
1. | On the date the Administrator determines the awards to be made to individual Participants, it shall also establish the Payment Date which in all events shall be between January 1 and March 10. |
2. | Except as provided below or in the Plan or as the Administrator otherwise determines, in order to receive an award under the Plan, a Participant must remain in the employment of KRC or its subsidiaries for the entire Service Year. |
3. | If a Participant terminates employment after the Participant’s 65th birthday and the termination occurs during the Service Year, determination of whether the performance measures have been met will be made at the end of the Service Year, and to the extent met, payment of the award will be made to the Participant, prorated. Proration of awards shall be based upon the number of full months elapsed from and including January to and including the month in which the Participant’s employment termination occurs. |
4. | Payment of the awards shall be made in cash. Payments shall be made on the Payment Date unless the Participant has deferred, in whole or in part, the receipt of the award by making an election on the deferral form provided by the KRC Human Resources department, prior to the beginning of the Service Year. Deferral elections may not be changed or revoked after the Service Year begins. |
VIII. | DEFERRAL OF ANNUAL INCENTIVE |
1. | If a Participant elects to defer the receipt of all or a portion of an award after the Spin-Off, the deferral shall comply with and be subject to the KRC Deferred Compensation Plan. |
2. | The following provisions will apply solely with respect to Grandfathered Deferred Amounts (as defined in the Plan): |
a. | With respect to each Grandfathered Deferred Amount, KRC or one of its business segments, divisions or subsidiaries, as applicable shall establish an account in the Participant’s name (a “Grandfathered Account”). The amount of the Grandfathered Deferred Amount as of immediately prior to the Effective Date will be credited to the Participant’s Grandfathered Account effective as of the Effective Date. |
b. | The balance credited to each Grandfathered Account from time to time will be an unsecured, unfunded obligation of KRC or one of its subsidiaries, as applicable. |
c. | Interest shall accrue on the balance of each Grandfathered Account and shall be compounded and credited to the Grandfathered Account on a daily basis. The rate of interest for each Plan Year shall be the HQM Rate calculated as of September 30 of the prior year. |
d. | For Participants who previously elected to have payments of their Grandfathered Deferred Amounts made or commence on the Payment Date of the year following the year of their termination of employment in accordance with Article VIII of the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plann Rules and Regulations (the “MDU EICP Rules and Regulations”), their payments will be made or commence between January 1 and March 10 of the year following the year of their termination of employment. For Participants who previously elected to have payments of their Grandfathered Deferred Amounts made or commence on the Payment Date of the fifth year following the year in which the award may be made in accordance with Article VIII of the MDU EICP Rules and Regulations, their payments will be made or commence between January 1 and March 10 of the fifth year following the year in which the award would have been paid had it not been deferred. |
e. | For a Participant who previously elected to receive the Grandfathered Deferred Amount in monthly installments (not to exceed 120) in accordance with Article VIII of the MDU EICP Rules and Regulations, such amount will be paid in such monthly installments. In the event a Participant previously elected to receive the Grandfathered Deferred Amount in more than one installment, interest shall continue to accrue on the balance remaining in his or her Grandfathered Account at the applicable rate set forth in paragraph 6 of this Section VIII. |
f. | Notwithstanding anything contained herein, if a Specified Employee’s employment terminates, to the extent required by Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (g) below of this Section VIII, payment of any Grandfathered Deferred Amount that is to be paid during the 6-month period following the Specified Employee’s termination of employment shall not be paid or provided until the first business day after the date that is 6 months following the Specified Employee’s termination of employment. Any payment that is made pursuant to the prior sentence shall include the cumulative amount of any amounts that could not be paid during the 6-month period following the Specified Employee’s termination of employment. To the extent payments are deferred pursuant to the prior sentence, such deferred amounts shall continue to accrue interest pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Section VIII until payment occurs. |
For all purposes for the payment of any Grandfathered Deferred Amount, references to termination of employment and similar terms shall be interpreted to mean “separation from service,” as that term is used in Section 409A of the Code, and the Participant’s employment shall not be deemed to have terminated for purposes of the the payment of any Grandfathered Deferred Amount unless and until a separation from service shall have occurred for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
g. | In the event of the death of a Participant in whose name a Grandfathered Account has been established, KRC or one of its subsidiaries, as applicable, shall, within 90 days thereafter, pay to the Participant’s estate or the designated beneficiaries the Grandfathered Deferred Amount. |
h. | In the event of a “Change in Control” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5)), then the Grandfathered Deferred Amount shall become immediately payable to a Participant. In the event the Participant files suit to collect his or her Grandfathered Deferred Amount then all of the Participant’s court costs, other expenses of litigation, and attorneys’ fees shall be paid by KRC or one of its subsidiaries, as applicable, in the event the Participant prevails upon any of his or her claims for payment. |
KRC - 12
• | Allowing each business to more effectively pursue its own operating priorities and strategies, and enabling management at each company to pursue unique opportunities for long-term growth and profitability. |
• | Permitting each company to concentrate its financial resources on its own operations, with greater flexibility to invest capital at a time and in a manner appropriate for its distinct strategy and business needs. |
• | Giving each publicly traded company direct access to capital markets. |
• | Allowing investors to separately value MDU Resources and Knife River Holding Company based on each company’s unique investment identities, including their respective merits, strategy, performance and business prospects. |
| | Sincerely, | |
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| | David L. Goodin President and Chief Executive Officer MDU Resources Group, Inc. |
| | Sincerely, | |
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| | Brian R. Gray | |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
| | Knife River Holding Company |
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What is Knife River Holding Company, and why is MDU Resources separating Knife River Holding Company’s business and distributing Knife River Holding Company stock? | | | Knife River Holding Company, which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of MDU Resources, was formed to hold Knife River. The separation of Knife River Holding Company from MDU Resources and the distribution of Knife River Holding Company 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. Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources 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 Distribution—Reasons for the Separation.” |
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Why am I receiving this document? | | | MDU Resources is delivering this document to you because you are a holder of MDU Resources common stock. If you are a holder of MDU Resources common stock as of the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, you will be entitled to receive [ ] shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock for each share of MDU Resources common stock that you held at the close of business on such date. If you sell your shares of MDU Resources 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 Knife River Holding Company common stock in the distribution. See “The Separation and Distribution—Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date.” This document will help you understand how the separation and distribution will affect your post-separation ownership in Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources, respectively. |
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How will the separation of Knife River Holding Company from MDU Resources work? | | | MDU Resources will distribute 80.1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock to MDU Resources stockholders on a pro rata basis in a distribution intended to be generally tax-free to MDU Resources stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result of the distribution, Knife River Holding Company will become a separate public company. The number of shares of MDU Resources 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 80.1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock will be distributed by MDU Resources at [ ] Eastern Time, on [ ], to holders of record of MDU Resources 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 MDU Resources as of the record date for the distribution will not be required to take any action to receive shares of Knife River Holding Company 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 MDU Resources common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of MDU Resources common stock or any rights of MDU Resources stockholders, although it will affect the market value of each outstanding share of MDU Resources common stock. | |
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How will shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock be issued? | | | You will receive shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock through the same channels that you currently use to hold or trade MDU Resources common stock, whether through a brokerage account or another channel. Receipt of Knife River Holding Company’s 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 MDU Resources common stock as of the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, MDU Resources, with the assistance of EQ Shareowner Services (“Equiniti”), the distribution agent for the distribution, will electronically distribute shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock to you or to your brokerage firm on your behalf in book-entry form. | |
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| | Equiniti will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock, or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. | |
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How many shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock will I receive in the distribution? | | | MDU Resources will distribute to you [ ] shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock for each share of MDU Resources common stock held by you as of close of business on the record date for the distribution. Based on approximately [ ] million shares of MDU Resources common stock outstanding as of [ ], and assuming a distribution of 80.1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock, a total of approximately [ ] million shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock will be distributed. For additional information on the distribution, see “The Separation and Distribution.” |
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Will Knife River Holding Company issue fractional shares of its common stock in the distribution? | | | No. Knife River Holding Company will not issue fractional shares of its common stock in the distribution. Fractional shares that MDU Resources stockholders would otherwise have been entitled to receive will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent on behalf of MDU Resources stockholders. 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. |
What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and distribution? | | | It is a condition to the distribution that MDU Resources receive a private letter ruling from the IRS and one or more opinions from its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the MDU Resources board of directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution. Accordingly, it is expected that MDU Resources stockholders generally will not recognize any gain or loss upon receipt of Knife River Holding Company 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 MDU Resources stock? | | | If you do not sell your MDU Resources stock in advance of the distribution, your tax basis will be adjusted and the aggregate tax basis of the MDU Resources common stock and Knife River Holding Company common stock received in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in Knife River Holding Company common stock for which cash is received) will equal the aggregate tax basis of MDU Resources common stock immediately prior to the distribution, allocated between the MDU Resources common stock and Knife River Holding Company common stock (including any fractional share interest in Knife River Holding Company 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 Knife River Holding Company’s relationship be with MDU Resources following the separation and distribution? | | | Following the distribution, MDU Resources stockholders will own directly 80.1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock, and Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources will be separate companies with separate management teams and separate boards of directors. MDU Resources will retain up to 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock following the distribution. Prior to the distribution, Knife River Holding Company will enter into a separation and distribution agreement with MDU Resources to effect the separation and distribution and provide a framework for our relationship with MDU Resources 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 MDU Resources’ continuing ownership of shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock. These agreements will provide for the allocation between Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources of MDU Resources’ assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property, employee benefits assets and liabilities and tax liabilities) and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after Knife River Holding Company’s separation from MDU Resources and will govern the relationship between Knife River Holding Company and |
| | MDU Resources subsequent to completion of the separation. For additional information regarding the separation and distribution agreement, other transaction agreements and certain other commercial agreements between Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Separation and the Distribution” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.” | |
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How will MDU Resources vote any shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock it retains? | | | It is expected that MDU Resources will agree to vote any shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock that it retains in proportion to the votes cast by Knife River Holding Company’s other stockholders and grant Knife River Holding Company a proxy to vote its shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock in such proportion. For additional information on these voting arrangements, see “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement.” |
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What does MDU Resources intend to do with any shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock it retains? | | | MDU Resources currently plans to dispose of all shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock that it retains; such dispositions may include one or more subsequent exchanges for debt, distributions to MDU Resources stockholders, exchanges for MDU Resources shares or sales of such shares for cash. |
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Who will manage Knife River Holding Company after the separation? | | | Knife River Holding Company has 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, led by Brian R. Gray, who will be its President and Chief Executive Officer after the separation. Knife River Holding Company’s management team is highly focused on execution and driving growth and profitability. Further, Knife River Holding Company believes that it has a deep pool of talent across the organization, including long-tenured individuals with significant expertise and knowledge of its business. For more information regarding Knife River Holding Company’s management, see “Management.” |
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Are there risks associated with owning Knife River Holding Company common stock? | | | Yes. Ownership of Knife River Holding Company common stock is subject to both general and specific risks relating to Knife River Holding Company’s business, the industry in which it operates, its ongoing contractual relationships with MDU Resources and its status as a separate, publicly traded company. Ownership of Knife River Holding Company 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 19. You are encouraged to read that section carefully. |
(1) | Leading vertically integrated, aggregates-based construction materials and contracting provider. |
(2) | Attractive geographic footprint across the western U.S. with exposure to areas demonstrating above-average growth. |
(3) | Diverse public and private customer base. |
(4) | Large exposure to public-sector customers, providing recession resiliency amidst soft macro environment. |
(5) | Strong backlog and robust pipeline of projects across public and private infrastructure end markets. |
(6) | Resilient financial profile with robust free cash flows. |
(7) | Proven track record of growth through acquisition and highly effective integration playbook, driving both organic and inorganic growth. |
(8) | Best-in-class management team with a long history of operating success and integration. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s business is seasonal and subject to weather conditions that could adversely affect its operations, revenues and the timing of cash flows. |
• | Knife River Holding Company operates in a highly competitive industry. |
• | Significant changes in prices for commodities, labor, or other production and delivery inputs could negatively affect Knife River Holding Company’s businesses. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s operations may be negatively affected if it is unable to obtain, develop and retain key personnel and skilled labor forces. |
• | Economic volatility affects Knife River Holding Company’s operations, as well as the demand for its products and services. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s backlog may not accurately represent future revenue. |
• | Supply chain disruptions may adversely affect Knife River Holding Company’s operations. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s aggregate resource and reserve calculations are estimates and subject to uncertainty. |
• | Knife River Holding Company depends on securing, permitting and economically mining strategically located aggregate reserves. |
• | Knife River Holding Company operates in a capital-intensive industry and is subject to capital market and interest rate risks. |
• | Reductions in Knife River Holding Company’s credit ratings could increase financing costs. |
• | Knife River Holding Company may be negatively impacted by pending and/or future litigation, claims or investigations. |
• | Financial market changes could impact Knife River Holding Company’s defined benefit pension plans and obligations. |
• | Increasing costs associated with health care plans may adversely affect Knife River Holding Company’s results of operations. |
• | Changes in tax law may negatively affect Knife River Holding Company’s business. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s operations could be negatively impacted by import tariffs and/or other government mandates. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s operations could be adversely impacted by climate change. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may increase costs of operations, impact or limit business plans, or expose Knife River Holding Company to environmental liabilities. |
• | Costs related to obligations under Multiemployer Pension Plans (“MEPPs”) could have a material negative effect on Knife River Holding Company’s results of operations and cash flows. |
• | Technology disruptions or cyberattacks could adversely impact Knife River Holding Company’s operations. |
• | Pandemics, including COVID-19, may have a negative impact on Knife River Holding Company’s business operations, revenues, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows. |
• | Knife River Holding Company has no recent history of operating as an independent, public company, and its historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that it would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of its future results. |
• | Until the separation and distribution occur, MDU Resources has sole discretion to change the terms of the separation and distribution in ways that may be unfavorable to Knife River Holding Company, including to determine not to effect the distribution at all. |
• | Knife River Holding Company may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation, and the separation may materially and adversely affect its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. |
• | Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could materially and adversely affect Knife River Holding Company. |
• | In connection with the separation from MDU Resources, Knife River Holding Company will incur debt obligations that could adversely affect its business, profitability and its ability to meet obligations. |
• | A lowering or withdrawal of the ratings, outlook or watch assigned to Knife River Holding Company or its debt by rating agencies may increase its future borrowing costs and reduce its access to capital. |
• | As an independent, publicly traded company, Knife River Holding Company may not enjoy the same benefits that it did as a segment of MDU Resources. |
• | Knife River Holding Company could experience temporary interruptions in business operations and incur additional costs as it further develops information technology infrastructure and transitions its data to its stand-alone systems. |
