SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K

 


 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-1657

 


CRANE CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   13-1952290

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT   06902
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (203) 363-7300

 


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on

which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00   New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Share Purchase Rights   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

6  3 / 4 % Senior Notes due October 2006

5  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due September 2013

(Title of Class)

 


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act    Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check one):

Large accelerated filer   x     Accelerated filer   ¨     Non-accelerated filer   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

Based on the closing stock price of $26.30 on June 30, 2005, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was $1,316,301,982.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value was 60,919,131 at February 28, 2006.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005 and portions of the proxy statement for the annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on April 24, 2006 are incorporated by reference into Parts I, II, III and IV of this Form 10-K.

 



PART I

Item 1. Business

Crane Co. (“Crane” or the “Company”) is a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products. Founded in 1855, the Company employs over 10,400 people in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

STRATEGY

The Company’s strategy is to grow the earnings of niche businesses with high market share, acquire companies that offer strategic fits with existing businesses, aggressively pursue operational and strategic linkages among our businesses, build an aggressive and committed management team whose interests are directly aligned with those of the shareholders and maintain a focused, efficient corporate structure. Crane has built a stronger company using established operating themes of leveraging intellectual capital, improving customer focus, striving for operational excellence and strategically linking existing businesses with acquisitions.

ACQUISITIONS

The Company has completed 22 acquisitions since the beginning of 2001.

In January 2006, the Company acquired CashCode Co. Inc. (“CashCode”), a privately held company specializing in niche applications for banknote validation, storage and recycling devices for use in vending, gaming, retail and transportation applications for $86 million in cash. CashCode had sales of approximately $48 million in 2005. CashCode is located in Concord, Ontario and employs approximately 350 people worldwide serving a global marketplace with 75% of its sales outside the United States, of which a majority are in Europe and Russia. CashCode will be integrated into the Company’s Merchandising Systems segment. The final purchase price allocation will be completed in 2006.

During 2005, the Company completed two acquisitions at a total cost of $9 million. In August 2005, the Company purchased the PSI division of Edlon, Inc. (“PSI”) for $7 million. PSI is a manufacturer of plastic-lined pipes, fittings and accessories. The business has been integrated into Resistoflex-Industrial, which is part of the Company’s Fluid Handling segment. In December 2005, the Company acquired In One Technologies, which is part of the Company’s Merchandising Systems segment, for approximately $2 million. The final purchase accounting for the acquisitions will be completed during 2006.

During 2004, the Company completed two acquisitions at a total cost of $50 million. Goodwill for the 2004 acquisitions amounted to approximately $37 million. In January 2004, the Company acquired P. L. Porter Co. (“Porter”) for a purchase price of $44 million. Porter is a leading manufacturer of motion control products for airline seating and has been integrated into the Company’s Burbank, California Aerospace facility. Porter holds leading positions in both electromechanical actuation and hydraulic/mechanical actuation for aircraft seating, selling directly to seat manufacturers and to the airlines. Electrically powered seat actuation systems provide motive power and control features required by premium class passengers on competitive international routes. Porter products not only provide passenger comfort with seat back and foot rest adjustment, but also control advanced features such as lumbar support and in-seat massage. In addition to seats installed in new aircraft, airlines refurbish and replace seating several times during an aircraft’s life along with maintenance and repair requirements. Porter’s 2003 annual sales were approximately $32 million. The operations were integrated into the Company’s Aerospace & Electronics segment. Also in January 2004, the Company acquired the Hattersley valve brand and business together with certain related intellectual property and assets from Hattersley Newman Hender, Ltd., a subsidiary of Tomkins plc, for a purchase price of $6 million. Hattersley branded products include an array of valves for commercial, industrial and institutional construction projects. This business has been integrated into Crane Ltd., which is part of the Fluid Handling segment.

 

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PART I

Item 1. Business (continued)

During 2003, the Company completed four acquisitions at a total cost of $169 million. Goodwill for these acquisitions amounted to $118 million. In May 2003, the Company acquired Signal Technology Corporation (“STC”) for a total purchase price of $138 million (net of STC cash acquired). STC, with 2002 annual sales of approximately $87 million, is a leading manufacturer of highly engineered state-of-the-art power management products and electronic radio frequency and microwave frequency components and subsystems for the defense, space and military communications markets. STC supplies many U.S. Department of Defense prime contractors and foreign allied defense organizations with products designed into systems for missile, radar, aircraft, electronic warfare, intelligence and communication applications. The operations were integrated with the Company’s Aerospace & Electronics segment. In June 2003, the Company purchased certain pipe coupling and fittings businesses from Etex Group S.A. (“Etex”), for a purchase price of $29 million. The 2002 annual sales for these businesses were approximately $60 million. These businesses provide pipe jointing and repair solutions to the water, gas and industrial markets worldwide. Products include grooved pipe systems, pipeline couplings and transition fittings and pipeline equipment. The businesses were integrated into the Company’s subsidiary, Crane Ltd., a leading provider of pipe fittings, valves and related products to the building services, “HVAC” (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) and industrial markets in the United Kingdom and Europe. The Company also acquired two other entities in 2003 at a total purchase price of approximately $2 million.

During 2002, the Company completed seven acquisitions at a total cost of $82 million. Goodwill for these acquisitions amounted to $56 million. In January 2002, the Company acquired the patents and other intellectual property of Trinity Airweighs, obtaining a system to measure aircraft weight and center of gravity. Also in January 2002, the Company acquired Kavey Water Products which enhanced Crane Environmental’s capability to provide water treatment systems. In May 2002, the Company acquired the Lasco Composites business from Tomkins Industries, Inc. Lasco Composites is a manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastic (“frp”) panels that further expands the Company’s Kemlite business in the transportation, building products and recreational vehicle markets and provided an entry into the industrial market. In July 2002, the Company acquired Corva Corporation, a privately held distributor of valves and actuators. In November 2002, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of General Technology Corporation (“GTC”) from an employee stock ownership plan trust for a purchase price of $25 million in cash and assumed debt. GTC provides high-reliability, customized-contract manufacturing services and products focused on military and defense applications. GTC has been integrated with the Electronics Group in the Company’s Aerospace & Electronics segment. Also in November 2002, the Company acquired Qualis Incorporated, a privately held provider of polyester film embossing services, which has been integrated into Kemlite. In November 2002, the Company entered into a joint venture in China furthering its low-cost pump manufacturing capabilities.

During 2001, the Company completed six acquisitions at a total cost of $191 million. Goodwill for these acquisitions amounted to $68 million. In February 2001, the Company acquired Ventech Controls, Inc., a valve repair business providing both shop repair and remanufacture of control valves and instruments. Also in February 2001, the Company acquired the fiberglass reinforced panel business of UK-based Laminated Profiles Ltd. as part of its strategic initiative to penetrate the European transportation and recreational vehicle markets. In April 2001, the Company acquired the

 

3


PART I

Item 1. Business (continued)

Industrial Flow Group of Alfa Laval Holding AB (renamed Crane Process Flow Technologies) which includes the Saunders brand of diaphragm valves manufactured in the UK and India and the DEPA brand of air operated diaphragm pumps manufactured in Germany. Crane Process Flow Technologies focuses on the development, production and distribution of valves, pumps and related components in high value-added applications. In June 2001, the Company acquired the Xomox valve business from Emerson Electric Co. for $145 million. Xomox supplies high-end, application-driven, sleeved-plug valves, lined valves, high performance butterfly valves and actuators to the chemical, pharmaceutical and other process industries. During the third quarter of 2001, the Company acquired the aerospace hose product line of Teleflex Fluid Systems and Resistoflex GmbH. Aerohose, based in Florida, is a leading supplier of Teflon®-braided, high- pressure hose assemblies utilized in both commercial and military aircraft as well as ground support systems. Resistoflex GmbH, based in Germany, is a leading manufacturer of Teflon®-lined, steel-piping products serving chemical and pharmaceutical markets in Europe.

DIVESTITURES

In the past five years, the Company has divested five businesses.

In December 2004, the Company sold the Victaulic trademark and UK-based business assets for $15 million in an all cash transaction. The Company realized an after-tax gain of $6.5 million, or $.11 per share, on the sale. The Victaulic trademark and business assets were acquired in connection with the acquisition of certain valve and fittings product lines from Etex S.A. in June 2003. In March 2003, the Company sold the assets of its Chempump unit to Teikoku USA, Inc. Chempump manufactured canned motor pumps primarily for use in the chemical processing industry. In September 2002, the Company sold its CorTec unit for approximately $3 million. In September 2001, the Company sold Powers Process Controls for its carrying value. In October 2001, the Company sold the Crane Plumbing business in Canada recording an after-tax loss of approximately $8.5 million. Proceeds from the sales of these businesses in 2001 were approximately $20 million. During the third quarter of 2001, the Company and Emerson Electric Co. announced the formation of a joint venture involving Emerson’s Commercial Cam unit and Crane’s Ferguson business unit. Crane and Emerson contributed their respective operations into a new company, Industrial Motion Control Holdings, LLC. Crane also contributed $12 million of cash into the venture. The Industrial Motion Control Holdings, LLC joint venture is being accounted for on the equity basis and the investment amounted to $27 million at year-end 2005 and is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

FINANCING

On January 21, 2005, the Company entered into a $450 million credit facility consisting of a $300 million revolving credit component and a $150 million term loan component, which replaced a four-year, $300 million revolving credit facility the Company terminated on January 21, 2005. This contractually committed facility expires on January 21, 2010. The revolving credit allows the Company to borrow, repay or to the extent permitted by the agreement, prepay and re-borrow at any time prior to the stated maturity date, and the loan proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes including financing for acquisitions. The term loan component could only be drawn, under certain conditions, for the funding of a comprehensive asbestos settlement. In May 2005, the Company elected to irrevocably terminate the obligations of its lenders to make term loan(s) for up to $150 million under the Credit Agreement. Since the termination of the comprehensive master settlement agreement (“MSA”) for asbestos claims on January 24, 2005, the Company had no further need for the term loan component. The contractually committed facility was unused at February 27, 2006, and was not used throughout 2005. The agreement contains certain covenants including interest coverage and leverage ratio tests.

 

4


PART I

Item 1. Business (continued)

In September 2003, the Company issued $200 million of 5.50% notes that mature on September 15, 2013. The interest is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The notes have no sinking fund requirement but may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company. In September 1998, the Company issued $100 million of 6.75% notes that mature on October 1, 2006. The interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The notes are not redeemable prior to maturity and are not subject to any sinking fund requirements. The Company has the intention and ability to refinance the $100 million obligation at maturity with long-term borrowings; therefore, it is classified as long-term at December 31, 2005.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

See page 50 of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005, for sales, operating profit and assets employed by each business segment.

AEROSPACE & ELECTRONICS

The Aerospace & Electronics segment has two groups, the Aerospace Group and the Electronics Group. The Aerospace Group products are currently manufactured under the brand names Hydro-Aire, ELDEC, Lear Romec, P.L. Porter and Resistoflex-Aerospace. The Aerospace Group’s products are organized into the following solution sets: Landing Systems, Sensing and Controls, Fluid Management, Aircraft Electrical Power and Cabin. The Electronics Group products are currently manufactured under the brand names Interpoint, ELDEC, Keltec, STC Microwave Systems, Olektron, and General Technology. The Electronic Group products are organized into the following solution sets: Power, Microwave Systems, Electronic Manufacturing Services and Microelectronics/Wireless Monitoring.

Hydro-Aire designs, manufactures and sells aircraft brake control and anti-skid systems, including electro-hydraulic servo valves and manifolds, embedded software and rugged electronic controls, hydraulic control valves, landing gear sensors and fuel pumps as original equipment to the commercial transport, business, regional, general aviation, military and government aerospace, repair and overhaul markets. In addition, Hydro-Aire designs and manufactures systems similar to those above for the retrofit of aircraft with improved systems and manufactures replacement parts for systems installed as original equipment by aircraft manufacturers. All of these products are largely proprietary to Hydro-Aire and, to some extent, are custom designed to the requirements and specifications of the aircraft manufacturer or program contractor. These systems and replacement parts are sold directly to aircraft manufacturers, airlines, governments and aircraft maintenance and overhaul companies. Hydro-Aire has a facility in Burbank, California.

Lear Romec designs, manufactures and sells lubrication and fuel pumps for aircraft and radar cooling systems for the commercial and military aerospace industries. Lear Romec also manufactures fuel boost and transfer pumps for commuter and business aircraft. Lear Romec has a facility in Elyria, Ohio.

ELDEC designs, manufactures and markets custom position indication and control systems, proximity sensors, pressure sensors, true mass fuel flow meters and power conversion systems for the commercial business, regional and general aviation, military, repair and overhaul and electronics markets. These products are custom designed for specific aircraft to meet technically demanding requirements of the aerospace industry. ELDEC has facilities in Lynnwood, Washington; Daventry, Northants, England; and Bron, France.

Porter is a manufacturer of motion control products for airline seating. Porter holds leading positions in both electromechanical actuation and hydraulic/mechanical actuation for aircraft seating, selling directly to seat manufacturers and to the airlines. The Porter facility was consolidated into the Hydro-Aire Burbank, California facility in 2005.

 

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PART I

Item 1. Business (continued)

Resistoflex-Aerospace manufactures high-performance, separable fittings for operating pressures up to 8,000 pounds per square inch used primarily in the aerospace industry. Its products are sold directly to the aerospace industry. Resistoflex-Aerospace has a facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

Interpoint designs, manufactures and sells standard and custom miniature (hybrid) DC-to-DC power converters and custom miniature (hybrid) electronic circuits for applications in commercial, space and military aerospace, fiber optic and medical technology industries. Interpoint has facilities in Redmond, Washington and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.

STC designs, manufactures and markets power management products and sophisticated electronic radio frequency (“RF”) components and subsystems. Its products are used in broadband wireless equipment, digital cellular/PCS wireless infrastructure equipment and defense electronics. STC supplies many U.S. Department of Defense prime contractors and foreign allied defense organizations with products designed into systems for missile, radar, aircraft, electronic warfare, intelligence and communication applications. STC’s commercial customers integrate its products into wireless systems, which are then sold to wireless service providers globally and enable the transmission and reception of data signals in wireless systems worldwide. Applications for its commercial products include point-to-point transport, point-to-multipoint access, cellular backhaul and digital cellular/PCS base stations. STC has facilities in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Beverly, Massachusetts; Chandler, Arizona and Plano , Texas.

GTC provides high-reliability, customized-contract manufacturing services and products focused on military and defense applications. GTC services include the assembly and testing of printed circuit boards, electromechanical devices, customized integrated systems, cables and wire harnesses. GTC has a facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Aerospace & Electronic segment employs 2,976 people and had assets of $476 million at December 31, 2005. The order backlog totaled $365.1 million and $341.5 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

ENGINEERED MATERIALS

The Engineered Materials segment is largely made up of the Kemlite fiberglass-reinforced plastic (“frp”) panel business, renamed Crane Composites, Inc. effective January 1, 2006, but it also includes Polyflon.

Kemlite manufactures frp panels for the transportation industry, in refrigerated and dry-van truck trailers, recreational vehicles, industrial markets and the commercial construction industry for food processing, fast-food restaurants and supermarket applications, as well as institutions where fire-rated materials with low-smoke generation and minimum toxicity are required, and for residential construction. Kemlite sells its products directly to truck trailer and recreational vehicle manufacturers and uses distributors to serve the commercial construction market and some segments of the recreational vehicle market. Kemlite’s manufacturing facilities are located in Channahon, Illinois; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Grand Junction and Bolivar, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Florence and Henderson, Kentucky and Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Polyflon is a manufacturer of small specialty components, primarily as substrate materials for antennas. Polyflon is located in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The Engineered Materials segment employs 860 people and had assets of $189 million at December 31, 2005. The order backlog totaled $17.2 million and $16.4 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

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PART I

Item 1. Business (continued)

MERCHANDISING SYSTEMS

The Merchandising Systems segment, in 2005 and 2004, consisted of Crane Merchandising Systems (“CMS”) and National Rejectors, Inc. GmbH (“NRI”).

CMS products include electronic vending merchandisers for refrigerated and frozen foods, hot and cold beverages, snack foods, single cup individually brewed hot drinks and combination vendors/merchandisers designed to vend both snack foods and hot/cold drinks or snacks and refrigerated/frozen foods in one machine. CMS products are marketed to customers in the United States and Europe by Company sales and marketing personnel as well as distributors and, in other international markets, through independent distributors. CMS also includes Streamware Corporation, a provider of business management software and market analysis tools for the vending and food service industries. Streamware’s VendMAX is a fully-integrated software / hardware solution that offers operators cash accountability, inventory control and improved merchandising capabilities. CMS has manufacturing facilities in Bridgeton, Missouri; Boston, Massachusetts and Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

NRI manufactures electronic coin validators for the automated merchandising and gambling/amusement markets in Europe. NRI has a manufacturing facility in Buxtehude, Germany and distribution facilities in Barcelona, Spain and Horbourg-Wihr, France.

In January, 2006, the Company acquired CashCode for $86 million in cash. CashCode manufactures banknote validators for use in a variety of niche applications in the vending, gaming, retailing and transportation industries. Its bill-to-bill system has the capability to validate, store and recycle bills, allowing the cash taken in from one customer to be used for change to another customer. CashCode had sales of approximately $48 million in 2005 and serves a global marketplace with 75% of its sales outside the United States, of which the majority are in Europe and Russia. Located in Concord, Ontario, this acquisition is a strong complementary fit, as NRI is a leader in coin validation systems and CashCode is a leader in bill validation. The expanded customer base, geographic presence and product portfolio can be mutually leveraged by all three businesses.

The Merchandising Systems segment employs 849 people and had assets of $104 million at December 31, 2005. Order backlog totaled $9.2 million and $12.0 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

FLUID HANDLING

The Fluid Handling segment consists of the Crane Valve Group, Crane Ltd., Resistoflex-Industrial, Crane Pumps & Systems, Crane Supply and Crane Environmental. The Crane Valve Group, with manufacturing facilities in the United States as well as operations in: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales, sells a wide variety of commodity and special purpose valves and fluid control products for the chemical and hydrocarbon processing, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, refining, power, marine, mining, general industrial and commercial construction industries. Products are sold under the trade names Crane, Saunders, Jenkins, Pacific, Xomox, DEPA, ELRO, REVO, Westad, Flowseal, Centerline, Stockham and Duo-Chek.

 

7


PART I

Item 1. Business (continued)

Crane Ltd. manufactures pipe fittings, gate, globe and check valves, ball and butterfly valves, static and automatic balancing valves, couplings and connectors. Crane Ltd. has facilities in Ipswich and Hitchin, England and Ningbo, China.

Resistoflex-Industrial is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of corrosion-resistant, plastic-lined steel pipes, fittings, tanks, valves, expansion joints and hose used primarily by the pharmaceutical, chemical processing, pulp and paper, ultra pure water and waste management industries. Resistoflex-Industrial Products sells its industrial products through distributors who provide stocking and fabrication services to industrial users in the United States. Resistoflex-Industrial also manufactures plastic-lined pipe products at its Singapore plant serving the Asian chemical processing and pharmaceutical industries. Resistoflex-Industrial has facilities in Marion, North Carolina; Singapore; Pforzheim, Germany; and Shanghai, China.

Crane Pumps & Systems has four manufacturing facilities, two of which are in the United States. Pumps are manufactured under the trade names Deming, Weinman, Burks, Barnes, Sellers and Process Systems. Pumps are sold to a broad customer base that includes chemical and hydrocarbon processing, automotive, municipal, industrial and commercial wastewater, power generation, commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industries and original equipment manufacturers. Crane Pumps & Systems has facilities in Piqua, Ohio; Warren, Michigan; Bramalea, Ontario, Canada; and Zhejiang, China.

Crane Supply, a distributor of plumbing supplies, valves and piping in Canada, maintains 33 distribution facilities throughout Canada.

Crane Environmental is a supplier of specialized water purification solutions for the world’s industrial and commercial markets. Crane Environmental’s worldwide applications include government, pulp and paper, steel, oil, gas, petrochemical, power generation, wastewater treatment, carwash, bottling, beverage and agriculture. Its products are sold under the trade names Cochrane and Environmental Products. Crane Environmental has facilities in Venice, Florida and Trooper, Pennsylvania.

The Fluid Handling segment employs 5,218 people and had assets of $693 million at December 31, 2005. Order backlog totaled $188.8 million and $183.2 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

CONTROLS

The Controls segment consists of Barksdale, Azonix and Dynalco. These companies design, manufacture and market industrial and commercial products that control flows and processes in various industries including transportation, oil and gas, chemical, construction, food and beverage and power generation. The products in this segment are sold directly to end users and engineering contractors through the Company’s own sales force and cooperatively with sales representatives, stocking specialists and industrial distributors.

Barksdale manufactures ride-leveling, air-suspension control valves for heavy trucks and trailers, as well as pressure, temperature and level sensors used in a range of industrial machinery and equipment. It has manufacturing and marketing facilities in Los Angeles, California and Reichelsheim, Germany.

Azonix produces ultra-rugged computers, measurement and control systems and intelligent data acquisition products and has a manufacturing facility in Billerica, Massachusetts.

Dynalco is a manufacturer of engine compressors monitoring and diagnostic systems and has facilities in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Houston, Texas.

 

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PART I

Item 1. Business (continued)

The Controls segment employs 424 people and had assets of $48 million at December 31, 2005. Order backlog totaled $16.9 million and $13.7 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS

The Company’s lines of business are conducted under highly competitive conditions in each of the geographic and product areas they serve. Because of the diversity of the classes of products manufactured and sold, they do not compete with the same companies in all geographic or product areas. Accordingly, it is not possible to estimate the precise number of competitors or to identify the Company’s competitive position, although the Company believes that it is a principal competitor in most of its markets. The Company’s principal method of competition is production of quality products at competitive prices in a timely and efficient manner.

The Company’s products have primary application in the aerospace, defense electronics, recreational vehicle, transportation, automated merchandising, petrochemical, chemical and power generation industries. As such, they are dependent upon numerous unpredictable factors, including changes in market demand, general economic conditions and capital spending. Because these products are also sold in a wide variety of markets and applications, the Company does not believe it can reliably quantify or predict the possible effects upon its business resulting from such changes.

The Company’s engineering and product development activities are directed primarily toward improvement of existing products and adaptation of existing products to particular customer requirements as well as the development of new products. While the Company owns numerous patents and licenses, none are of such importance that termination would materially affect its business. Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. These costs were approximately $53.1 million in 2005, $52.4 million in 2004, and $46.8 million in 2003, incurred primarily by the Aerospace & Electronics segment. Funds received from customer-sponsored research and development projects were approximately $7.0 million, $6.2 million, and $3.1 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and were recorded in net sales.

The Company is not dependent on any single customer nor are there any issues at this time regarding available raw materials for inventory that would be material to its operations.

See Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” regarding costs of compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations involving the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Copies of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, are available free of charge on the Company’s website at www.craneco.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The following is a description of what we consider the key challenges and risks confronting our business. This discussion should be considered in conjunction with the discussion under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” immediately following, and with the discussion of risks and uncertainties of the business included in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis.”

 

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PART I

Item 1A. Risk Factors. (continued)

We are subject to significant, continuing asbestos litigation. We are subject to numerous lawsuits for asbestos-related personal injury, as described more fully in Item 3, Legal Proceedings. Estimation of the Company’s ultimate exposure for asbestos-related claims is subject to significant uncertainties, as there are multiple variables that can affect the timing, severity and quantity of claims. Our estimate of the future expense of these claims is derived from assumptions with respect to future claims, settlement and defense costs which are based on recent experience during the last few years and which may not prove reliable as predictors. A significant upward or downward trend in the number of claims filed, depending on the nature of the alleged injury, the jurisdiction where filed and the quality of the product identification, or a significant upward or downward trend in the costs of defending claims, could change the estimated liability, as would any substantial adverse verdict at trial. A legislative solution or a revised structured settlement transaction could also change the estimated liability. These uncertainties may result in our incurring future charges or increases to income to adjust the carrying value of recorded liabilities and assets, particularly if the number of claims and settlement and defense costs escalates or if legislation or another alternative solution is implemented; however, we are currently unable to estimate such future changes. Although the resolution of these claims may take many years, the effect on results of operations, cash flow and financial position in any given period from a revision to these estimates could be material.

In addition to asbestos lawsuits, we are subject to claims and proceedings relating to the ordinary conduct of our business, such as those involving employment disputes, contract disputes, allegations of infringement on patents and trademarks, personal injuries, product liability and other types of claims. For more information with respect to the risks to Crane Co. associated with asbestos liability, see Item 3, Legal Proceedings.

Demand for our products is uncertain, and subject to factors beyond our control . In the Aerospace and Electronics segment, for example, a significant decline in demand for air travel, or a decline in airline profitability generally, could result in reduced orders for aircraft and could also cause airlines to reduce their purchases of repair parts from Crane’s businesses. The aerospace businesses could also be impacted if major aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing (which represented approximately 11% of the segment’s revenue in 2005) encountered production problems, or if pricing pressure from aircraft customers caused the manufacturers to press their suppliers to lower prices. In the Engineered Materials segment, sales and profits could fall if there were a decline in demand for truck trailers, recreational vehicles, or industrial or building products. Results in the Controls segment could decline because of an unanticipated decline in demand for the businesses’ products from the oil and gas or heavy truck markets, or from unforeseen product obsolescence. Results at the Company’s Merchandising Systems business have been and will continue to be affected by employment levels, office occupancy rates and factors affecting vending operator profitability such as fuel, confection and borrowing costs.

The prices of our raw materials may increase . In the Engineered Materials segment, for example, profits could be adversely affected by unanticipated increases in resin and fiberglass material costs and by any inability on the part of the businesses to maintain their position in product cost and functionality against competing materials. The costs in the Company’s Fluid Handling and Merchandising Systems segments are affected by fluctuations in the price of metals such as steel.

Our ability to obtain parts and raw materials from our suppliers is uncertain . We are engaged in a continuous, company-wide effort to concentrate our purchases of parts and raw materials on fewer suppliers, and to obtain parts from low-cost countries where possible. As this effort progresses, we are exposed to an increased risk of disruptions to our supply chain, which could have a significant effect on our operating results.

 

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PART I

Item 1A. Risk Factors. (continued)

We may be unable to identify or to complete acquisitions, or to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire . We have evaluated, and expect to continue to evaluate, a wide array of potential strategic transactions. Our acquisition program entails the potential risks inherent in assessing the value, strengths, weaknesses, contingent or other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition candidates; and in retaining the employees and integrating the operations of the businesses we acquire. There can be no assurance that suitable acquisition opportunities will be available in the future, that the Company will continue to acquire businesses or that any business acquired will be integrated successfully or prove profitable.

We face significant competition . All of our lines of business are conducted in highly competitive conditions in various geographic and product markets. In each of our businesses we face the risk that a competitor will introduce a product or technology that is more effective or less expensive than the competing product offered by Crane. See the discussion included in Item 1 above under the caption “Competitive Conditions.”

We conduct a substantial portion of our business outside the United States . Net sales and assets related to operations outside the United States were 36.4% and 26.3% in 2005, and 36.0% and 27.7% in 2004, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated amounts. Such operations and transactions entail the risks associated with conducting business internationally, including the risks of currency fluctuations, slower payment of invoices, adverse trade regulations and possible social, economic and political instability.

Our customers’ businesses are cyclical . A substantial portion of the sales of our business segments are concentrated in industries that are cyclical. Their results are subject to fluctuations in domestic and international economies as well as to currency fluctuations and unforeseen inflationary pressures. Reductions in the business levels of these industries would reduce the sales and profitability of the affected business segments.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Annual Report to Shareholders, particularly in the Letter to Shareholders and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations, the Company makes numerous statements about expectations of future performance and market trends and statements about plans and objectives and other matters which because they are not historical fact, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

In addition, the Company and its representatives may, from time to time, make written or oral forward-looking statements including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its reports to shareholders which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “contemplates”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made and involve risk and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events.

Readers are cautioned to consider the following important risk factors that could affect the Company’s businesses and cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

 

11


PART I

Item 1A. Risk Factors. (continued)

General

While the Company is a principal competitor in most of its markets, all of its markets are highly competitive. The Company’s competitors in many of its business segments can be expected in the future to improve technologies, reduce costs and develop and introduce new products, and the ability of the Company’s business segments to achieve similar advances will be important to their competitive positions. Competitive pressures, including those discussed above, could cause one or more of the Company’s business segments to lose market share or could result in significant price erosion, either of which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Certain of the Company’s business segments are dependent upon highly qualified personnel, and the Company generally is dependent upon the continued efforts of key management employees.

New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors. Further, management cannot assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Aerospace & Electronics

A significant fall off in demand for air travel or a decline in airline profitability generally could result in reduced aircraft orders and could also cause the airlines to scale back on more of their purchases of repair parts from the Company’s businesses. The businesses could also be impacted if major aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing (which represented approximately 11% and 10% of the segment’s revenue in 2005 and 2004, respectively) encountered production problems, or if pricing pressure from aircraft customers caused the manufacturers to press their suppliers to lower prices. Sales and profits could face erosion if pricing pressure from competitors increased, if planned new products were delayed, if finding new aerospace-qualified suppliers grew more difficult, or if required technical personnel became harder to hire and retain. The Aerospace & Electronics segment results could be below expectations if the economy slows, which could cause the U.S. customers to delay or cancel spare parts or aircraft orders.

A portion of this segment’s business is conducted under United States government contracts and subcontracts. These contracts are either competitively bid or sole source contracts. Competitively bid contracts are awarded after a formal bid and proposal competition among suppliers. Sole source contracts are awarded when a single contractor is deemed to have an expertise or technology that is superior to that of competing contractors. A reduction in Congressional appropriations that affect defense spending or the ability of the United States government to terminate its contracts could impact the performance of this business.

During 2002, the Company’s Hydro-Aire unit identified a wire chafing situation relating to fuel pumps used on certain Boeing aircraft, and the Company recorded a $4 million charge for estimated costs of inspecting and repairing such pumps. Several additional pumps, from this same set of 35,000 pumps, were returned with a mechanical overheating issue, which was subsequently determined by Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) to require an aircraft systems level solution not chargeable to Hydro-Aire. In connection with these issues, the FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive to instruct airline carriers to comply with a precautionary step of carrying additional jet fuel to keep fuel pumps submerged at all times, until the pumps were inspected, to mitigate ignition risk and to ensure air safety. The required inspections have been completed on all affected pumps. Several airline carriers petitioned Hydro-Aire for reimbursement for additional costs, such as the cost of carrying additional jet fuel. The Company has disclaimed responsibility for these costs under applicable contract terms and does not believe it has any liability for them.

 

12


PART I

Item 1A. Risk Factors. (continued)

Engineered Materials

In the Engineered Materials segment, sales and profits could fall if there were a decline in demand for truck trailers, recreational vehicles, industrial or building products for which the Company’s businesses produce fiberglass-reinforced panels. Profits could be adversely affected as well by unanticipated increases in resin and fiberglass material costs or product warranty awards as well as the loss of a principal supplier and by any inability on the part of the businesses to maintain their position in product cost and functionality against competing materials.

Merchandising Systems

Results at the Company’s U.S.-based vending machine business could be reduced by unfavorable economic or market conditions, delays in launching or supplying new products or an inability to achieve new product sales objectives. Results at the Company’s German-based coin validation machine business have been and will continue to be affected by changes in demand stemming from the advent of the euro, the new European currency, as well as by unforeseen fluctuations in the value of the euro or other European currencies versus the U.S. dollar.