• | 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, MDU Resources, Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, Knife River Holding Company could be required to indemnify MDU Resources for material taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement. |
• | Knife River Holding Company cannot be certain that an active trading market for its shares of common stock will develop or be sustained after the distribution, and following the distribution, its stock price may fluctuate significantly. |
• | A significant number of shares of Knife River Holding Company’s common stock are or will be eligible for future sale, which may cause the market price of Knife River Holding Company common stock to decline. |
• | There may be substantial changes in Knife River Holding Company’s stockholder base. |
• | Your percentage of ownership in Knife River Holding Company may be diluted in the future. |
• | Knife River Holding Company cannot guarantee the timing, declaration, amount or payment of dividends on its common stock. |
• | Enhanced strategic focus. The separation will allow Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources to more effectively pursue their distinct operating priorities and strategies and will enable the management of both companies to pursue unique opportunities for long-term growth and profitability. Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources will each be able to use equity tailored to its own business to enhance acquisition and capital investment programs. Knife River Holding Company’s management will be able to focus exclusively on its construction materials and contracting services business, while the management of MDU Resources will remain dedicated to its remaining businesses. |
• | Tailored capital allocation strategies. The separation will permit each company to concentrate its financial resources solely on its own operations, providing greater flexibility to invest capital in its business at a time and in a manner appropriate for its distinct strategy and business needs. This will facilitate a more efficient allocation of capital based on each company’s profitability, cash flow and growth opportunities. |
• | Optimized capital structures. The separation will allow Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources to each benefit from distinct capital structures and financial policies tailored to its separate business profile and needs. The separation will create independent equity securities for Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources, affording each direct access to the capital markets and enabling each of them to use its own industry-focused stock to consummate future acquisitions or other transactions. As a result, Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources will each have more flexibility to capitalize on its unique strategic opportunities. |
• | Alignment of incentives with performance objectives. The separation will facilitate equity-based and other incentive compensation arrangements for employees more directly tied to the performance of each company’s business, and enhance employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives. |
• | Distinct investment opportunities. The separation will allow investors to separately value Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources based on their distinct investment identities. Knife River Holding Company’s business differs from MDU Resources’ remaining businesses in several respects, including customer bases, regulatory oversight, competitors, strategic initiatives, sales channels and technology needs. The separation will enable investors to evaluate the merits, strategy, performance, and future prospects of each company’s respective business and to invest in each company separately based on these distinct characteristics. The separation may attract new investors who may not have properly assessed the value of Knife River relative to the value it is currently accorded as part of MDU Resources. |
| | Pro Forma | | | Historical | |||||||
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||
Total revenue | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,228,930 | | | $2,178,002 |
Total cost of revenue | | | 2,187,455 | | | 2,173,835 | | | 1,881,981 | | | 1,807,424 |
Gross profit | | | 347,274 | | | 360,894 | | | 346,949 | | | 370,578 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 182,725 | | | 166,599 | | | 155,872 | | | 156,080 |
Operating income | | | 164,549 | | | 194,295 | | | 191,077 | | | 214,498 |
Interest expense | | | 61,773 | | | 30,121 | | | 19,218 | | | 20,577 |
Other (expense) income | | | (4,069) | | | (5,353) | | | 1,355 | | | 835 |
Income before income taxes | | | 98,707 | | | 158,821 | | | 173,214 | | | 194,756 |
Income taxes | | | 26,310 | | | 42,601 | | | 43,459 | | | 47,431 |
Net income | | | $72,397 | | | $116,220 | | | $129,755 | | | $147,325 |
Earnings per share - basic | | | $— | | | $1,452.74 | | | $1,621.93 | | | $1,841.56 |
Earnings per share - diluted | | | $— | | | $1,452.74 | | | $1,621.93 | | | $1,841.56 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic | | | — | | | 80 | | | 80 | | | 80 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted | | | — | | | 80 | | | 80 | | | 80 |
| | Pro Forma | | | Historical | ||||
| | As of December 31, | | | As of December 31, | ||||
| | 2022 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Working capital | | | $527,845 | | | $91,677 | | | $185,429 |
Due from related-party - noncurrent | | | — | | | — | | | 7,626 |
Total assets | | | 2,505,839 | | | 2,294,319 | | | 2,181,824 |
| | | | | | ||||
Related-party notes payable | | | — | | | 446,449 | | | 575,457 |
Total liabilities | | | 1,478,379 | | | 1,265,730 | | | 1,228,980 |
Total stockholder’s equity | | | 1,027,460 | | | 1,028,589 | | | 952,844 |
• | A significant economic downturn. |
• | The financial distress of unrelated industry leaders in the same line of business. |
• | Deterioration in capital market conditions. |
• | Turmoil in the financial services industry. |
• | Volatility in commodity prices. |
• | Pandemics, including COVID-19. |
• | Terrorist attacks. |
• | War. |
• | Cyberattacks. |
• | Governmental authorities increasing taxes or eliminating deductions, particularly the depletion deduction. |
• | The mix of earnings from depletable versus non-depletable businesses. |
• | The jurisdictions in which earnings are taxed. |
• | The resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities. |
• | Changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. |
• | Adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns. |
• | Changes in available tax credits. |
• | Changes in stock-based compensation. |
• | Other changes in tax laws. |
• | The interpretation of tax laws and/or administrative practices. |
• | Hacking. |
• | Human error. |
• | Theft. |
• | Sabotage. |
• | Malicious software. |
• | Ransomware. |
• | Third-party compromise. |
• | Acts of terrorism. |
• | Acts of war. |
• | Acts of nature. |
• | Or other causes. |
• | Acquisition, disposal and impairments of assets or facilities. |
• | The cyclical nature of large construction projects. |
• | Labor negotiations or disputes. |
• | Succession planning. |
• | Inability of contract counterparties to meet their contractual obligations. |
• | The inability to effectively integrate the operations and the internal controls of acquired companies. |
• | Prior to the distribution, Knife River Holding Company’s business has been operated by MDU Resources as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as an independent company, and MDU Resources or one of its affiliates performed certain corporate functions for Knife River Holding Company. Knife River Holding Company’s historical and pro forma financial results reflect allocations of corporate expenses from MDU Resources for such functions and are likely to be less than the expenses Knife River Holding Company would have incurred had it operated as a separate publicly traded company. |
• | Historically, Knife River Holding Company shared economies of scope and scale in costs, employees and vendor relationships. Although Knife River Holding Company will enter into a transition services agreement with MDU Resources prior to the distribution, these arrangements may not retain or fully capture the benefits that Knife River Holding Company has enjoyed as a result of being integrated with MDU Resources and may result in it paying higher charges than in the past for these services. This could have a material adverse effect on Knife River Holding Company’s business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows following the completion of the distribution. |
• | Generally, Knife River Holding Company’s working capital requirements and capital for its general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures, have in the past been satisfied as part of the corporatewide cash management policies of Centennial. Following the completion of the distribution, Knife River Holding Company’s results of operations and cash flows are likely to be more volatile, and it may need to obtain additional financing from banks, through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities, strategic relationships or other arrangements, which may or may not be available and may be more costly. |
• | After the completion of the distribution, the cost of capital for Knife River Holding Company’s business may be higher than MDU Resources’ cost of capital prior to the distribution. |
• | Knife River Holding Company’s historical financial information does not reflect the debt that it expects to incur in connection with the separation. |
• | As a public company, Knife River Holding Company 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 its financial statements according to the rules and regulations required by the SEC. Complying with these requirements could result in significant costs and require Knife River Holding Company to divert substantial resources, including management time, from other activities. |
• | Entering into any transaction pursuant to which all or a portion of Knife River Holding Company common stock or assets would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise. |
• | Issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds. |
• | Repurchasing shares of its capital stock other than in certain open-market transactions. |
• | Ceasing to actively conduct certain aspects of its business. |
• | And/or taking or failing to take any other action that would jeopardize the expected U.S. federal income tax treatment of the distribution and certain related transactions. |
• | A distinct investment identity allowing investors to evaluate the merits, strategy, performance and future prospects of Knife River Holding Company’s business separately from MDU Resources. |
• | Enhanced strategic focus to more effectively pursue individualized strategies specific to the industries in which each operates and use equity tailored to its own business to enhance acquisition and capital programs. |
• | More efficient allocation of capital for both Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources based on each company’s profitability, cash flow and growth opportunities. |
• | Direct access for Knife River Holding Company to the capital markets, while at the same time creating an independent equity structure that will facilitate its ability to deploy capital toward its specific growth opportunities. |
• | And enhanced employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives. |
• | Labor, tax, employee benefit, indemnification and other matters arising from Knife River Holding Company’s separation from MDU Resources. |
• | Employee retention and recruiting. |
• | Business combinations involving Knife River Holding Company. |
• | And the nature, quality and pricing of services that Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources have agreed to provide each other. |
• | Requiring a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to make interest payments on this debt following the separation. |
• | Making it more difficult to satisfy debt service and other obligations. |
• | Increasing the risk of a future credit ratings downgrade of its debt, which could increase future debt costs and limit the future availability of debt financing. |
• | Increasing its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions. |
• | Reducing the cash flow available to fund capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to grow its business. |
• | Limiting its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the industry. |
• | Placing it at a competitive disadvantage relative to its competitors that may not be as highly leveraged with debt. |
• | And limiting its ability to borrow additional funds as needed or take advantage of business opportunities as they arise, pay cash dividends or repurchase ordinary shares. |
• | Actual or anticipated fluctuations in Knife River Holding Company’s operating results. |
• | Declining operating revenues derived from Knife River Holding Company’s core business. |
• | The operating and stock price performance of comparable companies. |
• | Changes in Knife River Holding Company’s stockholder base due to the separation. |
• | Changes in the regulatory and legal environment in which Knife River Holding Company operates. |
• | And market conditions in the construction materials and contracting market, and the domestic and worldwide economy as a whole. |
• | Distinct investment opportunities. The separation will allow investors to separately value Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources based on their distinct investment identities. Knife River Holding Company’s business differs from MDU Resources’ remaining businesses in several respects, including customer bases, regulatory oversight, competitors, strategic initiatives, sales channels and technology needs. The separation will enable investors to evaluate the merits, strategy, performance, and future prospects of each company’s respective business and to invest in each company separately based on these distinct characteristics. The separation may attract new investors who may not have properly assessed the value of Knife River relative to the value it is currently accorded as part of MDU Resources. |
• | Enhanced strategic focus. The separation will allow Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources to more effectively pursue their distinct operating priorities and strategies and will enable the management of both companies to pursue unique opportunities for long-term growth and profitability. Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources will each be able to use equity tailored to its own |
• | Tailored capital allocation strategies. The separation will permit each company to concentrate its financial resources solely on its own operations, providing greater flexibility to invest capital in its business at a time and in a manner appropriate for its distinct strategy and business needs. This will facilitate a more efficient allocation of capital based on each company’s profitability, cash flow and growth opportunities. |
• | Optimized capital structures. The separation will allow Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources to each benefit from distinct capital structures and financial policies tailored to their separate business profiles and needs. The separation will create independent equity securities for Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources, affording each direct access to the capital markets and enabling each of them to use its own industry-focused stock to consummate future acquisitions or other transactions. As a result, Knife River Holding Company and MDU Resources will each have more flexibility to capitalize on its unique strategic opportunities. |
• | Alignment of incentives with performance objectives. The separation will facilitate equity-based and other incentive compensation arrangements for employees more directly tied to the performance of each company’s business, and enhance employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives. |
• | Risk of Failure to Achieve Anticipated Benefits of the Separation. Knife River Holding Company may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the separation for a variety of reasons, including, among others: the separation will demand significant management resources and require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating the business; and following the separation, Knife River Holding Company may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than if it were still a part of MDU Resources because its business will be less diversified than MDU Resources’ business prior to the completion of the separation and distribution. |
• | Disruptions and Costs Related to the Separation. The actions required to separate Knife River Holding Company from MDU Resources could disrupt its operations. In addition, Knife River Holding Company will incur substantial costs in connection with the transition to being a standalone, public company, which may include financial reporting, tax, legal and other professional services costs. Knife River could also experience some disruption costs for employee benefits, including health care costs, due to the new structure that will be adopted for the health care plan. Once the program has been in place for a full year and trends are developed, the risks are expected to lessen. Additionally, Knife River will be implementing stop loss insurance to assist with the volatility of high dollar claims. |
• | Loss of Scale and Increased Administrative Costs. Prior to the separation, as part of MDU Resources, Knife River Holding Company takes advantage of MDU Resources’ size and purchasing power in procuring certain goods and services. After the separation and distribution, as a standalone company, Knife River Holding Company may be unable to obtain these goods and services at prices or on terms as favorable as those MDU Resources obtained prior to completion of the separation and distribution. In addition, as part of MDU Resources, Knife River Holding Company benefits from certain functions performed by MDU Resources, such as financial reporting, tax, legal, human resources and other general and administrative functions. After the separation and distribution, MDU Resources will not perform these functions for Knife River Holding Company, other than certain functions that will be provided for a limited time pursuant to the transition services agreement, and, because of the smaller scale as a standalone company, Knife River Holding Company’s cost of performing such functions could be higher than the amounts reflected in its historical financial statements, which would cause its profitability to decrease. |
• | Uncertainty Regarding Stock Prices. The effect of the separation on the trading prices of Knife River Holding Company or MDU Resources common stock is not predictable nor can it be known with certainty whether the combined market value of one Knife River Holding Company common stock and one share of MDU Resources common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of one share of MDU Resources common stock prior to the distribution. |
• | The transfer of Knife River and the assets and liabilities associated with it and its business from MDU Resources to Knife River Holding Company shall be completed in accordance with the separation and distribution agreement that MDU Resources and Knife River Holding Company will enter into prior to the distribution. |
• | MDU Resources shall have received a private letter ruling from the IRS, satisfactory to the MDU Resources board of directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution. |
• | MDU Resources shall have received one or more opinions from its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the MDU Resources board of directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution. |
• | An independent appraisal firm acceptable to MDU Resources shall have delivered one or more opinions to the board of directors of MDU Resources at the time or times requested by the board of directors of MDU Resources confirming the solvency and financial viability of MDU Resources before the consummation of the distribution and each of MDU Resources and Knife River Holding Company after the consummation of the distribution, and such opinions shall have been acceptable to MDU Resources in form and substance in MDU Resources’ sole discretion and such opinions shall not have been withdrawn or rescinded. |
• | The SEC shall have declared effective Knife River Holding Company’s registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, and this information statement shall have been made available to MDU Resources stockholders. |
• | All actions and 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 authority. |
• | The actions and filings necessary or appropriate with respect to applicable state insurance and residential service contract regulators, shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted by the applicable governmental authority. |
• | The transaction agreements relating to the separation that MDU Resources and Knife River Holding Company will enter into prior to the distribution shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties. |
• | 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. |
• | The shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock to be distributed shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution. |
• | Knife River Holding Company shall have entered into the financing transactions described in this information statement that are contemplated to occur on or prior to the separation and distribution. |
• | No event or development shall have occurred or exist that, in the judgment of MDU Resources’ board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, the distribution and other related transactions. |
| | As of December 31, 2022 | ||||
| | Historical | | | Pro Forma | |
| | (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||
Assets | | | | | ||
Cash and cash equivalents(1) | | | $10,090 | | | $221,452 |
Liabilities | | | | | ||
Debt, including current and long-term: | | | | | ||
Long-term debt - current portion(1) | | | 211 | | | 211 |
Related-party notes payable - current portion(1) | | | 238,000 | | | — |
Long-term debt(1) | | | 427 | | | 879,294 |
Related-party notes payable(1) | | | 446,449 | | | — |
Total debt | | | $685,087 | | | $879,505 |
Stockholder’s Equity | | | | | ||
Historical Common stock, $10.00 par value: 80,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding; Pro Forma Common stock, $0.01 par value: 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding(2) | | | $800 | | | $— |
Other paid-in-capital(2) | | | 549,106 | | | 549,906 |
Retained earnings | | | 494,661 | | | 493,532 |
Parent stock held by subsidiary(3) | | | (3,626) | | | — |
Treasury stock at cost(3) | | | — | | | (3,626) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (12,352) | | | (12,352) |
Total stockholder’s equity | | | $1,028,589 | | | $1,027,460 |
Total capitalization | | | $1,713,676 | | | $1,906,965 |
1. | The pro forma figures reflect the expected incurrence of indebtedness by Knife River Holding Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $700 million, consisting of some combination of term loans and other debt, issued in connection with the separation. The debt maturities are expected to range from five years to eight years with an estimated weighted average interest rate of approximately 7.4 percent. Total deferred debt issuance costs associated with such indebtedness are estimated to be $11,133 thousand, which will be amortized to Interest expense over the terms of the respective instruments and are reflected as a reduction to Long-term debt. It is expected that Knife River will use all or a portion of the net proceeds of such indebtedness to repay its outstanding indebtedness with Centennial of $238 million that is reflected as Related-party notes payable – current portion and $446,449 thousand reflected as Related-party notes payable on the historical audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. |
2. | Reflects the historical common stock with a par value of $10.00 of Knife River Corporation and the issuance of shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share on a pro forma basis pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement. Knife River Holding Company assumes the number of outstanding shares as of the distribution date shall be based on, among other things, (i) the number of shares of MDU Resources common stock outstanding as of the distribution date, and assumes a distribution of 80.1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock to MDU Resources stockholders, on a pro rata basis, (ii) the distribution ratio and (iii) the hook stock exchange (as defined below). The actual number of shares issued will not be known until the record date for the distribution. Knife River Holding Company expects up to 19.9 percent of Knife River Holding Company's common stock to be owned by MDU Resources at the time of separation. |
3. | Knife River Corporation, presented here as a subsidiary of Knife River Holding Company, historically held 538,921 shares of MDU Resources common stock, through a subsidiary. The historical shares are presented as Parent stock held by subsidiary. In connection with the separation, the subsidiary of Knife River Corporation will enter into an exchange agreement with MDU Resources to transfer, prior to the record date, the Parent stock held by subsidiary to MDU Resources in exchange for MDU Resources agreeing to transfer, on or before the distribution date, an amount, approximately equal in value, of Knife River Holding Company common stock to the subsidiary of Knife River Corporation (such transactions, the “hook stock exchange”). The Knife River Holding Company common stock is presented as Treasury stock for pro forma purposes. |
| | Pro Forma Year Ended December 31, | | | Historical Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Results for Year: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Revenues | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,228,930 | | | $2,178,002 |
Gross profit | | | 347,274 | | | 360,894 | | | 346,949 | | | 370,578 |
Net income | | | 72,397 | | | 116,220 | | | 129,755 | | | 147,325 |
Other Data: | | | | | | | | | ||||
EBITDA | | | $278,278 | | | $306,740 | | | $293,406 | | | $304,959 |
EBITDA margin | | | 11.0% | | | 12.1% | | | 13.2% | | | 14.0% |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | $296,423 | | | $313,413 | | | $294,749 | | | $304,290 |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | | | 11.7% | | | 12.4% | | | 13.2% | | | 14.0% |
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Working capital | | | $527,845 | | | $91,677 | | | $185,429 | | | |
Total assets | | | 2,505,839 | | | 2,294,319 | | | 2,181,824 | | | |
Total equity | | | 1,027,460 | | | 1,028,589 | | | 952,844 | | |
| | Pro Forma Year Ended December 31, | | | Historical Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Net income | | | $72,397 | | | $116,220 | | | $129,755 | | | $147,325 |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Income taxes | | | 26,310 | | | 42,601 | | | 43,459 | | | 47,431 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | | | 117,798 | | | 117,798 | | | 100,974 | | | 89,626 |
Interest | | | 61,773 | | | 30,121 | | | 19,218 | | | 20,577 |
Consolidated EBITDA | | | $278,278 | | | $306,740 | | | $293,406 | | | $304,959 |
Unrealized (gains) losses on benefit plan investments | | | 4,029 | | | 4,029 | | | (2,294) | | | (4,026) |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 4,098 | | | 2,644 | | | 3,637 | | | 3,357 |
One-time separation costs | | | 10,018 | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | $296,423 | | | $313,413 | | | $294,749 | | | $304,290 |
Revenues | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,228,930 | | | $2,178,002 |
EBITDA margin | | | 11.0% | | | 12.1% | | | 13.2% | | | 14.0% |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | | | 11.7% | | | 12.4% | | | 13.2% | | | 14.0% |
• | The expected incurrence of indebtedness by Knife River Holding Company, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.05 billion, consisting of some combination of term loans and other debt, and $350 million of a 5-Year Revolving Credit Facility, of which $190 million is expected to be utilized at the time of the separation. Knife River Holding Company's expectation is that all or a portion of the net proceeds of such indebtedness will be used to repay debt owed to Centennial; |
• | The distribution of 80.1 percent or more of Knife River Holding Company issued and outstanding common stock to MDU Resources' stockholders on a pro rata basis in connection with the separation. MDU Resources will retain up to 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock following the distribution; |
• | The one-time transaction expenses associated with the separation of Knife River Holding Company; |
• | Incremental costs expected to be incurred as an autonomous entity and specifically related to the separation; |
• | Management adjustments which consist of reasonably estimated transaction effects related to synergies and dis-synergies expected to occur; and |
• | The impact of, and transactions contemplated by, the separation and distribution agreement, the transition services agreement, the employee matters agreement, the stockholder and registration rights agreement and other transaction agreements described under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.” |
| | Historical (Note 1) | | | Transaction Accounting Adjustments (Note 2) | | | | | Autonomous Entity Adjustments (Note 3) | | | | | Pro Forma | |||
| | (In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Construction materials | | | $1,347,008 | | | $— | | | | | $— | | | | | $1,347,008 | ||
Contracting services | | | 1,187,721 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1,187,721 | ||
Total revenue | | | 2,534,729 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2,534,729 | ||
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Construction materials | | | 1,086,193 | | | — | | | | | 10,750 | | | (K) | | | 1,096,943 | |
Contracting services | | | 1,087,642 | | | — | | | | | 2,870 | | | (K) | | | 1,090,512 | |
Total cost of revenue | | | 2,173,835 | | | — | | | | | 13,620 | | | | | 2,187,455 | ||
Gross profit | | | 360,894 | | | — | | | | | (13,620) | | | | | 347,274 | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 166,599 | | | 747 | | | (C) | | | 15,379 | | | (J),(K),(L) | | | 182,725 |
Operating income | | | 194,295 | | | (747) | | | | | (28,999) | | | | | 164,549 | ||
Interest expense | | | 30,121 | | | 31,652 | | | (B) | | | — | | | | | 61,773 | |
Other (expense) income | | | (5,353) | | | — | | | | | 1,284 | | | (J) | | | (4,069) | |
Income before income taxes | | | 158,821 | | | (32,399) | | | | | (27,715) | | | | | 98,707 | ||
Income taxes | | | 42,601 | | | (8,780) | | | (E) | | | (7,511) | | | (M) | | | 26,310 |
Net income | | | $116,220 | | | $(23,619) | | | | | $(20,204) | | | | | $72,397 | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Unaudited Pro Forma Earnings Per Share | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Basic | | | $116,220.00 | | | | | | | | | (H) | | | $— | |||
Diluted | | | $116,220.00 | | | | | | | | | (I) | | | $— | |||
Average number of shares used in calculating Unaudited Pro Forma Earnings Per Share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Basic | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | (H) | | | — | |||
Diluted | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | (I) | | | — |
| | Historical (Note 1) | | | Transaction Accounting Adjustments (Note 2) | | | | | Autonomous Entity Adjustments (Note 3) | | | | | Pro Forma | |||
| | (In thousands, except share and share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Current assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | $10,090 | | | $189,130 | | | (A) | | | $22,232 | | | (K) | | | $221,452 |
Receivables, net | | | 210,157 | | | 9,972 | | | (D) | | | — | | | | | 220,129 | |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | | | 31,145 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 31,145 | ||
Due from related-party | | | 16,050 | | | (9,972) | | | (D) | | | (6,078) | | | (K) | | | — |
Inventories | | | 323,277 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 323,277 | ||
Prepayments and other current assets | | | 17,848 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 17,848 | ||
Total current assets | | | $608,567 | | | $189,130 | | | | | $16,154 | | | | | $813,851 | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Noncurrent assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Net property, plant, and equipment | | | $1,315,213 | | | $— | | | | | $— | | | | | $1,315,213 | ||
Goodwill | | | 274,540 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 274,540 | ||
Other intangible assets, net | | | 13,430 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 13,430 | ||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | 45,873 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 45,873 | ||
Investments and other | | | 36,696 | | | 6,236 | | | (A),(C) | | | — | | | | | 42,932 | |
Total noncurrent assets | | | 1,685,752 | | | 6,236 | | | | | — | | | | | 1,691,988 | ||
Total assets | | | $2,294,319 | | | $195,366 | | | | | $16,154 | | | | | $2,505,839 | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Long-term debt - current portion | | | $211 | | | $— | | | | | $— | | | | | $211 | ||
Related-party notes payable - current portion | | | 238,000 | | | (238,000) | | | (A) | | | — | | | | | — | |
Accounts payable | | | 87,370 | | | 16,209 | | | (D) | | | — | | | | | 103,579 | |
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | | | 39,843 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 39,843 | ||
Accrued compensation | | | 29,192 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 29,192 | ||
Due to related-party | | | 20,286 | | | (20,286) | | | (D) | | | — | | | | | — | |
Current operating lease liabilities | | | 13,210 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 13,210 | ||
Other accrued liabilities | | | 88,778 | | | 4,983 | | | (C), (D) | | | 6,210 | | | (K) | | | 99,971 |
Total current liabilities | | | $516,890 | | | $(237,094) | | | | | $6,210 | | | | | $286,006 | ||
Noncurrent Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Long-term debt | | | $427 | | | $878,867 | | | (A) | | | $— | | | | | $879,294 | |
Related-party notes payable | | | 446,449 | | | (446,449) | | | (A) | | | — | | | | | — | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 175,804 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 175,804 | ||
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | | | 32,663 | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 32,663 | ||
Other | | | 93,497 | | | 1,171 | | | (C) | | | 9,944 | | | (K) | | | 104,612 |
Total liabilities | | | $1,265,730 | | | $196,495 | | | | | $16,154 | | | | | $1,478,379 | ||
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Stockholder’s equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Common stock, $10 par value; 80,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | | | $— | | | $— | | | | | $— | | | | | $— | ||
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | | | — | | | — | | | (F) | | | — | | | | | — | |
Other paid-in capital | | | 549,906 | | | — | | | (F) | | | — | | | | | 549,906 | |
Retained earnings | | | 494,661 | | | (1,129) | | | (C) | | | — | | | | | 493,532 | |
Parent stock held by subsidiary | | | (3,626) | | | 3,626 | | | (G) | | | — | | | | | — | |
Treasury stock at cost - [ ] shares | | | — | | | (3,626) | | | (G) | | | — | | | | | (3,626) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (12,352) | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | (12,352) | ||
Total stockholder’s equity | | | $1,028,589 | | | $(1,129) | | | | | $— | | | | | $1,027,460 | ||
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity | | | $2,294,319 | | | $195,366 | | | | | $16,154 | | | | | $2,505,839 |
A. | Reflects the expected incurrence of indebtedness by Knife River Holding Company in an aggregate principal amount of $700 million, consisting of some combination of term loans and other debt, issued in connection with the separation. The debt maturities are expected to range from five years to eight years with an estimated weighted average interest rate of approximately 7.4 percent. Total deferred debt issuance costs associated with such indebtedness are estimated to be $11,133 thousand, which will be amortized to Interest expense over the terms of the respective instruments and are reflected as a reduction to Long-term debt. It is expected that Knife River will use all or a portion of the net proceeds of such indebtedness to repay its outstanding indebtedness with Centennial of $238 million that is reflected as Related-party notes payable – current portion and $446,449 thousand reflected as Related-party notes payable on the historical audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. |
B. | Reflects the addition of estimated interest expense and amortization of deferred debt issuance costs related to the debt issuances described in note (A) above and the estimated interest expense and deferred debt issuance cost impact of the settlement of indebtedness with Centennial. Interest expense associated with the term loans and other debt was calculated assuming constant debt levels throughout the period. Interest expense associated with the revolving credit facility was calculated using management's best estimate of seasonal utilization needs throughout the period. Interest expense associated with the settlement of indebtedness with Centennial was calculated based on historical interest expense incurred for the year ended December 31, 2022. A 0.125 percentage point change to the annual interest rate on the new indebtedness would change interest expense by approximately $477 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022. Refer to the below table for further details on specific adjustments: |
| | Year ended December 31, 2022 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Interest expense on new debt | | | $57,781 |
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs on new debt | | | 2,789 |
Expense on undrawn revolving credit facility balance | | | 1,005 |
Less interest expense on Centennial debt | | | 29,440 |
| | Year ended December 31, 2022 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Less amortization of deferred debt costs on Centennial debt | | | 483 |
Total interest expense | | | $31,652 |
C | Reflects $948 thousand in Investments and other, $906 thousand in Other accrued liabilities and $1,171 thousand in Noncurrent liabilities - other with respect to additional employee-related obligations and associated assets of active employees expected to be transferred from MDU Resources to Knife River Holding Company prior to separation. These assets and liabilities primarily relate to vacation accruals, the Supplemental Income Security Plan (SISP), Deferred Compensation Plan, Nonqualified Defined Contribution Plan and Retiree Reimbursement Account. The amounts in this adjustment are incremental to the assets and liabilities included in the historical audited consolidated balance sheet as they relate to employees who were not Knife River employees or the associated assets or liabilities were not attributed ratably to Knife River. Expenses associated with the active employees who will be transferred from MDU Resources to Knife River Holding Company were estimated to be $747 thousand, and are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
D. | Reflects the reclassification of certain transactions historically included in related-party accounts to the appropriate third-party accounts based on the nature of the transaction, as of December 31, 2022. |
| | Year ended December 31, 2022 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Related-party Accounts | | | |
Due from related-party | | | $(9,972) |
Due to related-party | | | (20,286) |
Total | | | $(30,258) |
| | ||
Third-party Accounts | | | |
Receivables, net | | | $9,972 |
Accounts payable | | | 16,209 |
Other accrued liabilities | | | 4,077 |
Total | | | $30,258 |
E. | Reflects the income tax impact of the transaction pro forma adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2022. This adjustment was calculated by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% and state income tax rate of 6.1% to each of the pre-tax pro forma adjustments. The applicable tax rates could be impacted (either higher or lower) depending on certain factors subsequent to the separation including the legal entity structure implemented and may be materially different from the pro forma results. The estimated pro forma tax reduction is $8,780 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
F. | Reflects the issuance of shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share on a pro forma basis pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement. Knife River Holding Company has assumed the number of outstanding shares as of the distribution date shall be based on, among other things, (i) the number of shares of MDU Resources common stock outstanding as of the distribution date, and assumes a distribution of 80.1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock to MDU Resources stockholders, on a pro rata basis, (ii) the distribution ratio and (iii) the hook stock exchange. The actual number of shares issued will not be known until the record date for the distribution. Knife River Holding Company expects up to 19.9 percent of Knife River Holding Company's common stock to be owned by MDU Resources at the time of separation. |
G. | Knife River Corporation, presented here as a subsidiary of Knife River Holding Company, has historically held 538,921 shares of MDU Resources common stock, through a subsidiary. The historical shares are presented as Parent stock held by subsidiary. In connection with the separation, the subsidiary of Knife River Corporation will enter into an exchange agreement with MDU Resources to |
H. | The weighted-average number of shares used to compute pro forma basic earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2022, is [ ], on the basis of [ ] shares of Knife River Holding Company’s common stock for every [ ] shares of MDU Resources common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and the 19.9 percent interest in the outstanding shares of Knife River Holding Company’s common stock that Knife River Holding Company expects will be owned by MDU Resources at the time of separation. |
I. | The weighted-average number of shares used to compute pro forma diluted earnings per share for year ended December 31, 2022, is [ ], which represents the number of shares expected to be outstanding in connection with the separation. The actual dilutive effect following the completion of the separation will depend on various factors, including employees who may change employment between MDU Resources and Knife River Holding Company and the impact of MDU Resources and Knife River Holding Company equity-based compensation agreements. At this time, management cannot estimate the dilutive effects. |
J. | Reflects the effect of transition services agreements and associated reverse transition services agreements Knife River Holding Company intends to enter into with MDU Resources over a twelve month period following the separation. Knife River Holding Company will incur incremental expenses and income above the previous allocation of MDU Resources corporate costs related to financial reporting, tax, legal, risk management, human resources, information technology and other general and administrative functions. The adjustment related to services to be provided to Knife River Holding Company by MDU Resources of $6,082 thousand is recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses and income related to services provided to MDU Resources by Knife River Holding Company of $1,284 thousand is recorded in Other (expense) income for the year ended December 31, 2022. However, actual incremental costs that will be incurred will depend on the results of contractual negotiations with MDU Resources, the ability to execute on proposed separation plans and the continuing assessment of resource needs for Knife River Holding Company to operate as a stand-alone company. |
K. | Reflects the establishment of new insurance coverage of certain liabilities, including but not limited to certain workers' compensation, auto liability, and general liability insurance through the creation of a new captive insurance entity as a stand-alone business that will become a subsidiary of Knife River Holding Company. The newly formed captive insurance entity will receive certain assets and liabilities to cover the actuarial estimated costs of known and unknown insured casualty claims of Knife River Holding Company. InterSource Insurance Company, a subsidiary of MDU Resources, will transfer $22,232 thousand of Cash and cash equivalents and liabilities of $6,210 thousand and $9,944 thousand recorded in Other accrued liabilities and Noncurrent liabilities - other, respectively. Knife River Holding Company will also concurrently settle $6,078 thousand of Due from related-party balances related to insurance reserves historically established by InterSource Insurance Company for which Knife River Holding Company was identified as the primary obligor. |
L. | Reflects $4,335 thousand in Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the net impact of new compensation agreements for the establishment of the Knife River Holding Company's executive management team. This adjustment primarily relates to costs for increases in salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation. |
M. | Reflects the income tax impact of the autonomous entity pro forma adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2022. This adjustment was primarily calculated by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% and state income tax rate of 6.1% to each of the pre-tax pro forma adjustments. The applicable tax rates could be impacted (either higher or lower) depending on certain factors subsequent to the separation including the legal entity structure implemented and may be materially different from the pro forma results. The estimated pro forma tax reduction is $7,511 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