Fluid Handling

The Company’s businesses could face increased price competition from larger competitors. Slowing of the economy or major markets could reduce sales and profits, particularly if projects for which these businesses are suppliers or bidders are cancelled or delayed. Furthermore, as the Company continues to outsource from international sources, particularly low-cost countries, the risk of supply chain issues increases. At the Company’s foreign operations, reported results in U.S. dollar terms could be eroded by an unanticipated weakening of currency of the respective operations.

Controls

A number of factors could affect the Controls segment’s results. Lower sales and earnings could result if the Company’s businesses cannot maintain their cost competitiveness, encounter delays in introducing new products or fail to achieve their new product sales objectives. Results could decline because of an unanticipated decline in demand for the businesses’ products from the industrial machinery, oil and gas or heavy equipment industries, or from unforeseen product obsolescence.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2. Properties

 

Total Manufacturing Facilities

   Number    Area (sq. ft.)

Aerospace & Electronics

     

United States

International

   10
3
   917,000
74,000

Engineered Materials

     

United States

International

   9
1
   649,000
31,000

Merchandising Systems

     

United States

International

   1
2
   463,000
138,000

Fluid Handling

     

United States

International

   15
24
   1,474,000
3,210,000

Controls

     

United States

International

   4
1
   169,000
27,000

 

Leased Manufacturing Facilities

   Leases Expiring
Through
   Number    Area (sq. ft.)

United States

   2010    14    540,000

International

   2020    11    817,000

 

13


PART I

Item 2. Properties (continued)

Other Facilities

Aerospace & Electronics operates one service center in the United States, which is leased.

Engineered Materials operates one service center outside the United States, which is leased. This segment operates eleven distribution centers; seven in the United States, of which six are leased, and four outside the United States which are leased.

Merchandising Systems operates three leased service centers, two of which are in the United States and one outside the United States. This segment operates twelve distribution centers, five in the United States and seven outside the United States; all are leased except one.

Fluid Handling operates 37 service centers, 10 are in the United States, of which eight are leased, and 27 service centers outside the United States, of which 22 are leased. This segment operates 43 distribution centers, two in the United States, of which one is leased; and 41 distribution centers outside the United States, of which 28 are leased.

In the opinion of management, these properties have been well maintained, are in sound operating condition and contain all necessary equipment and facilities for their intended purposes.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company becomes involved from time to time in various lawsuits, claims and proceedings relating to the conduct of its business, including those pertaining to environmental, government contracting, product liability, patent infringement, commercial, employment, employee benefits, and shareholder matters.

Asbestos Liability

Status of Comprehensive Asbestos Settlement

In October 2004, the Company reached an agreement in principle with representatives of a majority of then current claimants and an independent representative of future claimants to resolve all current and future asbestos-related personal injury claims against the Company, to be structured and implemented pursuant to Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. MCC Holdings, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formerly known as Mark Controls Corporation (“MCC”), entered into a Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) with representatives of a majority of then current claimants and a Settlement Trust Agreement, providing for a $280 million trust to be funded and administered to pay asbestos-related personal injury claims settled under the MSA. In connection with the terms of the MSA, which would have brought finality to this overall obligation, a third quarter 2004 asbestos charge of $322 million (pre-tax and after insurance) was recorded.

 

14


PART I

Item 3. Legal Proceedings (continued)

On December 2, 2004, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the District Court order approving Combustion Engineering’s asbestos-related bankruptcy plan of reorganization and addressed the scope of Section 524(g) and the appropriate structure of transactions providing relief for asbestos defendant companies under Section 524(g). The Court’s opinion, in the Company’s view, constituted a material change in the case law regarding Section 524(g) transactions, and accordingly, on January 24, 2005, the Company exercised its right to terminate the MSA.

The termination of the MSA placed the Company and asbestos claimants back into the tort system for resolution of claims. In the fourth quarter of 2004, Crane Co. management, with the assistance of outside experts, made its best estimate of settlement and defense costs through 2011 (including certain related fees and expenses). The estimated asbestos liability was reviewed in light of these changes and resulted in a $14 million reduction to estimated cost after anticipated insurance recoveries but before taxes in the fourth quarter of 2004.

In the fourth quarter of 2005, Crane Co. management, with the assistance of outside experts, updated its estimate of asbestos settlement and defense costs through 2011 (including certain fees and expenses). Based on this review, the Company determined that no change in the liability was required.

Information Regarding Claims and Costs in the Tort System

As of December 31, 2005, the Company was a defendant in cases filed in various state and federal courts alleging injury or death as a result of exposure to asbestos. Activity related to asbestos claims during the periods indicated was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Beginning claims

   84,977     68,606     54,038  

New claims

   7,986     18,932     19,115  

Settlements

   (1,829 )   (1,038 )   (3,883 )

Dismissals

   (2,117 )   (1,523 )   (664 )
                  

Ending claims *

   89,017     84,977     68,606  
                  

* Does not include 36,150 maritime actions that were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania pursuant to an order by the Federal Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”). These claims have been placed on the inactive docket of cases that are administratively dismissed without prejudice in the MDL.

Of the 89,017 pending claims as of December 31, 2005, approximately 25,000 claims were pending in New York, approximately 33,000 claims were pending in Mississippi, approximately 9,000 claims were pending in Texas and approximately 4,000 claims were pending in Ohio, all jurisdictions in which recent legislation or judicial orders restrict the types of claims that can proceed to trial on the merits.

Since the termination of the comprehensive master settlement agreement (“MSA”) on January 24, 2005, the Company has been resolving claims filed against it in the tort system. The Company has not re-engaged in discussions with representatives of current or future asbestos claimants with respect to such a comprehensive settlement. While the Company believes that federal legislation to establish a trust fund to compensate asbestos claimants is the most appropriate solution to the asbestos litigation problem, there is substantial uncertainty regarding whether this will occur and, if so, when and on what terms. The Company remains committed to exploring all feasible alternatives available to resolve its asbestos liability in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company’s shareholders.

 

15


PART I

Item 3. Legal Proceedings (continued)

The gross settlement and defense costs incurred (before insurance and tax effects) for the Company in the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 totaled $45.1 million, $40.9 million and $21.1 million, respectively. In contrast to the recognition of settlement and defense costs that reflect the current level of activity in the tort system, cash payments and receipts generally lag the tort system activity by several months or more. Cash payments of settlement amounts are not made until all releases and other required documentation are received by the Company, and payments of both settlement amounts and defense costs by insurers are subject to delays due to the transition from the Company’s primary insurers to its excess insurers. The Company’s total pre-tax cash payments for settlement and defense costs, net of payments from insurers and including certain legal fees and expenses relating to the terminated MSA in the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 totaled $45.3 million, $28.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively. Detailed below are the comparable amounts for the periods indicated.

 

    

Year Ended

December 31,

  

Cumulative
to date through

December 31, 2005

(In millions)    2005     2004    2003   

Settlement costs incurred (1)

   $ 17.4     $ 17.2    $ 11.9    $ 56.2

Defense costs incurred (1)

     27.7       23.7      9.2      73.7
                            

Total costs incurred

   $ 45.1       40.9    $ 21.1    $ 129.9
                            

Pre-tax cash payments(2)

   $ 45.3     $ 28.1    $ 7.9    $ 85.0

(Refund) payment associated with terminated MSA

   $ (9.9 )   $ 10.0      —      $ 0.1

(1) Before insurance recoveries and tax effects.
(2) Net of payments received from insurers. Amounts include advance payments to third parties that are reimbursable by insurers and certain legal fees and expenses related to the terminated MSA.

The amounts shown for settlement and defense costs incurred, and cash payments, are not necessarily indicative of future period amounts, which may be higher or lower than those reported.

Reimbursements from insurers declined in 2005 as the Company’s cost sharing agreement with primary insurers has been essentially exhausted. The Company continues to negotiate with various of its excess insurers whose policies provide substantial insurance coverage for asbestos liabilities. On July 22, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to settle its insurance coverage claims for asbestos and other liabilities against certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London reinsured by Equitas Limited (“Equitas”) for a total payment of $33 million. Under the agreement, $1.5 million was paid to the Company in the third quarter of 2005. The balance was placed into escrow for the payment of future asbestos claims and funds remaining in escrow will be paid to the Company on January 3, 2007, if no federal asbestos legislation is enacted by that date. If federal asbestos reform is enacted before January 3, 2007, the money then remaining in escrow would be paid to Equitas, subject to a payment of $1.5 million to the Company and a hold-back of certain funds in escrow for the payment of asbestos claims during the year following enactment of asbestos legislation. The Company’s settlement with Equitas resolves all its claims against pre-1993 policies issued to the Company by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London and reinsured by Equitas. On March 1, 2006, the Company entered into two agreements with Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company and certain affiliated companies (“Hartford”) settling all outstanding claims under the Company’s primary policies with Hartford for a final payment of $1.3 million and establishing a coverage-in-place arrangement for asbestos claims under the Company’s excess policies with Hartford, including a payment of $2.6 million for claims billed to Hartford through September 1, 2005. The agreements with Hartford also include provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of Hartford and claims handling procedures. The Company anticipates that one or more agreements with other excess insurers, such as coverage in place agreements, may be executed in 2006, and the Company believes that the payment terms of such agreements will be consistent with the overall estimated future reimbursement rate of 40%, although the actual reimbursement rate will vary from period to period due to policy terms and certain gaps in coverage as described below.

 

16


PART I

Item 3. Legal Proceedings (continued)

Effects on the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has retained the firm of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc. (“HR&A”), a nationally recognized expert in the field, to assist management in estimating the Company’s asbestos liability in the tort system. HR&A reviewed information provided by the Company concerning claims filed, settled and dismissed, amounts paid in settlements and relevant claim information such as the nature of the asbestos-related disease asserted by the claimant, the jurisdiction where filed and the time lag from filing to disposition of the claim. The methodology used by HR&A to project future asbestos costs was based largely on the Company’s experience during 2004 and 2005 for claims filed, settled and dismissed. The Company’s experience was compared to the results of previously conducted epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population of workers believed to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, HR&A estimated the number of future claims that would be filed, as well as the related settlement or indemnity costs that would be incurred to resolve those claims. This methodology has been accepted by numerous courts and is the same methodology that is utilized by the expert who is routinely retained by the asbestos claimants committee in asbestos-related bankruptcies. After discussions with the Company, HR&A assumed that costs of defending asbestos claims in the tort system would increase to $37 million in 2006 and remain at that level (with increases of 4.5% per year for inflation) indexed to the number of estimated pending claims in future years. Based on this information, HR&A compiled an estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability for pending and future claims, based on claim experience over the past two years and covering claims expected to be filed through the year 2011. Although the methodology used by HR&A will also show claims and costs for periods subsequent to 2011 (up to and including the endpoint of the asbestos studies referred to above), management believes that the level of uncertainty is too great to provide for reasonable estimation of the number of future claims, the nature of such claims or the cost to resolve them for years beyond 2011, particularly given the possibility of federal legislation within that time frame. While it is reasonably possible that the Company will incur additional charges for asbestos liabilities and defense costs in excess of the amounts currently provided, the Company does not believe that any such amount can be reasonably estimated beyond 2011. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be incurred beyond 2011.

Management has made its best estimate of the costs through 2011 based on the analysis by HR&A completed in January 2006. A liability of $581.8 million has been recorded to cover the estimated cost of asbestos claims now pending or subsequently asserted through 2011, of which approximately 56% is attributable to settlement and defense costs for future claims projected to be filed through 2011. The liability is reduced when cash payments are made in respect of settled claims and defense costs. It is not possible to forecast when cash payments related to the asbestos liability will be fully expended; however, it is expected such cash payments will continue for many years, due to the significant proportion of future claims included in the estimated asbestos liability. An asset of $234.6 million has been recorded representing the probable insurance reimbursement for such claims using the rate of 40% for future recoveries.

A significant portion of the Company’s settlement and defense costs have been paid by its primary insurers and one umbrella insurer up to the agreed available limits of the applicable policies. The Company has substantial excess coverage policies that are also expected to respond to asbestos claims as settlements and other payments exhaust the underlying policies. The same factors that affect developing estimates of probable settlement and defense costs for asbestos-related liabilities also affect estimates of the probable insurance payment, as do a number of additional factors. These additional

 

17


PART I

Item 3. Legal Proceedings (continued)

factors include the financial viability of the insurance companies, the method by which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies and the years covered by those policies, how settlement and defense costs will be covered by the insurance policies and interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships. In addition, the timing and amount of reimbursements will vary because the Company’s insurance coverage for asbestos claims involves multiple insurers, with different policy terms and certain gaps in coverage. In addition to consulting with legal counsel on these insurance matters, the Company retained insurance consultants to assist management in the estimation of probable insurance recoveries based upon the aggregate liability estimate described above and assuming the continued viability of all solvent insurance carriers. After considering the foregoing factors and consulting with legal counsel and such insurance consultants, the Company determined its probable insurance reimbursement rate to be 40%.

Estimation of the Company’s ultimate exposure for asbestos-related claims is subject to significant uncertainties, as there are multiple variables that can affect the timing, severity and quantity of claims. The Company cautions that its estimated liability is based on assumptions with respect to future claims, settlement and defense costs based on recent experience during the last few years that may not prove reliable as predictors. A significant upward or downward trend in the number of claims filed, depending on the nature of the alleged injury, the jurisdiction where filed and the quality of the product identification, or a significant upward or downward trend in the costs of defending claims, could change the estimated liability, as would any substantial adverse verdict at trial. A legislative solution or a revised structured settlement transaction could also change the estimated liability.

Since many uncertainties exist surrounding asbestos litigation, the Company will continue to evaluate its estimated asbestos-related liability and corresponding estimated insurance reimbursement as well as the underlying assumptions and process used to derive these amounts. These uncertainties may result in the Company incurring future charges or increases to income to adjust the carrying value of recorded liabilities and assets, particularly if the number of claims and settlement and defense costs escalates or if legislation or another alternative solution is implemented; however, the Company is currently unable to estimate such future changes. Although the resolution of these claims may take many years, the effect on results of operations, cash flow and financial position in any given period from a revision to these estimates could be material.

Certain Legal Proceedings On January 21, 2005, five of the Company’s insurers within two corporate insurer groups filed suit in Connecticut state court seeking injunctive relief against the Company and declaratory relief against the Company and dozens of the Company’s other insurers. The suit also sought temporary and permanent injunctive relief restraining the Company from participating in any further settlement discussions with representatives of asbestos plaintiffs or agreeing to any settlement unless the Company permitted the plaintiff insurers to both participate in such discussions and have a meaningful opportunity to consider whether to consent to any proposed settlement, or unless the Company elected to waive coverage under the insurers’ policies. The plaintiffs also sought expedited discovery on, among other things, the Company’s proposed global settlement. At a hearing on February 22, 2005, the Company: (i) contested the application for temporary injunctive relief and expedited discovery; (ii) moved to dismiss the count of the Complaint seeking injunctive relief on the grounds that the count was moot insofar as it addressed the proposed global settlement terminated on January 24, 2005 and not appropriate for determination insofar as it sought relief regarding any future negotiations with representatives of asbestos claimants; and (iii) moved to dismiss counts of the Complaint seeking declaratory relief with respect to the proposed global settlement as moot. At the hearing, the Court denied the plaintiff insurers’ application for temporary injunctive relief and expedited discovery. In denying temporary injunctive relief, the Court stated that the plaintiffs could

 

18


PART I

Item 3. Legal Proceedings (continued )

not show irreparable injury and that the plaintiff insurers would have an adequate remedy at law. In light of the Court’s ruling and the Company’s motions to dismiss, the insurer plaintiffs sought and received leave to amend their Complaint to remove certain declaratory relief counts and to remove or restate the remaining allegations.

On April 8, 2005, the insurer plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint raising five counts against the Company . The Amended Complaint seeks: (i) declaratory relief regarding the Company’s rights to coverage, if any, under the policies; (ii) declaratory relief regarding the Company’s alleged breaches of the policies in connection with an alleged increase in asbestos claim counts; (iii) a declaration of no coverage in connection with allegedly time-barred claims; (iv) declaratory relief against the Company and the other insurer defendants for allocation of damages that may be covered under the insurance policies; and (v) preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. On April 18, 2005, the Company moved to dismiss the claims for injunctive relief on the grounds that the Court had no jurisdiction to consider the claims because they were speculative and unripe. On October 19, 2005, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss, ruling that the injunctive claims were not unripe. Nonetheless, the Court noted that the Company later could seek summary judgment in connection with the injunctive claims if discovery shows them to be without factual basis. The Company continues to believe it has meritorious defenses to all the counts of the Amended Complaint and intends to defend this matter vigorously.

Other Contingencies

For environmental matters, the Company records a liability for estimated remediation costs when it is probable that the Company will be responsible for such costs and they can be reasonably estimated. Generally, third party specialists assist in the estimation of remediation costs. The environmental remediation liability at December 31, 2005 is primarily for the former manufacturing site in Goodyear, Arizona (the “Site”) discussed below.

The Site was operated by UniDynamics/Phoenix, Inc. (“UPI”), which became an indirect subsidiary of the Company in 1985 when the Company acquired UPI’s parent company UniDynamics Corporation. UPI manufactured explosive and pyrotechnic compounds, including components for critical military programs, for the U.S. government at the Site from 1962 to 1993, under contracts with the Department of Defense and other government agencies and certain of their prime contractors. No manufacturing operations have been conducted at the Site since 1994. The Site was placed on the National Priorities List in 1983, and is now part of the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport North Superfund site. In 1990 the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued administrative orders requiring UPI to design and carry out certain remedial actions, which UPI has done. Groundwater extraction and treatment systems have been in operation at the Site since 1994. A soil vapor extraction system was in operation from 1994 to 1998, was restarted in 2004, and is currently in operation.

In September 2004, after extensive negotiations regarding the scope of work to be undertaken at the Site after discovery of additional trichloroethylene contamination and the detection of perchlorate during routine testing, the Company reached an agreement in principle with the EPA on a work plan for further investigation and remediation activities at the Site. This agreement is expected to be incorporated into a consent decree between the Company and the EPA in the near future. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $40 million in the third quarter 2004 for the estimated costs through 2014 of further environmental investigation and remediation at the Site, based on this agreement in principle with the EPA.

 

19


PART I

Item 3. Legal Proceedings (continued )

The investigation, monitoring and remediation activities undertaken by the Company at the Site have cost over $30 million since 1985. In November 2003, the Company and UPI brought suit under Section 113 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act against the federal government and several of its agencies for contribution and indemnification for these costs. As investigation and clean-up activities at the Site are expected to continue for a number of years, the Company’s action against the U.S. Government also seeks contribution with respect to future costs. Although the Company has been in discussions with the government concerning these claims, the government to date has not agreed to commit to paying any contribution to clean-up costs at the Site. The Company has been engaged in settlement discussions with representatives of the U.S Government with the assistance of a neutral mediator pursuant to direction of the court. The Company is not able to predict at this time whether a mutually acceptable settlement can be reached in mediation.

In July 2004, the Environment & Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Company and UPI seeking reimbursement of costs allegedly incurred by the EPA at the Site. The government’s action also seeks an injunction requiring UPI to comply with the terms of two earlier administrative orders; entry of a declaratory judgment regarding the Company’s and UPI’s liabilities; and both civil penalties and punitive damages. After extensive discussions regarding the nature and scope of such EPA costs and review of relevant documentation, the Company reached agreement with the EPA to pay $6.7 million in past costs, a civil penalty of $0.5 million and $1.0 million to fund a supplemental environmental project for the city of Goodyear, Arizona. These payment terms are expected to be incorporated in the consent decree mentioned above in the near future. The Company does not believe that the ultimate liability, in excess of the $32 million accrued at December 31, 2005, will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or cash flows; however, there can be no assurance that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in any given period.

A number of other lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be asserted against the Company relating to the conduct of its business, including those pertaining to product liability, patent infringement, commercial, employment, employee benefits, environmental and stockholder matters. While the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and some of these other lawsuits, claims or proceedings may be determined adversely to the Company, the Company does not believe that the disposition of any such other pending matters is likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or liquidity, although the resolution in any reporting period of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

20


Part 1 (continued)

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

Name

   Position   

Business Experience During

Past Five Years

   Age   

Officer

Since

Eric C. Fast

   President and Chief
Executive Officer
  

President and Chief Executive

Officer and a Director of the Company since April 2001. President and Chief Operating Officer from September 1999 to April 2001.

   56    1999

Gil A. Dickoff

   Treasurer    Treasurer of the Company since 1992.    44    1992

Augustus I. duPont

   Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since 1996.    54    1996

Elise M. Kopczick

   Vice President,
Human Resources
   Vice President, Human Resources of the Company since January 2001. Previously, President of the Company’s Lear Romec division from August 1999 to January 2001.    52    2001

Joan Atkinson Nano

   Vice President,
Controller
   Vice President and Controller of the Company since November 2001. Previously, Director of New Controllership Initiatives at GE Capital Corporation (financial services) from 2000 to 2001 and Director, Worldwide Planning and Analysis of Pitney Bowes Corporation (business equipment and services) from 1994 to 1999 and as Assistant Corporate Controller from 1988 to 1994.    50    2001

Thomas M. Noonan

   Vice President,
Taxes
   Vice President, Taxes of the Company since November 2001. Vice President, Controller and Chief Tax Officer of the Company from April 2000 to November 2001, Vice President, Taxes of the Company from September 1999 to April 2000.    51    1999

Anthony D. Pantaleoni

   Vice President,
Environment, Health
and Safety
   Vice President, Environment, Health and Safety of the Company since 1989.    51    1989

Thomas J. Perlitz

   Vice President,
Operational
Excellence
   Vice President, Operational Excellence of the Company since September 2005. From 1995 to 2005 with subsidiaries of Danaher Corp. (manufacturer of instrumentation, tools and components), most recently Vice President, Global Marketing and Engineering-Imaging of KaVo Dental, Lake Zurick, IL (dental imaging products) from August 2004 to August 2005; Director of Worldwide Service, Fluke Corporation, Everett, WA (electronic and electrical test tools) from February 2002 to August 2004; and Business Unit Manager, Fluke Corporation from July 2000 to February 2002.    37    2005

Curtis P. Robb

   Vice President,
Business
Development and

Strategic Planning
   Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Planning of the Company since June 2005. From 2003 to 2005, founder and Managing Director of Robb Associates, LLP (financial advisory services). From 1995 to 2002, Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions at HSBC (investment banking) and a predecessor company.    51    2005

J. Robert Vipond

   Vice President,
Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
   Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March 2005. From 2000 to 2005, a consultant with Impala Partners, LLC, a financial advisory firm, and an independent contractor providing financial advisory services focused on restructuring situations. From 1994 to 2000 with Praxair, Inc as Vice President and Controller.    60    2005

 

21


PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by Item 5(a) and 5(b) is hereby incorporated by reference to page 59 and inside the back cover, respectively, of the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders. The information required by Item 5(c) is not applicable as the Company did not repurchase any shares during the fourth quarter of 2005.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The information required by Item 6 is hereby incorporated by reference to page 59 of the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The information required by Item 7 is hereby incorporated by reference to pages 18 through 31 and pages 53 through 58 of the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

The information required by Item 7A is hereby incorporated by reference to page 31 of the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The information required by Item 8 is hereby incorporated by reference to pages 32 through 50 and page 59 of the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

 

22


PART II

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures . The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the year covered by this annual report. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls are effective as of the end of the year covered by this annual report.

Change in Internal Controls. During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, identified in connection with our evaluation thereof, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

The remaining information required by Item 9A is hereby incorporated by reference to pages 51 and 52 of the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Item 9B. Other Information

None

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2006, which the Company has filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation l4A except that such information with respect to Executive Officers of the Registrant is included, pursuant to Instruction 3, paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K, under Part I. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, its charters for its Management Organization and Compensation Committee, its Nominating and Governance Committee and its Audit Committee and its Code of Ethics are available at www.craneco.com/investors/corporate_governance.cfm .

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2006, which the Company has filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Except the information required by Section 201(d) of Regulation S-K which is set forth below, the information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2006, which the Company has filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

23


Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters (continued)

Equity Compensation Plan Information

     Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options
   Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options
   Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:         

2004 Stock Incentive Plan

   5,927,688    $    26.09    2,563,058

2000 Non-employee Director Stock Compensation Plan

   197,000    24.99    167,743

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   —      —      —  
              

Total

   6,124,688    $    26.05    2,730,801
              

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2006, which the Company has filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2006, which the Company has filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)(1) The consolidated balance sheets of Crane Co. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows and related notes to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 appearing on pages 32 through 50 and the reports thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated February 27, 2006 appearing on pages 51 and 52 of Crane Co.’s 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders which will be furnished with the definitive proxy statement as required by Regulation 14A, Rule 14a-3(c), are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(2) The following report and schedule should be read in connection with Crane Co.’s consolidated financial statements in the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders:

* Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated February 27, 2006 on Crane Co.’s financial statement schedule filed as part hereof.

* Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

24


PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (continued)

 

(3) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

Exhibit 3    The Company’s By Laws, as amended on April 3, 2001.
Exhibit 4.1    Preferred Share Purchase Rights Agreement dated as of June 27, 1998.
Exhibit 4.2    Indenture dated as of April 1, 1991 between the Registrant and the Bank of New York.
Exhibit 10.1    The form of Employment / Severance Agreement between the Company and certain executive officers which provide for the continuation of certain employee benefits upon a change of control.
Exhibit 10.2    The form of indemnification agreements entered into with each director and executive officer of the Company.
Exhibit 11   

Computation of net income per share

Exhibit 13   

Selected portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Exhibit 21   

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

Exhibit 23   

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Exhibit 31.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).

Exhibit 31.2   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).

Exhibit 32.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b).

Exhibit 32.2   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b).

(b) Exhibits to Form 10-K – Documents incorporated by reference :

 

  (3) The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended on May 25, 1999 contained in Exhibit 3A to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.

 

  (4) Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders:

 

  (a)(1) Note dated September 8, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 8, 2003).

 

        2) Credit Agreement dated as of July 22, 2003, among Crane Co., the Borrowing Subsidiaries party hereto, the Lenders party thereto, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference in Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 29, 2003).

 

        3) Credit Agreement dated as of January 21, 2005 among Crane Co., the Borrowing Subsidiaries party hereto, the Lenders party thereto, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference in Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 24, 2005).

 

25


PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (continued)

 

  (10) Material Contracts:

(iii) Compensatory Plans

 

  (a) The Crane Co. 1998 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan contained in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-50495 on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on April 20, 1998.

 

  (b) The Crane Co. 2000 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan contained in Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

 

  (c) The employment agreement with Eric C. Fast contained in Exhibit 10(j) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

  (d) The Crane Co. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan contained in Exhibit 10(b) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001.

 

  (e) The employment agreement, as amended, with Robert S. Evans contained in Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

 

  (f) The Crane Co. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan contained in Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

 

  (g) The Crane Co. Corporate EVA Incentive Compensation Plan contained in Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

 

  (h) The Crane Co. Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended December 5, 2005 contained in Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed January 23, 2006.

 

  (i) The Crane Co. Time Sharing Agreement contained in Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

All other exhibits are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

26


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Crane Co.

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Crane Co. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and have issued our reports thereon dated February 27, 2006; such consolidated financial statements and reports are included in your 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company listed in Item 15. This consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Stamford, CT

February 27, 2006

 

27


CRANE CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule II - Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2005

(in thousands)

 

Description

   Balance at
January 1,
  

Amounts

charged

to
expense

   Amounts
charged
to other
accounts
   Deductions   

Balance

at

December 31,

Accounts Receivable:

              

2004

   $ 7,209    $ 10,643    —      $ 10,116    $ 7,736
                              

2005

   $ 7,736    $ 11,138    —      $ 13,022    $ 5,852
                              

Non-U.S. and state deferred assets, excluding NOL (s) and credits - 2004

   $ 3,072    $ 16,528    —        —      $ 19,600

Federal, state and foreign NOL(s) and credits - 2004

     23,944      1,934    —        —        25,878
                                

Total - 2004 *

   $ 27,016    $ 18,462    —        —      $ 45,478
                                

Non-U.S. and state deferred assets, excluding NOL (s) and credits - 2005

   $ 19,600      —      —      $ 2,720    $ 16,880

Federal, state and foreign NOL(s) and credits - 2005

     25,878      —      —        482      25,396
                                

Total - 2005 *

   $ 45,478      —      —      $ 3,202    $ 42,276
                                

* The above-mentioned valuation allowances are principally an offset to long-term deferred tax assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

28


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section l3 or l5 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CRANE CO.

(Registrant)
By  

/s/ E.C. Fast

  E.C. Fast
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date 3/9/06

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

OFFICERS

 

By  

/s/ J. Robert Vipond

  By  

/s/ J.A. Nano

 

J. Robert Vipond

Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Date 3/9/06

   

J. A. Nano

Vice President, Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

Date 3/9/06

DIRECTORS

 

By

  

/s/ R.S. Evans

R.S. Evans

Date 2/27/06

 

By

 

/s/ E.T. Bigelow, Jr.

E.T. Bigelow, Jr.

Date 2/27/06

 

By

 

/s/ D. G. Cook

D.G. Cook

Date 2/27/06

By

  

/s/ K.E. Dykstra

K. E. Dykstra

Date 2/27/06

 

By

 

/s/ R.S. Forté

R.S. Forté

Date 2/27/06

 

By

 

/s/ D.R. Gardner

D.R. Gardner

Date 2/27/06

By

  

/s/ J. Gaulin

J. Gaulin

Date 2/27/06

   

 

W.E. Lipner

Date 2/27/06

   

 

D.C. Minton

Date 2/27/06

By

  

/s/ C.J. Queenan, Jr.

C.J. Queenan, Jr.

Date 2/27/06

 

By

 

/s/ J.L.L. Tullis

J.L.L. Tullis

Date 2/27/06

 

By

 

/s/ R.F. McKenna

R.F. McKenna

Date 2/27/06

 

29


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

Exhibit 3    The Company’s By Laws, as amended on April 3, 2001.
Exhibit 4.1    Preferred Share Purchase Rights Agreement dated as of June 27, 1998.
Exhibit 4.2    Indenture dated as of April 1, 1991 between the Registrant and the Bank of New York.
Exhibit 10.1    The form of Employment / Severance Agreement between the Company and certain executive officers which provide for the continuation of certain employee benefits upon a change of control.
Exhibit 10.2    The form of indemnification agreements entered into with each director and executive officer of the Company.
Exhibit 11   

Computation of net income per share.

Exhibit 13   

Selected portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Exhibit 21   

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

Exhibit 23   

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Exhibit 31.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).

Exhibit 31.2   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).

Exhibit 32.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b).

Exhibit 32.2   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b).

 

30

Exhibit 3 The Company’s By Laws, as amended on April 3, 2001

`CRANE CO.

BY-LAWS

(as amended through April 23, 2001)

ARTICLE I

Definitions, Offices

Section 1. Definitions . When used herein, “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation, “Chairman” shall mean the Chairman of the Board and “Corporation” shall mean this Corporation.

Section 2. Principal Office . The principal office of the Corporation shall be located in the City of Stamford, State of Connecticut.

Section 3. Other Offices . The Corporation may have and maintain such other business office or offices, either within or without the State of Connecticut, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

Section 4. Registered Office . The registered office of the corporation shall be at such address as from time to time the Board of Directors may determine.

ARTICLE II

Stockholders

Section 1. Annual Meeting . The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation shall be held at the hour of ten o’clock a.m. on the fourth Monday of April in each year unless the Board shall fix a different date and time, for the election of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. If the day fixed for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday, such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. If the election of Directors shall not be held on the day designated herein for the annual meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the stockholders as soon thereafter as such meeting can conveniently be convened and held.


Section 2. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose may be called at any time only by a majority of the entire Board or by the Chairman of the Board.

A call for a special meeting of stockholders shall be in writing, filed with the Secretary, and shall specify the time and place of holding such meeting and the purpose or purposes for which it is called.

Section 3. Stockholder Action . 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 4. Place of Meetings . The annual meeting of stockholders and all special meetings of stockholders for the election of directors shall be held either at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place suitable for the holding of a stockholders’ meeting as shall be designated in the notice thereof. Special meetings of stockholders for a purpose or purposes other than the election of directors may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Connecticut, as shall be specified or fixed in the call for such meeting and the notice thereof as the place for the holding of a special meeting for any purpose or purposes.

Section 5. Notice of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided by statute, written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, stating the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the Secretary, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope addressed to the stockholder at his last known post office address as it appears on the stock record books of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.

Attendance of a person at a meeting of stockholders, in person or by proxy, constitutes a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

2


Section 6. Record Dates . The Board may fix in advance a date, not more than 60 nor fewer than 10 days prior to the date of any meeting of stockholders, nor more than 60 days prior to the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, and in such case such stockholders and only such stockholders as shall the stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.

Section 7. Voting Lists . The officer or agent having charge of the transfer book for shares of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such 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, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder present. The original share or stock ledger or transfer book or a duplicate thereof, shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine such list or share ledger or transfer book or to vote at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 8. Quorum . At any meeting of stockholders the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the

 

3


corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of the stockholders for all purposes unless a greater or lesser quorum shall be provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation and in such case the representation of the number so required shall constitute a quorum. The stockholders present in person or by proxy at a meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

Whether or not a quorum is present the meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting if held at the time specified in the notice thereof.

Section 9. Voting and Proxies . Each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote per share held of record upon each matter on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote.

At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. Unless otherwise provided by law, all questions touching the validity or sufficiency of the proxies shall be decided by the Secretary.

Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election.

All other action (unless a greater plurality is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-laws) shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, and where a separate vote by class is required, by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders of such class, present in person or represented by proxy.

Section 10. Voting of Shares by Certain Holders .

(a) Shares standing in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer,

 

4


agent or proxy as the By-laws of such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors of such corporation may determine.

(b) Shares standing in the name of a deceased person may be voted by his administrator or his executor either in person or by proxy.

(c) Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into his name, if authority so to do be contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was appointed, and a certified copy of such order is filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting.

(d) A stockholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

(e) Shares of the Corporation belonging to it shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting, and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares of the Corporation held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in determining the number of outstanding shares at any given time.

Section 11. Inspectors . At each meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more inspectors of voting whose duty it shall be to receive and count the ballots and make a written report showing the results of the balloting.

Section 12. Nomination of Directors . Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors; provided , however , that the following procedures shall not apply to the nomination of persons for election as directors by vote of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made at such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, by any committee or persons appointed by the Board of Directors

 

5


or by any common stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 12. Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, in the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however , that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 15 th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; and in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 15 th day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of the stockholder and (ii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder. Such notice shall be accompanied by the executed consent of each nominee to serve as a director if so elected. 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 a director of the Corporation.

 

6


No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation by the holders of Common Stock of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12. The officer of the Corporation presiding at an annual meeting of stockholders shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 13. Advance Notification of Stockholder Proposed Business to be Transacted at Annual Meetings . To be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, business must be either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement or amendment thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however , that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 15 th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made. Such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business.

No business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13, provided, however , that nothing in this Section 13

 

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shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any business properly brought before the meeting. The officer of the Corporation presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

The provisions of this Section 13 shall not apply to any stockholder proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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ARTICLE III

Directors

Section 1. Number . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board which shall consist of not less than three nor more than fifteen persons. The exact number of directors within the minimum and maximum limitations specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed from time to time by the board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board.

Section 2. Election and Terms . The directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the 1986 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the 1987 annual meeting of stockholders and the term of office of the third class to expire at the 1988 annual meeting of stockholders. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.

Section 3. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies . Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of the class to which they have been elected expires. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 4. Removal . Any director, or the entire Board, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the shares of the Corporation then entitled to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 5. Regular Meetings . The regular annual meeting of the Board shall be held at such time and place as the Board may by resolution determine from time to time without other notice than as set forth in such resolution.

 

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The regular monthly meetings of the Board shall be held at such time and place as the Board may by resolution determine from time to time.

The Board may by resolution change the times and places, either within or without the State of Connecticut, for the holding of such regular monthly meetings, and such times and places for the holding of other regular meetings without notice other than such resolution.

Section 6. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board may be held at any time on the call of the Chairman or at the request in writing of a majority of the directors. Special meetings of the Board may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Connecticut, as shall be specified or fixed in the call for such meeting or notice thereof.

Section 7. Notice of Special Meetings . Notice of each special meeting shall be deposited in the United States mail by or at the direction of the Secretary to each director addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business at least seventy-two (72) hours before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him by telegram, be delivered personally, or be given orally at least twenty-four (24) hours before the day on which the meeting is to be held. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegraph, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the same is delivered to the telegraph company. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give any such notice, then notice may be given by the officer or any one of the directors making the call.

Notice may be waived in writing by any director, either before or after the meeting. Any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be a legal meeting without any notice thereof having been given if all directors shall be present thereat, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

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 or waiver of notice of such meeting, and any and all business may be transacted thereat.

 

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Section 8. Quorum . A majority of the members of the Board then in office, or of a committee thereof, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except that the presence of the Chairman of the Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Executive Committee of the Board, and the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board or of the Committee thereof, except for the amendment of the By-laws which shall require the vote of not less than a majority of the members of the Board then in office.

Section 9. Action without a Meeting . Action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to authorization voted at a meeting of the Board, or a committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, all members of the Board or of the Committee consent thereto in writing. The written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or Committee. The consent shall have the same effect as a vote of the Board or Committee thereof for all purposes.

Section 10. The Chairman of the Board . A Chairman of the Board shall be elected by the Board from among its members for a prescribed term and may, or may not be, at the discretion of the Board, an employee or an officer of the Corporation. The Chairman of the Board shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by the Board and, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the Board shall designate a member of the Board to serve as Chairman of the Board and such designated Board Member shall have the powers to perform the duties of the office; provided, however, that if the Chairman of the Board shall so designate or shall be absent from a meeting of stockholders, the President shall preside at such meeting of stockholders.

Section 11. Organization . At all meetings of the Board the Chairman, or in his absence a member of the Board to be selected by the members present, shall preside as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the Board, except that in their absence the Chairman of the meeting may designate any other person to act as secretary.

 

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At meetings of the Board business shall be transacted in such order as from time to time the Board may determine.

Section 12. Compensation . In the discretion of the Board, directors may be paid a fixed fee for attendance at meetings and allowed reimbursement for expenses incurred in such attendance or otherwise in performance of duties as directors. In addition each director may be paid a fixed annual fee, in an amount to be determined by the Board, payable in convenient installments. Directors shall also be entitled to receive compensation for services rendered to the Corporation as officers, committee members, employees, or in any other capacity than as directors.

Section 13. Presence at Meeting . A member of the Board or of a Committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in this manner constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

Section 14. Executive Committee . The Board, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board, may designate two or more directors to constitute an Executive Committee, which committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or in these By-laws, shall have and exercise all of the authority of the Board in the management of the Corporation provided the Executive Committee shall not have the authority of the Board in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation involving the Corporation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation thereof, filling vacancies on the Board or on any committee of the Board (including the Executive Committee), amending, altering or repealing any By-laws of the Corporation, electing or removing officers of the Corporation, fixing the compensation of any member of the Executive Committee or amending, altering or repealing any resolution of the Board which by its terms provides that it shall not be amended, altered or repealed by the Executive Committee.

 

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Section 15. Committees of the Board . The Board may designate one or more other committees, each consisting of one or more directors of the Corporation as members and one or more directors as alternate members, with such power and authority as prescribed by the By-laws or as provided in a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board. Each Committee, and each member thereof, shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 1. Officers’ Number . The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, and such other subordinate corporate or divisional officers as may be elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article IV. The Board may designate a variation in the title of any officer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person except the offices of President and Secretary. In its discretion the Board may leave unfilled, for any such period as it may fix by resolution, any corporate office, except those of President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2. Election, Term of Office, and Qualifications . The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board at the first meeting of the Board held after the annual meeting of stockholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as the same can conveniently be held. Each officer, except such officers as may be elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article IV, shall hold his office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until his death, resignation or removal.

Section 3. Subordinate Officers .

(a) Subordinate Corporate Officers . The Board may annually appoint one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers, Auditors or Assistant Auditors, and such other subordinate corporate officers and agents as the Board may determine, to hold office as subordinate corporate officers for such period and with such authority and to perform such duties

 

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as may be prescribed by these By-laws or as the Board may from time to time determine. The Board may, by resolution, empower the President to appoint any such subordinate corporate officers or agents to hold office for such period and to perform such duties as may be prescribed in said resolution.

(b) Divisional Officers . The Board or the President may from time to time appoint employees of the Corporation as divisional officers who shall have such operating and divisional responsibilities as may be designated by the President. Such divisional officers shall not be corporate officers and shall serve at the discretion of, under the direction of, and subject to removal by, the President.

Section 4. Resignations . Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board or to the Chairman of the Board or Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 5. Removal . Any of the officers designated in Section 1 of this Article IV may be removed by the Board, whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, by the vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office. Any subordinate corporate officer appointed in accordance with Section 3 of this Article IV may be removed by the Board for like reason by a majority vote of the directors present at any meeting, a quorum being present, or by any superior officer upon whom such power of removal has been conferred by resolution of the Board. Any divisional officer appointed in accordance with Section 3 of this Article IV may be removed by the President at any time and at his sole discretion or by any superior officer upon whom the power of removal has been conferred by the President. The removal of any officer, subordinate officer or agent shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Section 6. Vacancies . A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner in which an officer may be chosen to fill said office pursuant to Section 2 or 3 of this Article IV, as the case may be.

 

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Section 7. Bonds . If the Board shall so require, any officer or agent of the Corporation shall give bond to the Corporation in such amount and with such surety as the Board may deem sufficient, conditioned upon the faithful performance of their respective duties and offices.

Section 8. The President . The Board shall elect a President who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. He shall have general and active management of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect, subject, however, to the right of the Board to delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by law exclusively conferred upon the President, to any officer or officers of the Corporation. All papers, documents, deeds, and other instruments required to be executed by the Corporation shall be signed and executed for the Corporation by the President when directed by, and in the manner prescribed by, the Board. He shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management which are usually vested in the Chief Executive Officer of a corporation.

Section 9. Executive Vice Presidents; Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents .

(a) Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents shall have supervision over all such matters, other officers of the Company, including Vice Presidents, and in the case of Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, and other employees as may be designated or assigned to them by the President, and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may designate or as may be assigned to them by the President. Whenever the term “Vice President” is used in any other Article of these By-laws, it shall be deemed to include Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents.

(b) The Vice Presidents shall perform such duties as the Board may designate or may be assigned to them by the President.

Section 10. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall:

(a) Subject to the supervision and direction of the Vice President - Finance, have the custody of all moneys, notes, bonds, securities and other evidences of indebtedness belonging to the Corporation, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of all moneys and securities received and of all moneys

 

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paid by him on account of the Corporation. He shall daily deposit all moneys, checks and drafts received to the credit and in the name of the Corporation, in such banks or other depositories as shall from time to time be authorized, approved or directed by the President, the Vice President - Finance, or the Board, and shall, on behalf of the Corporation, endorse for deposit or collection, checks, notes, drafts and other obligations, provided, however, that checks of the United States Government or of any state or municipal government, which may be received by any division of the Corporation, may be endorsed for deposit by the local manager of the division receiving the check, and provided further, however, that checks, warrants, drafts, notes and other negotiable instruments, which may be received by any division of the Corporation, may be endorsed by the local manager in the name of the Corporation for collection or deposit by or in the local bank authorized to carry the local accounts.

(b) Furnish to the Board, to the President and to such other officers as the Board may designate, at such times as may be required, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer.

(c) Perform such other duties pertaining to the business of the Corporation as shall be directed or required by the President, the Vice President - Finance, or the Board and, subject to the control of the Vice President - Finance, the Board and these By-laws, perform all acts incident to the office of the Treasurer.

(d) Give such bond of the faithful discharge of his duties as the Board may require.

The books and papers of the Treasurer shall at all times be open to the inspection of the President and each member of the Board.

Section 11. Secretary . The Secretary shall:

(a) Attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board, and keep the minutes of such meetings in one or more books provided for that purpose.

(b) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws, or as required by law.

 

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(c) Be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation and see that the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof is affixed to or impressed on all certificates for shares prior to the issue thereof, and all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal, is duly authorized.

 

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(d) Sign with the President or a Vice President certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board.

(e) See that the reports, statements, certificates and all other documents and records required by law are properly made, kept and filed.

(f) In general, perform all other duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or the Board.

Section 12. Controller . The Controller shall:

(a) Maintain adequate records of all assets, liabilities, and transactions of this Corporation; see that adequate audits thereof are currently and regularly made; and in conjunction with other officers and department heads initiate and enforce measures and procedures whereby the business of the Corporation shall be conducted with the maximum safety, efficiency, and economy. His duties and powers shall extend to all subsidiary corporations and to all affiliated corporations.

(b) Prepare and furnish such reports and financial statements covering results of operations of the Corporation as shall be required of him by the President or the Board. Prepare and furnish such reports and statements showing the financial condition of the Corporation as shall be required of him by the President or the Board, and have the primary responsibility for the preparation of financial reports to the stockholders.

(c) Perform such other duties pertaining to the business of the Corporation as shall be directed or required by the President or the Board and, subject to the control of the President, the Board and these By-laws, perform all acts incident to the office of the Controller.

The books, records and papers of the Controller shall at all times be open to the inspection of the President and each member of the Board.

 

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Section 13. Assistant Treasurers . If one or more Assistant Treasurers shall be elected or appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of this Article IV, then in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurers shall perform all the duties of the Treasurer, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Treasurer, except that they shall have no power to sign in the name of the Corporation contracts as described in Section 1 of Article VII, unless specifically authorized by the Board. Any such Assistant Treasurer shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or any superior officer.

Section 14. Assistant Secretaries . If one or more Assistant Secretaries shall be elected or appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of this Article IV, then in the absence or disability of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretaries shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions imposed upon, the Secretary. Any such Assistant Secretary shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or any superior officer.

Section 15. Compensation . The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board; provided that the Board may authorize any officer or Committee to fix the compensation of officers and employees. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the Corporation.

ARTICLE V

Capital Stock

Section 1. Certificates of Stock . The certificates for shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board. The certificates shall be signed by the Chairman or the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, an Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President and also by the Treasurer or the Secretary, and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation, or a facsimile thereof.

 

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The signatures of the aforesaid officers may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee. The validity of any stock certificate of the Corporation signed and executed by or in the name of duly qualified officers of the Corporation shall not be affected by

 

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the subsequent death, resignation, or the ceasing for any other reason of any such officer to hold such office, whether before or after the date borne by or the actual delivery of such certificate.

The name of the person owning the shares represented thereby, with the number of such shares and the date of issue, shall be entered on the Corporation’s capital stock records.

All certificates surrendered to the Corporation shall be cancelled, and no new certificates shall be issued until the former certificate for the same number of shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled except in case of a lost or destroyed certificate.

The Corporation may treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to interest in any such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by law.

Section 2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate for shares in place of a certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board may require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in form satisfactory to the Corporation sufficient to indemnify the Corporation, its transfer agents and registrars against any claim that may be made against them on account of the alleged lost or destroyed certificate or the issuance of such a new certificate.

Section 3. Transfer of Shares . Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be transferable by the owner thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of the certificates therefor properly endorsed. The Board, at its option, may appoint a transfer agent and registrar, or one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars, or either, for the stock of the Corporation.

Section 4. Regulations . The Board shall have power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the capital stock of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE VI

[Intentionally Omitted in 1985]

ARTICLE VII

Execution of Instruments on Behalf of the Corporation

Section 1. Contracts . Except as herein provided, all contracts of the Corporation shall be signed in the name of the Corporation, the President, a Vice President or the Treasurer, sealed with the Corporate Seal and attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.

Bids and contracts for the purchase or sale of merchandise in the ordinary course of business of the Corporation or any of its divisions, together with bonds given to secure the performance thereof, shall be executed in the name of the Corporation or in an authorized divisional name by an officer authorized to sign contracts as above specified in this section, or, if relating to the business of a division, by an Officer, Manager or Assistant Manager of such division.

Section 2. Bills of Exchange, Promissory Notes, Bonds or Other Evidence of Indebtedness of the Corporation, Bonds of Indemnity, and Securities Received . All bills of exchange, promissory notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by the President, or a Vice President, and shall be countersigned by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Treasurer.

All forms of bonds of indemnity, the execution of which is required of the Corporation, shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and shall be countersigned by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.

Any securities received by the Corporation in settlement or for security for the payment of any indebtedness due the Corporation may be sold, assigned, transferred and delivered by the President, a Vice President or the Treasurer, and all instruments of conveyance, assignment or transfer thereof shall be executed in the name of the Corporation by such officers, attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and the corporate seal attached.

 

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Section 3. Checks and Accounts . All checks shall be signed by either the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller or Assistant Controller and also signed by either the Controller or an Assistant Controller, an Auditor or an Assistant Auditor, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, and no other person or persons shall be authorized to sign checks upon or against the funds of the Corporation except as hereinafter provided.

Checks drawn for the payment of dividends on shares of the Corporation’s stock, and such other checks as may be designated in writing by the President, together with a Vice President or the Treasurer, may bear facsimile signatures, provided, however, that for the purpose of transfer ring funds between banks in which the Corporation has monies on deposit, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer may direct or authorize the use of checks payable to a depository bank for credit of the Corporation, which checks shall have plainly printed upon their face “Depository Transfer Check” and shall require no signature other than the printed name of the Corporation.

The respective Officers, Managers or Assistant Managers, Credit Managers or Credit Supervisors of the Corporation’s Divisions, are authorized to file claims for and to collect on behalf of the Corporation any amounts due for merchandise sold or invoiced from such divisions, and in the name of the Corporation, or in an authorized divisional name, to give proper receipts, releases and waivers of mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens in connection therewith.

Section 4. Conveyances, Leases, Releases and Satisfaction of Judgment and Mortgages . All conveyances, leases and releases and satisfactions of judgment and mortgages shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by the President, a Vice President or the Treasurer, sealed with the corporate seal and attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.

Section 5. Other Instruments . All other instruments not hereinabove specifically designated shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by the President, a Vice President, or Treasurer, sealed with the corporate seal and attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, provided, however, that

 

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notwithstanding the provisions contained in these By-laws, the Board may at any time direct the manner in which and the person by whom any particular instrument, contract or obligation, or any class of instruments, contracts or obligations of the Corporation may and shall be executed.

 

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Section 6. Miscellaneous. Whenever the Board directs the execution of an instrument, contract or obligation and does not specify the officer who shall execute the same, it shall be executed as hereinabove provided.

ARTICLE VIII

Corporate Seal

The corporate seal of the Corporation shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the words “Corporate Seal-1985-Delaware.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile or equivalent thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced, and shall be in the custody of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board, a duplicate of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer, or by any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the outstanding shares of the Corporation may be paid from any source permitted by law. Dividends may be declared at any regular or special meeting of the Board and may be paid in cash or other property or in the form of a stock dividend.

Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the 31st day of December each year, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board.

Section 3. Stock in other Corporations. Any shares of stock in any other corporation which may from time to time be held by the Corporation may be represented and voted at any meeting of stockholders of such corporation by the President of the Corporation or by any other person or persons thereunto authorized by the Board, or by any proxy designated by written instrument of appointment executed in the name of the Corporation either by the President, or a Vice President, and attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.

 

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Shares of stock in any other corporation which shares are owned by the Corporation need not stand in its name, but may be held for its benefit in the individual name of the President or of any other nominee designated for the purpose by the Board. Certificates for shares so held for the benefit of the Corporation shall be endorsed in blank, or have proper stock powers attached so that said certificates are at all time in due form for transfer, and shall be held for safekeeping in such manner as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

Section 4. Election of Auditors. The directors shall select independent auditors to audit the books and records of the Corporation for the current fiscal year, subject to the approval of the stockholders at the annual meeting. Should the auditors so elect resign, be removed for good cause shown, or otherwise fail to serve during or with respect to said year, a majority of the directors shall select a substitute firm of auditors to serve with respect to said year.

ARTICLE X

Indemnification

Section 1. Actions, Suits or Proceedings other than by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party 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) by reason of the fact that he is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against costs, charges, expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding or any appeal therefrom, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or

 

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upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

Section 2. Actions or Suits by or in the Right of the Corporation . The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit and any appeal therefrom, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of such liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such costs, charges and expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 3. Indemnification for Costs, Charges and Expenses of Successful Party . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article, to the extent that a director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise, including, without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article, or in defense of any claim issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against all costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

 

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Section 4. Determination of Right to Indemnification . Any indemnification under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article (unless ordered by a court) shall be paid by the Corporation unless a determination is made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders, that indemnification of the director or officer is not proper in the circumstances because he has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article.

Section 5. Advance of Costs, Charges and Expenses . Costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a person referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that the payment of such costs, charges and expenses incurred by a director or officer in his capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer) in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article. The Board of Directors may, in the manner set forth above, and upon approval of such director or officer of the Corporation, authorize the Corporation’s counsel to represent such person, in any action, suit or proceeding, whether or not the Corporation is a party to such action, suit or proceeding.

Section 6. Procedure for Indemnification . Any indemnification under Sections 1, 2 or 3, or advance of costs, charges and expenses under Section 5 of this Article, shall be made promptly, and in any event within 60 days, upon the written request of the director or officer. The right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction, if the Corporation denies such request, in whole

 

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or in part, or if no disposition thereof is made within 60 days. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of costs, charges and expenses under Section 5 of this Article where the required undertaking, if any, has been received by the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, nor the fact that there has been an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 7. Other Rights; Continuation of Right to Indemnification . The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any law (common or statutory), agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office or while employed by or acting as agent for the Corporation, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer, and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of such person. All rights to indemnification under this Article shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Article or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder.

 

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Section 8. Insurance . The Corporation shall purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him or on his behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article, provided that such insurance is available on acceptable terms, which determination shall be made by a vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 9. Savings Clause . If this Article or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, any portion of this Article so invalidated shall be severable and such invalidity shall not by itself render any other portion of this Article invalid, and the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director or officer of the Corporation as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated and to the full extent permitted by applicable law.

ARTICLE XI

Amendments

Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws may be amended or repealed, and new By-laws may be adopted, either by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board then in office.

 

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Exhibit 4.1 Preferred Share Purchase Rights Agreement

CRANE CO.

and

FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Rights Agent

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Dated as of June 27, 1998


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
Section 1.    Certain Definitions    2
Section 2.    Appointment of Rights Agent    6
Section 3.    Issue of Right Certificates    6
Section 4.    Form of Right Certificates    9
Section 5.    Countersignature and Registration    9
Section 6.    Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates    10
Section 7.    Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights    11
Section 8.    Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates    13
Section 9.    Availability of Preferred Shares    14
Section 10.    Preferred Shares Record Date    14
Section 11.    Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of Rights    15
Section 12.    Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares    26
Section 13.    Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power    26
Section 14.    Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares    28
Section 15.    Rights of Action    30
Section 16.    Agreement of Right Holders    30
Section 17.    Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder    31
Section 18.    Concerning the Rights Agent    32
Section 19.    Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent    33
Section 20.    Duties of Rights Agent    34
Section 21.    Change of Rights Agent    37
Section 22.    Issuance of New Right Certificates    38
Section 23.    Redemption    39
Section 24.    Exchange    40
Section 25.    Notice of Certain Events    42
Section 26.    Notices    43
Section 27.    Supplements and Amendments    44
Section 28.    Successors    45
Section 29.    Benefits of this Agreement    45
Section 30.    Severability    46
Section 31.    Governing Law    46

 

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Section 32.    Counterparts    46
Section 33.    Descriptive Headings    46
Section 34.    Administration    46

 

Exhibit A

   -    Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock

Exhibit B

   -    Form of Right Certificate

Exhibit C

   -    Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares

 

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RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Agreement, dated as of June 27, 1998, between Crane Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each Common Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding at the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on June 27, 1998 (the “Record Date”), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and has further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined).

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:


Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

(a) “Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are hereinafter defined) of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined) of 15% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding, but shall not include the Company, any Subsidiary (as such term is hereinafter defined) of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity holding Common Shares of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, The Crane Fund or The Crane Fund for Widows and Children. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an “Acquiring Person” as the result of an acquisition of Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person to 15% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company and shall, after such share purchases by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of the Company, then such Person shall be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an “Acquiring Person”, as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of Common Shares so that such Person would no longer be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person” for any purposes of this Agreement.

(b) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

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(c) A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of and shall be deemed to “beneficially own” any securities:

(i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;

(ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than these Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

 

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(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to Section 1(c)(ii)(B)) or disposing of any securities of the Company.

Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Owner to the contrary, the phrase “then outstanding,” when used with reference to a Person’s beneficial ownership of securities of the Company, shall mean the number of such securities then issued and outstanding together with the number of such securities not then actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be deemed to own beneficially hereunder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Company’s directors or officers shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any Common Shares of the Company owned by any other director or officer of the Company solely by virtue of such persons acting in their capacities as such, including, without limitation, in connection with any formulation and publication of the Board of Directors’ recommendation of a position, and any actions taken in furtherance thereof, with respect to any acquisition proposal relating to the Company, a tender or exchange offer for any Common Shares of the Company or any solicitation of proxies with respect to any Common Shares of the Company.

 

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(d) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

(e) “Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M. New York time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M. New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

(f) “Common Shares” when used with reference to the Company shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company. “Common Shares” when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned Person.

(g) “Distribution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

(h) “Final Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

(i) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

(j) “Preferred Shares” shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company having the rights and preferences set forth in the Form of Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, a copy of which is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.

 

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(k) “Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) hereof.

(l) “Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

(m) “Shares Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.

(n) “Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the holders of the Common Shares) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.

Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates. (a) Until the earlier of (i) the tenth day after the Shares Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth Business Day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of the commencement by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the

 

6


Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, The Crane Fund or The Crane Fund for Widows and Children) of, or of the first public announcement of the intention of any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, The Crane Fund or The Crane Fund for Widows and Children) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any Person becoming an Acquiring Person (including any such date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights; the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the “Distribution Date”), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof) by the certificates for Common Shares of the Company registered in the names of the holders thereof (which certificates shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) the right to receive Right Certificates will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Shares of the Company. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, send) by first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares of the Company as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (a “Right Certificate”), evidencing one Right for each Common Share of the Company so held. As of the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.

(b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “Summary of Rights”), by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares of the Company as of the Close of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for

 

7


Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the holders thereof together with a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto. Until the Distribution Date (or the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company represented thereby.

(c) Certificates for Common Shares of the Company which become outstanding (including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares of the Company referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph (c)) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Crane Co. and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, dated as of June 27, 1998 (the “Rights Agreement”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of Crane Co. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. Crane Co. will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to any Person who becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) may become null and void.

With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares of

 

8


the Company represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any Common Shares of the Company after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Shares of the Company shall be deemed cancelled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company which are no longer outstanding.

Section 4. Form of Right Certificates. The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase Preferred Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be substantially the same as Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 22 hereof, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth therein at the Purchase Price, but the number of such one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer, either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the Company’s seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not be

 

9


valid for any purpose unless countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its principal office, books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates.

Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates. Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right Certificates (other than Right Certificates representing Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant to Section 24 hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one

 

10


one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office of the Rights Agent. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.

Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company’s request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights. (a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may, subject to the second paragraph of Section 11(a)(ii), exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights

 

11


Agent at the principal office of the Rights Agent, together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share as to which the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on June 27, 2008 (the “Final Expiration Date”), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the “Redemption Date”), or (iii) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof.

(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share purchasable pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $250.00, and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) below (the “Purchase Price”).

(c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the shares to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof by wire transfer, certified check, cashier’s check, official bank check or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Shares certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs the depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in

 

12


lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.

(d) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to such holder’s duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates. All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all cancelled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such cancelled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

 

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Section 9. Availability of Preferred Shares. The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares or any Preferred Shares held in its treasury, the number of Preferred Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights in accordance with Section 7. The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares.

The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Shares in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or to deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is due.

Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date. Each Person in whose name any certificate for Preferred Shares is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights

 

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was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number of Preferred Shares or other securities covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be

 

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proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.

(ii) Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement, in the event any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right shall thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Company’s Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the occurrence of such event; provided, however, that if the transaction that would otherwise give rise to the foregoing adjustment is also subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof, then only the provisions of Section 13 hereof shall apply and no adjustment shall be made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii). In the event that any Person shall become an Acquiring Person and the Rights shall then be outstanding, the Company shall not take any action which would eliminate or diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

 

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From and after the occurrence of such event, any Rights that are or were acquired or beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) shall be void and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right to exercise such Rights under any provision of this Agreement. No Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 that represents Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof; no Right Certificate shall be issued at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any Right Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be cancelled.

(iii) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares of the Company issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii), the Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares of the Company for issuance upon exercise of the Rights. In the event the Company shall, after good faith effort, be unable to take all such action as may be necessary to authorize such additional Common Shares of the Company, the Company shall substitute, for each Common Share of the Company that would otherwise be issuable upon exercise of a Right, a number of Preferred Shares or fraction thereof such that the current per share market price of one Preferred Share multiplied by such number or fraction is equal to the current per share market price of one Common Share of the Company as of the date of issuance of such Preferred Shares or fraction thereof.

 

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(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Shares (“equivalent preferred shares”)) or securities convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred Share or equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less than the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (as defined in Section 11(d) hereof) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

 

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Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such current per share market price of the Preferred Shares; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company to be issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

 

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(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of any security (a “Security” for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) which fall within the one-year period ending on such date and have the lowest such average; provided, however, that in the event that the current per share market price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares, or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security and prior to the expiration of thirty (30) Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”)

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or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. The term “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i). If the Preferred Shares are not publicly traded, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of the Common Shares of the Company as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof), multiplied by one hundred. If neither the Common Shares of the Company nor the Preferred Shares are publicly held or so listed or traded, “current per share market price” shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

(e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred

 

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Share or one ten-thousandth of any other share or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii) the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.

(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares contained in Section 11(a) through (c), inclusive, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10 and 13 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths of a share

 

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covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.

(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and

 

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upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below one one-hundredth of the then par value, if any, of the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Preferred Shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.

(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall

 

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deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, issuance wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the current market price, issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, dividends on Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

(n) In the event that at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares of the Company payable in Common Shares of the Company or (ii) effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares of the Company (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares of the Company) into a greater or lesser number of Common Shares of the Company, then in any such case (A) the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable after such event upon proper exercise of each Right shall be determined by multiplying the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share so purchasable immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares of the Company outstanding immediately before such event and the denominator of which is the number of Common Shares of the Company outstanding immediately after such event, and (B) each Common Share of the Company outstanding immediately after such event shall have issued with respect to it that number of Rights which each Common Share of the Company outstanding

 

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immediately prior to such event had issued with respect to it. The adjustments provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be made successively whenever such a dividend is declared or paid or such a subdivision, combination or consolidation is effected.

Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company or the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25 hereof.

Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power. In the event, directly or indirectly, at any time after a Person has become an Acquiring Person, (a) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any other Person, (b) any Person shall consolidate with the Company, or merge with and into the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of the Common Shares of the Company shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person (or the Company) or cash or any other property, or (c) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person other than the Company or one or more of its

 

26


wholly-owned Subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares of such other Person (including the Company as successor thereto or as the surviving corporation) as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (B) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares of such other Person (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (ii) the issuer of such Common Shares shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term “Company” shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such issuer; and (iv) such issuer shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights in accordance with this Agreement) in connection with such consummation as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights. The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer unless prior thereto the Company and such issuer shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement so providing. The Company shall not enter into any transaction of the kind referred to in this Section 13 if at

 

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the time of such transaction there are any rights, warrants, instruments or securities outstanding or any agreements or arrangements which, as a result of the consummation of such transaction, would eliminate or substantially diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights. The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers.

Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares. (a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and

 

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asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.

(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it; provided, that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share. For the purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a Preferred Share shall be the closing price of a Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

(c) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives such holder’s right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above).

 

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Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Shares of the Company); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares of the Company), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares of the Company), may, in such holder’s own behalf and for such holder’s own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder’s right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.

Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares of the Company;

 

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(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer; and

(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

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Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent. The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred by the Rights Agent in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, obligation, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other professional services) (collectively, “Losses”), incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises.

The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability and shall be indemnified for and held harmless against any and all Losses for, or in respect of, any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its administration of this Agreement (i) in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper person or persons, or (ii) otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

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Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent. Any corporation or other Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other Person succeeding to the stock transfer or corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, that such corporation or other Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

 

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Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with or in reliance on such opinion.

(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any other Person only for its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

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(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or amount thereof) provided for in this Agreement, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after actual notice that such change or adjustment is required); nor shall it be responsible for any determination of the market value of the Rights or any Common Shares of the Company pursuant to the provisions hereof; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts,

 

35


instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken, or suffered or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions.

(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.

 

36


(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares of the Company or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares of the Company or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit such holder’s Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (i) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state of the United States so long as such corporation is

 

37


authorized to do business as a banking institution under such laws, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million or (ii) an affiliate of an institution that satisfies the requirements set forth in clause (i) of this sentence. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares of the Company or Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to appoint a successor Rights Agent or to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

38


Section 23. Redemption. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the “Redemption Price”). The redemption of the Rights by the Board of Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 23, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Within ten (10) days after such action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 23 or in Section 24 hereof, and other than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares of the Company prior to the Distribution Date.

 

39


Section 24. Exchange. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common Shares of the Company at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Ratio”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Shares of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, The Crane Fund or The Crane Fund for Widows and Children), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares of the Company equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to

 

40


all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares of the Company for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

(c) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares of the Company issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares of the Company for issuance upon exchange of the Rights. In the event the Company shall, after good faith effort, be unable to take all such action as may be necessary to authorize such additional Common Shares of the Company, the Company shall substitute, for each Common Share of the Company that would otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, a number of Preferred Shares or fraction thereof such that the current per share market price of one Preferred Share multiplied by such number or fraction is equal to the current per share market price of one Common Share of the Company as of the date of issuance of such Preferred Shares or fraction thereof.

(d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares of the Company or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares of the Company. In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common Shares of the

 

41


Company would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Common Share of the Company. For the purposes of this paragraph (d), the current market value of a whole Common Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share of the Company (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24.

Section 25. Notice of Certain Events. (a) In case the Company shall propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of its Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders of its Preferred Shares (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of its Preferred Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any other Person, (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares of the Company payable in Common Shares of the Company or to effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares of the Company (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares of the Company), then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution of

 

42


rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares of the Company and/or Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least ten (10) days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares of the Company and/or Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the earlier.

(b) In case the event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall occur, then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

Crane Co.

757 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Secretary

 

43


With a copy to:

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy

One Chase Manhattan Plaza

New York, New York 10005

Telecopier No: (212) 530-5219

Attention: Lawrence Lederman

Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

First Chicago Trust Company of New York

Suite 4660

525 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

Attention: Tenders and Exchanges Administration

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. The Company may from time to time and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to the Rights which the Company may deem necessary or desirable, any such supplement or amendment to be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent; provided, however, that from and after such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, this Agreement shall not be amended in any manner which would adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights

 

44


(other than any Acquiring Person and its Affiliates and Associates). Without limiting the foregoing, the Company may at any time prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person amend this Agreement to (a) lower the thresholds set forth in Sections 1(a) and 3(a) hereof from 15% to not less than the greater of (i) any percentage greater than the largest percentage of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company then known by the Company to be beneficially owned by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding Common Shares of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any Person who is not deemed an Acquiring Person) and (ii) 10%, (b) fix a Final Expiration Date later than the date set forth in Section 7 hereof, (c) reduce the Redemption Price or (d) increase the Purchase Price.

Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares of the Company) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares of the Company).

 

45


Section 30. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

Section 31. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State.

Section 32. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 33. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

Section 34. Administration. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer and interpret the provisions of this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors of the Company or to the Company or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement. All such actions, calculations, determinations and interpretations which are done or made by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties and shall not subject the Board of Directors of the Company to any liability to the holders of the Rights.

 

46


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

        CRANE CO.

Attest:

       

By

  

/s/ Augustus I. duPont

 

     By   

/s/ R.S. Evans

 

Title:

  

Secretary

     Title:   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

        FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF
    NEW YORK

Attest:

       

By

  

/s/ David Cohn

 

     By   

/s/ Joane Morostiola

 

  

Customer Service Officer

     Title:   

Assistant Vice President

 

47


Exhibit A

FORM

of

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

of

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

of

CRANE CO.

(Pursuant to Section 151 of the

Delaware General Corporation Law)

Crane Co., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation as required by Section 151 of the General Corporation Law at a meeting duly called and held on April 20, 1998:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of this Corporation (hereinafter called the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board of Directors hereby creates a series of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Corporation and hereby states the designation and number of shares, and fixes the relative rights, preferences, and limitations thereof as follows:

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

Section 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of this series shall be designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and the number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be five hundred thousand (500,000). Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the Corporation convertible into Series A Preferred Stock.


Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.

(A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock (or any other stock) ranking prior and superior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Corporation, and of any other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first day of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $1 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions, other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) of this Section immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $1 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a

 

A-2


quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(B) Except as otherwise provided herein, in any other Certificate of Designations creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock, in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the Corporation having general voting rights shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

(C) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

Section 4. Certain Restrictions.

(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

(i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

 

A-3


(ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (as to dividends and upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; or

(iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein, in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or in any other Certificate of Designations creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock or as otherwise required by law.

Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have received $100 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, provided that the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share, subject to

 

A-4


the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of shares of Common Stock, or (2) to the holders of shares of stock ranking on a parity (upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the proviso in clause (1) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

Section 8. No Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.

Section 9. Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all series of any other class of Preferred Stock.

Section 10. Amendment. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

A-5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Crane Co. has caused this Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock to be duly executed by its Chairman of the Board this      day of June, 1998.

 

Crane Co.

 

 

Chairman of the Board

 

A-6


Exhibit B

Form of Right Certificate

 

Certificate No. R-

                                   Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER JUNE 27, 2008 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.01 PER RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED BY ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) SHALL BECOME NULL AND VOID.

Right Certificate

CRANE CO.

This certifies that                      , or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 27, 1998 (the “Rights Agreement”), between Crane Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on June 27, 2008 at the principal office of the Rights Agent, or at the office of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-hundredth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Company, at a purchase price of $250 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the “Purchase Price”), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of June 27, 1998, based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and the above-mentioned offices of the Rights Agent.

This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the principal office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.


Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of $.01 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for Preferred Shares or shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share.

No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

 

B-2


WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal. Dated as of                      ,          .

 

ATTEST:      CRANE CO.

 

 

     By  

 

Countersigned:

FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK

 

By  

 

  Authorized Signature

 

B-3


Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if

such holder desires to transfer the Right

Certificate.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED                                                       hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto                             

 

 

 

(Please print name and address of transferee)

 

 

 

this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                          Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.

Dated:                      ,         

 

 

Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible institution (a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

 

 

 

Signature

 

B-4


Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate — continued

FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

(To be executed if holder desires to

exercise Rights represented by the Right

Certificate.)

To:     CRANE CO.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise                              Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such Preferred Shares be issued in the name of:

Please insert social security

or other identifying number

 

 

 

(Please print name and address)

 

 

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security

or other identifying number

 

 

 

(Please print name and address)

 

 

Dated:                      ,         

 

 

Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible institution (a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

B-5


Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate — continued

The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

 

 

 

Signature

NOTICE

The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Company and the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.

 

B-6


Exhibit C

UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS

AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED BY ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN

ACQUIRING PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) SHALL

BECOME NULL AND VOID

SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE

PREFERRED SHARES

On April 20, 1998, the Board of Directors of Crane Co. (the “Company”) declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Shares”), of the Company. The dividend is payable on June 27, 1998 (the “Record Date”) to the stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Company at a price of $250.00 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of June 27, 1998 (the “Rights Agreement”) between the Company and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”).

Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons have acquired beneficial ownership of 15% (which percentage may be reduced pursuant to the Rights Agreement) or more of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company (an “Acquiring Person”) or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% (which percentage may be reduced pursuant to the Rights Agreement) or more of the outstanding Common Shares (the earlier of such dates being called the “Distribution Date”), the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Share certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Share certificate with a copy of this Summary of Rights attached thereto.

The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Share certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of Common Shares will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“Right Certificates”) will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.


The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will expire on June 27, 2008 (the “Final Expiration Date”), unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case, as described below.

The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Shares of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares at a price, or securities convertible into Preferred Shares with a conversion price, less than the then-current market price of the Preferred Shares or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).

The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.

Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $100 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per Common Share. Each Preferred Share will have 100 votes, voting together with the Common Shares. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per Common Share. These rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions.

Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares’ dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the one one-hundredth interest in a Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one Common Share.

In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, the Rights Agreement provides that proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive (subject to adjustment) upon exercise that number of Common Shares having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group, which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share, or one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (or of a share of a class or series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).

 

C-2


The Rights Agreement provides that none of the Company’s directors or officers shall be deemed to beneficially own any Common Shares owned by any other director or officer by virtue of such persons acting in their capacities as such, including in connection with the formulation and publication of the Board of Directors recommendation of its position, and actions taken in furtherance thereof, with respect to an acquisition proposal relating to the Company or a tender or exchange offer for the Common Shares.

In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.

With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Shares on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.

At any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of affiliated or associated persons of beneficial ownership of 15% (which percentage may be reduced pursuant to the Rights Agreement) or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per Right (the “Redemption Price”). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time on such basis with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.

The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, including an amendment to (a) lower certain thresholds described above to not less than the greater of (i) the largest percentage of the outstanding Common Shares then known to the Company to be beneficially owned by any person or group of affiliated or associated persons (other than persons not deemed an Acquiring Person) and (ii) 10%, (b) fix a Final Expiration Date later than June 27, 2008, (c) reduce the Redemption Price or (d) increase the Purchase Price, except that from and after such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights (other than the Acquiring Person and its affiliates and associates).

Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

 

C-3


A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated June 26, 1998. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

C-4

Exhibit 4.2 Indenture dated as of April, 1991

between the Registrant and the Bank of New York

 


CRANE CO.

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of April 1, 1991

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         PAGE
PARTIES    1
RECITALS   

Authorization of Indenture

   1

Compliance with Legal Requirements

   1

Purpose of and Consideration for Indenture

   1
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS.
SECTION 1.1.   Certain Terms Defined    1
  Attributable Debt    2
  Board of Directors    2
  Board Resolutions    2
  Business Day    2
  Commission    3
  Consolidated Net Tangible Assets    3
  Corporate Trust Office    3
  Event of Default    3
  Funded Indebtedness    3
  Holder, Holder of Securities, Securityholder    3
  Indebtedness    3
  Indenture    4
  Interest    4
  Issuer    4
  Issuer Order    4
  Officers’ Certificate    4
  Opinion of Counsel    4
  Original Issue Date    4
  Original Issue Discount Security    5
  Outstanding    5
  Person    6
  Principal    6
  Responsible Officer    6
  Security or Securities    6
  Subsidiary    6
  Trustee    6
  Trust Indenture Act of 1939    7

 

- i -


         PAGE
  U.S. Government Obligations    7
  Vice President    7
  Yield to Maturity    7
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITIES.
SECTION 2.1.   Forms Generally    7
SECTION 2.2.   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    8
SECTION 2.3.   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    8
SECTION 2.4.   Authentication and Delivery of Securities    10
SECTION 2.5.   Execution of Securities    11
SECTION 2.6.   Certificate of Authentication    12
SECTION 2.7.   Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest    12
SECTION 2.8.   Registration, Transfer and Exchange    13
SECTION 2.9.   Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities    14
SECTION 2.10.   Cancellation of Securities; Destruction Thereof    16
SECTION 2.11.   Temporary Securities    16
ARTICLE THREE
COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE.
SECTION 3.1.   Payment of Principal and Interest    17
SECTION 3.2.   Offices for Payments, etc    17
SECTION 3.3.   Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee    17
SECTION 3.4.   Paying Agents    17
SECTION 3.5.   Certificate of the Issuer    19
SECTION 3.6.   Securityholders’ Lists    19
SECTION 3.7.   Reports by the Issuer    19
SECTION 3.8.   Reports by the Trustee    19
SECTION 3.9.   Limitations on Liens    19
SECTION 3.10.   Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back    23
SECTION 3.11.   Waiver of Certain Covenants    23

 

- ii -


         PAGE
ARTICLE FOUR
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT.

SECTION 4.1.

  Event of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default    24

SECTION 4.2.

  Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt    27

SECTION 4.3.

  Application of Proceeds    30

SECTION 4.4.

  Suits for Enforcement    32

SECTION 4.5.

  Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings.    32

SECTION 4.6.

  Limitations on Suits by Securityholders    32

SECTION 4.7.

  Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits    33

SECTION 4.8.

  Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default    33

SECTION 4.9.

  Control by Securityholders    34

SECTION 4.10.

  Waiver of Past Defaults    34

SECTION 4.11.

  Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances    35

SECTION 4.12.

  Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs    36
ARTICLE FIVE
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE.

SECTION 5.1.

  Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default    36

SECTION 5.2.

  Certain Rights of the Trustee    38

SECTION 5.3.

  Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof    39

SECTION 5.4.

  Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc    40

SECTION 5.5.

  Moneys Held by Trustee    40

SECTION 5.6.

  Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim    40

 

- iii -


         PAGE

SECTION 5.7.

  Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, etc    41

SECTION 5.8.

  Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee    41

SECTION 5.9.

  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee    42

SECTION 5.10.

  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee    43

SECTION 5.11.

  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee    44
ARTICLE SIX
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS.

SECTION 6.1.

  Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders    45

SECTION 6.2.

  Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities, Record Date    46

SECTION 6.3.

  Holders to Be Treated as Owners    46

SECTION 6.4.

  Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding    46

SECTION 6.5.

  Right of Revocation of Action Taken    47
ARTICLE SEVEN
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

SECTION 7.1.

  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders    48

SECTION 7.2.

  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders    49

SECTION 7.3.

  Effect of Supplemental Indenture    51

SECTION 7.4.

  Documents to Be Given to Trustee    51

SECTION 7.5.

  Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures    51
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE.

SECTION 8.1.

  Issuer may Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms    52

SECTION 8.2.

  Successor Corporation Substituted    52

SECTION 8.3.

  Opinion of Counsel to Trustee    53

 

- iv -


         PAGE
ARTICLE NINE
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE;
UNCLAIMED MONEYS.

SECTION 9.1.

  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture    53

SECTION 9.2.

  Issuer’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    55

SECTION 9.3.

  Defeasance and Discharge    55

SECTION 9.4.

  Covenant Defeasance    56

SECTION 9.5.

  Conditions to Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance    56

SECTION 9.6.

  Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities    59

SECTION 9.7.

  Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent    59

SECTION 9.8.

  Return of Moneys Held By Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years    59

SECTION 9.9.

  Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations    60

SECTION 9.10.

  Reinstatement    60
ARTICLE TEN
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

SECTION 10.1.

  Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability    60

SECTION 10.2.

  Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Securityholders    61

SECTION 10.3.

  Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture    61

SECTION 10.4.

  Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Securityholders    61

SECTION 10.5.

  Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to be Contained Therein    62

SECTION 10.6.

  Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays    63

SECTION 10.7.

  Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939    63

 

- v -


         PAGE

SECTION 10.8.

  New York Law to Govern    64

SECTION 10.9.

  Counterparts    64

SECTION 10.10.

  Effect of Headings    64
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 11.1.

  Applicability of Article    64

SECTION 11.2.

  Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions    64

SECTION 11.3.

  Payment of Securities Called for Redemption    66

SECTION 11.4.

  Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption    66

SECTION 11.5.

  Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds    67

TESTIMONIUM

   70

SIGNATURES

   70

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

   71

 

- vi -


THIS INDENTURE, dated as of April 1, 1991 between CRANE CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation (the “Trustee”),

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the issue from time to time of its unsecured bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;

NOW, THEREFORE:

In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 CERTAIN TERMS DEFINED. The following terms (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or the definitions of which in the Securities Act of 1933 are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term “GENERALLY ACCEPTED


ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words “HEREIN”, “HEREOF” and “HEREUNDER” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular.

“ATTRIBUTABLE DEBT” when used in connection with a sale and lease-back transaction referred to below shall mean, as of any particular time, the aggregate of present values (discounted at a rate per annum equal to the average interest borne by all Outstanding Securities determined on a weighted average basis and compounded semi-annually) of the obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary for net rental payments during the remaining term of all leases (including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended). The term “net rental payments” under any lease of any period shall mean the sum of the rental and other payments required to be paid in such period by the lessee thereunder, not including, however, any amounts required to be paid by such lessee (whether or not designated as rental or additional rental) on account of maintenance and repairs, reconstruction, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges required to be paid by such lessee thereunder or any amounts required to be paid by such lessee thereunder contingent upon the amount of sales, maintenance and repairs, reconstruction, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges.

“BOARD OF DIRECTORS” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act hereunder.

“BOARD RESOLUTION” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted or consented to by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.

“BUSINESS DAY” means, with respect to any Security, a day that in the city (and in each of the cities, if more than one) in which amounts are payable in respect of such Security, as specified in the form of such Security, is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law or regulation to close.

 

- 2 -


“COMMISSION” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or if at any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

“CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS” means at any date, the total assets appearing on the most recently prepared consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and the Subsidiaries as of the end of a fiscal quarter of the Issuer, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less (a) all current liabilities as shown on such balance sheet and (b) intangible assets. “Intangible assets” means the value (net of any applicable reserves), as shown on or reflected in such balance sheet of: (i) all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill; (ii) organizational costs; and (iii) deferred charges (other than prepaid items such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents and similar items and tangible assets being amortized); but in no event shall the term “intangible assets” include product development costs.

“CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

“EVENT OF DEFAULT” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 4.1, or established pursuant to Section 2.3 with respect to a series of Securities.

“FUNDED INDEBTEDNESS” means any Indebtedness maturing by its terms more than one year from the date of the determination thereof, including any Indebtedness renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor to a date later than one year from the date of the determination thereof.

“HOLDER”, “HOLDER OF SECURITIES”, “SECURITYHOLDER” or other similar terms mean the registered holder of any Security.

“INDEBTEDNESS”, means (i) all obligations for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations in respect of letters of credit or bankers acceptances or

 

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similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), (iv) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, (v) all obligations as lessee which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and (vi) all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries or for which the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries is otherwise responsible or liable (whether by agreement to purchase indebtedness of, or to supply funds or to invest in, others).

“INDENTURE” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

“INTEREST” means, when used with respect to non-interest bearing Securities, only interest payable after maturity.

“ISSUER” means Crane Co., a Delaware corporation, and, subject to Article Eight, its successors and assigns.

“ISSUER ORDER” means a written statement, request or order of the Issuer signed in its name by both (a) the chairman or vice chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or any vice president and (b) the treasurer or any assistant treasurer of the Issuer.

“OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE” means a certificate signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors or the president or any vice president and by the treasurer or the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and include the statements provided for in Section 10.5.

“OPINION OF COUNSEL” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer and who shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and include the statements provided for in Section 10.5, if and to the extent required hereby.

“ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE” of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.

 

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“ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT SECURITY” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.1.

“OUTSTANDING”, when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except

(a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), PROVIDED that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

(c) Securities in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of Section 2.9 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer).

In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.1.

 

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“PERSON” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“PRINCIPAL” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any”.

“RESPONSIBLE OFFICER” when used with respect to the Trustee means the chairman of the board of directors, any vice chairman of the board of directors, the chairman of the trust committee, the chairman of the executive committee, any vice chairman of the executive committee, the president, any vice president, the cashier, the secretary, the treasurer, any trust officer, any assistant trust officer, any assistant vice president, any assistant cashier, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer, or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“SECURITY” or “SECURITIES” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“SUBSIDIARY” means any corporation of which at least a majority of Outstanding securities having the voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time securities of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Issuer, or by one or more of the Subsidiaries, or by the Issuer and one or more Subsidiaries.

“TRUSTEE” means the person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article Five, shall also include any successor trustee. “Trustee” shall also mean or include each person who is then a trustee hereunder and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

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“TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939” (except as otherwise provided in Sections 7.1 and 7.2) means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally executed.

“U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

“VICE PRESIDENT” when used with respect to the Issuer or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title of “vice president”.

“YIELD TO MATURITY” means the yield to maturity on a series of Securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as is specified in the terms of such Security.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITIES

SECTION 2.1 FORMS GENERALLY. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form or forms (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors (and set forth in a Board Resolution or, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, in an Officers’ Certificate detailing such establishment) or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are not inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers of the Issuer executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.2 FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By  

 

  Authorized Signatory

SECTION 2.3 AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors (and set forth in a Board Resolution or, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, in an Officers’ Certificate detailing such establishment) and/or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series,

(1) the designation of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.9, 2.11 or 11.3);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;

 

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(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or any such date or dates shall be determined;

(5) the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable (if other than as provided in Section 3.2);

(6) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer;

(7) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof, and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(9) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.1 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.2;

(10) any other events of default or covenants with respect to the Securities of such series;

(11) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture); and

 

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(12) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series.

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

SECTION 2.4 AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery such Securities to or upon the written order of the Issuer (contained in the Issuer Order referred to below). In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 5.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(1) an Issuer Order requesting such authentication and setting forth delivery instructions if the Securities are not to be delivered to the Issuer;

(2) any Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate and/or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to which the form and terms of the Securities of such series were established;

(3) an Officers’ Certificate, prepared in accordance with Section 10.5, setting forth the form and terms of the Securities, stating that the form and terms have been established pursuant to Section 2.1 and 2.3 and comply with this Indenture, and covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and;

(4) an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 10.5, to the effect that

 

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(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities of such series have been established by or pursuant to Section 2.1 and 2.3 and comply with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) the authentication and delivery of such Securities by the Trustee are authorized under the provisions of this Indenture;

(c) such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer;

(d) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Issuer of the Securities have been complied with; and

(e) covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or board of trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders or would adversely affect the Trustee’s rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 2.5 EXECUTION OF SECURITIES. The Securities of any series shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by both (a) the chairman of its Board of Directors or any vice chairman of its Board of Directors or its president or any vice president and (b) by its treasurer or any assistant treasurer or its secretary or any assistant secretary, under its corporate seal which may, but need not, be attested. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. The seal of the Issuer may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

 

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In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

SECTION 2.6 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 2.7 DENOMINATION AND DATE OF SECURITIES; PAYMENTS OF INTEREST. The Securities of each series shall be issuable as registered securities without coupons and in denominations as shall be established by or pursuant to Section 2.3. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof. The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest, if any, from the date or dates and such interest shall be payable on the dates or dates as shall be specified in, or established as contemplated by, Section 2.3. Unless otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.3 for the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

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The person in whose name any Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to the Securities of such series with respect to any interest payment date for the Securities of such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for the Securities of such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Outstanding Securities for such series are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the holders of Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of such series, established as contemplated by Section 2.3, or, if no such date is so established, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.

SECTION 2.8 REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. The Issuer will keep or cause to be kept at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2 for each series of Securities a register or registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will register, and will register the transfer of, Securities as in this Article provided. Such register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such register or registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount.

 

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Any Security or Securities of any series may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of the same series in other authorized denominations, in an equal aggregate principal amount. Securities of any series to be exchanged shall be surrendered at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously Outstanding.

All Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.

The Issuer shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days next preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed, or (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security where public notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.

All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

SECTION 2.9 MUTILATED, DEFACED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or defaced, or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the

 

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same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced or destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

 

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SECTION 2.10 CANCELLATION OF SECURITIES; DESTRUCTION THEREOF. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee may destroy cancelled Securities held by it and, if applicable, deliver a certificate of destruction to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.11 TEMPORARY SECURITIES. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as registered Securities without coupons, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.2, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE THREE

COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST. The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest on, each of the Securities of such series at the place or places, at the respective times and in the manner provided in such Securities. Each instalment of interest on the Securities of any series may be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to or upon the written order of the holders of Securities entitled thereto as they shall appear on the registry books of the Issuer.

SECTION 3.2 OFFICES FOR PAYMENTS, ETC. So long as any of the Securities of a series remain Outstanding, the Issuer will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for the Securities of such series, an office or agency (a) where the Securities of such series may be presented for payment, (b) where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and (c) where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities of such series or of this Indenture may be served. The Issuer will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 2.3, the Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office as the office to be maintained by it for each such purpose. In case the Issuer shall fail to so designate or maintain any such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 3.3 APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY IN OFFICE OF Trustee. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 5.9, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities hereunder.

SECTION 3.4 PAYING AGENTS. Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section,

 

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(a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series or of the Trustee,

(b) that it will give the Trustee written notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable, and

(c) pay any such sums so held in trust by it to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s written request at any time during the continuance of the failure referred to in clause (b) above.

The Issuer will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

 

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Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 9.3 and 9.4.

SECTION 3.5 CERTIFICATE OF THE ISSUER. The Issuer will furnish to the Trustee on or before April 30 in each year (beginning with 1992) a brief certificate (which need not comply with Section 10.5) from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Issuer as to his or her knowledge of the Issuer’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture).

SECTION 3.6 SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS. If and so long as the Trustee shall not be the Security registrar for the Securities of any series, the Issuer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the holders of the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (a) semiannually not more than 15 days after each record date for the payment of interest on such Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date and on dates to be determined pursuant to Section 2.3 for noninterest bearing securities in each year, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished.

SECTION 3.7 REPORTS BY THE ISSUER. The Issuer covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports which the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

SECTION 3.8 REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE. Any Trustee’s report required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 shall be transmitted on or before April 1 in each year following the date hereof, so long as any Securities are Outstanding hereunder, and shall be dated as of a date convenient to the Trustee no more than 60 nor less than 45 days prior thereto.

SECTION 3.9 LIMITATIONS ON LIENS. After the date hereof and so long as any Securities are Outstanding, the

 

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Issuer will not issue, assume or guarantee, and will not permit any Subsidiary to issue, assume or guarantee, any Indebtedness which is secured by a mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance (any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance being hereinafter in this Article referred as a “lien” or “liens”) of or upon any assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, of the Issuer or any such Subsidiary without effectively providing that the Securities (together with, if the Issuer shall so determine, any other Indebtedness of the Issuer ranking equally with the Securities) shall be equally and ratably secured by a lien ranking ratably with and equal to (or at the Issuer’s option prior to) such secured Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

(a) liens on any assets of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Subsidiary;

(b) liens on any assets existing at the time of acquisition of such assets by the Issuer or a Subsidiary, or liens to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such assets upon the acquisition of such assets by the Issuer or a Subsidiary or to secure any indebtedness incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Issuer or a Subsidiary prior to, at the time of, or within 360 days after such acquisition (or in the case of real property, the completion of construction (including any improvements on an existing asset) or commencement of full operation of such asset, whichever is later) which indebtedness is incurred, assumed or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof or, in the case of real property, construction or improvements thereon; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of any such acquisition, construction or improvement, the lien shall not apply to any assets theretofore owned by the Issuer or a Subsidiary, other than, in the case of any such construction or improvement, any real property on which the property so constructed, or the improvement, is located;

(c) liens on any assets to secure indebtedness of a Subsidiary to the Issuer or to another wholly-owned domestic Subsidiary;

(d) liens on any assets of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged into

 

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or consolidated with the Issuer or a Subsidiary or at the time of a purchase, lease or other acquisition of the assets of a corporation or firm as an entirety or substantially as an entirety by the Issuer or a Subsidiary;

(e) liens on any assets of the Issuer or a Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any State thereof, or in favor of any other country, or any political subdivision thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price (or, in the case of real property, the cost of construction) of the assets subject to such liens (including, but not limited to, liens incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial revenue or similar financings);

(f) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) to (e), inclusive; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the principal amount of indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the assets which secured the lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements and construction on real property);

(g) liens imposed by law, such as mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, materialmen’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, vendors’ or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business, or governmental (federal, state or municipal) liens arising out of contracts for the sale of products or services by the Issuer or any Subsidiary, or deposits or pledges to obtain the release of any of the foregoing liens;

(h) pledges, liens or deposits under worker’s compensation laws or similar legislation and liens or judgments thereunder which are not currently dischargeable, or in connection with bids, tenders,

 

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contracts (other than for the payment of money) or leases to which the Issuer or any Subsidiary is a party, or to secure the public or statutory obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary, or in connection with obtaining or maintaining self-insurance or to obtain the benefits of any law, regulation or arrangement pertaining to unemployment insurance, old age pensions, social security or similar matters, or to secure surety, appeal or customs bonds to which the Issuer or any Subsidiary is a party, or in litigation or other proceedings such as, but not limited to, interpleader proceedings, and other similar pledges, liens or deposits made or incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(i) liens created by or resulting from any litigation or other proceeding which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, including liens arising out of judgments or awards against the Issuer or any Subsidiary with respect to which the Issuer or such Subsidiary is in good faith prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review or for which the time to make an appeal has not yet expired; or final unappealable judgment liens which are satisfied within 15 days of the date of judgment; or liens incurred by the Issuer or any Subsidiary for the purpose of obtaining a stay or discharge in the course of any litigation or other proceeding to which the Issuer or such Subsidiary is a party;

(j) liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or delinquent, or which can thereafter be paid without penalty, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; landlord’s liens on property held under lease; and any other liens or charges incidental to the conduct of the business of the Issuer or any Subsidiary or the ownership of the assets of any of them which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit and which do not, in the opinion of the Issuer, materially impair the use of such assets in the operation of the business of the Issuer or such Subsidiary or the value of such assets for the purposes of such business; or

(k) liens not permitted by clauses (a) through (j) above if at the time of, and after giving effect

 

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to, the creation or assumption of any such lien, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries secured by all such liens not so permitted by clauses (a) through (j) above together with the Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Lease-back Transactions permitted by paragraph (a) of Section 3.10 do not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

SECTION 3.10 LIMITATIONS ON SALE AND LEASE-BACK. The Issuer agrees that it will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement with any person providing for the leasing by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of any property or assets, other than any such arrangement involving a lease for a term, including renewal rights, for not more than 3 years, whereby such property or asset has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or any Subsidiary to such person (herein referred to as a “Sale and Lease-back Transaction”), unless:

(a) the Issuer or such Subsidiary would, at the time of entering into a Sale and Lease-back Transaction, be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a lien on the property or asset to be leased in an amount at least equal to the Attributable Debt in respect of such Sale and Lease-back Transaction without equally and ratably securing the Securities pursuant to Section 3.9; or

(b) the proceeds of the sale of the property or assets to be leased are at least equal to the fair value of such property or assets (as determined by Board of Directors of the Issuer) and an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the property or assets so leased are applied, within 90 days of the effective date of any such Sale and Lease-back Transaction to the purchase or acquisition (or, in the case of property, the construction) of property or assets or to the retirement (other than at maturity or pursuant to a mandatory sinking fund or redemption provision) of Securities or of Funded Indebtedness of the Issuer or a consolidated Subsidiary ranking on a parity with or senior to the Securities.