• | one-time and non-recurring expenses associated with separation and stand-up functions required to operate as a stand-alone public entity. These non-recurring costs primarily relate to credit rating agency fees, third-party consulting services for captive insurance structuring, new employee benefit plans, and new software; and |
• | recurring and ongoing costs required to operate new functions as a public company such as governance and listing costs, continuing stock and rating agency fees, fees associated with proxy and other public company disclosures and information technology costs. |
| | Net income (loss) | | | Basic earnings per share | | | Diluted earnings per share | |
| | (in thousands except share and per share amounts) | |||||||
Unaudited pro forma consolidated net income* | | | $72,397 | | | $— | | | $— |
Management adjustments | | | | | | | |||
Synergies | | | 4,236 | | | | | ||
Dis-synergies | | | (11,314) | | | | | ||
Tax effect | | | 1,918 | | | | | ||
Unaudited pro forma consolidated net income after management adjustments | | | $67,237 | | | $— | | | $— |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic | | | — | | | | | ||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted | | | — | | | | |
* | As shown in the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income |
| | Pacific | | | Northwest | | | Mountain | | | North Central | | | All Other | | | Consolidated Knife River | |
States of Operation | | | Alaska, California and Hawaii | | | Oregon and Washington | | | Idaho, Montana and Wyoming | | | Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota | | | Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming | | | |
Aggregate Reserves (tons) | | | 165.2 million | | | 506.9 million | | | 222.0 million | | | 133.4 million | | | 78.5 million | | | 1.1 billion |
Properties: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Aggregate Sites* | | | 17 | | | 51 | | | 36 | | | 81 | | | 6 | | | 191 |
Ready-Mix Plants | | | 18 | | | 24 | | | 17 | | | 36 | | | 6 | | | 101 |
Asphalt Plants | | | 4 | | | 13 | | | 19 | | | 18 | | | 2 | | | 56 |
Revenue | | | $568.3 million | | | $704.4 million | | | $652.0 million | | | $809.9 million | | | $394.0 million | | | $3.1 billion |
Revenue Composition: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Construction Materials | | | 77% | | | 63% | | | 43% | | | 56% | | | 82% | | | 62% |
Contracting Services | | | 23% | | | 37% | | | 57% | | | 44% | | | 18% | | | 38% |
Public-Sector Services | | | 63% | | | 66% | | | 68% | | | 96% | | | 99% | | | 77% |
Private-Sector Services | | | 37% | | | 34% | | | 32% | | | 4% | | | 1% | | | 23% |
3 Year Revenue Compound Annual Growth Rate** | | | 0.79% | | | 12.44% | | | 7.14% | | | 2.86% | | | 0.52% | | | 4.98% |
* | Includes 188 active sites and three that are classified as exploration stage properties. |
** | Includes the effects of recent acquisitions. |
(1) | Leading vertically integrated, aggregates-based construction materials and contracting provider. |
(2) | Attractive geographic footprint across the western U.S. with exposure to areas demonstrating above-average growth. |
(3) | Diverse public and private customer base. |
(4) | Large exposure to public-sector customers, providing recession resiliency amidst soft macro environment. |
• | California. The Road Repair and Accountability Act (passed in 2017) invests $54 billion over 10 years in public infrastructure. |
• | Oregon. The Keep Oregon Moving transportation funding package (passed in 2017) raises $5.3 billion over 10 years. |
• | Texas. The Unified Transportation Program (passed in 2022) advances $85 billion in transportation funding over 10 years. |
• | Washington. Move Ahead Washington (passed in 2022) provides $3 billion for public transportation over the next 16 years. |
• | Idaho. The Leading Idaho funding bill (passed in 2022) directs $400 million to road and bridge maintenance. |
(5) | Strong backlog and robust pipeline of projects across public and private infrastructure end markets. |
• | Hill County FM Road 308. Knife River removed and replaced three bridge structures and widened the roadway at each structure near Malone, Texas, for the Texas Department of Transportation. |
• | Heimann Cancer Center. Knife River provided ready-mix concrete for three-foot-thick walls and a three-foot- thick roof in Medford, Oregon, for ASANTE Rogue Regional Medical Center. |
• | Confidential Data Centers. Knife River is providing precast design, drafting, fabrication and installation of precast concrete wall panels at multiple data and fulfillment centers throughout the Northwest. |
• | Missoula International Airport. Knife River was the general contractor for a new airport terminal site, access road and apron expansion in Missoula, Montana. |
• | Sanford Sports Complex. Knife River performed the site preparation and grading for 18 synthetic-turf sports fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It also prepared and paved accompanying parking lots at the facility. |
• | Butte County Skyway Rehabilitation. Knife River placed 100,000 tons of asphalt to rehabilitate roadway damaged during the Camp Fire near the town of Paradise, California. |
(6) | Resilient financial profile with robust free cash flows. |
(7) | Proven track record of growth through acquisition and highly effective integration playbook, driving both organic and inorganic growth. |
(8) | Best-in-class management team with a long history of operating success and integration. |
a. | People. Knife River takes care of its team by providing them the tools, training and time to perform their work safely and successfully, by providing competitive wages and benefits, and by providing a safe and respectful work environment. The Company's “One Team: Stronger Together” initiative provides training and awareness for employees that Knife River embraces the diverse backgrounds and viewpoints of its team members, in an effort to keep learning from one another so the Company can keep improving. |
b. | Safety. Safety is a core value to Knife River on every task, every time, every day. Knife River strives to achieve world-class safety standards because it genuinely cares about the wellbeing of its employees and recognizes the bottom-line benefits of being a safe company. The Company focuses on the three Ts of safety: Tools, Training and Time. Knife River provides employees with the tools and training to safely and successfully perform their jobs, and asks that employees take the time to do their jobs safely. |
c. | Quality. Knife River delivers consistent, high-quality products and services to its customers and is committed to quality in all it does. Knife River stands behind its work and embraces innovation. |
d. | Environment. Knife River continuously manages its impact on the environment to minimize its footprint and keep its states beautiful for future generations. |
• | Key economic factors. Many factors affect product demand, including public spending on roads and infrastructure projects, general economic conditions, including population growth and employment levels, and prevailing interest rates. |
• | Location and transportation. Construction materials are expensive to transport due to low value-to-weight ratios, so they are generally produced and delivered locally or regionally. Access to well-positioned reserves is critical. |
• | Vertical integration. Market participants that operate a vertically integrated business model can access certain efficiencies that lead to reduced product costs and other benefits for customers, including greater reliability of supply. |
• | Industry fragmentation. There are thousands of construction materials producers of varying scope and size. Market participants may enter new geographies or expand existing positions through the acquisition of existing facilities. |
• | Seasonality. Activity in certain areas are seasonal due to the effects of weather. Most of the production and sales of materials and related services in the northern U.S. occurs between May and October, in line with end market activity. |
• | Cyclicality. The demand for construction materials products and contracting services is significantly influenced by the cyclical nature of the economy. |
• | Regulations. Environmental and zoning approvals are often required for the development and expansion of facilities. |
• | Production inputs. Cost and availability of energy, labor and other inputs can vary over time based on macroeconomic factors and impact profitability of operations. |
Revenue | | | ($ in millions) | | | (% of total) | | | Gross Profit | | | ($ in millions) | | | (% of total) |
Aggregates | | | $496.6 | | | 16% | | | Aggregates | | | $69.6 | | | 19% |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 609.5 | | | 19% | | | Ready-mix concrete | | | 85.9 | | | 24% |
Asphalt | | | 427.5 | | | 14% | | | Asphalt | | | 41.7 | | | 11% |
Other | | | 407.3 | | | 13% | | | Other | | | 63.6 | | | 18% |
Contracting services | | | 1,187.7 | | | 38% | | | Contracting services | | | 100.1 | | | 28% |
Total gross revenue | | | $3,128.6 | | | 100% | | | | | | | |||
Internal sales | | | (593.9) | | | — | | | | | | | |||
Total revenue | | | $2,534.7 | | | — | | | Total gross profit | | | $360.9 | | | 100% |
Segment | | | Plants | | | Mixer Trucks |
Pacific | | | 18 | | | 177 |
Northwest | | | 24 | | | 227 |
Mountain | | | 17 | | | 213 |
North Central | | | 36 | | | 277 |
All Other | | | 6 | | | 54 |
Total | | | 101 | | | 948 |
Segment | | | Non-portable Asphalt Plants | | | Portable Asphalt Plants | | | Total Asphalt Plants |
Pacific | | | 4 | | | — | | | 4 |
Northwest | | | 11 | | | 2 | | | 13 |
Mountain | | | 11 | | | 8 | | | 19 |
North Central | | | 6 | | | 12 | | | 18 |
All Other | | | 2 | | | — | | | 2 |
Total | | | 34 | | | 22 | | | 56 |
Public | | | | | Private | | | ||
Streets & Highways | | | 61% | | | Residential | | | 8% |
Airports | | | 6% | | | Buildings/Sitework | | | 5% |
Marine | | | 2% | | | Streets & Highways | | | 3% |
Bridges | | | 4% | | | Other | | | 7% |
Other | | | 4% | | | | | ||
Total | | | 77% | | | Total | | | 23% |
| | Aggregate Sites | ||||||||||
Production Area | | | Crushed Stone | | | Sand & Gravel | ||||||
| | Owned | | | Leased | | | Owned | | | Leased | |
Pacific | | | — | | | 7 | | | 9 | | | 1 |
Northwest | | | 11 | | | 12 | | | 19 | | | 9 |
Mountain | | | 2 | | | 7 | | | 18 | | | 9 |
North Central | | | 5 | | | 1 | | | 52 | | | 23 |
All Other | | | 4 | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | — |
Total | | | 22 | | | 28 | | | 99 | | | 42 |
| | | | Crushed Stone | | | Sand & Gravel | | | |||||||||||||||
Production Area | | | Aggregate Sites | | | Proven Mineral Reserves | | | Probable Mineral Reserves | | | Total Mineral Reserves | | | Proven Mineral Reserves | | | Probable Mineral Reserves | | | Total Mineral Reserves | | | Total Mineral Reserves |
| | (Tons in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Pacific | | | 16 | | | 132,877 | | | 662 | | | 133,539 | | | 31,612 | | | — | | | 31,612 | | | 165,151 |
Northwest | | | 49 | | | 361,217 | | | 14,046 | | | 375,263 | | | 118,209 | | | 13,477 | | | 131,686 | | | 506,949 |
Mountain | | | 36 | | | 77,125 | | | 11,582 | | | 88,707 | | | 98,182 | | | 35,061 | | | 133,243 | | | 221,950 |
North Central | | | 81 | | | 45,559 | | | 3,000 | | | 48,559 | | | 69,546 | | | 15,300 | | | 84,846 | | | 133,405 |
All Other | | | 6 | | | 65,451 | | | 4,691 | | | 70,142 | | | 8,368 | | | — | | | 8,368 | | | 78,510 |
Total | | | 188 | | | 682,229 | | | 33,981 | | | 716,210 | | | 325,917 | | | 63,838 | | | 389,755 | | | 1,105,965 |
* | The average selling price per ton for crushed stone and sand and gravel was $16.12 and $10.53, respectively, in 2022. The average selling price includes freight and delivery and other revenues. |
** | The aggregates mined are of suitable grade and quality to be used as construction materials and no further grade or quality disclosure is applicable. |
| | | | Sand & Gravel | |||||||||||
Production Area | | | Aggregate Sites | | | Measured Mineral Resources | | | Indicated Mineral Resources | | | Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources | | | Inferred Mineral Resources |
| | (Tons in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Pacific | | | 1 | | | 14,673 | | | — | | | 14,673 | | | — |
Northwest | | | 2 | | | 41,727 | | | — | | | 41,727 | | | — |
Mountain | | | — | | | 11,500 | | | — | | | 11,500 | | | — |
North Central | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 373 |
Total | | | 3 | | | 67,900 | | | — | | | 67,900 | | | 373 |
* | Mountain and North Central each have a site that includes both reserves and resources, which are included in the aggregate sites for reserves. |
• | Pacific: Alaska, California and Hawaii |
• | Northwest: Oregon and Washington |
• | Mountain: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming |
• | North Central: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota |
• | All Other: Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming |
| | Product and services | | | Modes of transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Aggregates | | | Asphalt | | | Ready- mix concrete | | | Contracting services | | | Precast/ prestressed concrete | | | Liquid asphalt | | | Cement | | | Heavy equipment | | | Trucking | | | Rail | | | Barge | |
Pacific | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X |
Northwest | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | | | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | ||
Mountain | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | | | | | | | X | | | X | | | | | |||||
North Central | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | | | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | |||
All Other | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | | | X | | | | | X | | | X | | | X | | | X |
December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Pacific | | | $99.5 | | | $89.3 | | | $137.3 |
Northwest | | | 210.7 | | | 108.0 | | | 85.8 |
Mountain | | | 313.5 | | | 208.5 | | | 200.7 |
North Central | | | 147.3 | | | 154.5 | | | 89.1 |
All Other | | | 164.4 | | | 147.4 | | | 160.2 |
Total | | | $935.4 | | | $707.7 | | | $673.1 |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 vs 2021 % change | | | 2021 vs 2020 % change |
| | (In millions) | | | | | |||||||||
Revenue | | | $2,534.7 | | | $2,228.9 | | | $2,178.0 | | | 14% | | | 2% |
Cost of revenue | | | 2,173.8 | | | 1,881.9 | | | 1,807.4 | | | 16% | | | 4% |
Gross profit | | | 360.9 | | | 347.0 | | | 370.6 | | | 4% | | | (6)% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 166.6 | | | 155.9 | | | 156.1 | | | 7% | | | — % |
Operating income | | | 194.3 | | | 191.1 | | | 214.5 | | | 2% | | | (11)% |
Interest expense | | | 30.1 | | | 19.2 | | | 20.6 | | | 57% | | | (7)% |
Other (expense) income | | | (5.4) | | | 1.3 | | | .8 | | | (515)% | | | 63% |
Income before income taxes | | | 158.8 | | | 173.2 | | | 194.7 | | | (8)% | | | (11)% |
Income taxes | | | 42.6 | | | 43.4 | | | 47.4 | | | (2)% | | | (8)% |
Net income | | | $116.2 | | | $129.8 | | | $147.3 | | | (10)% | | | (12)% |
EBITDA | | | $306.7 | | | $293.4 | | | $305.0 | | | 5% | | | (4)% |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | $313.4 | | | $294.7 | | | $304.3 | | | 6% | | | (3)% |
| | Revenues | | | Gross profit | | | EBITDA | |||||||||||||||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pacific | | | $468.6 | | | $427.3 | | | $454.4 | | | $67.8 | | | $74.1 | | | $90.0 | | | $55.8 | | | $67.1 | | | $79.1 |
Northwest | | | 600.2 | | | 478.0 | | | 416.2 | | | 106.4 | | | 87.5 | | | 79.8 | | | 103.9 | | | 80.6 | | | 74.4 |
Mountain | | | 542.0 | | | 479.6 | | | 450.9 | | | 77.5 | | | 71.2 | | | 62.9 | | | 72.6 | | | 65.0 | | | 52.4 |
North Central | | | 608.0 | | | 561.8 | | | 570.8 | | | 71.8 | | | 79.7 | | | 81.0 | | | 65.0 | | | 72.3 | | | 71.7 |
All Other | | | 353.1 | | | 317.4 | | | 325.9 | | | 37.4 | | | 34.5 | | | 56.9 | | | 9.4 | | | 8.4 | | | 27.4 |
Intersegment eliminations | | | (37.2) | | | (35.2) | | | (40.2) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Total | | | $2,534.7 | | | $2,228.9 | | | $2,178.0 | | | $360.9 | | | $347.0 | | | $370.6 | | | $306.7 | | | $293.4 | | | $305.0 |
| | Revenues | | | Gross margin | |||||||||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | | | | | (In millions) | | | | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Aggregates | | | $496.6 | | | $444.0 | | | $406.6 | | | 14.0% | | | 13.6% | | | 15.4% |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 609.5 | | | 584.4 | | | 547.0 | | | 14.1% | | | 13.9% | | | 13.6% |
Asphalt | | | 427.5 | | | 339.8 | | | 349.9 | | | 9.8% | | | 11.9% | | | 13.0% |
Other* | | | 407.3 | | | 344.3 | | | 356.3 | | | 15.6% | | | 18.6% | | | 23.2% |
Contracting services | | | 1,187.7 | | | 1,017.5 | | | 1,069.7 | | | 8.4% | | | 9.9% | | | 9.9% |
Internal sales | | | (593.9) | | | (501.1) | | | (551.5) | | | — % | | | — % | | | — % |
Total | | | $2,534.7 | | | $2,228.9 | | | $2,178.0 | | | 14.2% | | | 15.6% | | | 17.0% |
* | Other includes cement, liquid asphalt, merchandise, fabric, spreading and other products and services that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment. |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Sales (thousands): | | | | | | | |||
Aggregates (tons) | | | 33,994 | | | 33,518 | | | 30,949 |
Ready-mix concrete (cubic yards) | | | 4,015 | | | 4,267 | | | 4,087 |
Asphalt (tons) | | | 7,254 | | | 7,101 | | | 7,202 |
Average selling price: | | | | | | | |||
Aggregates (per ton)* | | | $14.61 | | | $13.25 | | | $13.14 |
Ready-mix concrete (per cubic yard) | | | $151.80 | | | $136.94 | | | $133.86 |
Asphalt (per ton) | | | $58.93 | | | $47.86 | | | $48.58 |
* | The average selling price includes freight and delivery and other revenues. |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 vs 2021 % change | | | 2021 vs 2020 % change |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | | | |||||||||
Revenue | | | $468.6 | | | $427.3 | | | $454.4 | | | 10% | | | (6)% |
Gross profit | | | $67.8 | | | $74.1 | | | $90.0 | | | (9)% | | | (18)% |
Gross margin | | | 14.5% | | | 17.3% | | | 19.8% | | | | | ||
EBITDA | | | $55.8 | | | $67.1 | | | $79.1 | | | (17)% | | | (15)% |
EBITDA margin | | | 11.9% | | | 15.7% | | | 17.4% | | | | |
| | Revenues | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Operating results | | | | | | | |||
Aggregates | | | $92.3 | | | $89.9 | | | $88.0 |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 127.6 | | | 123.9 | | | 134.7 |
Asphalt | | | 35.7 | | | 26.4 | | | 25.6 |
Other* | | | 183.2 | | | 147.5 | | | 160.1 |
Contracting services | | | 129.5 | | | 127.6 | | | 145.1 |
Internal sales | | | (99.7) | | | (88.0) | | | (99.1) |
| | $468.6 | | | $427.3 | | | $454.4 |
* | Other includes cement, liquid asphalt, merchandise, fabric, spreading and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment. |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 vs 2021 % change | | | 2021 vs 2020 % change |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | | | |||||||||
Revenue | | | $600.2 | | | $478.0 | | | $416.2 | | | 26% | | | 15% |
Gross profit | | | $106.4 | | | $87.5 | | | $79.8 | | | 22% | | | 10% |
Gross margin | | | 17.7% | | | 18.3% | | | 19.2% | | | | | ||
EBITDA | | | $103.9 | | | $80.6 | | | $74.4 | | | — 29% | | | 8% |
EBITDA margin | | | 17.3% | | | 16.9% | | | 17.9% | | | | |
| | Revenues | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Operating results | | | | | | | |||
Aggregates | | | $171.6 | | | $135.2 | | | $113.0 |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 158.0 | | | 152.1 | | | 144.3 |
Asphalt | | | 97.3 | | | 78.9 | | | 60.5 |
Other* | | | 14.8 | | | 12.8 | | | 14.0 |
Contracting services | | | 262.7 | | | 187.1 | | | 158.4 |
Internal sales | | | (104.2) | | | (88.1) | | | (74.0) |
| | $600.2 | | | $478.0 | | | $416.2 |
* | Other includes merchandise, transportation services and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment. |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 vs 2021 % change | | | 2021 vs 2020 % change |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | | | |||||||||
Revenue | | | $542.0 | | | $479.6 | | | $450.9 | | | 13% | | | 6% |
Gross profit | | | $77.5 | | | $71.2 | | | $62.9 | | | 9% | | | 13% |
Gross margin | | | 14.3% | | | 14.8% | | | 13.9% | | | | | ||
EBITDA | | | $72.6 | | | $65.0 | | | $52.4 | | | 12% | | | 24% |
EBITDA margin | | | 13.4% | | | 13.6% | | | 11.6% | | | | |
| | Revenues | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Operating results | | | | | | | |||
Aggregates | | | $83.3 | | | $72.6 | | | $60.0 |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 106.7 | | | 100.4 | | | 83.1 |
Asphalt | | | 93.3 | | | 69.3 | | | 72.2 |
Other* | | | — | | | .1 | | | — |
Contracting services | | | 368.7 | | | 323.7 | | | 327.2 |
Internal sales | | | (110.0) | | | (86.5) | | | (91.6) |
| | $542.0 | | | $479.6 | | | $450.9 |
* | Other includes products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment. |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 vs 2021 % change | | | 2021 vs 2020 % change |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | | | |||||||||
Revenue | | | $608.0 | | | $561.8 | | | $570.8 | | | 8% | | | (2)% |
Gross profit | | | $71.8 | | | $79.7 | | | $81.0 | | | (10)% | | | (2)% |
Gross margin | | | 11.8% | | | 14.2% | | | 14.2% | | | | | ||
EBITDA | | | $65.0 | | | $72.3 | | | $71.7 | | | (10)% | | | 1% |
EBITDA margin | | | 10.7% | | | 12.9% | | | 12.6% | | | | |
| | Revenues | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Operating results | | | | | | | |||
Aggregates | | | $96.5 | | | $97.5 | | | $94.8 |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 158.6 | | | 157.2 | | | 142.4 |
Asphalt | | | 174.2 | | | 140.0 | | | 156.4 |
Other* | | | 24.9 | | | 22.8 | | | 24.8 |
Contracting services | | | 355.7 | | | 306.9 | | | 344.9 |
Internal sales | | | (201.9) | | | (162.6) | | | (192.5) |
| | $608.0 | | | $561.8 | | | $570.8 |
* | Other includes merchandise and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment. |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 vs 2021 % change | | | 2021 vs 2020 % change |
| | (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||
Revenue | | | $353.1 | | | $317.4 | | | $325.9 | | | 11% | | | (3)% |
Gross profit | | | $37.4 | | | $34.5 | | | $56.9 | | | 8% | | | (39)% |
Gross margin | | | 10.6% | | | 10.9% | | | 17.5% | | | | | ||
EBITDA | | | $9.4 | | | $8.4 | | | $27.4 | | | 12% | | | (70)% |
EBITDA margin | | | 2.7% | | | 2.6% | | | 8.4% | | | | |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Intersegment transactions: | | | | | | | |||
Revenues | | | $37.2 | | | $35.2 | | | $40.2 |
Cost of revenue | | | $(37.2) | | | $(35.2) | | | $(40.2) |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) | | | | | | | |||
Operating activities | | | $207.5 | | | $181.2 | | | $232.4 |
Investing activities | | | (155.9) | | | (398.3) | | | (185.9) |
Financing activities | | | (55.3) | | | 223.8 | | | (47.9) |
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | (3.7) | | | 6.7 | | | (1.4) |