SECTION 3.11 WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS. The Issuer may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 3.9 or 3.10 with respect to Securities of any series if before the time

 

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for such compliance the holders of at least 66  2 / 3 % in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall (and evidenced as provided in Article Six) either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Issuer and the duties of the Trustee under this Indenture in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE FOUR

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 4.1 EVENT OF DEFAULT DEFINED; ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; WAIVER OF DEFAULT. “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series wherever used herein, means each one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) default in the payment of any instalment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal on any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund installment as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms of the Securities of such series; or

(d) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or agreement of the Issuer in respect of the Securities of such series or in this Indenture contained (other than a covenant or agreement

 

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in respect of the Securities of such series or in this Indenture contained a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section 4.1 specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(e) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(f) the Issuer shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its property, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(g) any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series.

If an Event of Default described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) or (g) above (if the Event of Default under clause (d) or (g) is with respect to less than all series of Securities then Outstanding) occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and

 

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every such case, unless the principal of all of the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding hereunder(each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) (if the Event of Default under clause (d) or (g), as the case may be, is with respect to all series of Securities then Outstanding), (e) or (f) occurs and is continuing, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class), by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities then Outstanding and interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of the Securities of any series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) and the principal of any and all Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, interest on such principal and on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as

 

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the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series (or at the respective rates of interest or Yields to Maturity of all the Securities, as the case may be) to the date of such payment or deposit) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith, and if any and all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein—then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities of such series, each series voting as a separate class (or of all the Securities, as the case may be, voting as a single class), then Outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

Section 4.2 COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS BY TRUSTEE; TRUSTEE MAY PROVE DEBT. The Issuer covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any instalment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of

 

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the Securities of such series or upon any redemption or by declaration or otherwisethen upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Securities of such series for principal or interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series to the registered holders, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Securities of such series be overdue.

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of such series, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator, custodian or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its property or such other obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other

 

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obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of any Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (or, if the Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of any series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence or bad faith) and of the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor,

(b) unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities of any series in any election of a receiver, assignee, trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator, custodian or other person performing similar functions in respect of any such proceedings, and

(c) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Securityholders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, assignee, receiver, or sequestrator, liquidator, custodian or other similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and

 

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their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, liquidation or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding except as set forth in clause (b) of the preceding paragraph.

All rights of action and to assert claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities of such series or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the payment of the expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Securities in respect to which such action was taken, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of such Securities parties to any such proceedings.

SECTION 4.3 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of any series shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which monies have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting) thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of like series if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

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FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses applicable to such series in respect of which monies have been collected, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys and of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith, and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.6;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without descrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over principal, or of any instalment of interest over any other instalment of interest,

 

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or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other person lawfully entitled thereto.

SECTION 4.4 SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT. In case an Event of Default has occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

SECTION 4.5 RESTORATION OF RIGHTS ON ABANDONMENT OF PROCEEDINGS. In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

SECTION 4.6 LIMITATIONS ON SUITS BY SECURITYHOLDERS. No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require

 

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against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.9 or 4.10; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such holder of Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of the applicable series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

SECTION 4.7 UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF SECURITYHOLDERS TO INSTITUTE CERTAIN SUITS. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture and any provision of any Security, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

SECTION 4.8 POWERS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER OF DEFAULT. Except as provided in Section 4.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Securityholder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to

 

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be a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to Section 4.6, every power and remedy given by this Indenture or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.

SECTION 4.9 CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected (with each such series voting as a separate class) at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by this Indenture; PROVIDED that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture and PROVIDED, FURTHER that (subject to the provisions of Section 5.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or if the Trustee in good faith shall so determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of holders of the Securities of all series so affected not joining in the giving of said direction, it being understood that (subject to Section 5.1 or 6.2) the Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such holders.

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Securityholders.

SECTION 4.10 WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS. Prior to a declaration of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 4.1, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding (each such series voting as a separate class) may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default or Event of Default described in clauses (d) or (g) of Section 4.1 which relates to less than all series of

 

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Securities then Outstanding, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder affected as provided in Section 7.2. Prior to a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 4.1, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities then Outstanding (voting as one class) may on behalf of all holders waive any past default or Event of Default referred to in said clauses (d) or (g) which relates to all series of Securities then Outstanding, or described in clause (e) or (f) of Section 4.1, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Security affected as provided in Section 7.2. In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of each series affected shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist and be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, and not to have occurred for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 4.11 TRUSTEE TO GIVE NOTICE OF DEFAULT, BUT MAY WITHHOLD IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. The Trustee shall give to the Securityholders of any series, as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the registry books, notice by mail of all defaults known to the Trustee which have occurred with respect to such series, such notice to be transmitted within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” or “defaults” for the purposes of this Section being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default); PROVIDED that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund instalment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such series.

 

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SECTION 4.12 RIGHT OF COURT TO REQUIRE FILING OF UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or group of Securityholders of any series holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, or, in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (d) or (g) of Section 4.1 (if the suit relates to Securities of more than one but less than all series), 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series Outstanding affected thereby, or in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clauses (d) or (g) (if the suit relates to all the Securities of all series then Outstanding), (e) or (f) of Section 4.1, 10% in aggregate principal amount of all Securities Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the due date expressed in such Security.

ARTICLE FIVE

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 5.1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEE; DURING DEFAULT; PRIOR TO DEFAULT. With respect to the holders of any series of Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

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No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct, except that

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction

 

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of the holders pursuant to Section 4.9 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it.

The provisions of this Section 5.1 are in furtherance of and subject to Sections 315 and 316 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

SECTION 5.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE. In furtherance of and subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and subject to Section 5.1:

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any Board Resolution, Issuer Order, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

 

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(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any Board Resolution, Issuer Order, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then Outstanding; PROVIDED that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; and

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

SECTION 5.3 TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS, DISPOSITION OF SECURITIES OR APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS THEREOF.

 

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The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 5.4 TRUSTEE AND AGENTS MAY HOLD SECURITIES; COLLECTIONS, ETC. The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and, if operative, may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

SECTION 5.5 MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.4 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder.

SECTION 5.6 COMPENSATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE AND ITS PRIOR CLAIM. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured or determined by, the income of the Trustee, including without

 

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limitation state franchise taxes) arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim of liability in the premises, except to the extent such loss, liability or expense is due to the negligence or bad faith of the Trustee or such predecessor Trustee. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim.

SECTION 5.7 RIGHT OF TRUSTEE TO RELY ON OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE, ETC. Subject to Sections 5.1 and 5.2, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

SECTION 5.8 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS TRUSTEE. The Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and which is eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or to the requirements of any federal, state, or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

 

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SECTION 5.9 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer and by mailing notice thereof by first class mail to holders of the applicable series of Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Security register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 4.12, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

 

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then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 6.1 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders.

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 5.10.

SECTION 5.10 ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 5.9 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appoint ment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Securities of such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment

 

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of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 9.4, pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder in respect of the Securities of such series and shall execute and deliveran instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.6.

If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such trustees cotrustees of the same trust and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures.

Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 5.10, the Issuer shall mail notice thereof by first-class mail to the holders of Securities of any series for which such successor trustee is acting as trustee at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security register. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may be combined with the notice called for by Section 5.9. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

SECTION 5.11 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS OF TRUSTEE. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be

 

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consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, PROVIDED that such corporation shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 5.8, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; PROVIDED, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

ARTICLE SIX

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

SECTION 6.1 EVIDENCE OF ACTION TAKEN BY SECURITYHOLDERS. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are

 

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delivered to the Trustee. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 5.1 and 5.2) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article.

SECTION 6.2. PROOF OF EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND OF HOLDING OF SECURITIES; RECORD DATE. Subject to Sections 5.1 and 5.2, the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the registrar thereof. The Issuer may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of holders of Securities of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action referred to in Section 6.1, which record date may be set at any time or from time to time by notice to the Trustee, for any date or dates (in the case of any adjournment or reconsideration) not more than 60 days nor less than five days prior to the proposed date of such vote or consent, and thereafter, notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, only holders of Securities of such series of record on such record date shall be entitled to so vote or give such consent or withdraw such vote or consent.

SECTION 6.3 HOLDERS TO BE TREATED AS OWNERS. The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such person, or upon such person’s order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.

SECTION 6.4 SECURITIES OWNED BY ISSUER DEEMED NOT Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, notice, direction, consent or waiver under this

 

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Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, notice, direction, consent or waiver only Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall promptly furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described persons; and, subject to Sections 5.1 and 5.2, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

SECTION 6.5 RIGHT OF REVOCATION OF ACTION TAKEN. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 6.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities Outstanding of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation

 

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in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities affected by such action.

ARTICLE SEVEN

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 7.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS. The Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (evidenced by a Board Resolution), and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets;

(b) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Article Eight;

(c) to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as its Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; PROVIDED, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee

 

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upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;

(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture; or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture or under any supplemental indenture as the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Securities;

(e) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 2.3; and

(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 5.10.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 7.2.

SECTION 7.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article Six) of the holders of not less than 66  2 / 3 % in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time

 

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Outstanding of all series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class), the Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (evidenced by a Board Resolution), and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of each such series; PROVIDED, that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) extend the final maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof (including any amount in respect of original issue discount), or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities or in accordance with the terms thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.1 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.2, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment at the option of the Securityholder, in each case without the consent of the holder of each Security so affected, or (b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences, provided for in this Indenture, without the consent of the holders of each Security so affected.

Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 6.1, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Issuer shall mail a notice thereof by first class mail to the holders of Securities of each series affected thereby at their addresses as they shall appear on the registry books of the Issuer, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

SECTION 7.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the holders of Securities of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 7.4 DOCUMENTS TO BE GIVEN TO TRUSTEE. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.1 and 5.2, may receive Board Resolutions, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Seven complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

SECTION 7.5 NOTATION ON SECURITIES IN RESPECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken at any such meeting. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding.

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

SECTION 8.1 ISSUER MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS. The Issuer covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with any other person or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any person, unless (i) either the Issuer shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation or the person which acquires by sale, lease or conveyance all or substantially all the assets of the Issuer (if other than the Issuer) shall be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Issuer, by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, and (ii) the Issuer, such person or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale, lease or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition.

SECTION 8.2 SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and following such an assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer, with the same effect as if it had been named herein. Such successor corporation may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Issuer prior to such succession, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation instead of the Issuer and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All of the

 

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Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

In the event of any such sale or conveyance (other than a conveyance by way of lease) the Issuer or any successor corporation which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Article shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be liquidated and dissolved.

SECTION 8.3 OPINION OF COUNSEL TO TRUSTEE. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.1 and 5.2, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and any such assumption, and any such liquidation or dissolution, complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

ARTICLE NINE

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE;

UNCLAIMED MONEYS.

SECTION 9.1 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE. If at any time (a) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all the Securities of any series Outstanding hereunder (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) or (c) in the case of any series of Securities where the exact amount of principal of and interest due on which can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in clause (ii) below, (i) all the Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and

 

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payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (ii) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 9.8) or, in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in U.S. dollars, direct non-callable obligations of the United States of America, backed by its full faith and credit (“U.S. Government Obligations”), maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash, or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of such series (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become due on or prior to such date of maturity or date of redemption, as the case may be, and if, in any such case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer with respect to Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefore (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including without limitation Section 5.6, (v) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them, and (vi) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2), and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series; PROVIDED, that the rights of holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of principal of and interest on the Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-

 

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applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed. The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series.

SECTION 9.2 ISSUER’S OPTION TO EFFECT DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE. In addition to discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Section 9.1, with respect to any series of Securities where the exact amount of principal and interest due on which can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in Section 9.5(a), the Issuer may at its option by Board Resolution elect at any time either (a) to effect a defeasance (as defined in Section 9.3) of the Securities of such series under Section 9.3 or (b) to effect a covenant defeasance (as defined in Section 9.4) of the Securities of such series under Section 9.4, in each case upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth below in this Article Nine.

SECTION 9.3 DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE. Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the option set forth in clause (a) of Section 9.2 with respect to the Securities of the series, the Issuer shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to the Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions precedent set forth in Section 9.5 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all its other obligations under the Securities of such series and under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for (i) the rights of holders of Securities of such series to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 9.5 as more fully set forth in such Section, payments of the principal of and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (ii) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (iii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iv) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (v) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee

 

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hereunder, (vi) the rights of holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vii) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2. Subject to compliance with this Article Nine, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 9.3 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.4 with respect to the Securities of such series.

SECTION 9.4 COVENANT DEFEASANCE. Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the option set forth in clause (b) of Section 9.2 with respect to the Securities of a series, the Issuer shall be released from its obligations under Sections 3.9, 3.10 and 8.1 with respect to the Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions precedent set forth in Section 9.5 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”). For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Securities of such series, the Issuer may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute an Event of Default under Section 4.1, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 9.5 CONDITIONS TO DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE. The following shall be the conditions precedent to the application of either Section 9.3 or Section 9.4 to the Securities of such series:

(a) the Issuer shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) non-callable U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment in respect of the Securities of such series, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient (without consideration

 

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of any reinvestment of such money, principal or interest), in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, (A) the principal of and interest on all Securities of such series on each date such principal or interest is due and payable and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series. Before such a deposit the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of the Securities of such series at a future date or dates in accordance with Article Eleven, if applicable to the Securities of such series, which shall be given effect in applying the foregoing.

(b) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing (i) on the date of such deposit or (ii) insofar as Subsections 4.1(e) and 4.1(f) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 121st day after the date of such deposit or, if longer, ending on the date following the expiration of the longest preference period applicable to the Issuer in respect of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance will not (i) cause the Trustee for the Securities of such series to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to any securities of the Issuer or (ii) result in the trust arising from such deposit to constitute, unless it is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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(d) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound.

(e) If the Securities of such series are then listed on any national securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee on Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the exercise of the option under Section 9.3 or 9.4, as the case may be, will not cause such Securities to be delisted.

(f) In the case of an election under Section 9.3, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Issuer has received from the United States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) a private letter ruling, (ii) there has been published by the IRS a general revenue ruling, or (iii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in each case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(g) In the case of an election under Section 9.4, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

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(h) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Issuer in connection therewith pursuant to Section 2.3.

(i) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section 9.3 or the covenant defeasance under Section 9.4 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

SECTION 9.6 APPLICATION BY TRUSTEE OF FUNDS DEPOSITED FOR PAYMENT OF SECURITIES. Subject to Section 9.8, all moneys and obligations and proceeds thereof deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.1 or 9.5 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys and obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

SECTION 9.7. REPAYMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

SECTION 9.8 RETURN OF MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT UNCLAIMED FOR TWO YEARS. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed

 

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property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or such paying agent, before being required to make any such repayment with respect to moneys deposited with it for any payment shall at the expense of the Issuer, mail by first class mail to holders of such Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the security register, notice, that such moneys remain and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than thirty days from the date of such mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

SECTION 9.9 INDEMNITY FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.1 or 9.5 or the principal or interest received in respect of such obligations.

SECTION 9.10 REINSTATEMENT. If the Trustee or the paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.1 or 9.5 by reason of any legal proceedings or order or judgment or any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Nine until such time as the Trustee or paying agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with this Article Nine; PROVIDED that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the paying agent.

ARTICLE TEN

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 10.1 INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF ISSUER EXEMPT FROM INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any

 

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incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 10.2 PROVISIONS OF INDENTURE FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF PARTIES AND SECURITYHOLDERS. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the holders of the Securities.

SECTION 10.3 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF ISSUER BOUND BY INDENTURE. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 10.4 NOTICES AND DEMANDS ON ISSUER, TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities to or on the Issuer may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to the Issuer at 757 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention Secretary. Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office.

Where this Indenture provides for notice to holders, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security register. In any case where notice to holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so

 

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mailed, to any particular holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer and Securityholders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

SECTION 10.5 OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS OF COUNSEL; STATEMENTS TO BE CONTAINED THEREIN. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

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Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, on information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer of officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

SECTION 10.6 PAYMENTS DUE ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND Holidays. If the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

SECTION 10.7 CONFLICT OF ANY PROVISION OF INDENTURE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture by operation of Sections 310 and 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (an “incorporated provision”), such incorporated provision shall control.

 

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SECTION 10.8 NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of such State, except as may otherwise be required by mandatory provisions of law.

SECTION 10.9 COUNTERPARTS. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 10.10 EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 11.1 APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of such series.

SECTION 11.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION; PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS. Notice of redemption to the holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.

The notice of redemption to each such holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such holder to be redeemed, and any accrued interest,

 

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the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.

At least one Business Day prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.4) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If less than all the Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee at least 70 days prior to the date fixed for redemption an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities of such series may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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SECTION 11.3 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES CALLED FOR REDEMPTION. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue and, except as provided in Sections 5.5 and 9.4, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and any unpaid interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; PROVIDED that any semiannual payment of interest becoming due on the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Section 2.4 hereof.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by the Security.

Upon presentation of any Security of a series redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

SECTION 11.4 EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES FROM ELIGIBILITY FOR SELECTION FOR REDEMPTION. Securities shall be

 

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excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.

SECTION 11.5 MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL SINKING FUNDS. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date”.

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.7, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities.

On or before the sixtieth day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for the Securities of any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that none of the Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of principal or interest or Events of Default with respect to the Securities of such

 

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series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) stating whether or not the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such Officers’ Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such Officers’ Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer, on or before any such sixtieth day, to deliver such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Issuer (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for the Securities of such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash in immediately available funds without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series as provided in this Section.

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuer shall so request) with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $50,000 or less and the Issuer makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 11.2, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions

 

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thereof) so selected. Securities of any series which are (a) owned by the Issuer or an entity known by the Trustee to be directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer, as shown by the Security register, and not known to the Trustee to have been pledged or hypothecated by the Issuer or any such entity or (b) identified in an Officers’ Certificate at least 60 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being beneficially owned by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, the Issuer or an entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer shall be excluded from Securities of such series eligible for selection for redemption. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 11.2 (and with the effect provided in Section 11.3) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity.

At least one Business Day before each sinking fund payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date.

The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities for such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at

 

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the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article Four and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 4.9 or the default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of April 1, 1991.

 

   CRANE CO.
   By  

/s/ R.S. Evans

 

[CORPORATE SEAL]      Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 

Attest:
By  

/s/ Paul R. Hundt

 

  Secretary

 

   THE BANK OF NEW YORK
   By  

/s/ Salvatore D. Mineo

 

[CORPORATE SEAL]      Vice President

 

Attest:
By  

/s/ Robert M. Hall

 

  Assistant Treasurer

 

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STATE OF NEW YORK    )
   )     ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK    )

On this 23rd day of March, 1992 , before me personally came R. S. Evans, to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at 114 Glenwood Drive, Greenwich, CT.; that he is Chairman and CEO of CRANE CO., one of the corporations described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.

[NOTARIAL SEAL]

 

/s/ Marilyn Quadalupe

 

Notary Public

Marilyn Quadalupe

NOTARY PUBLIC State of New York

    No. 244932359

Qualified in Kings County

Commission Expires June 12, 1993

 

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STATE OF NEW YORK    )
   )     ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK    )

On this 17th day of March, 1992 , before me personally came Salvatore D. Mineo, to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at 230 Pelham Road, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10805; that he is a Vice President of THE BANK OF NEW YORK, one of the corporations described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.

[NOTARIAL SEAL]

 

/s/ Lucille Firrincieli

 

Notary Public

Lucille Firrincieli

Notary Public, State of New York

    No. 4842520

Qualified in Queens County

Certificate filed in New York County

Commission Expires Oct. 31, 1993

 

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Exhibit 10.1 Form of Employment / Severance Agreement

Between the Company and certain executive officers

Form I

CRANE CO.

EMPLOYMENT/SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

(Revised 3/95)

AGREEMENT by and between CRANE CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [Name] (the “Employee”), dated as of the      day of                      , 2006.

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), on the advice of its Organization and Compensation Committee, has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Employee, notwithstanding the possibility, threat, or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Employee by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control, to encourage the Employee’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Employee with compensation arrangements upon a Change of Control which provide the Employee with individual financial security and which are competitive with those of other corporations and, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

l. Certain Definitions .

(a) The “Effective Date” shall be the first date during the “Change of Control Period” (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a Change of Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which a Change of Control occurs, and it is reasonably demonstrated that such termination (l) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (2) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination.

(b) The “Change of Control Period” is the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier to occur of (i) the third anniversary of such date or (ii) the first day of the month next following the Employee’s normal retirement date (“Normal Retirement Date”) under Crane Co.’s Pension Plan for Non Bargaining Employees effective January 1, 1985 or under that retirement plan of a subsidiary of the Company in which the Employee is a participant, or any successor retirement plan (the “Retirement Plan”); provided , however , that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof is hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal

 

1


Date”), the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate on the earlier of (x) three years from such Renewal Date or (y) the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the Employee’s Normal Retirement Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.

2. Change of Control . For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean:

(i) The acquisition, other than from the Company, by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, but excluding, for this purpose, any such acquisition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or its subsidiaries, or the Crane Fund, a charitable trust under the laws of the State of Illinois, or any corporation with respect to which, following such acquisition, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by substantially the same individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the common stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such acquisition, of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be; or

(ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (as of the date hereof the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided 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 is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the Company (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act); or

(iii) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, with respect to which substantially the same individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the common stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not,

 

2


following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% 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 resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation, or a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or of the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

3. Employment Period . The Company hereby agrees to continue the Employee in its employ, and the Employee hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the earlier to occur of (a) the third anniversary of such date or (b) the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the Employee’s Normal Retirement Date (the “Employment Period”).

4. Terms of Employment .

(a) Position and Duties .

(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Employee’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements) authority duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Employee’s services shall be performed at the location where the Employee was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than thirty-five (35) miles from such location.

(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Employee is entitled, the Employee agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Employee hereunder, to use the Employee’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any outside activities have been conducted by the Employee prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Employee’s responsibilities to the Company.

(b) Compensation .

(i) Base Salary . During the Employment Period, the Employee shall receive an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) at a rate at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable to the Employee by the Company during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs.

 

3


During the Employment Period, the Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased at any time and from time to time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base salary awarded in the ordinary course of business to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Any increase in Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Employee under this Agreement. Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase.

(ii) Annual Bonus . In addition to Base Salary, the Employee shall be eligible (but not entitled) to receive, for each fiscal year during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (an “Annual Bonus”) (either pursuant to any incentive compensation plan maintained by the Company or otherwise) in cash on the same basis as in the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs or, if more favorable to the Employee, on the same basis as awarded at any time thereafter to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans . In addition to Base Salary and Annual Bonus payable as hereinabove provided, the Employee shall be entitled to participate during the Employment Period in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Such plans, practices, policies and programs, in the aggregate, shall provide the Employee with compensation, benefits and reward opportunities at least as favorable in the aggregate as the most favorable of such compensation, benefits and reward opportunities provided by the Company for the Employee under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee, as provided at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans . During the Employment Period, the Employee and/or the Employee’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs), at least as favorable as the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee and/or the Employee’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(v) Expenses . During the Employment Period, the Employee shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the

 

4


Employee in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(vi) Fringe Benefits . During the Employment Period, the Employee shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(vii) Office and Support Staff . During the Employment Period, the Employee shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Employee by the Company and its subsidiaries at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee, as provided at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(viii) Vacation . During the Employment Period, the Employee shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its subsidiaries as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

5. Termination .

(a) Death or Disability . This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the Employee’s death. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Employee has occurred (pursuant to the definition of “Disability” set forth below), it may give to the Employee written notice (given in accordance with Section 12(b) hereof) of its intention to terminate the Employee’s employment. In such event, the Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Employee (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Employee shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Employee’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means disability which, at least 26 weeks after its commencement, is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Employee or the Employee’s legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).

 

5


(b) Cause . The Company may terminate the Employee’s employment for “Cause.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall constitute either (i) personal dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit at the expense of the Company; (ii) repeated violations by the Employee of the Employee’s obligations under Section 4(a) of this Agreement which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Employee’s part and which are not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company; (iii) the commission of a criminal act related to the performance of duties, or the furnishing of proprietary confidential information about the Company to a competitor, or potential competitor, or third party whose interests are adverse to those of the Company; (iv) habitual intoxication by alcohol or drugs during work hours; or (v) conviction of a felony.

(c) Good Reason . The Employee’s employment may be terminated by the Employee for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means:

(i) the assignment to the Employee of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Employee’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Employee;

(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Employee;

(iii) the Company’s requiring the Employee to be based at any office or location other than that described in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of the Employee’s responsibilities;

(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Employee’s employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the Employee shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Employee for any reason during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

6


(d) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Employee’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than fifteen (15) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Employee to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Employee hereunder or preclude the Employee from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Employee’s rights hereunder.

(e) Date of Termination . “Date of Termination” means the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be; provided , however , that (i) if the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Employee of such termination and (ii) if the Employee’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Employee or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination .

(a) Death . If the Employee’s employment is terminated by reason of the Employee’s death, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Employee’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than those obligations accrued or earned and vested (if applicable) by the Employee as of the Date of Termination, including, for this purpose (i) the Employee’s full Base Salary through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination or, if higher, at the highest rate in effect at any time from the 90-day period preceding the Effective Date through the Date of Termination (the “Highest Base Salary”), (ii) the product of the Annual Bonus paid to the Employee for the last full fiscal year and a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (iii) any compensation previously deferred by the Employee (together with accrued interest thereon, if any) and not yet paid by the Company and any accrued vacation pay not yet paid by the Company (such amounts specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are hereinafter referred to as “Accrued Obligations”). All such Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Employee’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Employee’s family shall be entitled to receive benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and any of its subsidiaries to surviving families of employees of the Company and such subsidiaries under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating

 

7


to family death benefits, if any, in accordance with the most favorable plans, programs, practices and policies of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Disability Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee and/or the Employee’s family, as in effect on the date of the Employee’s death with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and their families.

(b) Disability . If the Employee’s employment is terminated by reason of the Employee’s Disability, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Employee, other than those obligations accrued or earned and vested (if applicable) by the Employee as of the Date of Termination, including for this purpose, all Accrued Obligations. All such Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Employee shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its subsidiaries to disabled employees and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee and/or the Employee’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and their families.

(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Employee’s employment shall be terminated for Cause, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Employee other than the obligation to pay to the Employee the Highest Base Salary through the Date of Termination plus the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Employee (together with accrued interest thereon, if any). If the Employee terminates employment other than for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Employee, other than those obligations accrued or earned and vested (if applicable) by the Employee through the Date of Termination, including for this purpose, all Accrued Obligations. All such Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

(d) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Employee’s employment other than for Cause, Disability, or death or if the Employee shall terminate his employment for Good Reason:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:

A. to the extent not theretofore paid, the Employee’s Highest Base Salary through the Date of Termination; and

 

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B. the product of (x) the greater of the Annual Bonus paid or payable (annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or for which the Employee has been employed for less than twelve full months) to the Employee for the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any, or the average bonus (annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or with respect to which the Employee has been employed by the Company for less than twelve full months) paid or payable to the Employee by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (the “Average Annual Bonus”), such greater amount being hereafter referred to as the “Highest Annual Bonus,” and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365;

C. the sum of (i) the Highest Base Salary and (ii) the Average Annual Bonus; and

D. in the case of compensation previously deferred by the Employee, all amounts previously deferred (together with accrued interest thereon, if any) and not yet paid by the Company, and any accrued vacation pay not yet paid by the Company; and

(ii) for the remainder of the Employment Period, or such longer period as any plan, program, practice or policy may provide, the Company shall continue benefits to the Employee and/or the Employee’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them as if the Employee’s employment had not been terminated, in accordance with the most favorable employee welfare benefit plans (as such term is defined in Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) of the Company and its subsidiaries (including health insurance and life insurance) during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Employee, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees and their families, and for purposes of eligibility for retiree benefits pursuant to such employee welfare benefit plans, the Employee shall be considered to have remained employed until the end of the Employment Period and to have retired on the last day of such period.

7. Non-exclusivity of Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Employee’s continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plans, programs, policies or practices provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and for which the Employee may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Employee may have under any stock option, restricted stock, stock appreciation right, or other agreements with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Employee is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of the Company or any of its subsidiaries at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program; provided, however, that in the event the terms of any such plan, policy, practice or program concerning the payment of benefits

 

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thereunder shall conflict with any provision of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall take precedence but only if and to the extent the payment would not adversely affect the tax exempt status (if applicable) of any such plan, policy, practice or program and only if the Employee agrees in writing that such payment shall be in lieu of any corresponding payment from such plan, policy, practice or program.

8. Full Settlement . The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Employee or others. In no event shall the Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Employee may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Employee about the amount of any payment pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement), plus in each case interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company .

(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any economic benefit or payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (including, but not limited to, any economic benefit received by the Employee by reason of the acceleration of rights under the various option, restricted stock and stock appreciation right plans of the Company, but excluding any other economic benefit, which by the terms of the agreement or other document providing for such economic benefit, is expressly excluded from inclusion in the economic benefits covered by this Section 9(a)) (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up-Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the Company’s regular outside independent

 

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public accounting firm (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Employee within 15 business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company . The initial Gross-Up Payment, if any, as determined pursuant to this Section 9(b), shall be paid to the Employee within 5 days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Employee, it shall furnish the Employee with an opinion that the Employee has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on the Employee’s federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Employee.

 

11


(c) The Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the later of either (i) the date the Employee has actual knowledge of such claim, or (ii) ten days after the Internal Revenue Service issues to the Employee either a written report proposing imposition of the Excise Tax or a statutory Notice of Deficiency with respect thereto, and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Employee shall:

(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim,

(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Employee to request or accede to a request for an extension of the statute of limitations with respect only to the tax claimed, or pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the

 

12


Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Employee, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations requested or acceded to by the Employee at the Company’s request and relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Employee with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Employee shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

(d) If, after the receipt by the Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

(e) In the event that any state or municipality or subdivision thereof shall subject any Payment to any special tax which shall be in addition to the generally applicable income tax imposed by such state , municipality, or subdivision with respect to receipt of such Payment, the foregoing provisions of this Section 9 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , with respect to such special tax.

10. Confidential Information . The Employee shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Employee during the Employee’s employment by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Employee or the Employee’s representatives in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Employee under this Agreement.

 

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11. Successors .

(a) This Agreement is personal to the Employee and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Employee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Employee’s legal representatives.

(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

12. Miscellaneous.

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force and effect.

(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Employee :

 

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If to the Company :

Crane Co.

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

Attention: Secretary

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

(e) The Employee’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or any other provision thereof.

(f) This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Company and the Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

(g) The Employee and the Company acknowledge that the employment of the Employee by the Company is “at will,” and, prior to the Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Employee or the Company at any time. Upon a termination of the Employee’s employment or prior to the Effective Date, there shall be no further rights under this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employee has hereunto set Employee’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

EMPLOYEE

 

CRANE CO.

 

By:  

 

 

Attest:  

 

  Secretary

****************

Employment/Severance Agreements in substantially the above form have been entered into by the company with the following executive officers on the following dates:

 

A. I. duPont    January 22, 1996
E. C. Fast    September 27, 1999
E. M. Kopczick    January 22, 2001
J. A. Nano    November 26, 2001
T. M. Noonan    April 10, 2000
T. J. Perlitz    September 6, 2005
C. P. Robb    June 7, 2005
J. R. Vipond    March 10, 2005

 

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Exhibit 10.2 The form of indemnification agreements

entered into with each director and

executive officer of Company

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, effective as of                              between Crane Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                              (Indemnitee”).

WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of litigation and other claims being asserted against directors and officers of public companies at a time when it has become increasingly difficult to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable costs;

WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee’s need for substantial protection against personal liability in order to enhance Indemnitee’s continued service to the Company in an effective manner, the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the full extent (whether partial or complete) permitted by law and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained, for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, regardless of any future change in the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, composition of the Board of Directors, or structure of the Company;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of Indemnitee’s service to the Company, directly or indirectly, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. In the event Indemnitee was, is, or becomes a party to or a witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or a witness or other participant in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation, whether conducted by the Company or any other party, that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to any such action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise (“Claim”) by reason of (or arising in part out of) the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity (an “Indemnifiable Event”), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by law (the determination of which shall be made by the Reviewing Party referred to below) as soon as practicable but in any event no later than thirty days after written demand is presented to the Company, against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for and defending or participating in the defense of (including on appeal) any Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event)


(collectively “Expenses”), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement) of such Claim and, if so requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall advance (within two business days of such request) any and all such Expenses to Indemnitee; provided, however, that (i) the foregoing obligation of the Company shall not apply to a Claim that was commenced by the Indemnitee without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Company unless the Claim was commenced after a Change in Control (as defined in Section 5 herein); (ii) the foregoing obligation of the Company shall be subject to the condition that an appropriate person or body (the “Reviewing Party”) shall not have determined (in a written opinion in any case in which the special, independent counsel referred to in Section 4 hereof is involved) that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified for such Expenses under applicable law; and (iii) if, when and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified for such Expenses under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid (unless Indemnitee has commenced legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, in which event Indemnitee shall not be required to so reimburse the Company until a final judicial determination requiring such reimbursement is made with respect thereto as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) and the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance any additional amounts to Indemnitee under this Agreement (unless there has been a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Indemnitee would be permitted to be so indemnified or entitled to such expense advances under applicable law).

2. If there has not been a Change in Control of the Company (as hereinafter defined), the Reviewing Party shall be (1) a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of directors who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding acting by majority vote, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, independent legal counsel by the use of a written opinion or (3) the stockholders. If there has been a Change in Control of the Company, the Reviewing Party shall be the special, independent counsel referred to in Section 4 hereof.

3. If Indemnitee has not been indemnified by the expiration of the foregoing thirty-day period or received expense advances or if the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified or be entitled to receive expense advances within two days of the request therefor in whole or in part under the applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation seeking from the court a finding that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification and expense advances or enforcement of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification and expense advances or challenging any determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof that Indemnitee is not entitled


to be indemnified or receive expense advances and the burden of proving that indemnification or advancement of expenses is not appropriate shall be on the Company; any determination by the Reviewing Party in favor of Indemnitee shall be conclusive and binding on the Company, unless facts supplied by Indemnitee which form the basis for the determination are subsequently determined to have been materially incorrect at the time supplied. Indemnitee agrees to bring any such litigation in any court in the states of New York or Delaware having subject matter jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper, and the Company hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding.

4. The Company agrees that if there is a Change in Control of the Company (as hereinafter defined), then with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments and expense advances under this Agreement or any other agreement or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events, the Company shall seek legal advice only from special, independent counsel selected by Indemnitee who a majority of the disinterested Directors approves (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and who has not otherwise performed services for the Company or Indemnitee. Such counsel, among other things, shall determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is permitted to be indemnified or is entitled to expense advances under applicable law and shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee to such effect. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the special, independent counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto except for willful misconduct or gross negligence.

5. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) “Change in Control of the Company” shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, or (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent


(either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or if the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets.

6. To the extent Indemnitee is successful in such proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) which are incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with any claim asserted or action brought by Indemnitee for (i) indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement or Company Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events and/or (ii) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance payment of Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

7. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any Claim but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any Claim relating in whole or in part to any Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith.

8. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere , or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or expense advance or that indemnification or expense advance is not permitted by applicable law.

9. The Company represents that it presently has in force and effect Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance on behalf of Indemnitee against certain customary liabilities which may be asserted against or incurred by Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees that, so long as Indemnitee shall continue to serve in a capacity referred to in Section 1 hereof, and thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible claim or threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee served in any capacity referred to in Section 1 hereof, the Company shall purchase and maintain in effect for the


benefit of Indemnitee such insurance providing, in all respects, coverage at least comparable to that presently provided; provided, however, if, in the business judgment of the then Board, either (a) the premium cost for such insurance is substantially disproportionate to the amount of coverage, or (b) the coverage provided by such insurance is so limited by exclusions that there is insufficient benefit from such insurance, then and in that event the Company shall not be required to maintain such insurance but shall and hereby agrees to the full extent permitted by law to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent of the coverage which would otherwise have been provided for the benefit of Indemnitee.

10. (a) In the event of any changes after the date of this Agreement in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of the Company to indemnify a person serving in a capacity referred to in Section 1 hereof, such change shall be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights, and the Company’s obligations, under this Agreement. In the event of any changes in any applicable law, statute, or rule which narrow the right of the Company to indemnify a person serving in a capacity referred to in Section 1 hereof, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.

(b) The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, laws and regulations in effect now or in the future, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

11. If the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable and may not be paid to Indemnitee because such indemnification is not permitted by law, then in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the full extent permitted by law, to the amount of expenses, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and Indemnitee on the other hand from the transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of Indemnitee on the other in connection with the events which resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of Indemnitee on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the


circumstances resulting in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this paragraph were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

12. All obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves in a capacity referred to in Section 1 hereof of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event.

13. (a) Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event or proceeding in which Indemnitee is made or is threatened to be made a party or a witness, Indemnitee shall notify the Company of the commencement of such Claim; but the omission so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have to indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement.

(b) Indemnitee shall not settle any claim or action in any manner which would impose on the Company any penalty, constraint, or obligation to hold harmless or indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement without the Company’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

14. If any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event, commenced against Indemnitee is also commenced against the Company, the Company shall be entitled to participate therein at its own expense, and, except as otherwise provided hereinbelow, to the extent that it may wish, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any Claim, the Company shall not be obligated to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, travel and lodging expenses arising out of Indemnitee’s participation in such Claim. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee’s own counsel in such Claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless (i) otherwise authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded, and so notified the Company, that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such Claim, or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Claim, in which cases the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any claim brought by or on behalf of the Company or its stockholders or as to which Indemnitee shall have made the conclusion set forth in (ii) of this Section 14.


15. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

16. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

17. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, Bylaw or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

18. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, spouses, heirs, executors, and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer or director of the Company or of any other enterprise at the Company’s request.

19. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

20. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state, but excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle which might refer such governance, construction or enforcement to the laws of another state or country.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

CRANE CO.
By:  

 

 

 

INDEMNITEE

 

****************

Agreements in substantially the above form have been entered into by the company with the following directors and executive officers on the following dates:

 

Eric C. Fast    September 9, 1999
Gil A. Dickoff    January 22, 1996
Augustus I. duPont    January 22, 1996
Elise M. Kopczick    January 22, 2001
Joan Atkinson Nano    November 26, 2001
Thomas M. Noonan    April 10, 2000
Anthony D. Pantaleoni    January 22, 1996
Thomas J. Perlitz    September 6, 2005
Curtis P. Robb    July 7, 2005
J. Robert Vipond    March 10, 2005
E. Thayer Bigelow, Jr.    January 22, 1996
Donald G. Cook    August 2, 2005
Karen E. Dykstra    April 26, 2004
Robert S. Evans    January 22, 1996
Richard S. Forte    January 22, 1996


Dorsey R. Gardner    January 22, 1996
Jean Gaulin    May 21, 2001
William E. Lipner    January 25, 1999
Ronald F. McKenna    January 23, 2006
Dwight C. Minton    January 22, 1996
Charles J. Queenan, Jr.    January 22, 1996
James L. L. Tullis    April 20, 1998

A. I. duPont

E. C. Fast

E. M. Kopczick

J. A. Nano

T. M. Noonan

T. J. Perlitz

C. P. Robb

J. R. Vipond

Exhibit 11

CRANE CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Exhibit 11 to FORM 10-K

Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2005

Computation of Net Income Per Share

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

     2005    2004     2003    2002     2001

Basic

            

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   $ 136,037    $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303    $ 16,628     $ 88,620

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —        —         —        (28,076 )     —  
                                    

Net income (loss)

   $ 136,037    $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303    $ (11,448 )   $ 88,620
                                    

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   $ 2.27    $ (1.78 )   $ 1.76    $ 0.28     $ 1.48

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —        —         —        (0.47 )     —  
                                    

Net income (loss) per share

   $ 2.27    $ (1.78 )   $ 1.76    $ (0.19 )   $ 1.48
                                    

Weighted average number of basic shares

     59,816      59,251       59,394      59,728       59,825

Diluted

            

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   $ 136,037    $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303    $ 16,628     $ 88,620

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —        —         —        (28,076 )     —  
                                    

Net income (loss)

   $ 136,037    $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303    $ (11,448 )   $ 88,620
                                    

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   $ 2.25    $ (1.78 )   $ 1.75    $ 0.28     $ 1.47

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —        —         —        (0.47 )     —  
                                    

Net income (loss) per share

   $ 2.25    $ (1.78 )   $ 1.75    $ (0.19 )   $ 1.47
                                    

Weighted average number of basic shares

     59,816      59,251       59,394      59,728       59,825

Add:

            

Adjustment to basic shares for dilutive stock options *

     597      —         322      —         530
                                    

Weighted average number of diluted shares

     60,413      59,251       59,716      59,728       60,355
                                    

* For the years ended 2004 and 2002, 735,000 shares and 318,000 shares, respectively, attributable to the exercise of outstanding options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was anti-dilutive.

Exhibit 13

Except for those portions of the Annual Report that are expressly incorporated herein by reference, the Annual Report is furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not deemed filed as part of this Form 10-K.


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

In the pages that follow, we discuss results, along with the events, trends, market dynamics and management initiatives that influenced them.

 

     Net Sales    

Favorable/
(Unfavorable)

Change

    Operating
Profit
   

Favorable/
(Unfavorable)

Change

    Operating
Margin (%)
 
            

(dollars in millions)

   2005    2004     $     %     2005     2004     $     %     2005    2004  

Segment Results:

                      

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 554    $ 512     $ 42     8     $ 86     $ 93     $ (7 )   (7 )   15.5    18.1  

Engineered Materials

     305      276       29     10       63       54       9     17     20.7    19.6  

Merchandising Systems

     166      169       (3 )   (2 )     13       10       3     32     7.7    5.7  

Fluid Handling

     954      862       92     11       76       52       24     46     8.0    6.1  

Controls

     82      72       10     14       7       5       2     32     8.9    7.7  

Elimination

     —        (1 )     1     —         —         —         —       —       —      —    
                                                                      

Total Segment Results

   $ 2,061    $ 1,890     $ 171     9     $ 245     $ 214     $ 31     15     11.9    11.3  
                                                                      

Corporate expense

     —        —         —       —         (31 )     (28 )     (3 )   (11 )   —      —    
                                                                      

Subtotal

     2,061      1,890       171     9       214       186       28     15     10.4    9.9  

Corporate–

                      

Asbestos charge

                (307 )     307         

Corporate–

                      

Environmental charge

                (40 )     40         
                                                                      

Total

   $ 2,061    $ 1,890     $ 171     9     $ 214     $ (161 )   $ 375       10.4    (8.5 )
                                                                      

Sales Growth:

                      

Core business

          157     8               

Foreign exchange

          14     1               
                                

Increase

        $ 171     9               
                                

Overview

The Company’s primary markets are aerospace, defense electronics, recreational vehicle, transportation, automated merchandising, petrochemical, chemical and power generation. Commercial aircraft production increased slightly in 2005 with continued growth expected in 2006. A higher business jet market is expected in 2006, while a declining trend in regional jet production is expected to continue. A modest increase in sales is expected in the defense electronics market in 2006. The 2005 demand in the recreational vehicle (“RV”) market remained high, as build rates continued at record levels. In 2006, RV deliveries are expected to be down slightly. The strong transportation trailer industry trend is represented by the 6% higher refrigerated trailer and dry van builds in 2005, but only a slight increase is anticipated in 2006. A key market driver for the automated merchandising market is factory employment, which remained flat in 2005 with no significant change anticipated in 2006. Demand from the petrochemical, chemical and power generation markets improved in 2005, and this trend is anticipated to continue next year for each of these markets.

Sales in 2005 increased $171 million, or 9%, to $2.061 billion compared with $1.890 billion in 2004. The sales increase was primarily due to core business growth of $157 million, or 8%. Sales growth also included $14 million from favorable foreign exchange. The Aerospace & Electronics segment’s sales increased $42 million, or 8%. The Aerospace Group had strong commercial OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) sales and higher aftermarket revenue. The Electronics Group experienced sales growth across most markets. In the Engineered Materials segment, demand for

 

2


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

fiberglass-reinforced panels from the recreational vehicle and transportation trailer markets remained strong. Overall, the vending machine market was weak in 2005, particularly in the second half, resulting in a slight sales decline compared with 2004 for the Merchandising Systems segment. The Fluid Handling segment’s sales increased $92 million, or 11%, and included sales of $5 million from acquisitions, a $9 million decline from a 2004 disposition, and favorable foreign exchange of $14 million. Excluding acquisitions, dispositions and foreign exchange, this segment’s sales increased 10%, reflecting the improved conditions in general industrial markets.

Total segment operating profit was $31 million, or 15%, higher in 2005 than in the prior year, and reflected improvement in four of the five operating segments. Higher sales from price increases and transportation market growth, in addition to operational improvement initiatives, led to increased operating profit in the Engineered Materials segment. Productivity gains from cost reduction activities, including negotiated procurement savings, outsourcing and value engineering, led to the operating profit increase in the Merchandising Systems segment. Fluid Handling operating profit benefited from pricing initiatives to offset raw material cost increases first experienced in 2004, as well as lean manufacturing initiatives. Aerospace Group operating profit was up slightly from last year, while the Electronics Group experienced lower operating profit due to lower-margin and loss contracts, and operating inefficiencies. This led to an overall decrease in operating profit in the Aerospace & Electronics segment.

Segment operating margins increased to 11.9% from 11.3% in 2004. This increase was mostly due to price increases and productivity improvements experienced in the Engineered Materials and Fluid Handling segments and cost reduction activities in the Merchandising Systems segment. The increase was somewhat offset by the unfavorable margins at the Aerospace Group from mix, right-sizing and new product development costs and, in the Electronics Group, from the costs associated with operating difficulties and lower-margin and loss contracts.

Operating income of $214 million compares favorably with the operating loss of $161 million experienced in 2004 (which included $347 million of asbestos and environmental charges). During 2004, the Company recorded a non-cash, pre-tax charge of $307 million ($203 million after-tax) for asbestos and $40 million for environmental liabilities ($26 million after taxes).

2005 net income was $136 million, or $2.25 per share, as compared with a net loss of $105 million, or $1.78 per share, in 2004. The 2004 net loss included non-cash charges for asbestos ($203 million, or $3.43 per share) and environmental ($26 million, or $.44 per share) liabilities and a gain from the sale of Victualic ($6.5 million, or $0.11 per share).

Asbestos Charge In October 2004, the Company reached an agreement in principle with representatives of a majority of then current claimants and an independent representative of future claimants to resolve all current and future asbestos-related personal injury claims against the Company, to be structured and implemented pursuant to Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. MCC Holdings, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formerly known as Mark Controls Corporation (“MCC”), entered into a Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) with representatives of a majority of then current claimants and a Settlement Trust Agreement, providing for a $280 million trust to be funded and administered to pay asbestos-related personal injury claims settled under the MSA. In connection with the terms of the MSA, which would have brought finality to this overall obligation, a third quarter 2004 asbestos charge of $322 million (pre-tax and after insurance) was recorded.

On December 2, 2004, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the District Court order approving Combustion Engineering’s asbestos-related bankruptcy plan of reorganization and addressed the scope of Section 524(g) and the appropriate structure of transactions providing relief for asbestos defendant companies under Section 524(g). The Court’s opinion, in the Company’s view, constituted a material change in the case law regarding Section 524(g) transactions, and accordingly, on January 24, 2005, the Company exercised its right to terminate the MSA.

The termination of the MSA placed the Company and asbestos claimants back into the tort system for the resolution of claims. In the fourth quarter of 2004, Crane Co. management, with the assistance of outside experts, made its best estimate of settlement and defense costs through 2011 (including certain related fees and expenses). The estimated asbestos liability was reviewed in light of these changes and resulted in a $14 million reduction to estimated cost after anticipated insurance recoveries, but before taxes, in the fourth quarter of 2004.

In the fourth quarter of 2005, Crane Co. management, with the assistance of outside experts, updated its estimate of asbestos settlement and defense costs through 2011 (including certain fees and expenses). Based on this review, the Company determined that no change in the liability was required.

Environmental Charge In 2004, an environmental charge of $40 million (pre-tax) was recorded for anticipated environmental cleanup costs. This charge was based on an agreement in principle with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the scope of work for further investigation and remediation of the Company’s Goodyear, Arizona Superfund site.

Management of the Company reviewed the status of this environmental accrual at December 31, 2005 and determined that no additional charge was necessary.

 

3


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Aerospace & Electronics

 

(dollars in millions)

   2005     2004  

Net sales

   $ 554     $ 512  

Operating profit

     86       93  

Assets

     476       480  

Operating margin

     15.5 %     18.1 %

Overview

The Aerospace & Electronics segment has two groups, the Aerospace Group and the Electronics Group, each structured as one company to reduce operating costs, eliminate duplication of overhead and capital expenditures, leverage and share intellectual capital, improve focus on customer solutions and provide the structure for efficient integration of acquisitions. In 2005, segment revenue was derived 61% from the Aerospace Group and 39% from the Electronics Group.

The Aerospace Group products are currently manufactured under the brand names Hydro-Aire, ELDEC, Lear Romec, P.L. Porter (“Porter”) and Resistoflex-Aerospace. The Group’s products are organized into the following solution sets: Landing Systems, Sensing and Controls, Fluid Management, Aircraft Electrical Power and Cabin.

The Electronics Group products are currently manufactured under the brand names Interpoint, ELDEC, Keltec, STC Microwave Systems, Olektron and General Technology. The Group’s products are organized into the following solution sets: Power, Microwave Systems, Electronic Manufacturing Services and Microelectronics/Wireless Monitoring.

2005 Operating Results

Sales of the Aerospace & Electronics segment increased $42 million, or 8%, in 2005 to $554 million. Operating profit declined $7 million, or 7%. Aerospace Group operating profit was up slightly, and Electronics Group operating profit declined because of the dilutive effect of lower-margin and loss contracts and operating inefficiencies. The operating margin for the segment was 15.5% in 2005 compared with 18.1% in 2004, reflecting the Electronics Group’s performance difficulties and the Aerospace Group’s OEM/aftermarket mix, higher engineering investment to support current and future sales, and additional costs for facility closure and workforce reductions. For the segment, operating working capital as a percent of sales improved to 26.2% at December 31, 2005 compared with 26.4% at December 31, 2004.

Aerospace Group

Aerospace Group sales increased by 10%, from $308 million in 2004 to $339 million in 2005. Sales growth reflected a strong increase in OEM demand and, to a lesser extent, higher aftermarket volume and incremental revenue of $4 million from the early 2004 acquisition of the Porter seat actuation business. Operating profit was up slightly in 2005, when compared with 2004, as increased earnings from strong OEM sales and increased high-margin aftermarket business were partly offset by the cost of workforce reductions, facility consolidations and increased engineering investment for new aircraft programs.

The commercial market accounted for about 78% of Aerospace Group sales in 2005, while sales to the military market were approximately 22% of the total. Sales in 2005 by the Group’s five solution sets were as follows: Landing Systems, 27%; Sensing and Controls, 23%; Fluid Management, 28%; Aircraft Electrical Power, 8%; and Cabin, 14%.

The Aerospace Group’s core business shipments to OEM customers in 2005 increased 15% above 2004 as a result of a significant increase in demand from the commercial market. Aftermarket sales in 2005 increased slightly compared with 2004. Sales to OEMs were 62% of the total in 2005 compared with 59% in 2004.

In 2005, the Aerospace Group continued to invest in new technology and new markets with an emphasis on products that improve safety and/or reduce operating costs. One new product is the hand-held SmartStem System introduced in 2005, which replaces the existing valve stem in an aircraft wheel with a radio frequency-equipped valve stem capable of

 

4


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

communicating tire pressure, temperature and other stored data wirelessly. The ease of use of the SmartStem System reduces labor costs, while the technology extends the life of a tire. SmartStem has been selected by Cessna for the business jet market using a handheld system and by Boeing for the 787/777 commercial aircraft using an on-board system. Another product under development is a weight and balance system (“AirWeighs ”). The AirWeighs system converts landing gear struts into scales that measure an aircraft’s weight and determine the center of gravity in seconds, versus the older method that calculates this information using average passenger and baggage weights. Automatically measuring actual aircraft weight and center of gravity information improves airline operations and enhances aircraft performance while focusing on safety. The Company is working with customers to incorporate this product into their aircraft.

In 2004, the Aerospace Group established the Cabin Systems solution set with the acquisition of Porter. In 2005, the Aerospace Group completed a facility consolidation of the Porter Woodland Hills, California, site into the Hydro-Aire Burbank, California, site to further improve the combined profitability of these units.

Electronics Group

In 2005, Electronics Group sales increased 6% to $215 million from $204 million in 2004. Operating profit declined by 24%. The Group faced operational challenges including meeting increased Power Solutions customer demand and the effect of lower-margin and loss contracts in Electronic Manufacturing Solutions and Microwave Solutions Systems. However, margins have shown significant improvement in the second half of 2005.

Electronics Group sales by market in 2005 were as follows: military/defense, 85%; commercial aerospace, 9%; medical, 3%; and space, 3%. Sales in 2005 by the Group’s solution sets were as follows: Power, 53%; Microwave Systems, 22%; Electronic Manufacturing, 12%; and Microelectronics/ Wireless Monitoring, 13%.

Power Solutions, the largest solution set of the Group, accounted for 53% of total Group revenue. Revenue growth during 2005 was strong at 12%. Operating profit margins in Power Solutions remained strong, the strongest for all product lines in the Electronics Group. Backlog at December 31, 2005, was 24% above prior-year levels.

Microwave Systems Solutions accounted for 22% of the Group’s total revenue. Revenue growth during 2005 was 7%. Operating profit was down 33% compared with 2004 and was impacted by costs associated with manufacturing throughput issues. Backlog at December 31, 2005, was 8% above prior year levels.

Electronics Manufacturing Solutions accounted for 12% of the Group’s revenue. This Solution set experienced a decline in revenues and had operational and business challenges resulting in an operating loss in 2005. Backlog at December 31, 2005, was 56% below prior year levels because of weak orders.

Microelectronics Solutions, which accounts for 13% of the Group’s total revenue, supports military and classified customers with unique solutions to their requirements and provides electronic solutions to the biomedical industry. Revenue growth during 2005 was 13%. Backlog at December 31, 2005, was 14% above prior year levels.

Outlook

For 2006, management expects the segment to show a modest increase in sales and operating profit with improved margins in both the Aerospace and Electronics Groups.

Improved sales and operating profit of the Aerospace Group are expected largely from strong 2006 OEM demand for commercial aircraft driven by record commercial aircraft build rates and productivity improvements. The anticipated improvement in the Aerospace Group’s margin is expected to be tempered by engineering investment for new programs and unfavorable mix of aftermarket sales.

In the Electronics Group, a modest increase in sales with improved margins is expected in 2006. Continued operating improvements are expected to more than offset the increased cost of engineering activities associated with new program wins and an expanded sales force.

 

5


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Engineered Materials

 

(dollars in millions)

   2005     2004  

Net sales

   $ 305     $ 276  

Operating profit

     63       54  

Assets

     189       188  

Operating margin

     20.7 %     19.6 %

Overview

The Engineered Materials segment is largely made up of the Kemlite fiberglass-reinforced plastic (“frp”) panel business, but it also includes Polyflon, a small specialty component business. Kemlite is the world’s largest manufacturer of frp panels for recreational vehicles (“RV”), truck trailers, building products and industrial building materials. Polyflon’s small, specialty components are used primarily as substrate materials for antennas.

2005 Operating Results

Engineered Materials sales increased by $29 million, or 10%, from $276 million in 2004 to $305 million in 2005. Operating profit increased by $9 million from $54 million in 2004 to $63 million in 2005. Operating margins were 20.7% in 2005 compared with 19.6% in 2004.

In 2005, Kemlite’s sales increased 10%, while operating profit increased 17%. Sales of frp panels to the RV market were up 5%, primarily due to price increases implemented in the latter half of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. Demand remained high in the RV market, as 377,000 units were built in 2005, higher than the twenty-five year record-setting build rate of 368,000 units in 2004. Sales of translucent roofs and interior scuff and liner panels for transportation trailers increased 20% in 2005 compared with 2004, as frp panels continued to displace traditional materials. Kemlite’s sales to the transportation market also benefited from price increases and incremental sales generated by an innovative new product, ArmorTuf, a high performance, lightweight, extremely impact-resistant liner panel. In addition, sales of frp “Design Solutions,” decorative products for the commercial building market, also increased.

Operating margins improved in 2005 primarily as a result of price increases to keep pace with the rise in raw material costs as well as operating efficiencies related to operational excellence programs, particularly higher manufacturing yield on materials.

In addition to cost reduction programs and operational excellence, the discipline of the strategic deployment process helped to drive improved profitability and working capital efficiencies. The working capital investment level was reduced to 5.1% of sales in 2005 compared with 5.3% in 2004 and on-time delivery remained very high at 97%.

Polyflon had sales of $3 million with operating profit margins of 22.1% in 2005.

Outlook

The Engineered Materials segment sales are expected to increase in 2006 because of continued displacement of traditional materials by frp, expansion and increased adoption of new products and price increases. Additionally, Kemlite plans to introduce a new continuous fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic product line named Zenicon. The lightweight, puncture resistant, recyclable thermoplastic panel will provide an entry into a variety of markets in which Kemlite does not presently participate. In an effort to more clearly describe the expanding array of products that Kemlite will offer, Kemlite’s name was changed to Crane Composites, Inc. as of January 1, 2006.

For 2006, slight growth in the transportation trailer market is anticipated, building products markets are expected to be flat and the RV market is anticipated to have a slight decline. The Engineered Materials segment anticipates some market share gains for sales increases.

In the dry van, trailer transportation and RV industry, Kemlite has a substantial portion of the overall frp market, but a much smaller share of the total panel market. Kemlite is continuing its efforts to replace aluminum, steel and wood panels in trailers, as well as aluminum exterior roofing and sidewall panels, with its frp panels. In the RV market, substitution targets include aluminum travel-trailer sidewalls, aluminum motor home sidewalls and rubber and aluminum roofing.

Kemlite has a very small percentage of the building products market. It has introduced a number of new decorative panel products in the last few years. Optimax HPL and Matrex were introduced in 2003 and 2004, respectively. In 2005, Kemlite introduced Formica FrpSelect and Varietex. Kemlite seeks to displace ceramic tile, wood, vinyl and other alternate materials in traditionally non-frp areas of commercial buildings with its products.

Kemlite’s strategy for 2006 includes the expansion of its presence internationally by increasing its sales force, technical assistance and product distribution in these countries.

Management anticipates higher revenue levels in 2006 than in 2005 from new product introductions and international expansion as well as market share gains and price increases. Raw material pricing is expected to be stable in 2006, at the level experienced in the second half of 2005. This stability, coupled with the higher sales levels and continued emphasis on all aspects of operational excellence and productivity improvement, is expected to result in an increase in 2006 operating profit and stable, strong margins.

 

6


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Merchandising Systems

 

(dollars in millions)

   2005     2004  

Net sales

   $ 166     $ 169  

Operating profit

     13       10  

Assets

     104       122  

Operating margin

     7.7 %     5.7 %

Overview

The Merchandising Systems segment, in 2005 and 2004, was comprised of two businesses: Crane Merchandising Systems (“CMS”), which makes food, snack and beverage vending machines as well as vending management software; and National Rejectors (“NRI”), which is based in Germany and makes coin changers and validators.

In January 2006, the Company acquired CashCode Co. Inc. (“CashCode”) for $86 million in cash. CashCode manufactures banknote validators for use in a variety of niche applications in the vending, gaming, retailing and transportation industries. Its bill-to-bill system has the capability to validate, store and recycle bills, allowing the cash taken in from one customer to be used for change to another customer. CashCode had sales of approximately $48 million in 2005 and serves a global marketplace with 75% of its sales outside the United States, of which the majority are in Europe and Russia. Located in Concord, Ontario, this acquisition is a strong complementary fit, as NRI is a leader in coin validation systems and CashCode is a leader in bill validation. The expanded customer base, geographic presence and product portfolio can be mutually leveraged by all three businesses.

CMS, which accounted for 82% of the 2005 segment sales, is primarily located in St. Louis, Boston and in Chippenham, England. Crane Merchandising Systems’ competitive advantage is the direct-sales business model, which allows more cost-efficient distribution, shorter lead times on equipment purchases and enhanced customer communications resulting in better customer service.

The CMS business unit is working to broaden product appeal to vending operators who are seeking to maximize return on investment and consumers who are looking for greater selection, product quality and transactional confidence.

Three new products introduced late in 2004 are being well received in the marketplace. These include a new food machine and a combination refrigerated machine that has the capability to vend snacks, food and bottles from one machine. Another introduction, Genesis, a “bean to cup” espresso table-top model, is making inroads in the demanding European coffee machine market.

2005 Operating Results

Segment sales were down slightly in 2005 at $166 million when compared with 2004 including favorable foreign currency translation of $0.6 million. Operating profit increased to $13 million, or 32%, from $10 million in 2004.

CMS sales of $136 million were down 3% from $141 million in 2004. Industry-wide demand for vending machines was weak in the second half of 2005. The softer sales reflect route operators’ lower profitability from higher gas prices and confectionary food costs and continued weakness in end markets, in part, from hurricane disruption. Operating profit declined 3% as the effect of the reduced sales volume in vending was partly offset by effective control of costs, including negotiated procurement savings, headcount reductions and value engineering. Softer sales also contributed to an increase in working capital from 17.0% of sales in 2004 to 18.0% in 2005.

CMS has been concentrating on operational excellence to significantly improve both customer focus and operations. On-time deliveries were maintained at a very high rate of 98% in 2005 and 97% in 2004.

NRI’s net sales in 2005 were $30 million, up 7%, when compared with 2004 sales of $28 million. Major factors in the improvement were increased sales of coin changers into the U.S. and improved demand in Europe. NRI had a profitable year in 2005 versus an operating loss in 2004. The additional sales, an improved cost structure from headcount reductions and lower severance costs accounted for the increase in operating profit.

Outlook

2006 sales are expected to grow primarily from the CashCode acquisition. Management expects to continue its emphasis on disciplined pricing and cost reductions. Value engineering is an important initiative in reducing product costs. The CashCode acquisition is expected to be modestly accretive to 2006 earnings.

 

7


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Fluid Handling

 

(dollars in millions)

   2005     2004  

Net sales

   $ 954     $ 862  

Operating profit

     76       52  

Assets

     693       735  

Operating margin

     8.0 %     6.1 %

Overview

The Fluid Handling segment consists of the Crane Valve Group, Crane Ltd., Resistoflex-Industrial, Crane Pumps & Systems, Crane Supply and Crane Environmental. The Valve Group manufactures and sells various types of industrial and commercial valves and actuators and provides valve testing, parts and services. Crane Ltd. manufactures pipe fittings, commercial valves, couplings and connectors for the building services, gas and water utility markets. Resistoflex-Industrial manufactures corrosion-resistant, plastic lined pipe, fittings and hose. Crane Pumps & Systems manufactures and sells pumps and pressure sewer systems for a wide range of applications. Crane Supply is a Canada-based distributor of pipe, valves and fittings, and Crane Environmental manufactures specialized water purification solutions for industrial and commercial markets.