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year | | | 13.8 | | | 7.1 | | | 8.5 |
Cash and cash equivalents – end of year | | | $10.1 | | | $13.8 | | | $7.1 |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Net income | | | $116.2 | | | $129.8 | | | $147.3 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | | | 112.4 | | | 128.6 | | | 87.3 |
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions: | | | | | | | |||
Receivables | | | (32.5) | | | 15.3 | | | 7.9 |
Due from related-party | | | (8.0) | | | 2.9 | | | (7.0) |
Inventories | | | (31.0) | | | (42.4) | | | (11.3) |
Other current assets | | | — | | | (4.6) | | | 1.3 |
Accounts payable | | | 17.5 | | | (13.9) | | | (10.7) |
Due to related-party | | | 3.6 | | | (1.0) | | | (0.8) |
Other current liabilities | | | 21.4 | | | (21.0) | | | 12.9 |
Pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions | | | (0.4) | | | (0.4) | | | (0.3) |
Other noncurrent changes | | | 8.3 | | | (12.1) | | | 5.8 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | $207.5 | | | $181.2 | | | $232.4 |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Capital expenditures | | | $(178.2) | | | $(174.2) | | | $(135.9) |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | | 1.7 | | | (235.2) | | | (56.7) |
Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | | | 22.9 | | | 12.0 | | | 8.2 |
Investments | | | (2.3) | | | (.9) | | | (1.5) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | $(155.9) | | | $(398.3) | | | $(185.9) |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Issuance of current related-party notes, net | | | $208.0 | | | $— | | | $— |
Repayment of long-term debt | | | (.3) | | | (.2) | | | (.2) |
Debt issuance costs | | | (.8) | | | — | | | — |
Issuance (repayment) of long-term related-party notes, net | | | (207.0) | | | 282.0 | | | (2.3) |
Net transfers to Parent | | | (55.2) | | | (58.0) | | | (45.4) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | $(55.3) | | | $223.8 | | | $(47.9) |
| | Less than 1 year | | | 1-3 years | | | 3-5 years | | | More than 5 years | | | Total | |
| | (In millions) | |||||||||||||
Related-party notes payable | | | $238.0 | | | $76.4 | | | $65.0 | | | $305.0 | | | $684.4 |
Interest on related-party notes* | | | 20.8 | | | 36.1 | | | 31.9 | | | 48.7 | | | 137.5 |
Operating leases | | | 15.1 | | | 18.8 | | | 7.5 | | | 11.9 | | | 53.3 |
Purchase commitments | | | 80.8 | | | 6.2 | | | 3.9 | | | 9.8 | | | 100.7 |
| | $354.7 | | | $137.5 | | | $108.3 | | | $375.4 | | | $975.9 |
* | Represents the estimated interest payments associated with Knife River’s related-party notes payable outstanding as of December 31, 2022, assuming interest rates as of December 31, 2022, and consistent amounts outstanding until their respective maturity dates over the periods indicated in the table above. |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In millions) | |||||||
Net income | | | $116.2 | | | $129.8 | | | $147.3 |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | |||
Income taxes | | | 42.6 | | | 43.4 | | | 47.4 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | | | 117.8 | | | 101.0 | | | 89.7 |
Interest | | | 30.1 | | | 19.2 | | | 20.6 |
Consolidated EBITDA | | | $306.7 | | | $293.4 | | | $305.0 |
Unrealized gains (losses) on benefit plan investments | | | 4.0 | | | (2.3) | | | (4.0) |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 2.7 | | | 3.6 | | | 3.3 |
One-time separation costs | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | $313.4 | | | $294.7 | | | $304.3 |
Revenues | | | $2,534.7 | | | $2,228.9 | | | $2,178.0 |
EBITDA margin | | | 12.1 % | | | 13.2% | | | 14.0% |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | | | 12.4 % | | | 13.2% | | | 14.0% |
Name | | | Age | | | Position |
| | | | |||
Brian R. Gray | | | 52 | | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 47 | | | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 44 | | | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 49 | | | Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 67 | | | Vice President of Administration |
Glenn R. Pladsen | | | 56 | | | Vice President of Support Services |
John F. Quade | | | 45 | | | Vice President of Business Development |
Marney L. Kadrmas | | | 54 | | | Chief Accounting Officer |
Director | | | Class |
Thomas Everist | | | Class I—Expiring 2024 Annual Meeting |
German Carmona Alvarez | | | Class I—Expiring 2024 Annual Meeting |
Patricia L. Moss | | | Class II—Expiring 2025 Annual Meeting |
William Sandbrook | | | Class II—Expiring 2025 Annual Meeting |
Karen B. Fagg | | | Class III—Expiring 2026 Annual Meeting |
Brian R. Gray | | | Class III—Expiring 2026 Annual Meeting |
Name | | | Age | | | Principal Occupation and Other Information |
Thomas Everist | | | 73 | | | Mr. Everist is a member of the board of directors at MDU Resources Group, where he sits on the Compensation and Nominating and Governance committees. As a director nominee for Knife River Holding Company, Mr. Everist is expected to chair the Nominating and Governance Committee and also serve on the Compensation Committee. Mr. Everist has had a 44-year career in the construction materials and mining industry and brings deep industry expertise. He was president and chair of L.G. Everist, Inc., an aggregate production company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from 1987-2002. From 2002 to present, he has been president and chair of The Everist Company, an investment and land development company; prior to 2017, The Everist Company also was engaged in aggregate, concrete and asphalt production. |
German Carmona Alvarez | | | 54 | | | Mr. Alvarez is a member of the board of directors at MDU Resources Group, where he sits on the Compensation and Nominating and Governance committees. As a director nominee for Knife River Holding Company, Mr. Carmona Alvarez is expected to chair the Compensation Committee and be a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Carmona Alvarez has 15 years of experience in the building materials industry and also brings expertise in human capital management, digital and information technology, and mergers and acquisitions. He is global president of applied intelligence at Wood PLC and formerly served as executive vice president of finance, information technology and shared services at CEMEX, Inc., a global building materials company. |
Name | | | Age | | | Principal Occupation and Other Information |
Patricia L. Moss | | | 69 | | | Ms. Moss is a member of the board of directors at MDU Resources Group, where she chairs the Environmental and Sustainability Committee and also is a member of the Compensation Committee. As a director nominee for Knife River Holding Company, Ms. Moss is expected to chair the Audit Committee and also serve on the Compensation Committee. Ms. Moss has substantial experience in the finance and banking industry, including service on the boards of public banking and investment companies. She contributes broad knowledge of finance, business development, human resources and compliance oversight, as well as public company governance. Ms. Moss was president and CEO of Cascade Bancorp, a financial holding company in Bend, Oregon, from 1998-2012. She was vice chairman of Cascade Bankcorp from 2012-2017, at which point she became a director at First Interstate BancSystem. |
William Sandbrook | | | 62 | | | Mr. Sandbrook has extensive experience in the construction materials industry. He was president and CEO of U.S. Concrete, Inc., from 2011-2020, and also served as chairman of its board of directors from 2018-2020. Prior to that, Mr. Sandbrook served in various roles at Oldcastle Inc.’s Products and Distribution Group, Oldcastle Architectural Products Group, and Oldcastle Materials Inc. In 2019, he was elected chairman of the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association. Mr. Sandbrook has served as a director of Comfort Systems USA since 2018, where he is a member of the Audit and Compensation committees. |
Name | | | Age | | | Principal Occupation and Other Information |
Karen B. Fagg | | | 69 | | | Ms. Fagg is a member of the board of directors at MDU Resources Group, where she chairs the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Environmental and Sustainability Committee. As a director nominee for Knife River Holding Company, Ms. Fagg is expected to be non-executive chair of the board. She also is expected to serve on the Nominating and Governance Committee. Ms. Fagg contributes expertise in responsible natural resource development, with expertise in the construction and engineering industries. She was president, CEO and majority owner of HKM Engineering, a large regional civil and structural firm, from 2000-2008; when that business merged with DOWL LLC, Ms. Fagg was named vice president until her retirement in 2011. Prior to that, she was director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the state agency charged with managing sustainable stewardship of the state’s water, soil, energy and rangeland resources. |
Brian R. Gray | | | 52 | | | Mr. Gray was named president of Knife River Corporation effective January 1, 2023, and was named its chief executive officer effective March 1, 2023. Prior to these promotions, he was president of Knife River Corporation’s Northwest segment, a position he held from 2012 to 2022. While at the Northwest segment, Mr. Gray led the acquisition of eight companies and also was instrumental in the development of the Knife River Training Center and corporate-wide safety, training and sustainability programs. He has 29 years of experience at Knife River Corporation and has served on numerous industry boards, including the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (current) and the Oregon-Columbia chapter of the Associated General Contractors. |
• | Brian R. Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer |
• | Nathan W. Ring, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
• | Trevor J. Hastings, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
• | Karl A. Liepitz, Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
• | Nancy K. Christenson, Vice President of Administration |
• | recruit, motivate, reward, and retain high performing executive talent required to create superior stockholder value; |
• | reward executives for short-term performance as well as for growth in enterprise value over the long-term; |
• | ensure effective utilization and development of talent by working in concert with other management processes - for example, performance appraisal, succession planning, and management development; |
• | help ensure that compensation programs do not encourage or reward excessive or imprudent risk taking; and |
• | provide a competitive package relative to industry-specific and general industry comparisons and internal equity, as appropriate. |
Executive | | | 2022 Annual Base Salary |
Brian R. Gray | | | $327,820 |
Nathan W. Ring | | | $302,952 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | $400,000 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | $440,000 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | $280,000 |
Executive | | | Target Bonus (% of Salary) | | | Measures and Weightings | | | Actual Payout (% of Target) |
Brian R. Gray | | | 75% | | | Northwest segment EBITDA (50%), Construction Materials and Contracting EBITDA (45%); Safety (5%) | | | 135.3% |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 40% | | | Construction Materials and Contracting EBITDA (100%) | | | 78.5% |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 60% | | | Pipeline Earnings (80%); MDU Resources adjusted EPS (20%); DEI Modifier | | | 15.3% |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 75% | | | MDU Resources adjusted EPS (100%); DEI Modifier | | | 56.7% |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 40% | | | Construction Materials and Contracting EBITDA (100%) | | | 78.5% |
• | Enhance the formal succession planning process to include the review of all Section 16 officer, key executive and business segment officers positions to ensure diverse representation in terms of gender, ethnicity, individuals with disabilities and veteran status and the development of candidates being prepared for these positions. |
• | Increase outreach activities and efforts aimed at attracting diverse candidates to positions within our businesses. |
• | Enhance new employee onboarding processes to include DEI training and formal mentoring programs. |
• | Implement a consistent human resources dashboard across all businesses to build baseline information and track key metrics to provide insight into the make-up and diversity of our employee population. |
Performance Measure | | | Target | | | Result | | | Percent of Performance | | | Payout Percentage |
MDU Resources Earnings per Share1 | | | $2.07 | | | $1.87 | | | 90.3% | | | 51.7% |
Construction Materials and Contracting EBITDA2 | | | $331.3 million | | | $307.5 million | | | 92.8% | | | 78.5% |
Northwest segment EBITDA | | | $82.0 million | | | $103.9 million | | | 126.6% | | | 200.0% |
Safety - Lost Time Rate | | | 0.330 | | | 0.600 | | | 181.8% | | | 0.0% |
Pipeline earnings | | | $43.0 million | | | $35.3 million | | | 82.1% | | | 0.0% |
1 | Earnings used to calculate EPS from continuing operations was adjusted to remove the effect of transaction costs incurred for acquisitions and mergers as well as costs incurred associated with the company’s intent to separate the construction materials and contracting segment pursuant to a tax-free spinoff and the strategic review to optimize the value of the construction services segment. |
2 | Construction materials and contracting segment EBITDA from continuing operations was adjusted to remove the effect of transaction costs incurred for acquisitions and mergers. |
Name | | | 75% Performance Share Opportunities (#) | | | 25% Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Opportunities (#) |
Brian R. Gray | | | — | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 4,101 | | | 1,367 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 9,845 | | | 3,282 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 17,328 | | | 5,776 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 3,791 | | | 1,263 |
• | Total stockholder return relative to that of a group of peer companies selected from the S&P 400 MidCap Index is the measure to align with MDU Resources’ performance relative to its peers. |
• | Compound annual growth rate in earnings from continuing operations is the measure to encourage continued growth of MDU Resources. |
• | the effect on earnings from losses/impairments on asset sales/dispositions/retirements; |
• | the effect on earnings from withdrawal liabilities relating to multiemployer pension plans; |
• | the effect on earnings from costs incurred for acquisitions or mergers; and |
• | the effect on earnings from unanticipated tax law changes. |
| | MDU Resources’ Relative TSR Percentile Rank | | | MDU Resources’ Earnings Growth Rate as a Percentage of Target | | | Vesting Percentage of Award Target | |
Maximum | | | 75th or higher | | | 153.8% of target or higher | | | 200% |
Target | | | 50th | | | Target | | | 100% |
Threshold | | | 25th | | | 46.2% of target | | | 20% |
Below threshold | | | Less than 25th | | | less than 46.2% of target | | | 0% |
Plans | | | Brian R. Gray | | | Nathan W. Ring | | | Trevor J. Hastings | | | Karl A. Liepitz | | | Nancy K. Christenson |
Pension Plans | | | No | | | No | | | Yes | | | Yes | | | Yes |
401(k) Retirement Plan | | | Yes | | | Yes | | | Yes | | | Yes | | | Yes |
Supplemental Income Security Plan | | | No | | | No | | | Yes | | | No | | | Yes |
Company Credit to Deferred Compensation Plan | | | Yes | | | Yes | | | Yes | | | Yes | | | Yes |
Executive | | | Base Salary | | | Target Annual Cash Incentive1 | | | Long-Term Incentive Opportunity1 | | | Total Target Compensation |
Brian R. Gray | | | $800,000 | | | $670,417 | | | $2,676,389 | | | $4,146,806 |
Nathan W. Ring | | | $450,000 | | | $249,638 | | | $675,000 | | | $1,374,638 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | $500,000 | | | $323,750 | | | $750,000 | | | $1,573,750 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | $470,000 | | | $352,500 | | | $799,000 | | | $1,621,500 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | $350,000 | | | $171,267 | | | $350,000 | | | $871,267 |
1 | Target annual cash incentive and long-term incentive opportunity reflect a blended rate consistent with offer letters effective with the separation and distribution. |
Vulcan Materials Company | | | Summit Materials, Inc. | | | The AZEK Company Inc. |
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. | | | Arcosa, Inc. | | | Gibraltar Industries, Inc. |
Dycom Industries, Inc. | | | Minerals Technologies Inc. | | | Construction Partners, Inc. |
Granite Construction Incorporated | | | Eagle Materials Inc. | | | Armstrong World Industries, Inc. |
Allegion plc | | | Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. | | | |
Masonite International Corporation | | | Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. | | |
Name and Principal Position (a) | | | Year (b) | | | Salary ($) (c) | | | Stock Awards ($) (e)1 | | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (g) | | | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (h)2 | | | All Other Compensation ($) (i)3 | | | Total ($) (j) |
Brian R. Gray | | | 2022 | | | 359,3414 | | | — | | | 332,717 | | | — | | | 72,308 | | | 764,366 |
President and CEO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Nathan W. Ring | | | 2022 | | | 302,952 | | | 169,102 | | | 95,127 | | | — | | | 63,077 | | | 630,258 |
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 2022 | | | 400,000 | | | 405,956 | | | 36,720 | | | — | | | 97,478 | | | 940,154 |
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 2022 | | | 440,000 | | | 714,491 | | | 187,110 | | | — | | | 100,604 | | | 1,442,205 |
Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 2022 | | | 280,000 | | | 156,301 | | | 87,920 | | | 17,630 | | | 80,378 | | | 622,229 |
Vice President of Administration | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | Amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of MDU Resources performance share award opportunities at target calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for stock-based compensation in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. This column was prepared assuming none of the awards were or will be forfeited. The amounts were calculated as described in Note 12 of our audited financial statements in our Form 10 for the year ended December 31, 2022. For 2022, the aggregate grant date fair value of outstanding MDU Resources performance share award opportunities assuming the highest level of payout would be as follows: |
Name | | | Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value at Highest Payout ($) |
Brian R. Gray | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 300,297 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 720,901 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 1,268,814 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 277,580 |
2 | Amounts shown for 2022 represent the change in the actuarial present value for the named executive officers’ accumulated benefits under the pension plan, and SISP, collectively referred to as the “accumulated pension change,” plus above-market earnings on deferred annual incentives as of December 31, 2022. |
Name | | | Accumulated Pension Change ($) | | | Above Market Earnings ($) |
Brian R. Gray | | | — | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | — | | | — |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | (392,740) | | | — |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | (26,285) | | | — |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | (455,047) | | | 17,630 |
3 | All Other Compensation for 2022 is comprised of: |
Name | | | 401(k) Plan ($)a | | | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan ($)b | | | Life Insurance Premium ($) | | | Matching Charitable Contributions ($) | | | Vehicle Allowance | | | Dividend Equivalents ($)c | | | Total ($) |
Brian R. Gray | | | 24,400 | | | 32,782 | | | 507 | | | — | | | 14,619 | | | — | | | 72,308 |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 24,218 | | | 30,295 | | | 469 | | | 120 | | | — | | | 7,975 | | | 63,077 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 36,600 | | | 40,000 | | | 619 | | | 1,300 | | | — | | | 18,959 | | | 97,478 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 30,500 | | | 44,000 | | | 681 | | | 975 | | | — | | | 24,448 | | | 100,604 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 40,500 | | | 28,000 | | | 433 | | | 4,200 | | | — | | | 7,245 | | | 80,378 |
a | Represents company contributions to the MDU Resources 401(k) plan, which includes matching contributions, profit sharing and retirement contributions associated with certain frozen pension plans. |
b | Represents company contribution amounts to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (MDU Resources DCP) which are approved by the compensation committee and the board of directors. The purpose of the plan is to recognize outstanding performance coupled with enhanced retention as the MDU Resources DCP requires a vesting period. For further information, see the section entitled “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2022.” |
c | Represents accrued dividend equivalents for 2022 on the 2022-2024, 2021-2023, and 2020-2022 MDU Resources performance share awards associated with financial performance measures and MDU Resources restricted stock units. The 2022-2024 and 2021-2023 awards are presented at target, and the 2020-2022 MDU Resources performance share awards are presented based on the actual achievement of the performance measures. |
4 | Mr. Gray’s salary amount includes the payout of accrued vacation of $31,521 upon his transfer from the Northwest segment to Knife River Corporation. |
| | | | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | | | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards | | | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (i) | | | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (l) | ||||||||||||||
Name (a) | | | Grant Date (b) | | | Threshold ($) (c) | | | Target ($) (d) | | | Maximum ($) (e) | | | Threshold (#) (f) | | | Target (#) (g) | | | Maximum (#) (h) | | |||||
Brian R. Gray | | | 2/17/20221 | | | 61,466 | | | 245,865 | | | 491,730 | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| | 2/17/20222 | | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | — | |||||
| | 2/17/20223 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | — | |||||||
Nathan W. Ring | | | 2/17/20221 | | | 30,295 | | | 121,181 | | | 302,953 | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| | 2/17/20222 | | | | | | | | | 820 | | | 4,101 | | | 8,202 | | | | | 131,195 | |||||
| | 2/17/20223 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,367 | | | 37,907 | |||||||
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 2/17/20221 | | | 60,000 | | | 240,000 | | | 480,000 | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| | 2/17/20222 | | | | | | | | | 1,969 | | | 9,845 | | | 19,690 | | | | | 314,946 | |||||