Revenues of the Fluid Handling segment in 2005 were derived as follows: Valve Group, 53%; Crane Ltd., 13%; Resistoflex-Industrial Products, 5%; Crane Pumps & Systems, 11%; Crane Supply, 16%; and Crane Environmental, 2%.

The Fluid Handling segment experienced strong sales growth of 11% together with a 46% improvement in operating profit attaining an operating margin of 8.0% in 2005. Operating margins improved significantly from 6.1% in 2004 with increases in 5 of the 6 operating groups. Significant pricing initiatives were enacted to offset the negative impact in 2004 from raw material price increases and to keep pace with the continuing, yet more moderate, increases of 2005. A drive towards lean manufacturing across all business units has increased efficiency and profitability. Although challenges still remain, the supply chain has significantly strengthened from 2004 highlighted by the establishment of a second low-cost country source on many of our key components and increased productivity and output from our China joint ventures.

Demand for most of our industrial products, which is mainly driven by the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, refining, power, bio-fuels and mining markets, remained strong. Refineries increased spending in 2005 to keep up with the demand for gasoline. Refineries have been running at full capacity without planned shutdowns, resulting in a higher project-to-MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) mix and a build up of future shutdown maintenance opportunity. Product demand from alternative fuel markets has also increased, partly due to incentives to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and state legislation to replace certain fuel additives with ethanol. Conversely, demand was not as strong in the bulk pharmaceutical industry, which represents approximately 32% of our lined pipe and fitting end market. Capital spending in this market was significantly reduced as a result of litigation related to various drugs.

Along with increased sales and profitability, the Fluid Handling segment also made strides in several other key areas. New pricing disciplines were incorporated to offset raw material price increases and cost increases resulting from the re-valuation of the Chinese currency. Fluid Handling inventory turns have improved to 3.6 at December 31, 2005 from 3.4 at December 31, 2004, while working capital as a percentage of sales was 24.3% at December 31, 2005 compared with 26.1% at December 31, 2004.

2005 Operating Results

Fluid Handling sales of $954 million increased $92 million, or 11%, from $862 million in 2004. The sales gain was derived as follows: $82 million from 10% growth of core businesses; $5 million from acquisitions and $14 million from favorable currency translation; offset by a $9 million decrease from the absence of Victaulic, which was sold at the end of 2004. Core business growth was driven by industrial valve volume growth and sales price increases. Operating profit of $76 million in 2005 increased $24 million, or 46%, compared with $52 million in 2004. This increase is primarily a result of the higher revenue, increased operating efficiencies, continued migration towards low-cost country sourcing and pricing increases. Operating profit margin was 8.0% in 2005 compared with 6.1% in 2004.

Valve Group sales of $505 million increased $45 million, or 10%, from $460 million in 2004. Sales growth was $42 million, or 9%, from core businesses and 1% from favorable foreign currency translation. The revenue increase in the Valve Group was primarily due to the increased project business across all end markets at Xomox, strong power market demand and improved sales of China-sourced cast steel product at Crane Valves North America. In addition, the Company’s marine valve unit was successful in implementing price increases and

 

8


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Crane Process Flow Technologies had strong project growth in 2005. Operating profit of $35 million in 2005 increased $16 million, or 85%, compared with $19 million in 2004, reflecting increased sales, improvement in the marine valve business and overall improved operating costs. Valve Group inventory turns have improved to 3.5 at December 31, 2005 from 3.3 at December 31, 2004, while working capital as a percentage of sales was 26.3% at December 31, 2005 compared with 28.4% at December 31, 2004.

Crane Ltd. sales increased to $135 million, or 12%, from $120 million in 2004. Core sales growth was $23 million, or 19%, while the disposition of Victaulic resulted in lower sales of $9 million, or 7%. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 1%, which was offset by incremental sales from the 2004 Hattersley acquisition. The building service market, although relatively static, contributed to the sales growth as a result of improved product availability of the Hattersley line and increased pricing. Export demand for Crane valves was also strong with sales increasing by 64% over the prior year. The Wask product line, which is used in the gas market, had a record year driven by strong demand in the U.K. The U.K. government-regulated water market, in which the Viking Johnson product line is sold, experienced flat sales in 2005 when compared with 2004. Operating profit increased 94% to $13 million from approximately $7 million in 2004. An improved cost base from strategic sourcing and value engineering, major improvements in operating efficiency and to a lesser extent, price increases, all contributed to the increased operating profit. Operating profit margins increased from 5.6% in 2004 to 9.7 % in 2005.

Resistoflex-Industrial sales increased 10% to $46 million from $42 million in 2004 primarily due to incremental sales from PSI/Edlon, a third quarter 2005 acquisition. Reduced capital spending by the bulk pharmaceutical processing industry was the main contributor to weakened demand for lined pipe and fittings. A modest increase in MRO spending by the chemical processing industry and penetration into adjacent markets with new hose products offset the weakened pharmaceutical demand. Operating profit increased 55% to $5.2 million driven by benefits realized from past plant consolidations in the U.S., solid improvement in our European operations, strong end-market price increases and the acquisition of the PSI/Edlon business in August 2005.

Revenues for Crane Pumps & Systems increased to $104 million, or 4%, from $100 million in 2004. Growth was driven by a record year in the government market with a strong order trend. There was continued growth in water/waste water and specialty valve areas and successful new product initiatives in the professional plumbing and pressure sewer product lines. These gains were partially negated by declines in our traditional professional plumbing products due to drought conditions across many areas of the country. Significant price increases implemented over the past 18 months fully countered higher material costs. Despite the revenue growth, operating profit decreased from $11 million in 2004 to $7 million in 2005. Salem, Ohio facility closure expenses accounted for $2.5 million of the $4 million decline. Quality costs, primarily related to the decorative water feature product line produced at the Company’s China joint venture, and unfavorable product and customer mix, also reduced 2005 operating profit. Disruption and inefficiencies resulting from the Salem facility closure caused added costs in 2005. The operating inefficiencies were aggressively addressed and largely remedied in the second half of 2005. Benefits from these actions along with the full benefit of the Salem consolidation are expected to be realized in 2006.

Revenues at Crane Supply increased $26 million to $161 million, or a 20% increase from $135 million in 2004, due to continued growth in two key customer segments, contractors and industrial MRO. Continued growth in new construction starts, primarily in the industrial, commercial and institutional segments, and strong MRO activity in the mining and petrochemical markets continued through 2005. Operating profit margin was relatively unchanged at nearly 10% as price increases kept pace with the cost of core commodities.

Crane Environmental had sales of $17 million in 2005, an increase of approximately $1 million over 2004.

Outlook

Management expects gradual improvement in certain Fluid Handling end markets throughout 2006, particularly in the MRO market as maintenance was delayed at refineries in 2005. Improved profit margins are expected as we leverage increased volumes and realize the benefits from facility rationalizations, headcount reductions and operating efficiencies. Raw material costs are expected to remain stable in 2006.

 

9


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Controls

 

(dollars in millions)

   2005     2004  

Net sales

   $ 82     $ 72  

Operating profit

     7       5  

Assets

     48       50  

Operating margin

     8.9 %     7.7 %

Overview

The Controls segment is comprised of the Barksdale, Azonix and Dynalco businesses. Barksdale is a producer of ride-leveling, air-suspension control valves for heavy trucks and trailers, as well as pressure, temperature and level sensors used in a range of industrial machinery and equipment. Azonix produces ultra-rugged computers, measurement and control systems and intelligent data acquisition products. Dynalco is a manufacturer of engine compressor monitoring and diagnostic systems.

In 2005, orders from the oil and gas industry increased, as record oil prices drove oil exploration and production activities. The heavy truck market growth rate was 26% in 2005, while trailer production was up modestly.

2005 Operating Results

The Controls segment net sales of $82 million increased $10 million, or 14%, in 2005 as compared with 2004. The increase was primarily driven by volume increases from the oil and gas market. Sales were also positively impacted by new market penetration, higher orders from European customers and price increases. Segment operating profit of $7 million increased $2 million in 2005, or 32%, as compared with 2004. The increase in operating margins is mainly a result of volume and price increases.

Barksdale’s 2005 net sales increased 15% from the prior year. This increase is attributable to the strong performance in the oil and gas market, new market penetration and recovery in the European market. Barksdale’s improved margins over the prior year reflected the 33% increase in operating profit from volume and price increases.

Azonix’s net sales increased 23% in 2005 from the prior year. This increase is attributable to strong performance in the oil and gas market. Operating profit more than doubled from 2004. The strong performance was from volume increases, pricing actions and favorable product mix.

Dynalco experienced only a slight increase in sales with a decline in operating profit. Investment in new product development was largely the cause of the reduced profitability.

For the segment, inventory turns have increased to 4.8 times at December 31, 2005, compared with 4.2 times at December 31, 2004, while working capital as a percent of sales was 17.8% at December 31, 2005, compared with 19.9% at December 31, 2004.

Outlook

Management expects strong performance in this segment in 2006 with the continued high growth rate in the oil and gas market as well as planned new product introductions and targeted sales initiatives to gain market share. Only a slight increase in both the trailer and truck markets is anticipated in 2006. These factors together with the operational excellence initiatives are expected to further improve margins.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Corporate

 

(dollars in millions)

   2005     2004  

Corporate expense

   $ (31 )   $ (28 )

Corporate expense – Asbestos charge

     —         (307 )

Corporate expense – Environmental charge

     —         (40 )
                

Total Corporate

     (31 )     (375 )

Interest income

     2       1  

Interest expense

     (22 )     (23 )

Miscellaneous – net

     3       15  

Effective tax rate

     30.8 %     37.3 %

Total corporate expense decreased $344 million in 2005 due to the asbestos ($307 million) and environmental ($40 million) charges recorded in 2004 which were partly offset by a $3 million expense increase principally from employee-related costs.

Corporate – asbestos charge In October 2004, the Company reached an agreement in principle with representatives of a majority of then current claimants and an independent representative of future claimants to resolve all current and future asbestos-related personal injury claims against the Company, to be structured and implemented pursuant to Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. MCC Holdings, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formerly known as Mark Controls Corporation (“MCC”), entered into a Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) with representatives of a majority of then current claimants and a Settlement Trust Agreement, providing for a $280 million trust to be funded and administered to pay asbestos-related personal injury claims settled under the MSA. In connection with the terms of the MSA, which would have brought finality to this overall obligation, a third quarter 2004 asbestos charge of $322 million (pre-tax and after insurance) was recorded.

On December 2, 2004, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the District Court order approving Combustion Engineering’s asbestos-related bankruptcy plan of reorganization and addressed the scope of Section 524(g) and the appropriate structure of transactions providing relief for asbestos defendant companies under Section 524(g). The Court’s opinion, in the Company’s view, constituted a material change in the case law regarding Section 524(g) transactions, and accordingly, on January 24, 2005, the Company exercised its right to terminate the MSA.

The termination of the MSA placed the Company and asbestos claimants back into the tort system for the resolution of claims. In the fourth quarter of 2004, Crane Co. management, with the assistance of outside experts, made its best estimate of settlement and defense costs through 2011 (including certain related fees and expenses). The estimated asbestos liability was reviewed in light of these changes and resulted in a $14 million reduction to estimated cost after anticipated insurance recoveries, but before taxes, in the fourth quarter of 2004.

In the fourth quarter of 2005, Crane Co. management, with the assistance of outside experts, updated its estimate of asbestos settlement and defense costs through 2011 (including certain fees and expenses). Based on this review, the Company determined that no change in the liability was required.

Corporate expense – environmental charge In 2004, an environmental charge of $40 million (pre-tax) was recorded for anticipated environmental cleanup costs. This charge was based on an agreement in principle with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the scope of work for further investigation and remediation of the Company’s Goodyear, Arizona Superfund site.

Management of the Company reviewed the status of this environmental accrual at December 31, 2005 and determined that no additional charge was necessary.

Interest expense was about flat in 2005 when compared with 2004 reflecting consistent borrowing levels and financing terms.

Miscellaneous – net decreased $12 million in 2005 when compared with 2004. In 2004, the Company recognized $14 million from asset gains, of which $9 million was from the sale of the Victualic trademark and business assets. Equity income from the Industrial Motion Control Holdings LLC (“Ferguson”) joint venture was $6 million, or $2 million above the 2004 earnings of $4 million.

The effective tax rate was 30.8% in 2005 compared with 37.3% in 2004 as a result of the federal tax benefit related to the asbestos and environmental charges recorded in 2004. Excluding the impact of the asbestos and environmental charges, the effective tax rate in 2004 would have been 31.1%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow In 2005, the Company generated $182 million of cash provided from operating activities as compared with $111 million in the prior year. The $71 million increase was primarily from improved operating results and improved working capital. During 2005, the Company invested $27 million in capital expenditures, paid $27 million in dividends and $9 million for acquisitions. Cash and cash equivalents increased $130 million to $180 million at December 31, 2005.

The Company’s operating philosophy is to use cash provided from operating activities to provide value to shareholders by paying dividends and/or repurchasing shares, by reinvesting in existing businesses and by making acquisitions that will complement its portfolio of businesses.

Long-Term Debt and Notes Payable Net debt decreased by $133 million to $113 million at December 31, 2005 given flat debt levels from long-term agreements in place and higher cash balances from strong cash flow generation in 2005. The net debt to capital percentage was 13.1% at December 31, 2005, down from 27.1% at December 31, 2004.

As of December 31, 2005, the Company, or its subsidiaries, had various local currency credit lines; with maximum available borrowings of $32 million, underwritten by banks primarily in Canada, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom. These credit lines are typically available for borrowings up to 364 days and are renewable at the option of the lender. There was $0.3 million outstanding under these facilities at December 31, 2005.

On January 21, 2005, the Company entered into a five-year $450 million revolving credit agreement which extends through 2010. The $150 million term loan component was terminated by the Company in May 2005. The revolving credit component of $300 million allows the Company to borrow, repay, or to the extent permitted by the

 

11


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

agreement, prepay and re-borrow at any time prior to the stated maturity date, and the loan proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes including financing for acquisitions. The contractually committed facility was unused at February 27, 2006 and was not used throughout 2005. The agreement contains certain covenants including interest coverage and leverage ratio tests. The following table illustrates compliance with these financial covenants at December 31, 2005:

 

     December 31, 2005  
     As required by
debt covenants
    Actual  

Interest coverage ratio (1)

   ³  3.0 to 1.0     12.25 to 1.00  

Leverage ratio (2)

     £  65 %   27.8 %

(1) Ratio of income before taxes adjusted for interest expense, depreciation and amortization to interest expense.
(2) Ratio of total debt to total adjusted capitalization.

The Company has notes outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of $100 million maturing on October 1, 2006. These notes are unsecured, senior obligations of the Company that bear interest at an annualized rate of 6.75%. The Company has the intention and ability to refinance the $100 million obligation at maturity with long-term borrowings; therefore, it is classified as a long-term at December 31, 2005.

The Company has an effective shelf registration, filed on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing it to issue, in one or more offerings, up to $300 million in either senior or subordinated debt securities.

The Company believes that funds generated by its operations and funds available under current or new credit facilities will be sufficient to finance short- and long-term capital requirements.

In January 2006, the Company acquired CashCode for $86 million in cash. CashCode manufactures banknote validators and will be part of the Company’s Merchandising Systems segment.

Credit Ratings As of December 31, 2005, the Company’s senior unsecured debt was rated BBB- by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Baa2 by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”). Under prevailing market conditions, the Company believes that these ratings afford it adequate access to the public and private markets for debt.

Contractual Obligations Under various agreements, the Company is obligated to make future cash payments in fixed amounts. These include payments under the Company’s long-term debt agreements and rent payments required under operating lease agreements. The following table summarizes the Company’s fixed cash obligations as of December 31, 2005:

 

     Payments due by period

(in thousands)

   Total    2006    2007
–2008
   2009
–2010
   After 2010

Long-term debt(1)

   $ 300,104    $ 100,004      —        —      $ 200,100

Fixed interest payments

     94,750      17,750      22,000      22,000      33,000

Operating lease payments

     51,563      12,951      18,652      7,320      12,640

Purchase obligations

     21,949      21,560      389      —        —  

Pension and post retirement benefits (2)

     302,700      26,700      56,100      58,800      161,100
                                  

TOTAL

   $ 771,066    $ 178,965    $ 97,141    $ 88,120    $ 406,840
                                  

(1) Excludes deferred financing costs and original issue discount. Includes $100 million of 6.75% notes due October 2006, which the Company has the intention and the ability to refinance at maturity with long-term borrowings; therefore, the classification is long-term at December 31, 2005.
(2) Pension benefits are funded by the respective pension trusts. The postretirement benefit component of the obligation is approximately $2 million per year for which there is no trust and will be directly funded by the Company.

 

12


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Capital Structure

The following table sets forth the Company’s capitalization:

 

(dollars in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004  

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 254     $ 371  

Long-term debt

     293,248       296,592  
                

Total debt

     293,502       296,963  

Less cash and cash equivalents

     180,392       50,727  
                

Net debt*

     113,110       246,236  

Shareholders’ equity

     753,294       663,694  
                

Total capitalization

   $ 866,404     $ 909,930  
                

Net debt to shareholders’ equity*

     15.0 %     37.1 %

Net debt to total capitalization*

     13.1 %     27.1 %

* Net debt, a non-GAAP measure, represents total debt less cash and cash equivalents. The presentation of net debt provides useful information about the Company’s ability to satisfy its debt obligation with currently available funds.

Shareholders’ equity increased $90 million, primarily as a result of net income of $136 million and $30 million from stock award programs partly offset by unfavorable currency impacts of $41 million, cash dividends of $27 million and an $8 million charge to other comprehensive income to record a minimum pension liability.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is a party to a contractually committed off-balance sheet chattel paper financing facility that enables its Crane Merchandising Systems (“CMS”) business to offer various sales support financing programs to its customers. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, $30 million and $32 million respectively, was outstanding. Recourse to the Company for all uncollectible loans made to CMS’ customers by the banks under this agreement is limited to 20% of the outstanding balance per year.

The Company does not have any majority-owned subsidiaries that are not included in the consolidated financial statements, nor does it have any interests in or relationships with any special purpose off-balance sheet financing entities.

The Company’s $27 million investment in the Ferguson joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company has not guaranteed any of Ferguson’s debt or made commitments for any additional investment.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in the Accounting Policies note to the consolidated financial statements. Certain accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions,

 

13


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which they are determined to be necessary. The accounting policies described below are those that most frequently require management to make estimates and judgments and, therefore, are critical to understanding the Company’s results of operations. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of these accounting estimates and the related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Accounts Receivable The Company continually monitors collections from customers, and in addition to providing an allowance for uncollectible accounts based upon a customer’s financial condition, it writes off all receivables when customer accounts exceed 90 days past due. The Company aggressively pursues collection efforts on these overdue accounts and upon collection records the recovery. The allowances for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2005 and 2004 were $5.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively.

Inventories The Company values inventory at the lower of cost or market and regularly reviews inventory values on hand and records a provision for excess and obsolete inventory primarily based on historical performance and the Company’s forecast of product demand over the next two years. As actual future demand or market conditions vary from those projected by management, adjustments will be required.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets for continued appropriateness as circumstances warrant. These reviews are based upon projections of anticipated future undiscounted cash flows. No impairment charges were necessary for the three years ended December 31, 2005. While the Company believes these estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows could materially affect valuations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets As of December 31, 2005, the Company had $581 million of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives. An annual assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives is performed by the Company, as required. If the carrying value of goodwill or an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. A discounted cash flow model is used to determine the fair value for purposes of testing goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment. An impairment charge of $28 million was recorded in 2002 upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. Subsequent to adoption in 2002, no additional impairment charges have been required.

Contingencies The Company is subject to a number of proceedings, lawsuits and other claims (some of which involve substantial dollar amounts) that arise out of the conduct of normal business operations. Certain claims, which are also among the most significant claims the Company is facing, relate to activities conducted or alleged to have been conducted and to business activities that ceased decades ago. They relate principally to asbestos-related claims and environmental matters as set forth in the “Asbestos Liability” and “Other Contingencies” notes to the consolidated financial statements. In general, a liability is recognized for any contingency that is probable and reasonably estimable based on management’s judgment. In estimating the net liability for a contingency, the Company records an asset for the amount considered probable of recovery from its insurance coverage. An asset of $234.6 million has been recorded representing the probable insurance reimbursement for such asbestos-related claims using the rate of 40% for future recoveries.

As previously discussed, management, with the assistance of outside experts, has reviewed the estimated asbestos liability. Because of the many uncertainties inherent in predicting the course of asbestos litigation, management believes that it is not possible to make a meaningful estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability beyond the year 2011. Based on its most recent experience, the Company has made its best estimate of the costs through 2011 of resolving asbestos claims in the tort system. The Company’s best estimate of settlement and defense costs for both pending and future claims through 2011 (including certain related fees and expenses) amounted to $582 million at December 31, 2005, as compared with $650 million at December 31, 2004, or $347 million and $393 million, respectively, after probable insurance recoveries. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, approximately 56% and 60%, respectively, of the asbestos liability represented the estimated cost of future claims against the Company. Total asbestos charges, which were included in Corporate expense were $307 million in 2004, and none in 2005 and 2003. Total pre-tax cash payments for settlement and defense costs net of payments from insurers and including certain legal fees and expenses relating to the terminated MSA for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $45.3 million, $28.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The Company also paid $10 million to fund the MSA in 2004 of which $9.9 million was returned in 2005 upon termination of the agreement.

The Company has retained the firm of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc. (“HR&A”), a nationally recognized expert in the field, to assist management in estimating the Company’s asbestos liability in the tort system. HR&A reviews information provided by the Company concerning claims filed, settled and dismissed, amounts paid in settlements and relevant claim information such as the nature of the asbestos-related disease asserted by the claimant, the jurisdiction where filed and the time lag from filing to disposition of the claim. The methodology used by HR&A to project future asbestos costs was based largely on the Company’s experience during 2004 and 2005 for claims filed, settled and dismissed. The Company’s experience was compared to the results of previously conducted epidemi-ological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population of workers believed to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, HR&A estimates the number of future claims that would be filed, as well as the related settlement or indemnity costs that would be incurred to resolve those claims. This methodology has been accepted by numerous courts and is the same methodology that is utilized by the expert who is routinely retained by the asbestos claimants committee in asbestos-related bankruptcies. After discussions with the Company, HR&A assumed that costs of defending

 

14


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

asbestos claims in the tort system would increase to $37 million in 2006 and remain at that level (with increases of 4.5% per year for inflation) indexed to the number of estimated pending claims in future years. Based on this information, HR&A compiled an estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability for pending and future claims, based on claim experience over the past two years and covering claims expected to be filed through the year 2011. Although the methodology used by HR&A will also show claims and costs for periods subsequent to 2011 (up to and including the endpoint of the asbestos studies referred to above), management believes that the level of uncertainty is too great to provide for reasonable estimation of the number of future claims, the nature of such claims or the cost to resolve them for years beyond 2011, particularly given the possibility of federal legislation within that time frame. While it is reasonably possible that the Company will incur additional charges for asbestos liabilities and defense costs in excess of the amounts currently provided, the Company does not believe that any such amount can be reasonably estimated beyond 2011. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be incurred beyond 2011.

Estimation of the Company’s ultimate exposure for asbestos-related claims is subject to significant uncertainties, as there are multiple variables that can affect the timing, severity and quantity of claims. The Company cautions that its estimated liability is based on assumptions with respect to future claims, settlement and defense costs based on recent experience during the last few years that may not prove reliable as predictors. A significant upward or downward trend in the number of claims filed, depending on the nature of the alleged injury, the jurisdiction where filed and the quality of the product identification, or a significant upward or downward trend in the costs of defending claims, could change the estimated liability, as would any substantial adverse verdict at trial. A legislative solution or a revised structured settlement transaction could also change the estimated liability.

Since many uncertainties exist surrounding asbestos litigation, the Company will continue to evaluate its estimated asbestos-related liability and corresponding estimated insurance reimbursement as well as the underlying assumptions and process used to derive these amounts. These uncertainties may result in the Company incurring future charges or increases to income to adjust the carrying value of recorded liabilities and assets, particularly if the number of claims and settlement and defense costs escalates, or if legislation or another alternative solution is implemented; however, the Company is currently unable to estimate such future changes. Although the resolution of these claims may take many years, the effect on results of operations, cash flow and financial position in any given period from a revision to these estimates could be material.

See the full disclosure related to the Company’s asbestos liability in the notes to the consolidated financial statements on page 43.

For environmental matters, the Company records a liability for estimated remediation costs when it is probable that the Company will be responsible for such costs and they can be reasonably estimated. Generally, third party specialists assist in the estimation of remediation costs. The environmental remediation liability at December 31, 2005, is primarily for the former manufacturing site in Goodyear, Arizona (the “Site”) discussed below.

The Site was operated by UniDynamics/Phoenix, Inc. (“UPI”), which became an indirect subsidiary of the Company in 1985 when the Company acquired UPI’s parent company UniDynamics Corporation. UPI manufactured explosive and pyrotechnic compounds, including components for critical military programs, for the U.S. government at the Site from 1962 to 1993, under contracts with the Department of Defense and other government agencies and certain of their prime contractors. No manufacturing operations have been conducted at the Site since 1994. The Site was placed on the National Priorities List in 1983, and is now part of the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport North Superfund site. In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued administrative orders requiring UPI to design and carry out certain remedial actions, which UPI has done. Groundwater extraction and treatment systems have been in operation at the Site since 1994. A soil vapor extraction system was in operation from 1994 to 1998, was restarted in 2004 and is currently in operation.

In September 2004, after extensive negotiations regarding the scope of work to be undertaken at the Site after discovery of additional trichloroethylene contamination and the detection of perchlorate during routine testing, the Company reached agreement in principle with the EPA on a work plan for further investigation and remediation activities at the Site. This agreement is expected to be incorporated into a consent decree between the Company and the EPA in the near future. The Company recorded a before-tax charge of $40 million in the third quarter of 2004 for the estimated costs through 2014 of further environmental investigation and remediation at the Site, based on this agreement in principle with the EPA. Total environmental costs amounted to $40 million in 2004 and $.6 million in 2003; there were no charges in 2005. The Company does not believe that the ultimate liability for costs to be incurred in connection with the Site will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or cash flows; however, there can be no assurance that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in any given period.

Although it is impossible to predict the outcome of particular lawsuits or claims, the notes to the consolidated financial statements provide a summary of the uncertainties inherent in the process, the significant contingencies currently pending against the Company and the expectations related to the financial outcome of such contingencies. Adjustments to the amounts accrued will be made as circumstances change.

Pension Plans In the U.S., the Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan that covers approximately 59% of all U.S. employees. The benefits are based on years of service and compensation on a final average pay basis, except for certain hourly employees where benefits are fixed per year of service. This plan is funded with a trustee in respect to past and current service. Charges to expense are based upon costs computed by an independent actuary. The Company’s funding

 

15


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

policy is to contribute annually amounts that are allowable for federal or other income tax purposes. These contributions are intended to provide for future benefits earned to date and those expected to be earned in the future. A number of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries sponsor defined benefit pension plans that cover approximately 32% of all non-U.S. employees. The benefits are typically based upon years of service and compensation. These plans are funded with trustees in respect to past and current service. Charges to expense are based upon costs computed by independent actuaries. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute annually amounts that are allowable for tax purposes or mandated by local statutory requirements. These contributions are intended to provide for future benefits earned to date and those expected to be earned in the future.

The net periodic pension cost was $9 million in 2005 and $7 million in both 2004 and 2003. Employer cash contributions were $6 million in 2005 and $3 million in both 2004 and 2003. The Company expects, based on current actuarial calculations, to contribute cash of approximately $12 million to its pension plans in 2006. Cash contributions in subsequent years will depend on a number of factors including the investment performance of plan assets.

The following key assumptions were used to calculate the benefit obligation and net periodic cost for the periods indicated:

 

     Pension Benefits  

December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Benefit Obligations

      

U.S. Plans:

      

Discount rate

   6.00 %   6.25 %   6.40 %

Rate of compensation increase

   3.65 %   3.27 %   3.40 %

Non-U.S. Plans:

      

Discount rate

   4.95 %   5.48 %   5.56 %

Rate of compensation increase

   3.24 %   3.60 %   3.53 %

Net Periodic Cost

      

U.S. Plans :

      

Discount rate

   6.25 %   6.40 %   6.75 %

Expected rate of return on plan assets

   8.75 %   8.75 %   8.75 %

Rate of compensation increase

   3.27 %   3.40 %   3.75 %

Non-U.S. Plans:

      

Discount rate

   5.48 %   5.56 %   5.66 %

Expected rate of return on plan assets

   6.79 %   6.79 %   6.80 %

Rate of compensation increase

   3.60 %   3.53 %   4.21 %

In developing the long-term rate of return assumption, the Company evaluated input from actuaries and investment consultants as well as long-term inflation assumptions. Projected returns by such consultants are based on broad equity and bond indices.

The discount rate used by the Company for valuing pension liabilities is based on a review of high quality corporate bond yields with maturities approximating the remaining life of the projected benefit obligations.

Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions The Company and certain of its subsidiaries provide postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to current and former employees, hired before January 1, 1990, who meet minimum age and years of service requirements. The Company does not pre-fund these benefits and retains the right to modify or terminate the plans. The Company expects, based on current actuarial calculations, to contribute cash of $2 million to its postretirement benefit plans in 2006. The weighted average discount rates assumed to determine postretirement benefit obligations were 6.00% and 6.25% for 2005 and 2004, respectively. The health care cost trend rates assumed were 8.00% and 9.00% for 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

The Company’s cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company manages its exposures to these market risks through internally established policies and procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of interest-rate swap agreements and forward exchange contracts. The Company does not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Total debt outstanding of $294 million at December 31, 2005, was generally at fixed rates of interest ranging from 5.50% to 6.75%.

Following is an analysis of the potential changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates based upon sensitivity analysis that models effects of shifts in rates. These are not forecasts.

 

  The Company’s year-end portfolio is comprised primarily of fixed-rate debt; therefore, the effect of a market change in interest rates would not be significant.

 

  If, on January 1, 2006, currency exchange rates were to decline 1% against the U.S. dollar and the decline remained in place for 2006, based on the Company’s year-end 2005 portfolio, net income would decline approximately $.5 million.

Forward Looking Statements

Throughout this Annual Report to Shareholders, particularly in the President’s Letter to Shareholders on pages 11-14 and in the sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations on pages 18-31, the Company makes numerous statements about expectations of future performance and market trends and statements about plans and objectives and other matters, which because they are not historical fact may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Similar forward looking statements are made in reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, reports and documents and in written and oral presentations to investors, shareholders, analysts and others, regarding future results or expected developments. Readers are cautioned to consider, among others, the risk factors that will be described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2006, when evaluating such forward-looking statements about future results or developments.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations continues on page 53.