| | 2/17/20223 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,282 | | | 91,010 | |||||||
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 2/17/20221 | | | 82,500 | | | 330,000 | | | 660,000 | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| | 2/17/20222 | | | | | | | | | 3,465 | | | 17,328 | | | 34,656 | | | | | 554,323 | |||||
| | 2/17/20223 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5,776 | | | 5,776 | | | 160,168 | ||||||
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 2/17/20221 | | | 28,000 | | | 112,000 | | | 280,000 | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| | 2/17/20222 | | | | | | | | | 758 | | | 3,791 | | | 7,582 | | | | | 121,278 | |||||
| | 2/17/20223 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,263 | | | 35,023 |
1 | Annual incentive for 2022 granted pursuant to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “MDU Resources EICP”). |
2 | MDU Resources Performance shares for the 2022-2024 performance period granted pursuant to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan (the “MDU Resources LTIP”). |
3 | MDU Resources Restricted Stock Units for the 2022-2024 period granted pursuant to the MDU Resources LTIP. |
| | Stock Awards | ||||||||||
Name (a) | | | Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (g)1 | | | Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) (h)2 | | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (i)3 | | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) (j)2 |
Brian R. Gray | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 2,838 | | | 86,105 | | | 13,357 | | | 405,251 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 6,640 | | | 201,458 | | | 32,077 | | | 973,216 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | 11,176 | | | 339,080 | | | 33,529 | | | 1,017,270 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 2,590 | | | 78,581 | | | 12,101 | | | 367,144 |
1 | Below is the breakdown by year of the outstanding restricted stock unit awards: |
Name | | | 2020-2022 Award (#) | | | 2021-2023 Award (#) | | | 2022-2024 Award (#) | | | Total (#) |
Brian R. Gray | | | n/a | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | n/a | | | 1,471 | | | 1,367 | | | 2,838 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | n/a | | | 3,358 | | | 3,282 | | | 6,640 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | n/a | | | 5,400 | | | 5,776 | | | 11,176 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | n/a | | | 1,327 | | | 1,263 | | | 2,590 |
2 | Value based on the number of MDU Resources performance shares and MDU Resources restricted stock units reflected in columns (g) and (i) multiplied by $30.34, the year-end per share closing stock price for 2022. |
3 | Below is a breakdown by year of the outstanding MDU Resources performance share awards: |
Name | | | 2020-2022 Award (#) | | | 2021-2023 Award (#) | | | 2022-2024 Award (#) | | | Total (#) |
Brian R. Gray | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 4,842 | | | 4,414 | | | 4,101 | | | 13,357 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 12,157 | | | 10,075 | | | 9,845 | | | 32,077 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | — | | | 16,201 | | | 17,328 | | | 33,529 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 4,327 | | | 3,983 | | | 3,791 | | | 12,101 |
| | Stock Awards | ||||
Name (a) | | | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (d)1 | | | Value Realized on Vesting ($) (e)2 |
Brian R. Gray | | | — | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | 7,592 | | | 253,155 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 18,421 | | | 614,248 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | — | | | — |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 6,782 | | | 261,446 |
1 | Reflects MDU Resources performance shares for the 2019-2021 performance period ended December 31, 2021, which were settled February 17, 2022. |
2 | Reflects the value of vested MDU Resources performance shares based on the closing stock price of $30.84 per share upon the vesting of stock on December 31, 2021, and the dividend equivalents paid on the vested MDU Resources performance shares. |
Name (a) | | | Plan Name (b) | | | Number of Years Credited Service (#) (c)1 | | | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) (d) |
Brian R. Gray | | | Pension | | | n/a | | | — |
| | SISP | | | n/a | | | — | |
Nathan W. Ring | | | Pension | | | n/a | | | — |
| | SISP | | | n/a | | | — | |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | Pension | | | 13 | | | 262,850 |
| | SISP | | | 10 | | | 331,806 | |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | Pension | | | 6 | | | 28,624 |
| | SISP | | | n/a | | | — | |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | Pension | | | 32 | | | 1,048,635 |
| | SISP | | | 10 | | | 800,899 |
1 | Years of credited service related to the pension plans reflects the years of participation in the plan as of December 31, 2009, when the pension plan was frozen. Years of credited service related to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Supplemental Income Security Plan (SISP) reflects the years toward full vesting of the benefit which is 10 years. |
2 | Messrs. Gray and Ring do not participate in the pension plans. Mr. Hastings and Ms. Christenson participate in the Knife River Corporation Salaried Employees’ Pension Plan (the “KRC pension plan”) and the SISP. Mr. Liepitz participates in the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Pension Plan for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees (the “MDU Resources pension plan”). |
• | a 4.97% discount rate for the SISP |
• | a 5.05% discount rate for the KRC pension plan; |
• | a 5.04% discount rate for the MDU Resources pension plan |
• | the Society of Actuaries Pri-2012 Total Dataset Mortality with Scale MP-2021 (post commencement only); and |
• | no recognition of pre-retirement mortality. |
• | monthly retirement benefits only; |
• | monthly death benefits paid to a beneficiary only; or |
• | a combination of retirement and death benefits, where each benefit is reduced proportionately. |
Name (a) | | | Executive Contributions in Last FY ($) (b) | | | Registrant Contributions in Last FY ($) (c) | | | Aggregate Earnings in Last FY ($) (d) | | | Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) (e) | | | Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) (f) |
Brian R. Gray | | | 30,285 | | | 32,782 | | | (65,479) | | | — | | | 321,8761 |
Nathan W. Ring | | | — | | | 30,295 | | | (34,117) | | | — | | | 154,2312 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | — | | | 40,000 | | | (40,830) | | | — | | | 190,5483 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | — | | | 44,000 | | | (25,874) | | | — | | | 120,1274 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 22,837 | | | 28,000 | | | 41,135 | | | — | | | 2,232,1285 |
1 | Mr. Gray deferred 10% of his 2021 annual incentive which was contributed to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan in 2022. Amounts shown in column (c) are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
2 | Amounts shown in column (c) are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
3 | Amounts shown in column (c) are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
4 | Amounts shown in column (c) are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
5 | Ms. Christenson deferred 25% of her 2021 annual incentive which was contributed to the MDU Resources Group Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan in 2022. Amounts shown in column (c) is included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
• | Voluntary or Not for Cause Termination; |
• | Death; |
• | Disability; |
• | Change of Control with Termination; and |
• | Change of Control without Termination. |
• | termination of employment during the first year of the vesting period = equity shares awards are forfeited; |
• | termination of employment during the second year of the vesting period = equity shares awards earned are prorated based on the number of months employed during the vesting period; and |
• | termination of employment during the third year of the vesting period = full amount of any equity shares awards earned are received. |
• | 2020-2022 MDU Resources performance shares would vest based on the achievement of the performance measure for the period ended December 31, 2022, which was 91.7%; |
• | 2021-2023 MDU Resources performance shares would be prorated at 24 out of 36 months (2/3) of the vesting period and vest based on the actual achievement of the performance measure for the period ended December 31, 2023. For purposes of the Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control Table, the performance achievement for the performance period is shown at target; and |
• | 2022-2024 MDU Resources performance shares would be forfeited. |
• | termination of employment during the first year of the vesting period = MDU Resources restricted stock unit awards are forfeited; |
• | termination of employment during the second year of the vesting period = MDU Resources restricted stock unit awards earned are prorated based on the number of months employed during the vesting period; and |
• | termination of employment during the third year of the vesting period = full amount of any MDU Resources restricted stock unit awards earned are received. |
| | Monthly SISP Retirement Payment ($) | | | Monthly SISP Death Payment ($) | |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | 5,360 | | | 10,720 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | 6,250 | | | 12,500 |
Age When Disabled | | | Benefits Payable |
Prior to age 60 | | | To age 65 |
Ages 60 to 64 | | | 60 months |
Ages 65-67 | | | To age 70 |
Age 68 and over | | | 24 months |
Executive Benefits and Payments upon Termination or Change of Control | | | Voluntary or Not for Cause Termination ($) | | | Death ($) | | | Disability ($) | | | Change of Control (With Termination) ($) | | | Change of Control (Without Termination) ($) |
Brian R. Gray | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Benefits and Perquisites: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Disability Benefits | | | — | | | — | | | 554,689 | | | — | | | — |
Total | | | — | | | — | | | 554,689 | | | — | | | — |
Nathan W. Ring | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Compensation: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
MDU Resources Performance Shares | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 429,096 | | | 429,096 |
MDU Resources Restricted Stock Units | | | — | | | 45,716 | | | 45,716 | | | 89,888 | | | 89,888 |
Benefits and Perquisites: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Disability Benefits | | | — | | | — | | | 701,224 | | | — | | | — |
Total | | | — | | | 45,716 | | | 746,940 | | | 518,984 | | | 518,984 |
Trevor J. Hastings | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Compensation: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
MDU Resources Performance Shares | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,030,924 | | | 1,030,924 |
MDU Resources Restricted Stock Units | | | — | | | 106,004 | | | 106,004 | | | 210,238 | | | 210,238 |
Benefits and Perquisites: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
SISP | | | 320,090 | | | | | 320,090 | | | 320,090 | | | ||
SISP Death Benefits | | | | | 640,180 | | | | | | | ||||
Disability Benefits | | | — | | | — | | | 487,577 | | | — | | | — |
Total | | | 320,090 | | | 746,184 | | | 913,671 | | | 1,561,252 | | | 1,241,162 |
Karl A. Liepitz | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Compensation: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
MDU Resources Performance Shares | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,060,963 | | | 1,060,963 |
Executive Benefits and Payments upon Termination or Change of Control | | | Voluntary or Not for Cause Termination ($) | | | Death ($) | | | Disability ($) | | | Change of Control (With Termination) ($) | | | Change of Control (Without Termination) ($) |
MDU Resources Restricted Stock Units | | | — | | | 175,624 | | | 175,624 | | | 353,643 | | | 353,643 |
Benefits and Perquisites: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Disability Benefits | | | — | | | — | | | 749,323 | | | — | | | — |
Total | | | — | | | 175,624 | | | 924,947 | | | 1,414,606 | | | 1,414,606 |
Nancy K. Christenson | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Compensation: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
MDU Resources Performance Shares | | | 215,779 | | | 215,779 | | | 215,779 | | | 388,632 | | | 388,632 |
MDU Resources Restricted Stock Units | | | 28,395 | | | 41,543 | | | 41,543 | | | 82,020 | | | 82,020 |
Benefits and Perquisites: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
SISP | | | 795,189 | | | — | | | 795,189 | | | 795,189 | | | — |
SISP Death Benefits | | | — | | | 1,590,378 | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Disability Benefits | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Total | | | 1,039,363 | | | 1,847,700 | | | 1,052,511 | | | 1,265,841 | | | 470,652 |
Element | | | Amount |
Base Cash Retainer | | | $110,000 |
Additional Cash Retainers | | | |
Non-Executive Chair | | | $125,000 |
Audit Committee Chair | | | $20,000 |
Compensation Committee Chair | | | $15,000 |
Nominating and Governance Committee Chair | | | $15,000 |
Annual Stock Grant – Directors (other than Non-Executive Chair) | | | $150,000 |
Annual Stock Grant – Non-Executive Chair | | | $175,000 |
• | any restriction periods and restrictions imposed on awards that are not subject to performance-based vesting conditions will lapse and such awards will become immediately vested in full; and |
• | the target payout opportunity attainable under all outstanding performance-based awards will be deemed to have been fully earned for the entire performance period(s) as of the effective date of the change in control and will be paid out promptly in shares or cash pursuant to the terms of the award agreement, or in the absence of such designation, as the Knife River compensation committee shall determine. |
• | the acquisition by an individual, entity, or group of 20% or more of the outstanding common stock of Knife River Holding Company; |
• | a change in a majority of the board of directors of Knife River Holding Company since the effective date of the Plan without the approval of a majority of the board members as of the effective date of the Plan, or whose election was approved by such board members; |
• | consummation of a merger or similar transaction or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Knife River Holding Company, unless (a) the stockholders of Knife River Holding Company immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own more than 60% of the outstanding common stock and voting power of the resulting corporation in substantially the same proportions as before the merger, (b) no person owns 20% or more of the resulting corporation’s outstanding common stock or voting power except for any such ownership that existed before the merger, and (c) at least a majority of the board of the resulting corporation is comprised of directors of Knife River Holding Company as of immediately prior to the transaction; or |
• | stockholder approval of a complete liquidation or dissolution of Knife River Holding Company. |
• | Assets (whether tangible or intangible) primarily related to, or included on the balance sheet of, Knife River Holding Company, which are referred to as the “Knife River Holding Company Assets,” will be transferred to Knife River Holding Company, as applicable, generally including: |
• | Equity interests in certain MDU Resources subsidiaries that hold assets primarily related to Knife River. |
• | Customer, distribution, supply and vendor contracts (or portions thereof) to the extent they relate to Knife River. |
• | Certain third-party vendor contracts for services primarily related to Knife River. |
• | Rights to technology, software and intellectual property primarily related to Knife River. |
• | Exclusive rights to information exclusively related to Knife River and nonexclusive rights to information related to Knife River. |
• | Rights and assets expressly allocated to Knife River Holding Company pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement or certain other agreements entered into in connection with the separation. |
• | Permits used by Knife River. |
• | Other assets that are included in Knife River Holding Company’s pro forma balance sheet. |
• | Liabilities primarily related to, or included on the balance sheet of, Knife River, which are referred to as the “Knife River Holding Company Liabilities,” will be retained by or transferred to Knife River Holding Company, as applicable. |
• | All of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent, or otherwise) other than the Knife River Holding Company Assets and Knife River Holding Company Liabilities (such assets and liabilities, other than the Knife River Holding Company Assets and the Knife River Holding Company Liabilities, referred to as the “MDU Resources Assets” and “MDU Resources Liabilities,” respectively) will be retained by or transferred to MDU Resources, as applicable. |
• | The Knife River Holding Company Liabilities. |
• | The failure of Knife River Holding Company or any other person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of the Knife River Holding Company Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the distribution. |
• | Except to the extent relating to a MDU Resources Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation for Knife River Holding Company’s benefit by MDU Resources that survives the distribution. |
• | Any breach by Knife River Holding Company of the separation agreement or any of the ancillary agreements. |
• | Any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of material fact in the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in this information statement (as amended or supplemented), other than any such statements or omissions directly relating to information regarding MDU Resources, provided to Knife River Holding Company by MDU Resources, for inclusion therein. |
• | The MDU Resources Liabilities. |
• | The failure of MDU Resources or any other person to pay, perform, or otherwise promptly discharge any of the MDU Resources Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms whether prior to, at, or after the distribution. |
• | Except to the extent relating to a Knife River Holding Company Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation for the benefit of MDU Resources by Knife River Holding Company that survives the distribution. |
• | Any breach by MDU Resources of the separation agreement or any of the ancillary agreements. |
• | Any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of a material fact directly relating to information regarding MDU Resources, provided to Knife River Holding Company by MDU Resources, for inclusion in the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in this information statement (as amended or supplemented). |
• | An individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States. |
• | A corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia. |
• | An estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
• | A trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions; or (ii) it has a valid election in place under applicable United States Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
• | Subject to the discussion below regarding Section 355(e) of the Code, neither Knife River Holding Company nor MDU Resources will recognize any gain or loss upon the separation and the distribution of Knife River Holding Company common stock, and no amount will be includable in the income of MDU Resources or Knife River Holding Company as a result of the separation and the distribution other than taxable income or gain possibly arising with respect to the retained shares of Knife River Holding Company, from internal reorganizations undertaken in connection with the separation and distribution or with respect to any items required to be taken into account under U.S. Treasury Regulations relating to consolidated federal income tax returns. |
• | No gain or loss will be recognized by (and no amount will be included in the income of) U.S. holders of MDU Resources common stock upon the receipt of Knife River Holding Company common stock in the distribution, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Knife River Holding Company common stock (as described below). |
• | The aggregate tax basis of the MDU Resources common stock and Knife River Holding Company common stock received in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in Knife River Holding Company common stock for which cash is received) in the hands of each U.S. holder of MDU Resources common stock immediately after the distribution will equal the aggregate tax basis of MDU Resources common stock held by the U.S. holder immediately before the distribution, allocated |
• | The holding period of Knife River Holding Company common stock received by each U.S. holder of MDU Resources common stock in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in Knife River Holding Company common stock for which cash is received) will generally include the holding period at the time of the distribution for the MDU Resources common stock with respect to which the distribution is made. |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | | | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | | | Percent of Class |
MDU Resources 1200 West Century Avenue P.O. Box 5650 Bismarck, North Dakota 58506 | | | [ ] | | | [ ]% |
[ ] | | | [ ] | | | [ ]% |
Name of Beneficial Owner | | | Shares Beneficially Owned | | | Percent of Class |
[ ] | | | [ ] | | | [ ]% |
* | Less than one percent. |
• | We tested the operating effectiveness of management’s controls over contracting services revenue, including controls over management’s estimation of total costs and profit for the performance obligations. |
• | We developed an expectation of the amount of contracting services revenue for certain performance obligations based on prior year markups, and taking into account current year events, applied to the contracting services contract costs in the current year and compared our expectation to the amount of contracting services revenue recorded by management. |
• | We selected a sample of contracting services contracts and performed the following: |
• | Evaluated whether the contracts were properly included in management’s calculation of contracting services revenue based on the terms and conditions of each contract, including whether continuous transfer of control to the customer occurred as progress was made toward fulfilling the performance obligation. |
• | Observed the work sites and inspected the progress to completion for certain construction contracts. |
• | Compared the transaction prices to the consideration expected to be received based on current rights and obligations under the contracts and any modifications that were agreed upon with the customers. |
• | Tested management’s identification of distinct performance obligations by evaluating whether the underlying goods and services were highly interdependent and interrelated. |
• | Tested the accuracy and completeness of the costs incurred to date for the performance obligation. |
• | Evaluated the estimates of total cost and profit for the performance obligation by: |
• | Comparing total costs incurred to date to the costs management estimated to be incurred to date and selecting specific cost types to compare costs incurred to date to management’s estimated costs at completion. |
• | Evaluating management’s ability to achieve the estimates of total cost and profit by performing corroborating inquiries with the Company’s project managers and engineers, and comparing the estimates to management’s work plans, engineering specifications, and supplier contracts. |
• | Comparing management’s estimates for the selected contracts to costs and profits of similar performance obligations, when applicable. |
• | Tested the mathematical accuracy of management’s calculation of contracting services revenue for the performance obligation. |
• | We evaluated management’s ability to estimate total costs and profits accurately by comparing actual costs and profits to management’s historical estimates for performance obligations that have been fulfilled. |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||
Revenue: | | | | | | | |||
Construction materials | | | $1,347,008 | | | $1,211,459 | | | $1,108,337 |
Contracting services | | | 1,187,721 | | | 1,017,471 | | | 1,069,665 |
Total revenue | | | 2,534,729 | | | 2,228,930 | | | 2,178,002 |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | |||
Construction materials | | | 1,086,193 | | | 965,028 | | | 843,127 |
Contracting services | | | 1,087,642 | | | 916,953 | | | 964,297 |
Total cost of revenue | | | 2,173,835 | | | 1,881,981 | | | 1,807,424 |
Gross profit | | | 360,894 | | | 346,949 | | | 370,578 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 166,599 | | | 155,872 | | | 156,080 |
Operating income | | | 194,295 | | | 191,077 | | | 214,498 |
Interest expense | | | 30,121 | | | 19,218 | | | 20,577 |
Other (expense) income | | | (5,353) | | | 1,355 | | | 835 |
Income before income taxes | | | 158,821 | | | 173,214 | | | 194,756 |
Income taxes | | | 42,601 | | | 43,459 | | | 47,431 |
Net income | | | $116,220 | | | $129,755 | | | $147,325 |
Earnings per share - basic | | | $1,452.74 | | | $1,621.93 | | | $1,841.56 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | | | 80 | | | 80 | | | 80 |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Net income | | | $116,220 | | | $129,755 | | | $147,325 |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | |||
Reclassification adjustment for loss on derivative instruments included in net income, net of tax of $107, $107 and $107 in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively | | | 328 | | | 332 | | | 328 |
Postretirement liability adjustment: | | | | | | | |||
Postretirement liability gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax of $3,586, $1,011 and $(683) in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively | | | 10,935 | | | 3,041 | | | (1,898) |
Amortization of postretirement liability losses included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax of $292, $363 and $351 in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively | | | 875 | | | 1,090 | | | 1,071 |
Postretirement liability adjustment | | | 11,810 | | | 4,131 | | | (827) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | | | 12,138 | | | 4,463 | | | (499) |
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders | | | $128,358 | | | $134,218 | | | $146,826 |
December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 |
| | (In thousands, except shares and per share amounts) | ||||
Assets | | | | | ||
Current assets: | | | | | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | $10,090 | | | $13,848 |
Receivables, net | | | 210,157 | | | 188,649 |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | | | 31,145 | | | 22,005 |
Due from related-party | | | 16,050 | | | 8,046 |
Inventories | | | 323,277 | | | 291,445 |
Prepayments and other current assets | | | 17,848 | | | 18,637 |
Total current assets | | | 608,567 | | | 542,630 |
Noncurrent assets: | | | | | ||
Net property, plant and equipment | | | 1,315,213 | | | 1,250,310 |
Goodwill | | | 274,540 | | | 276,426 |
Other intangible assets, net | | | 13,430 | | | 16,228 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | 45,873 | | | 50,128 |
Investments and other | | | 36,696 | | | 38,476 |
Due from related-party - noncurrent | | | — | | | 7,626 |
Total noncurrent assets | | | 1,685,752 | | | 1,639,194 |
Total assets | | | $2,294,319 | | | $2,181,824 |
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity | | | | | ||
Current liabilities: | | | | | ||
Long-term debt - current portion | | | $211 | | | $233 |
Related-party notes payable - current portion | | | 238,000 | | | 108,000 |
Accounts payable | | | 87,370 | | | 82,598 |
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | | | 39,843 | | | 32,348 |
Accrued compensation | | | 29,192 | | | 25,731 |
Due to related-party | | | 20,286 | | | 18,465 |
Current operating lease liabilities | | | 13,210 | | | 14,999 |
Other accrued liabilities | | | 88,778 | | | 74,827 |
Total current liabilities | | | 516,890 | | | 357,201 |
Noncurrent liabilities: | | | | | ||
Long-term debt | | | 427 | | | 703 |
Related-party notes payable | | | 446,449 | | | 575,457 |
Deferred income taxes | | | 175,804 | | | 168,526 |
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | | | 32,663 | | | 35,129 |
Other | | | 93,497 | | | 91,964 |
Total liabilities | | | 1,265,730 | | | 1,228,980 |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | ||
Stockholder’s equity: | | | | | ||
Common stock, $10 par value; 80,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | | | 800 | | | 800 |
Other paid-in capital | | | 549,106 | | | 549,714 |
Retained earnings | | | 494,661 | | | 430,446 |
Parent stock held by subsidiary | | | (3,626) | | | (3,626) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (12,352) | | | (24,490) |
Total stockholder’s equity | | | 1,028,589 | | | 952,844 |
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity | | | $2,294,319 | | | $2,181,824 |
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 | | | Common Stock | | | Other Paid-in Capital | | | Retained Earnings | | | Parent Stock Held by Subsidiary | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | | Total | |||
| Shares | | | Amount | | ||||||||||||||||
| | (In thousands, except shares) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | | 80,000 | | | $800 | | | $548,631 | | | $260,729 | | | $(3,626) | | | $(28,454) | | | $778,080 |
Net income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 147,325 | | | — | | | — | | | 147,325 |
Other comprehensive loss | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (499) | | | (499) |
Net transfers to Parent | | | — | | | — | | | 1,631 | | | (48,293) | | | — | | | — | | | (46,662) |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | | | 80,000 | | | $800 | | | $550,262 | | | $359,761 | | | $(3,626) | | | $(28,953) | | | $878,244 |
Net income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 129,755 | | | — | | | — | | | 129,755 |
Other comprehensive income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4,463 | | | 4,463 |
Net transfers to Parent | | | — | | | — | | | (548) | | | (59,070) | | | — | | | — | | | (59,618) |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | | | 80,000 | | | $800 | | | $549,714 | | | $430,446 | | | $(3,626) | | | $(24,490) | | | $952,844 |
Net income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 116,220 | | | — | | | — | | | 116,220 |
Other comprehensive income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 12,138 | | | 12,138 |
Net transfers to Parent | | | — | | | — | | | (608) | | | (52,005) | | | — | | | — | | | (52,613) |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | | | 80,000 | | | $800 | | | $549,106 | | | $494,661 | | | $(3,626) | | | $(12,352) | | | $1,028,589 |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Operating activities: | | | | | | | |||
Net income | | | $116,220 | | | $129,755 | | | $147,325 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | |||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | | | 117,798 | | | 100,974 | | | 89,626 |
Deferred income taxes | | | 2,078 | | | 32,858 | | | 1,753 |
Provision for credit losses | | | 538 | | | 48 | | | 1,158 |
Amortization of debt issuance costs | | | 483 | | | 402 | | | 403 |
Employee stock-based compensation costs | | | 1,272 | | | 1,852 | | | 1,781 |
Pension and postretirement benefit plan net periodic benefit cost | | | 1,306 | | | 1,092 | | | 1,502 |
Unrealized (gains) losses on investments | | | 2,525 | | | (1,632) | | | (2,844) |
Gains on sale of assets | | | (14,092) | | | (6,638) | | | (6,116) |
Equity in (loss) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | | | 438 | | | (373) | | | 75 |
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: | | | | | | | |||
Receivables | | | (32,506) | | | 15,357 | | | 7,902 |
Due from related-party | | | (8,004) | | | 2,889 | | | (7,021) |
Inventories | | | (31,033) | | | (42,441) | | | (11,288) |
Other current assets | | | 44 | | | (4,574) | | | 1,252 |
Accounts payable | | | 17,489 | | | (13,899) | | | (10,662) |
Due to related-party | | | 3,578 | | | (957) | | | (799) |
Other current liabilities | | | 21,417 | | | (21,011) | | | 12,855 |
Pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions | | | (426) | | | (392) | | | (348) |
Other noncurrent changes | | | 8,319 | | | (12,070) | | | 5,850 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 207,444 | | | 181,240 | | | 232,404 |
Investing activities: | | | | | | | |||
Capital expenditures | | | (178,162) | | | (174,229) | | | (135,870) |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | | 1,745 | | | (235,218) | | | (56,681) |
Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | | | 22,878 | | | 12,017 | | | 8,205 |
Investments | | | (2,339) | | | (837) | | | (1,509) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (155,878) | | | (398,267) | | | (185,855) |
Financing activities: | | | | | | | |||
Issuance of current related-party notes | | | 208,000 | | | — | | | — |
Repayment of long-term debt | | | (298) | | | (221) | | | (227) |
Debt issuance costs | | | (807) | | | — | | | (28) |
Issuance (repayment) of long-term related-party notes, net | | | (207,007) | | | 281,983 | | | (2,262) |
Net transfers to Parent | | | (55,212) | | | (57,959) | | | (45,430) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | (55,324) | | | 223,803 | | | (47,947) |
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | (3,758) | | | 6,776 | | | (1,398) |
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year | | | 13,848 | | | 7,072 | | | 8,470 |
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | | | $10,090 | | | $13,848 | | | $7,072 |
Standard | | | Description | | | Effective Date | | | Impact on financial statements/disclosures |
Recently adopted accounting standards updates (ASU’s) | |||||||||
ASU 2021-10 - Government Assistance | | | In November 2021, the FASB issued guidance on modifying the disclosure requirements to increase the transparency of government assistance including disclosure of the types of assistance, an entity’s accounting for the assistance and the effect of the assistance on an entity’s financial statements. | | | January 1, 2022 | | | The Company determined the guidance did not have a material impact on its disclosures for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Trade receivables | | | $104,347 | | | $98,114 |
Contracting services contract receivables | | | 82,428 | | | 70,768 |
Retention receivables | | | 28,859 | | | 25,173 |
Receivables, gross | | | 215,634 | | | 194,055 |
Less expected credit loss | | | 5,477 | | | 5,406 |
Receivables, net | | | $210,157 | | | $188,649 |
| | Pacific | | | Northwest | | | Mountain | | | North Central | | | Other | | | Total | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2020 | | | $2,696 | | | $824 | | | $1,258 | | | $1,179 | | | $207 | | | $6,164 |
Current expected credit loss provision* | | | (543) | | | (112) | | | 577 | | | 106 | | | 40 | | | 68 |
Less write-offs charged against the allowance | | | 101 | | | 200 | | | 225 | | | 133 | | | 167 | | | 826 |
At December 31, 2021 | | | $2,052 | | | $512 | | | $1,610 | | | $1,152 | | | $80 | | | $5,406 |
Current expected credit loss provision | | | 27 | | | 946 | | | (206) | | | (253) | | | 24 | | | 538 |
Less write-offs charged against the allowance | | | 34 | | | 205 | | | 126 | | | 60 | | | 42 | | | 467 |
At December 31, 2022 | | | $2,045 | | | $1,253 | | | $1,278 | | | $839 | | | $62 | | | $5,477 |
* | Includes impacts from businesses acquired. |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Finished products | | | $211,496 | | | $195,616 |
Raw materials | | | 78,571 | | | 68,504 |
Supplies and parts | | | 33,210 | | | 27,325 |
Total | | | $323,277 | | | $291,445 |
Year ended December 31, 2022 | | | Pacific | | | Northwest | | | Mountain | | | North Central | | | All Other | | | Total |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Aggregates | | | $92,266 | | | $171,633 | | | $83,343 | | | $96,528 | | | $52,891 | | | $496,661 |
Asphalt | | | 35,735 | | | 97,299 | | | 93,263 | | | 174,207 | | | 26,964 | | | 427,468 |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 127,569 | | | 157,951 | | | 106,654 | | | 158,552 | | | 58,783 | | | 609,509 |
Contracting services public-sector | | | 81,989 | | | 173,981 | | | 249,573 | | | 342,370 | | | 70,117 | | | 918,030 |
Contracting services private-sector | | | 47,497 | | | 88,713 | | | 119,136 | | | 13,342 | | | 1,003 | | | 269,691 |
Other | | | 183,229 | | | 14,844 | | | 36 | | | 24,948 | | | 184,195 | | | 407,252 |
Internal sales | | | (99,696) | | | (105,647) | | | (110,095) | | | (202,636) | | | (75,808) | | | (593,882) |
Revenues from contracts with customers | | | $468,589 | | | $598,774 | | | $541,910 | | | $607,311 | | | $318,145 | | | $2,534,729 |
Year ended December 31, 2021 | | | Pacific | | | Northwest | | | Mountain | | | North Central | | | All Other | | | Total |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Aggregates | | | $89,913 | | | $135,182 | | | $72,567 | | | $97,515 | | | $48,833 | | | $444,010 |
Asphalt | | | 26,348 | | | 78,937 | | | 69,310 | | | 139,934 | | | 25,317 | | | 339,846 |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 123,905 | | | 152,079 | | | 100,412 | | | 157,237 | | | 50,756 | | | 584,389 |
Contracting services public-sector | | | 83,014 | | | 118,970 | | | 211,603 | | | 292,015 | | | 71,156 | | | 776,758 |
Contracting services private-sector | | | 44,602 | | | 68,171 | | | 112,058 | | | 14,891 | | | 991 | | | 240,713 |
Other | | | 147,484 | | | 12,786 | | | 91 | | | 22,803 | | | 161,094 | | | 344,258 |
Internal sales | | | (88,037) | | | (91,184) | | | (86,498) | | | (162,734) | | | (72,591) | | | (501,044) |
Revenues from contracts with customers | | | $427,229 | | | $474,941 | | | $479,543 | | | $561,661 | | | $285,556 | | | $2,228,930 |
Year ended December 31, 2020 | | | Pacific | | | Northwest | | | Mountain | | | North Central | | | All Other | | | Total |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Aggregates | | | $88,020 | | | $112,983 | | | $59,980 | | | $94,785 | | | $50,789 | | | $406,557 |
Asphalt | | | 25,649 | | | 60,507 | | | 72,222 | | | 156,376 | | | 35,146 | | | 349,900 |
Ready-mix concrete | | | 134,692 | | | 144,256 | | | 83,104 | | | 142,398 | | | 42,566 | | | 547,016 |
Contracting services public-sector | | | 95,730 | | | 107,698 | | | 227,866 | | | 330,268 | | | 92,434 | | | 853,996 |
Contracting services private-sector | | | 49,384 | | | 50,635 | | | 99,300 | | | 14,632 | | | 1,718 | | | 215,669 |
Other | | | 160,063 | | | 14,076 | | | 34 | | | 24,857 | | | 157,364 | | | 356,394 |
Internal sales | | | (99,220) | | | (76,432) | | | (91,654) | | | (195,843) | | | (88,381) | | | (551,530) |
Revenues from contracts with customers | | | $454,318 | | | $413,723 | | | $450,852 | | | $567,473 | | | $291,636 | | | $2,178,002 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts | | | $1,217,480 | | | $1,190,922 |
Estimated earnings | | | 153,317 | | | 158,836 |
| | 1,370,797 | | | 1,349,758 | |
Less billings to date | | | (1,379,495) | | | (1,360,101) |
Net contract liability | | | $(8,698) | | | $(10,343) |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | Change | | | Location on Consolidated Balance Sheet | |
| | (In thousands) | | | ||||||||
Contract assets | | | $31,145 | | | $22,005 | | | $9,140 | | | Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts |
Contract liabilities | | | (39,843) | | | (32,348) | | | (7,495) | | | Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts |
Net contract liabilities | | | $(8,698) | | | $(10,343) | | | $1,645 | | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | Change | | | Location on Consolidated Balance Sheet | |
| | (In thousands) | | | ||||||||
Contract assets | | | $22,005 | | | $20,659 | | | $1,346 | | | Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts |
Contract liabilities | | | (32,348) | | | (34,115) | | | 1,767 | | | Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts |
Net contract liabilities | | | $(10,343) | | | $(13,456) | | | $3,113 | | |
• | Allied Concrete and Supply Co., a producer of ready-mixed concrete in California, acquired by the Pacific segment in December 2022. At December 31, 2022, the purchase price allocation was preliminary and will be finalized within 12 months of the acquisition date. |
• | Baker Rock Resources and Oregon Mainline Paving, two construction materials companies located around the Portland, Oregon metro area, acquired by the Northwest segment in November 2021. At September 30, 2022, the purchase price allocation was settled with no material adjustments made to the provisional accounting. |
• | Mt. Hood Rock, a construction aggregates business in Oregon, acquired by the Northwest segment in April 2021. At March 31, 2022, the purchase price allocation was settled with no material adjustments made to the provisional accounting. |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | Weighted Average Depreciable Life in Years | |
| | (In thousands) | | | |||||
Land | | | $150,809 | | | $149,066 | | | — |
Aggregate reserves | | | 592,097 | | | 584,683 | | | * |
Buildings and improvements | | | 165,833 | | | 149,262 | | | 21 |
Machinery, vehicles and equipment | | | 1,492,506 | | | 1,414,260 | | | 12 |
Construction in progress | | | 88,163 | | | 50,426 | | | — |
Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion | | | 1,174,195 | | | 1,097,387 | | | |
Net property, plant and equipment | | | $1,315,213 | | | $1,250,310 | | |
* | Depleted on the units-of-production method based on proven and probable aggregate reserves. |
| | Balance at January 1, 2022 | | | Goodwill Acquired During the Year | | | Measurement Period Adjustments | | | Balance at December 31, 2022 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Pacific | | | $38,101 | | | $238 | | | $— | | | $38,339 |
Northwest | | | 93,102 | | | — | | | (2,124) | | | 90,978 |
Mountain | | | 26,816 | | | — | | | — | | | 26,816 |
North Central | | | 75,879 | | | — | | | — | | | 75,879 |
All other | | | 42,528 | | | — | | | — | | | 42,528 |
Total | | | $276,426 | | | $238 | | | $(2,124) | | | $274,540 |
| | Balance at January 1, 2021 | | | Goodwill Acquired During the Year | | | Measurement Period Adjustments | | | Balance at December 31, 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Pacific | | | $38,101 | | | $— | | | $— | | | $38,101 |
Northwest | | | 42,462 | | | 50,640 | | | — | | | 93,102 |
Mountain | | | 27,033 | | | — | | | (217) | | | 26,816 |
North Central | | | 75,879 | | | — | | | — | | | 75,879 |
All other | | | 42,528 | | | — | | | — | | | 42,528 |
Total | | | $226,003 | | | $50,640 | | | $(217) | | | $276,426 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Customer relationships | | | $18,540 | | | $18,540 |
Less accumulated amortization | | | 7,367 | | | 5,633 |
| | 11,173 | | | 12,907 | |
Noncompete agreements | | | 4,039 | | | 4,039 |
Less accumulated amortization | | | 2,985 | | | 2,471 |
| | 1,054 | | | 1,568 | |
Other | | | 5,279 | | | 9,579 |
Less accumulated amortization | | | 4,076 | | | 7,826 |
| | 1,203 | | | 1,753 | |
Total | | | $13,430 | | | $16,228 |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2022, Using | | | ||||||||
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Balance at December 31, 2022 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Money market funds | | | $— | | | $2,448 | | | $— | | | $2,448 |
Insurance contracts* | | | — | | | 20,083 | | | — | | | 20,083 |
Total assets measured at fair value | | | $— | | | $22,531 | | | $— | | | $22,531 |
* | The insurance contracts invest approximately 63 percent in fixed-income investments, 15 percent in common stock of large-cap companies, 8 percent in common stock of mid-cap companies, 6 percent in common stock of small-cap companies, 6 percent in target date investments and 2 percent in cash equivalents. |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2021, Using | | | ||||||||
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Balance at December 31, 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Money market funds | | | $— | | | $3,044 | | | $— | | | $3,044 |
Insurance contracts* | | | — | | | 21,629 | | | — | | | 21,629 |
Total assets measured at fair value | | | $— | | | $24,673 | | | $— | | | $24,673 |
* | The insurance contracts invest approximately 61 percent in fixed-income investments, 17 percent in common stock of large-cap companies, 8 percent in common stock of mid-cap companies, 7 percent in common stock of small-cap companies, 5 percent in target date investments and 2 percent in cash equivalents. |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Lease costs: | | | | | | | |||
Operating lease cost | | | $17,941 | | | $21,914 | | | $25,303 |
Variable lease cost | | | 98 | | | 84 | | | 150 |
Short-term lease cost | | | 55,871 | | | 53,016 | | | 59,233 |
Total lease costs | | | $73,910 | | | $75,014 | | | $84,686 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||
Weighted average remaining lease term | | | 2.03 years | | | 1.63 years |
Weighted average discount rate | | | 4.05% | | | 3.63% |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | | | $17,941 | | | $21,914 |
| | (In thousands) | |
2023 | | | $15,129 |
2024 | | | 10,902 |
2025 | | | 7,928 |
2026 | | | 4,528 |
2027 | | | 2,983 |
Thereafter | | | 11,913 |
Total | | | 53,383 |
Less discount | | | 7,510 |
Total operating lease liabilities | | | $45,873 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Balance at beginning of year | | | $33,406 | | | $30,932 |
Liabilities incurred | | | 4,657 | | | 1,655 |
Liabilities acquired | | | — | | | 1,805 |
Liabilities settled | | | (2,117) | | | (2,613) |
Accretion expense | | | 1,415 | | | 1,627 |
Balance at end of year | | | $37,361 | | | $33,406 |
Grant Date | | | Performance Period | | | Target Grant of Shares |
February 2021 | | | 2021-2023 | | | 34,655 |
February 2022 | | | 2022-2024 | | | 34,946 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Weighted average grant-date fair value | | | $36.25 | | | $37.96 | | | $40.75 |
Blended volatility range | | | 24.07% - 31.41% | | | 35.37% - 46.35% | | | 15.30% - 15.97% |
Risk-free interest rate range | | | .71% - 1.68% | | | .02% - .20% | | | 1.45% - 1.62% |
Weighted average discounted dividends per share | | | $2.93 | | | $3.16 | | | $2.91 |
| | Number of Shares | | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |
Nonvested at beginning of period | | | 69,250 | | | $34.42 |
Granted | | | 34,946 | | | 31.99 |
Additional performance shares earned (unearned) | | | (2,874) | | | 31.63 |
Less: | | | | | ||
Vested | | | 31,721 | | | 36.60 |
Nonvested at end of period | | | 69,601 | | | $32.32 |
| | Net Unrealized Loss on Derivative Instruments Qualifying as Hedges | | | Post- retirement Liability Adjustment | | | Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
At December 31, 2020 | | | $(750) | | | $(28,203) | | | $(28,953) |
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications | | | — | | | 3,041 | | | 3,041 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | 332 | | | 1,090 | | | 1,422 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income | | | 332 | | | 4,131 | | | 4,463 |
At December 31, 2021 | | | (418) | | | (24,072) | | | (24,490) |
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications | | | — | | | 10,935 | | | 10,935 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | 328 | | | 875 | | | 1,203 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income | | | 328 | | | 11,810 | | | 12,138 |
At December 31, 2022 | | | $(90) | | | $(12,262) | | | $(12,352) |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | Location on Consolidated Statements of Income | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment for loss on derivative instruments included in net income | | | $435 | | | $439 | | | $435 | | | Interest expense |
| | (107) | | | (107) | | | (107) | | | Income taxes | |
| | 328 | | | 332 | | | 328 | | | ||
Amortization of postretirement liability losses included in net periodic benefit credit | | | 1,167 | | | 1,453 | | | 1,422 | | | Other income |
| | (292) | | | (363) | | | (351) | | | Income taxes | |
| | 875 | | | 1,090 | | | 1,071 | | | ||
Total reclassifications | | | $1,203 | | | $1,422 | | | $1,399 | | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Current: | | | | | | | |||
Federal | | | $27,293 | | | $4,270 | | | $32,682 |
State | | | 13,230 | | | 6,331 | | | 12,996 |
| | 40,523 | | | 10,601 | | | 45,678 | |
Deferred: | | | | | | | |||
Income taxes: | | | | | | | |||
Federal | | | 1,715 | | | 26,793 | | | 2,972 |
State | | | 363 | | | 6,065 | | | (1,219) |
| | 2,078 | | | 32,858 | | | 1,753 | |
Total income tax expense | | | $42,601 | | | $43,459 | | | $47,431 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Deferred tax assets: | | | | | ||
Accrued pension costs | | | $11,070 | | | $15,011 |
Operating lease liabilities | | | 11,804 | | | 12,966 |
Asset retirement obligations | | | 9,687 | | | 8,696 |
Deferred compensation/compensation related | | | 15,329 | | | 14,654 |
Net operating loss/credit carryforward | | | 12,039 | | | 11,329 |
Capitalized inventory overheads | | | 7,260 | | | 4,683 |
Payroll tax deferral | | | — | | | 2,329 |
Other | | | 8,412 | | | 8,032 |
Total deferred tax assets | | | 75,601 | | | 77,700 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | | | ||
Basis differences on property, plant and equipment | | | 203,099 | | | 199,928 |
Operating lease right-of-use-assets | | | 11,804 | | | 12,966 |
Intangible assets | | | 10,975 | | | 9,760 |
Other | | | 13,488 | | | 12,243 |
Total deferred tax liabilities | | | 239,366 | | | 234,897 |
Valuation allowance | | | 12,039 | | | 11,329 |
Net deferred income tax liability | | | $(175,804) | | | $(168,526) |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Change in net deferred income tax liability from the preceding table | | | $7,278 | | | $37,516 |
Deferred income taxes established due to an acquisition | | | (1,215) | | | (3,177) |
Deferred taxes associated with other comprehensive loss | | | (3,985) | | | (1,481) |
Deferred income tax expense for the period | | | $2,078 | | | $32,858 |
Years ended December 31, | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |||||||||
| | Amount | | | % | | | Amount | | | % | | | Amount | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Computed tax at federal statutory rate | | | $33,353 | | | 21.0 | | | $36,375 | | | 21.0 | | | $40,899 | | | 21.0 |
Increases (reductions) resulting from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
State income taxes, net of federal income tax | | | 9,702 | | | 6.1 | | | 9,429 | | | 5.4 | | | 10,450 | | | 5.4 |
Depletion allowance | | | (2,123) | | | (1.3) | | | (1,893) | | | (1.1) | | | (1,756) | | | (.9) |
Nonqualified benefit plans | | | 1,129 | | | .7 | | | (535) | | | (.3) | | | (922) | | | (.5) |
Deductible K-Plan dividends | | | (394) | | | (.3) | | | (392) | | | (.2) | | | (372) | | | (.2) |
Resolution of tax matters and uncertain tax positions | | | 592 | | | .4 | | | (64) | | | — | | | (1,375) | | | (.7) |
Other | | | 342 | | | .2 | | | 539 | | | .3 | | | 507 | | | .3 |
Total income tax expense | | | $42,601 | | | 26.8 | | | $43,459 | | | 25.1 | | | $47,431 | | | 24.4 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Interest | | | $28,148 | | | $19,121 | | | $14,805 |
Income taxes paid, net | | | $21,186 | | | $34,784 | | | $41,050 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment additions in accounts payable | | | $13,965 | | | $15,840 | | | $7,762 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | | | $11,763 | | | $11,497 | | | $22,428 |
Capital contribution from Parent in the form of common stock | | | $1,272 | | | $1,852 | | | $1,781 |
Debt assumed in connection with a business combination | | | $— | | | $10 | | | $— |
Accrual for holdback payment related to a business combination | | | $70 | | | $— | | | $— |
Stock issued in connection with a business combination | | | $7,304 | | | $— | | | $— |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
External operating revenues: | | | | | | | |||
Pacific | | | $468,589 | | | $427,229 | | | $454,318 |
Northwest | | | 598,774 | | | 474,941 | | | 413,723 |
Mountain | | | 541,910 | | | 479,543 | | | 450,852 |
North Central | | | 607,311 | | | 561,661 | | | 567,473 |
All Other | | | 318,145 | | | 285,556 | | | 291,636 |
Total external operating revenues | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,228,930 | | | $2,178,002 |
Intersegment operating revenues: | | | | | | | |||
Pacific | | | $— | | | $55 | | | $148 |
Northwest | | | 1,444 | | | 3,102 | | | 2,414 |
Mountain | | | 120 | | | 26 | | | 18 |
North Central | | | 747 | | | 122 | | | 3,358 |
All Other | | | 34,894 | | | 31,827 | | | 34,236 |
Total intersegment operating revenues | | | $37,205 | | | $35,132 | | | $40,174 |
EBITDA: | | | | | | | |||
Pacific | | | $55,839 | | | $67,124 | | | $79,136 |
Northwest | | | 103,885 | | | 80,624 | | | 74,360 |
Mountain | | | 72,604 | | | 65,017 | | | 52,407 |
North Central | | | 64,988 | | | 72,301 | | | 71,723 |
All Other | | | 9,424 | | | 8,340 | | | 27,333 |
Total segment EBITDA | | | $306,740 | | | $293,406 | | | $304,959 |
Capital expenditures: | | | | | | | |||
Pacific | | | $33,046 | | | $26,675 | | | $22,108 |
Northwest | | | 60,697 | | | 278,946 | | | 45,963 |
Mountain | | | 35,098 | | | 47,648 | | | 59,156 |
North Central | | | 33,151 | | | 28,838 | | | 17,307 |
All Other | | | 19,855 | | | 35,417 | | | 47,101 |
Total capital expenditures* | | | $181,847 | | | $417,524 | | | $191,635 |
Assets: | | | | | | | |||
Pacific | | | $441,606 | | | $414,103 | | | $403,023 |
Northwest | | | 772,159 | | | 714,098 | | | 452,126 |
Mountain | | | 293,121 | | | 278,608 | | | 248,216 |
North Central | | | 420,877 | | | 414,619 | | | 408,571 |
All Other | | | 366,556 | | | 360,396 | | | 311,571 |
Total assets | | | $2,294,319 | | | $2,181,824 | | | $1,823,507 |
Property, plant and equipment: | | | | | | | |||
Pacific | | | $533,985 | | | $505,103 | | | $486,401 |
Northwest | | | 813,513 | | | 759,482 | | | 553,632 |
Mountain | | | 400,907 | | | 369,732 | | | 328,037 |
North Central | | | 441,731 | | | 419,075 | | | 396,427 |
All Other | | | 299,272 | | | 294,305 | | | 263,978 |
Less accumulated depreciation and depletion | | | 1,174,195 | | | 1,097,387 | | | 1,038,730 |
Net property, plant and equipment | | | $1,315,213 | | | $1,250,310 | | | $989,745 |
* | Capital expenditures for 2022, 2021 and 2020 include noncash transactions for capital expenditure-related accounts payable, the issuance of equity securities in connection with an acquisition and accrual of a holdback payment in connection with an acquisition totaling $(5,430) thousand, $(8,077) thousand and $916,000, respectively. |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Total reportable segment operating revenues | | | $2,218,896 | | | $1,946,679 | | | $1,892,304 |
Other revenue | | | 353,038 | | | 317,383 | | | 325,872 |
Elimination of intersegment operating revenues | | | (37,205) | | | (35,132) | | | (40,174) |
Total consolidated operating revenues | | | $2,534,729 | | | $2,228,930 | | | $2,178,002 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Total assets for reportable segments | | | $1,927,763 | | | $1,821,428 | | | $1,511,936 |
Other assets | | | 3,731,031 | | | 3,529,536 | | | 2,854,648 |
Elimination of intercompany receivables | | | (3,364,475) | | | (3,169,140) | | | (2,543,077) |
Total consolidated assets | | | $2,294,319 | | | $2,181,824 | | | $1,823,507 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Total EBITDA for reportable segments | | | $297,316 | | | $285,066 | | | $277,626 |
Other EBITDA | | | 9,424 | | | 8,340 | | | 27,333 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | | | 117,798 | | | 100,974 | | | 89,626 |
Interest | | | 30,121 | | | 19,218 | | | 20,577 |
Total consolidated income before income taxes | | | $158,821 | | | $173,214 | | | $194,756 |
| | Pension Benefits | | | Other Postretirement Benefits | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | | | (In thousands) | | | ||||||
Change in benefit obligation: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | | | $44,363 | | | $46,783 | | | $19,480 | | | $21,790 |
Service cost | | | — | | | — | | | 522 | | | 567 |
Interest cost | | | 1,127 | | | 1,053 | | | 514 | | | 492 |
Plan participants’ contributions | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | 3 |
Actuarial gain | | | (9,174) | | | (832) | | | (5,319) | | | (2,769) |
Benefits paid | | | (2,558) | | | (2,641) | | | (584) | | | (603) |
Benefit obligation at end of year | | | 33,758 | | | 44,363 | | | 14,616 | | | 19,480 |
Change in net plan assets: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | | | 39,345 | | | 40,710 | | | 314 | | | 505 |
Actual return on plan assets | | | (8,356) | | | 1,276 | | | (473) | | | 17 |
Employer contribution | | | — | | | — | | | 426 | | | 392 |
Plan participants’ contributions | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | 3 |
Benefits paid | | | (2,558) | | | (2,641) | | | (584) | | | (603) |
Fair value of net plan assets at end of year | | | 28,431 | | | 39,345 | | | (314) | | | 314 |
Funded status - under | | | $(5,327) | | | $(5,018) | | | $(14,930) | | | $(19,166) |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | | | $— | | | $— | | | $1,044 | | | $544 |
Noncurrent liabilities - other | | | 5,327 | | | 5,018 | | | 13,886 | | | 18,622 |
Benefit obligation liabilities - net amount recognized | | | $(5,327) | | | $(5,018) | | | $(14,930) | | | $(19,166) |
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Actuarial (gain) loss | | | $19,087 | | | $18,788 | | | $(2,057) | | | $3,128 |
Prior service credit | | | — | | | — | | | (109) | | | (189) |
Total | | | $19,087 | | | $18,788 | | | $(2,166) | | | $2,939 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Projected benefit obligation | | | $33,758 | | | $44,363 |
Accumulated benefit obligation | | | $33,758 | | | $44,363 |
Fair value of plan assets | | | $28,431 | | | $39,345 |
| | Pension Benefits | | | Other Postretirement Benefits | |||||||||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit): | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Service cost | | | $— | | | $— | | | $— | | | $522 | | | $567 | | | $554 |
Interest cost | | | 1,127 | | | 1,053 | | | 1,291 | | | 514 | | | 492 | | | 650 |
Expected return on assets | | | (1,973) | | | (2,028) | | | (2,065) | | | (12) | | | (19) | | | (17) |
Amortization of prior service credit | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (79) | | | (79) | | | (79) |
Recognized net actuarial loss | | | 856 | | | 971 | | | 862 | | | 351 | | | 135 | | | 306 |
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | | | 10 | | | (4) | | | 88 | | | 1,296 | | | 1,096 | | | 1,414 |
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Net (gain) loss | | | 1,155 | | | (162) | | | 794 | | | (4,833) | | | (2,763) | | | (181) |
Amortization of actuarial loss | | | (856) | | | (1,108) | | | (985) | | | (351) | | | (135) | | | (306) |
Amortization of prior service credit | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 79 | | | 90 | | | 90 |
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | 299 | | | (1,270) | | | (191) | | | (5,105) | | | (2,808) | | | (397) |
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit) and accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | $309 | | | $(1,274) | | | $(103) | | | $(3,809) | | | $(1,712) | | | $1,017 |
| | Pension Benefits | | | Other Postretirement Benefits | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Discount rate | | | 5.06% | | | 2.62% | | | 5.07% | | | 2.69% |
Expected return on plan assets | | | 6.50% | | | 6.00% | | | 6.00% | | | 5.50% |
Rate of compensation increase | | | N/A | | | N/A | | | 3.00% | | | 3.00% |
| | Pension Benefits | | | Other Postretirement Benefits | |||||||
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Discount rate | | | 2.62% | | | 2.29% | | | 2.69% | | | 2.38% |
Expected return on plan assets | | | 6.00% | | | 6.00% | | | 5.50% | | | 5.50% |
Rate of compensation increase | | | N/A | | | N/A | | | 3.00% | | | 3.00% |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Health care trend rate assumed for next year | | | 7.5% | | | 7.0% |
Health care cost trend rate – ultimate | | | 4.5% | | | 4.5% |
Year in which ultimate trend rate achieved | | | 2033 | | | 2031 |
Years | | | Pension Benefits | | | Other Postretirement Benefits | | | Expected Medicare Part D Subsidy |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
2023 | | | $2,876 | | | $738 | | | $8 |
2024 | | | 2,782 | | | 902 | | | 7 |
2025 | | | 2,759 | | | 1,023 | | | 6 |
2026 | | | 2,725 | | | 1,169 | | | 5 |
2027 | | | 2,667 | | | 1,240 | | | 5 |
2028-2032 | | | 12,410 | | | 1,685 | | | 16 |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2022, Using | | | ||||||||
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Balance at December 31, 2022 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Cash equivalents | | | $— | | | $859 | | | $— | | | $859 |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | ||||
U.S. companies | | | 777 | | | — | | | — | | | 777 |
International companies | | | — | | | 49 | | | — | | | 49 |
Collective and mutual funds(a) | | | 12,729 | | | 3,508 | | | — | | | 16,237 |
Corporate bonds | | | — | | | 8,554 | | | — | | | 8,554 |
Municipal bonds | | | — | | | 621 | | | — | | | 621 |
U.S. Government securities | | | 320 | | | 92 | | | — | | | 412 |
Pooled separate accounts(b) | | | — | | | 337 | | | — | | | 337 |
Investments measured at net asset value(c) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 585 |
Total assets measured at fair value | | | $13,826 | | | $14,020 | | | $— | | | $28,431 |
(a) | Collective and mutual funds invest approximately 29 percent in corporate bonds, 24 percent in common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 16 percent in common stock of international companies, 7 percent in cash and cash equivalents, 7 percent in U.S. Government securities and 17 percent in other investments. |
(b) | Pooled separate accounts are invested 100 percent in cash and cash equivalents. |
(c) | In accordance with ASC 820 - Fair Value, Measurements certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2021, Using | | | ||||||||
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Balance at December 31, 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Cash equivalents | | | $— | | | $489 | | | $— | | | $489 |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | ||||
U.S. companies | | | 789 | | | — | | | — | | | 789 |
International companies | | | — | | | 135 | | | — | | | 135 |
Collective and mutual funds(a) | | | 17,620 | | | 4,364 | | | — | | | 21,984 |
Corporate bonds | | | — | | | 13,199 | | | — | | | 13,199 |
Municipal bonds | | | — | | | 791 | | | — | | | 791 |
U.S. Government securities | | | 750 | | | 201 | | | — | | | 951 |
Pooled separate accounts(b) | | | — | | | 326 | | | — | | | 326 |
Investments measured at net asset value(c) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 681 |
Total assets measured at fair value | | | $19,159 | | | $19,505 | | | $— | | | $39,345 |
(a) | Collective and mutual funds invest approximately 37 percent in corporate bonds, 19 percent in common stock of international companies, 16 percent in common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 9 percent in U.S. Government securities and 19 percent in other investments. |
(b) | Pooled separate accounts are invested 100 percent in cash and cash equivalents. |
(c) | In accordance with ASC 820 - Fair Value, Measurements certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2022, Using | | | ||||||||
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Balance at December 31, 2022 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Cash equivalents | | | $— | | | $(17) | | | $— | | | $(17) |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | ||||
U.S. companies | | | (11) | | | — | | | — | | | (11) |
Insurance contract(a) | | | — | | | (286) | | | — | | | (286) |
Total assets measured at fair value | | | $(11) | | | $(303) | | | $— | | | $(314) |
(a) | The insurance contract invests approximately 69 percent in corporate bonds, 14 percent in common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 13 percent in U.S. Government securities and 4 percent in common stock of small-cap U.S. companies |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2021, Using | | | ||||||||
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Balance at December 31, 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | ||||
Cash equivalents | | | $— | | | $14 | | | $— | | | $14 |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | ||||
U.S. companies | | | 7 | | | — | | | — | | | 7 |
Insurance contract(a) | | | — | | | 293 | | | — | | | 293 |
Total assets measured at fair value | | | $7 | | | $307 | | | $— | | | $314 |
(a) | The insurance contract invests approximately 58 percent in corporate bonds, 13 percent in U.S. Government securities, 13 percent in common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 5percent in common stock of small-cap U.S. companies and11percent in other investments. |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Projected benefit obligation | | | $16,047 | | | $20,086 |
Accumulated benefit obligation | | | $16,047 | | | $20,086 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |||||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost: | | | | | | | |||
Interest cost | | | $460 | | | $407 | | | $556 |
Recognized net actuarial loss | | | 39 | | | 223 | | | 160 |
Net periodic benefit cost | | | $499 | | | $630 | | | $716 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Benefit obligation discount rate | | | 4.97% | | | 2.38% |
Benefit obligation rate of compensation increase | | | N/A | | | N/A |
Net periodic benefit cost discount rate | | | 2.38% | | | 1.95% |
Net periodic benefit cost rate of compensation increase | | | N/A | | | N/A |
| | 2023 | | | 2024 | | | 2025 | | | 2026 | | | 2027 | | | 2028-2032 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Nonqualified benefits | | | $1,573 | | | $1,621 | | | $1,727 | | | $1,763 | | | $1,653 | | | $6,343 |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||
Investments | | | | | ||
Insurance contract* | | | $20,083 | | | $21,629 |
Life insurance** | | | 7,234 | | | 7,567 |
Other | | | 2,448 | | | 3,044 |
Total investments | | | $29,765 | | | $32,240 |
* | For more information on the insurance contract, see Note 9. |
** | Investments of life insurance are carried on plan participants (payable upon the employee’s death). |
• | Assets contributed to the MEPP by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers |
• | If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers |
• | If the Company chooses to stop participating in some of its MEPPs, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability |
| | EIN/Pension Plan Number | | | Pension Protection Act Zone Status | | | FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented | | | Contributions | | | Surcharge Imposed | | | Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement | ||||||||||
Pension Fund | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | (In thousands) | | | | | |||||||||||||
Pension Trust Fund for Operating Engineers | | | 946090764-001 | | | Yellow | | | Yellow | | | Implemented | | | $2,484 | | | $2,495 | | | $2,680 | | | No | | | 3/31/2023- 6/15/2026 |
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan | | | 916145047-001 | | | Green | | | Green | | | No | | | 3,127 | | | 3,006 | | | 3,025 | | | No | | | 12/31/2023- 12/31/2025 |
Other funds | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | 6,969 | | | 7,065 | | | | | ||||||
Total contributions | | | | | | | | | | | $5,611 | | | $12,470 | | | $12,770 | | | | |
Pension Fund | | | Year Contributions to Plan Exceeded More Than 5 Percent of Total Contributions (as of December 31 of the Plan’s Year-End) |
Minnesota Teamsters Construction Division Pension Fund | | | 2021 and 2020 |
Southwest Marine Pension Trust | | | 2021 and 2020 |
| | 2023 | | | 2024 | | | 2025 | | | 2026 | | | 2027 | | | Thereafter | |
| | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Purchase commitments | | | $80,766 | | | $3,582 | | | $2,582 | | | $2,046 | | | $1,854 | | | $9,821 |
| | Weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2022 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | | | (In thousands) | |||||
Centennial term loan agreements with maturities ranging from March 17, 2023 to December 18, 2023 | | | 5.44% | | | $208,000 | | | $— |
Centennial senior notes with maturities ranging from June 27, 2023 to April 4, 2034 | | | 4.34% | | | 410,000 | | | 368,000 |
Borrowing arrangements under Centennial commercial paper program, supported by Centennial’s credit agreements | | | 5.27% | | | 66,449 | | | 315,457 |
Total long-term related-party notes payable | | | | | 684,449 | | | 683,457 | |
Less: current maturities | | | | | 238,000 | | | 108,000 | |
Net long-term related-party notes payable | | | | | $446,449 | | | $575,457 |