 

16


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     (in thousands, except per share data)  

For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Net sales

   $ 2,061,249     $ 1,890,335     $ 1,635,991  

Operating costs and expenses:

      

Cost of sales — operations

     1,418,662       1,298,874       1,105,566  

Asbestos charge

     —         307,794       —    

Environmental charges

     —         40,000       600  

Selling, general and administrative

     428,965       405,157       360,813  
                        
     1,847,627       2,051,825       1,466,979  
                        

Operating profit (loss)

     213,622       (161,490 )     169,012  

Other income (expense):

      

Interest income

     2,372       1,366       1,186  

Interest expense

     (22,416 )     (23,161 )     (20,010 )

Miscellaneous — net

     2,945       15,115       976  
                        
     (17,099 )     (6,680 )     (17,848 )
                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     196,523       (168,170 )     151,164  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     60,486       (62,749 )     46,861  
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 136,037     $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303  
                        

Basic net income (loss) per share

   $ 2.27     $ (1.78 )   $ 1.76  
                        

Average basic shares outstanding

     59,816       59,251       59,394  
                        

Diluted net income (loss) per share

   $ 2.25     $ (1.78 )   $ 1.75  
                        

Average diluted shares outstanding

     60,413       59,251       59,716  
                        

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

17


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     (in thousands except share data)  

Balance at December 31,

   2005     2004  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 180,392     $ 50,727  

Accounts receivable

     289,521       308,140  

Inventories

     272,354       284,291  

Deferred tax assets

     42,104       46,983  

Other current assets

     14,024       12,665  
                

Total current assets

     798,395       702,806  

Net property, plant and equipment

     263,791       287,596  

Insurance receivable – asbestos

     224,600       245,160  

Other assets

     223,610       237,415  

Intangible assets

     60,735       64,450  

Goodwill

     568,355       579,081  
                
   $ 2,139,486     $ 2,116,508  
                

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 254     $ 371  

Accounts payable

     149,647       161,477  

Current asbestos liability

     55,000       67,800  

Accrued liabilities

     174,366       157,730  

U.S. and foreign taxes on income

     19,322       22,636  
                

Total current liabilities

     398,589       410,014  

Long-term debt

     293,248       296,592  

Accrued pension and postretirement benefits

     56,649       40,518  

Deferred tax liability

     71,406       71,367  

Long-term asbestos liability

     526,830       581,914  

Other liabilities

     39,470       52,409  

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred shares, par value $.01; 5,000,000 shares authorized

     —         —    

Common shares, par value $ 1.00;
200,000,000 shares authorized; 72,426,139 shares issued;
60,408,001 shares outstanding (59,203,270 in 2004)
after deducting 12,018,138 treasury shares (13,222,869 in 2004)

     72,426       72,426  

Capital surplus

     114,788       111,434  

Retained earnings

     814,197       706,505  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     31,090       80,246  

Treasury stock

     (279,207 )     (306,917 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     753,294       663,694  
                
   $ 2,139,486     $ 2,116,508  
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

18


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     (in thousands)  

For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 136,037     $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303  

Asbestos charges

     —         203,272       —    

Environmental charges

     —         26,000       390  

Gain on divestiture

     —         (9,468 )     —    

Income from joint venture

     (5,965 )     (4,041 )     (3,097 )

Depreciation and amortization

     55,715       55,716       54,025  

Deferred income taxes

     23,905       18,506       2,778  

Cash provided from (used for) operating working capital

     5,032       (27,403 )     20,859  

Payments for asbestos-related fees and costs, net of insurance recoveries

     (45,338 )     (28,056 )     (7,938 )

Refund (payment) associated with terminated Master Settlement Agreement

     9,925       (10,000 )     —    

Other

     2,234       (8,141 )     (8,592 )
                        

TOTAL PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     181,545       110,964       162,728  
                        

Investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures

     (27,164 )     (22,507 )     (28,128 )

Proceeds from disposition of capital assets

     6,339       3,738       5,867  

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash and liabilities assumed of $388 in 2005, $11,060 in 2004 and $64,168 in 2003

     (8,823 )     (49,957 )     (168,818 )

Proceeds from divestitures

     —         15,320       1,600  
                        

TOTAL USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (29,648 )     (53,406 )     (189,479 )
                        

Financing activities:

      

Equity:

      

Dividends paid

     (26,962 )     (23,686 )     (23,768 )

Reacquisition of shares — open market

     —         (42,748 )     (6,641 )

Reacquisition of shares — stock incentive program

     (3,612 )     (1,820 )     (10,803 )

Stock options exercised

     22,236       16,329       17,056  

Debt:

      

Repayments of long-term debt

     (4,734 )     (100,231 )     (18,214 )

Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt

     (109 )     363       (48,181 )

Issuance of long-term debt

     —         —         216,113  
                        

TOTAL (USED FOR) PROVIDED FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (13,181 )     (151,793 )     125,562  
                        

Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents

     (9,051 )     2,444       7,118  
                        

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     129,665       (91,791 )     105,929  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     50,727       142,518       36,589  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 180,392     $ 50,727     $ 142,518  
                        

Detail of cash provided from (used for) operating working capital (Net of effects of acquisitions):

      

Accounts receivable

   $ 9,828     $ (26,466 )   $ 2,397  

Inventories

     5,090       (29,221 )     20,989  

Other current assets

     (1,759 )     198       (368 )

Accounts payable

     (8,024 )     39,145       7,235  

Accrued liabilities

     (253 )     (30,221 )     (12,877 )

U.S. and foreign taxes on income

     150       19,162       3,483  
                        

TOTAL

   $ 5,032     $ (27,403 )   $ 20,859  
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Interest paid

   $ 22,597     $ 25,741     $ 16,425  

Income taxes paid

     34,150       32,677       40,825  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

19


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(in thousands, except share data)

   Preferred
Shares
   Common
Shares
Issued at
Par
Value
   Capital
Surplus
   Retained
Earnings
    Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
    Treasury
Stock
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

BALANCE JANUARY 1, 2003

   —      $ 72,426    $ 106,421    $ 756,801       $ (,788 )   $ (285,798 )   $ 649,062  
                                                           

Net income

              104,303     $ 104,303           104,303  

Cash dividends

              (23,768 )           (23,768 )

Reacquisition of 756,986 shares

                    (16,836 )     (16,836 )

Exercise of stock options, 861,466 shares

                    17,056       17,056  

Tax benefit — stock options and restricted stock

           1,674              1,674  

Restricted stock awarded, 124,079 shares, net

              1,342           1,596       2,938  

Currency translation adjustment

                51,822       51,822         51,822  
                                                           

Comprehensive income

                156,125        
                                                           

BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2003

   —        72,426      108,095      838,678         51,034       (283,982 )     786,251  
                                                           

Net loss

              (105,421 )     (105,421 )         (105,421 )

Cash dividends

              (23,686 )           (23,686 )

Reacquisition of 1,443,404 shares

                    (44,568 )     (44,568 )

Exercise of stock options, 814,724 shares

                    16,329       16,329  

Tax benefit — stock options and restricted stock

           3,339              3,339  

Restricted stock awarded, 155,839 shares, net

              (3,066 )         5,304       2,238  

Minimum pension liability

                (2,072 )     (2,072 )       (2,072 )

Currency translation adjustment

                31,284       31,284         31,284  
                                                           

Comprehensive loss

                (76,209 )      
                                                           

BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2004

   —        72,426      111,434      706,505         80,246       (306,917 )     663,694  
                                                           

Net income

              136,037       136,037           136,037  

Cash dividends

              (26,962 )           (26,962 )

Reacquisition of 23,150 shares

                    (729 )     (729 )

Exercise of stock options, 998,331 shares

                    22,236       22,236  

Tax benefit — stock options and restricted stock

           3,354              3,354  

Restricted stock awarded, 229,550 shares, net

              (1,383 )         6,203       4,820  

Minimum pension liability

                (8,046 )     (8,046 )       (8,046 )

Currency translation adjustment

                (41,110 )     (41,110 )       (41,110 )
                                                           

Comprehensive income

              $ 86,881        
                                                           

BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2005

   —      $ 72,426    $ 114,788    $ 814,197       $ 31,090     $ (279,207 )   $ 753,294  
                                                           

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

20


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations Crane Co. (the “Company”) is a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products. The Company’s business consists of five reporting segments.

The Aerospace & Electronics segment consists of two product groups: Aerospace and Electronics. Aerospace products include pressure, fuel flow and position sensors and subsystems; electrical power components and subsystems; brake control systems; coolant, lube and fuel pumps; and seat actuation. Electronic products include high-reliability power supplies and custom microelectronics for aerospace, defense, medical and other applications; power management products, electronic radio frequency and microwave frequency components and subsystems for the defense, space and military communications markets; and customized contract manufacturing services and products for military and defense applications.

The Engineered Materials segment consists of Kemlite and Polyflon. Kemlite, representing almost the entire segment, manufactures fiberglass reinforced plastic panels for the truck trailer and recreational vehicle markets, industrial markets and the commercial construction industry. Polyflon is a manufacturer of specialty components, primarily substrate materials for antennas.

The Merchandising Systems segment consists of Crane Merchandising Systems, which makes food, snack and beverage vending machines, including vending machine software, and National Rejectors, Inc., which makes coin changers and validators in Europe.

The Fluid Handling segment manufactures and sells various types of industrial and commercial valves and actuators; provides valve testing, parts and services; manufactures and sells pumps and water purification solutions; distributes pipe, pipe fittings, couplings and connectors; and designs, manufactures and sells corrosion-resistant plastic-lined pipes and fittings.

The Controls segment consists of Barksdale, Azonix and Dynalco. Barksdale is a producer of ride-leveling, air-suspension control valves for heavy trucks and trailers, as well as pressure, temperature and level sensors used in a range of industrial machinery and equipment. Azonix produces ultra-rugged computers, measurement and control systems and intelligent data acquisition products. Dynalco is a manufacturer of engine compressor monitoring and diagnostic systems.

The relative size of these segments in relation to the total Company (both net sales and total assets) can be seen on page 50 –”Segment Information”.

Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include all controlled subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates over which the Company exercises significant influence but which it does not control (generally 20% to 50% ownership) are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany items have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates The Company’s financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimated. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which they are determined to be necessary. Estimates are used when accounting for such items as asset valuations, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization, impairment assessments, employee benefits, taxes, asbestos liability and related insurance receivable and contingencies.

Currency Translation Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries that prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; results of operations are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The related translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Revenue Recognition Sales revenue is recorded when a product is shipped, title (risk of loss) passes to the customer and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Revenue on long-term, fixed-price contracts is recorded on a percentage of completion basis using units of delivery as the measurement basis for progress toward completion. Sales under cost-reimbursement-type contracts are recorded as costs are incurred.

Income Taxes The provision for income taxes is based on reported earnings before income taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, which provides that deferred income taxes are determined by the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting. Significant factors considered by the Company in estimating the probability of the realization of deferred taxes include expectations of future earnings and taxable income, as well as application of tax laws in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. A valuation allowance is provided when the Company determines that it is more likely than not that a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Reclassifications Certain reclassifications were made to prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share The Company’s basic earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year. For the year ended 2004, 735,000 shares attributable to the exercise of outstanding options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was anti-dilutive.

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

For year ended December 31,

   2005    2004     2003

Net income (loss)

   $ 136,037    $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303
                     

Average basic shares outstanding

     59,816      59,251       59,394

Effect of dilutive stock options

     597      —         322
                     

Average diluted shares outstanding

     60,413      59,251       59,716
                     

Basic net income (loss) per share

   $ 2.27    $ (1.78 )   $ 1.76
                     

Diluted net income (loss) per share

   $ 2.25    $ (1.78 )   $ 1.75
                     

 

21


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.

Accounts Receivable Receivables are carried at net realizable value. A summary of the allowance for doubtful accounts follows:

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 7,736     $ 7,209     $ 6,702  

Provisions

     11,138       10,643       9,328  

Deductions

     (13,022 )     (10,116 )     (8,821 )
                        

Balance at end of year

   $ 5,852     $ 7,736     $ 7,209  
                        

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers and relatively small account balances within the majority of the Company’s customer base, and their dispersion across different businesses. The Company periodically evaluates the financial strength of its customers and believes that its credit risk exposure is limited.

Inventories Inventories consist of the following:

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005    2004

Finished goods

   $ 90,852    $ 90,367

Finished parts and subassemblies

     43,069      62,678

Work in process

     46,406      45,022

Raw materials

     92,027      86,224
             

Total inventories

   $ 272,354    $ 284,291
             

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Domestic locations are principally on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of inventory valuation. In 2005, the reduction of inventory quantities has resulted in a liquidation of LIFO inventories acquired at higher costs prevailing in prior years. In 2004 and 2003, reductions of inventory quantities resulted in liquidations of LIFO inventories acquired at lower costs prevailing in prior years. Liquidations have increased cost of sales by $0.2 million in 2005, and reduced cost of sales by $1.0 million in 2004 and $3.1 million in 2003. Replacement cost would have been higher by $11.5 million and $11.4 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Net Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005    2004

Land

   $ 56,840    $ 60,628

Buildings and improvements

     159,123      166,974

Machinery and equipment

     522,405      559,502
             

Gross property, plant and equipment

     738,368      787,104

Less accumulated depreciation

     474,577      499,508
             

Net property, plant and equipment

   $ 263,791    $ 287,596
             

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which range from ten to twenty-five years for buildings and improvements and three to ten years for machinery and equipment.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets The Company reviews goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives for impairment annually or whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce fair value below carrying value, in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 (“SFAS 142”). If the carrying value of goodwill or an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. A discounted cash flow model was used to determine the fair value of the Company’s reporting units for purposes of testing for impairment. Based on this model, no impairment charges were necessary in the three year period ended December 31, 2005.

 

22


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Changes to goodwill are as follows:

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004

Balance at beginning of year, net of accumulated amortization

   $ 579,081     $ 536,239

Additions during the year

     4,569       36,914

Translation and other adjustments

     (15,295 )     5,928
              

Balance at end of year, net of accumulated amortization

   $ 568,355     $ 579,081
              

Goodwill increased $4.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2005 due to the acquisition of PSI/Edlon in August 2005 and In One Technologies in December 2005.

Goodwill increased $36.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2004 primarily due to the acquisition of P.L. Porter Co. in January 2004.

Changes to intangible assets are as follows:

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004  

Balance at beginning of year, net of accumulated amortization

   $ 64,450     $ 56,725  

Additions during the year

     2,570       10,104  

Translation and other adjustments

     1,448       6,902  

Amortization expense

     (7,733 )     (9,281 )
                

Balance at end of year, net of accumulated amortization

   $ 60,735     $ 64,450  
                

A summary of the intangible assets are as follows:

 

     2005    2004

(in thousands) December 31,

   Gross
Asset
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Gross
Asset
   Accumulated
Amortization

Intellectual rights

   $ 78,296    $ 37,196    $ 80,010    $ 34,167

Drawings

     10,825      7,363      10,825      5,930

Other

     24,272      8,099      19,937      6,225
                           
   $ 113,393    $ 52,658    $ 110,772    $ 46,322
                           

Amortization expense for these intangible assets is expected to be approximately $6.7 million in 2006, $5.8 million in 2007, $5.2 million in 2008, $4.9 million in 2009, and $4.9 million in 2010.

Of the $60.7 million of net intangible assets at December 31, 2005, $12.2 million of intangibles with indefinite useful lives, consisting of trade names, are not being amortized under SFAS 142.

Amortizable intangibles of $2.6 million were acquired in 2005. These assets have a weighted average life of 12 years.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset. Fair market value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved.

 

23


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Stock-Based Compensation Plans The Company records compensation expense for its stock-based employee compensation plans in accordance with the intrinsic-value method prescribed by APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option or award on the measurement date, generally the date of grant.

In December 2002, the Company adopted the disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transitions and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”), which amended Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). The pro forma net income and earnings per share listed below reflect the impact of measuring compensation expense for options granted in accordance with the fair value-based method prescribed by these standards. These amounts may not be representative of future years’ costs, as options vest over a three-year period and, generally, additional awards are made each year.

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Net income (loss) as reported

   $ 136,037     $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303  

Less: compensation expense determined under fair value-based method for all awards, net of tax effects

     (5,313 )     (4,359 )     (4,610 )
                        

Pro forma

   $ 130,724     $ (109,780 )   $ 99,693  
                        

Net income (loss) per share

      

Basic as reported

   $ 2.27     $ (1.78 )   $ 1.76  

Pro forma

     2.19       (1.85 )     1.68  
                        

Diluted as reported

     2.25       (1.78 )     1.75  

Pro forma

     2.16       (1.85 )     1.67  

Financial Instruments The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company periodically uses forward foreign exchange contracts as economic hedges of anticipated transactions and firm purchase and sale commitments. These contracts are generally marked to market on a current basis and the respective gains and losses are recognized in other income (expense). The Company also periodically enters into interest-rate swap agreements to moderate its exposure to interest rate changes and to lower the overall cost of borrowings. Interest-rate swaps are agreements to exchange fixed and variable rate payments based on the notional principal amounts. The changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized in other comprehensive income for qualifying cash flow hedges.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments” (“SFAS 123R”), an amendment of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS 123R requires that share-based awards, including stock options, be recognized as a compensation expense over the service periods the awards vest using a fair value method measured at the date of grant. The requirements of SFAS 123R are effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2006. The Company has elected to apply the modified prospective transition method to all past awards outstanding and unvested as of the effective date of January 1, 2006 and will recognize the associated expense over the remaining vesting period based on fair value at the date of grant. The Company estimates that earnings in 2006 will be adversely impacted by approximately $6.0 million after taxes as a result of the adoption of this new Standard.

In November 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, “Inventory Costs,” (“SFAS No. 151”). This Statement amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing”, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight handling costs and wasted material (spoilage). In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of SFAS No. 151 are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company believes that the adoption of this Statement will not have a material effect on its financial statements.

In April 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” (“FIN 47”). This Interpretation clarifies that an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 also provides guidance on when sufficient information is available to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. The requirements of FIN 47 were implemented by the Company as of December 31, 2005, as required, and had no material effect.

 

24


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Miscellaneous — Net

 

(in thousands) For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Gains on sales of assets

   $ 13     $ 13,715     $ 858  

Equity joint venture income*

     5,965       4,041       3,097  

Other

     (3,033 )     (2,641 )     (2,979 )
                        
   $ 2,945     $ 15,115     $ 976  
                        

* Income from Industrial Motion Control Holdings LLC (“Ferguson”) joint venture. The Company’s investment in this joint venture was $27 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004.

Income Taxes

Income before taxes is as follows:

 

(in thousands) For year ended December 31,

   2005    2004     2003

U.S. operations

   $ 145,292    $ (211,243 )   $ 128,235

Non-U.S. operations

     51,231      43,073       22,929
                     
   $ 196,523    $ (168,170 )   $ 151,164
                     

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of:

 

(in thousands) For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Current:

      

U.S. federal tax

   $ 17,745     $ 9,517     $ 29,768  

State and local tax

     1,531       3,047       4,485  

Non-U.S. tax

     17,305       13,663       9,830  
                        
     36,581       26,227       44,083  
                        

Deferred:

      

U.S. federal tax

     23,630       (99,684 )     2,918  

State and local tax

     279       3,673       325  

Non-U.S. tax

     (4 )     7,035       (465 )
                        
     23,905       (88,976 )     2,778  
                        

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   $ 60,486     $ (62,749 )   $ 46,861  
                        

 

25


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal rate to the effective tax rate, is as follows:

 

(in thousands) For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Statutory U.S. federal tax at 35%

   $ 68,783     $ (58,860 )   $ 52,907  

Increase (reduction) from:

      

Non-U.S. taxes

     (809 )     2,195       97  

State and local tax, net of federal benefit

     3,169       (10,085 )     3,127  

Valuation allowance on state deferred tax assets

     (1,993 )     14,453       —    

Federal benefit on export sales

     (2,862 )     (3,064 )     (1,924 )

Foreign dividend, net of credits

     (4,200 )     1,999       (1,288 )

General business tax credit

     (2,887 )     (9,656 )     (2,969 )

Other

     1,285       269       (3,089 )
                        

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   $ 60,486     $ (62,749 )   $ 46,861  
                        

Effective tax rate

     30.8 %     37.3 %     31.0 %
                        

The Company has not recorded deferred income taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because of management’s intent to reinvest such earnings indefinitely. At December 31, 2005, the undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $118 million. Upon distribution of these earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company may be subject to U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes. It is not practical, however, to estimate the amount of taxes that may be payable on the eventual remittance of these earnings.

Tax benefits of $3.4 million in 2005, $3.3 million in 2004 and $1.7 million in 2003 associated with the exercise of employee stock options and other employee stock programs were allocated to shareholders’ equity.

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities included on the balance sheet, are as follows:

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004  
Deferred tax assets:     

Asbestos-related liabilities

   $ 135,072     $ 157,016  

Tax loss and credit carryforwards

     27,979       28,752  

Environmental

     10,285       16,221  

Inventories

     13,038       11,072  

Postretirement benefits

     9,147       9,514  

Deferred compensation

     8,386       8,903  

Insurance

     4,788       6,283  

Warranty

     6,248       6,274  

Compensated absences

     6,169       5,955  

Other

     —         1,369  
                

Total

     221,112       251,359  

Less: valuation allowance on non-U.S. and state deferred tax assets, tax loss and credit carryforwards

     42,276       45,478  
                

Total deferred tax assets, net

     178,836       205,881  
                

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Depreciation

     (34,157 )     (37,777 )

Intangibles

     (19,375 )     (18,690 )

Pension

     (4,598 )     (10,760 )

Defined contribution plan

     (1,115 )     (1,116 )

Other

     (964 )     —    
                

Total deferred tax liabilities, net

     (60,209 )     (68,343 )
                

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 118,627     $ 137,538  
                

Balance sheet classification:

    

Deferred tax assets

   $ 42,104     $ 46,983  

Other assets

     157,496       166,847  

Accrued liabilities

     (9,567 )     (4,925 )

Deferred tax liability

     (71,406 )     (71,367 )
                

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 118,627     $ 137,538  
                

As of December 31, 2005, the Company had tax loss and credit carryforwards that will expire, if unused, as follows:

 

(in thousands) year of expiration NOL/Credit

   U.S.
Federal
Credits
   U.S.
State
Credits
  

U.S.

State

NOL

   Non-U.S.
National
NOL
   Total

2006-2009

   $ —      $ 539    $ 10,806    $ 3,208   

After 2009

     2,519      810      175,740      25,738   

Indefinite

     —        3,200      —        23,124   
                              

TOTAL

   $ 2,519    $ 4,549    $ 186,546    $ 52,070   
                                  

Deferred tax asset on tax carryforwards

   $ 2,519    $ 2,957    $ 7,382    $ 15,121    $ 27,979
                                  

Of the total $28.0 million deferred tax asset for tax carryforwards at December 31, 2005, $25.4 million has been offset by the valuation allowance because of the uncertainty of ultimately realizing these future tax benefits. In addition, the Company considers it unlikely that a portion of the tax benefit related to various non-U.S. and state deferred tax assets will be realized. Accordingly, a $16.9 million valuation allowance has been established against these non-U.S. and state deferred tax assets. As a result, the Company’s total valuation allowance at December 31, 2005 is approximately $42.3 million.

The Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. The Company regularly assesses the potential outcomes of both ongoing examinations and future examinations for the current or prior years in order to ensure the Company’s provision for income taxes is adequate.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed its examinations of the Company’s income tax returns for all years through 2002. In 2005, the IRS commenced its examination of the Company’s income tax returns for the years 2003 and 2004. The Company expects the IRS to complete its examinations in 2006. The Company believes that adequate accruals have been provided for all open years.

Accrued Liabilities

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005    2004

Employee-related expenses

   $ 66,803    $ 62,822

Insurance

     16,143      13,386

Warranty

     15,495      13,970

Professional fees

     5,421      6,963

Taxes other than income

     13,020      9,230

Other

     57,484      51,359
             
   $ 174,366    $ 157,730
             

The Company accrues warranty liabilities when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

A summary of the warranty liabilities, are as follows:

 

(in thousands) For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 13,970     $ 14,376     $ 12,448  

Add: provisions

     10,050       7,208       6,374  

Less: payments/deductions

     (8,525 )     (7,614 )     (4,446 )
                        

Balance at end of year

   $ 15,495     $ 13,970     $ 14,376  
                        

 

26


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Liabilities

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005    2004

Environmental

   $ 23,400    $ 35,545

Insurance

     3,346      3,346

Product liability

     2,602      3,204

Minority interest

     8,150      7,186

Other

     1,972      3,128
             
   $ 39,470    $ 52,409
             

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. These costs were approximately $53.1 million, $52.4 million and $46.8 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Funds received from customer-sponsored research and development projects were approximately $7.0 million, $6.2 million and $3.1 million received in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and were recorded in net sales.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

In the U.S., the Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan that covers approximately 59% of all U.S. employees. The benefits are based on years of service and compensation on a final average pay basis, except for certain hourly employees where benefits are fixed per year of service. This plan is funded with a trustee in respect of past and current service. Charges to expense are based upon costs computed by an independent actuary. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute annually amounts that are allowable for federal or other income tax purposes. These contributions are intended to provide for future benefits earned to date and those expected to be earned in the future. A number of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries sponsor defined benefit pension plans that cover approximately 32% of all non-U.S. employees. The benefits are typically based upon years of service and compensation. These plans are funded with trustees in respect of past and current service. Charges to expense are based upon costs computed by independent actuaries. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute annually amounts that are allowable for tax purposes or mandated by local statutory requirements. These contributions are intended to provide for future benefits earned to date and those expected to be earned in the future.

Non-union employees hired after December 31, 2005 will no longer be eligible for participation in the Company’s domestic defined benefit pension plan or the ELDEC and Interpoint money purchase plan. Instead, qualifying employees will receive an additional 2% Company contribution to their 401(K) plan accounts. Certain of the Company’s non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans were also amended whereby eligibility for new participants will cease.

Postretirement health care and life insurance benefits are provided for certain employees hired before January 1, 1990, who meet minimum age and service requirements. The Company does not pre-fund these benefits and has the right to modify or terminate the plan.

 

27


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004     2005     2004  

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Beginning of year

   $ 551,545     $ 485,739     $ 19,197     $ 20,589  

Service cost

     16,404       15,832       170       185  

Interest cost

     31,043       29,497       1,177       1,193  

Plan participants’ contributions

     2,035       1,954       530       999  

Amendments

     154       —         —         —    

Actuarial loss (gain)

     31,478       15,436       1,465       (900 )

Benefits paid

     (25,417 )     (24,819 )     (1,932 )     (2,919 )

Foreign currency exchange rate (gain) loss

     (28,030 )     28,062       11       50  

Acquisition/divestitures/curtailment

     —         (156 )     —         —    
                                

Benefit obligation at end of year

     579,212       551,545       20,618       19,197  
                                

Change in plan assets:

        

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

     540,814       481,469      

Actual return on plan assets

     67,114       51,005      

Foreign currency exchange rate (loss) gain

     (24,644 )     27,780      

Employer contributions

     5,729       3,425      

Plan participants’ contributions

     2,035       1,954      

Benefits paid

     (25,417 )     (24,819 )    
                                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

     565,631       540,814       —         —    
                                

Funded status

     (13,581 )     (10,731 )     (20,618 )     (19,197 )

Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)

     30,670       29,257       (2,366 )     (4,071 )

Unrecognized prior service cost

     3,340       4,257       (218 )     (302 )

Unrecognized transition asset

     96       180       —         —    
                                

Prepaid benefit (accrued liabilities)

   $ 20,525     $ 22,963     $ (23,202 )   $ (23,570 )
                                

The amounts recognized in the balance sheet, are as follows:

        
     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004     2005     2004  

Other assets

   $ 35,058     $ 36,336     $ —       $ —    

Intangible asset

     2,617       631       —         —    

Accrued pension and postretirement benefits

     (32,844 )     (16,076 )     (23,202 )     (23,570 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     15,694       2,072       —         —    
                                

Net amount recognized

   $ 20,525     $ 22,963     $ (23,202 )   $ (23,570 )
                                

Statement of Financial Standards No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” (“SFAS 87”), requires recognition of a minimum liability for those pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair values of plan assets at the end of the year. Accordingly, at December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax charges of $15.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively, related to the minimum liability for certain under-funded pension plans, which reduced Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Shareholders’ Equity.

 

28


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the U.S. and non-U.S. plans, are as follows:

 

     Pension Obligations/Assets
     U.S.    Non-U.S.    Total

(in millions) December 31,

   2005    2004    2005    2004    2005    2004

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 295.8    $ 263.8    $ 283.4    $ 287.7    $ 579.2    $ 551.5

Accumulated benefit obligation

     272.1      245.1      261.4      258.7      533.5      503.8

Fair value of plan assets

     257.0      250.0      308.6      290.8      565.6      540.8

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is as follows:

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005    2004

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 327,848    $ 29,607

Accumulated benefit obligation

     300,497      25,721

Fair value of plan assets

     273,077      14,601

Accrued pension liabilities

     29,467      12,508

The components of net periodic cost are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004     2003     2005     2004     2003  

Service cost

   $ 16,535     $ 16,047     $ 13,171     $ 170     $ 185     $ 150  

Interest cost

     30,548       28,686       26,528       1,177       1,193       1,248  

Expected return on plan assets

     (39,196 )     (38,312 )     (34,099 )     —         —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     964       811       769       (84 )     (83 )     (83 )

Amortization of net (gain) loss

     256       220       170       (246 )     (246 )     (747 )
                                                

Net periodic cost

   $ 9,107     $ 7,452     $ 6,539     $ 1,017     $ 1,049     $ 568  
                                                

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

December 31,

   2005     2004     2003     2005     2004     2003  

U.S. Plans:

            

Discount rate

   6.00 %   6.25 %   6.40 %   6.00 %   6.25 %   6.40 %

Rate of compensation increase

   3.65 %   3.27 %   3.40 %      

Non-U.S. Plans:

            

Discount rate

   4.95 %   5.48 %   5.56 %      

Rate of compensation increase

   3.24 %   3.60 %   3.53 %      

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

December 31,

   2005     2004     2003     2005     2004     2003  

U.S. Plans:

            

Discount rate

   6.25 %   6.40 %   6.75 %   6.25 %   6.40 %   6.75 %

Expected rate of return on plan assets

   8.75 %   8.75 %   8.75 %      

Rate of compensation increase

   3.27 %   3.40 %   3.75 %      

Non-U.S. Plans:

            

Discount rate

   5.48 %   5.56 %   5.66 %      

Expected rate of return on plan assets

   6.79 %   6.79 %   6.80 %      

Rate of compensation increase

   3.60 %   3.53 %   4.21 %      

In developing the long-term rate of return assumption, the Company evaluated input from actuaries and investment consultants as well as long-term inflation assumptions. Projected returns by such consultants are based on broad equity and bond indices.

The discount rate used by the Company for valuing pension liabilities is based on a review of high quality corporate bond yields with maturities approximating the remaining life of the projected benefit obligations.

The assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:

 

December 31,

   2005     2004  

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

   8.00 %   9.00 %

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

   4.75 %   4.75 %

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

   2010     2010  

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the Company’s health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

(in thousands)

   One Percentage
Point Increase
   One Percentage
Point (Decrease)
 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

   $ 83    $ (73 )

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

     1,047      (942 )

Plan Assets The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations by asset category are as follows:

 

Asset Category December 31,

   2005     2004  

Equity securities

   66 %   70 %

Debt securities

   23 %   25 %

Money markets

   10 %   4 %

Other

   1 %   1 %
            

Total

   100 %   100 %
            

Equity securities include Crane Co. common stock, which represents 4% of plan assets at December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

29


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The primary investment objective of the Company’s various pension trusts is to maximize the value of plan assets focusing on capital preservation, current income and long-term growth of capital and income. The plans’ assets are typically invested in a broad range of equities, debt and cash instruments.

The Company, or its agents, exercise reasonable care, skill and caution in making investment decisions. A number of factors are evaluated in determining if an investment strategy will be employed by the Company’s pension trusts. These factors include, but are not limited to, investment style, investment risk, investment manager performance and costs.

The Company periodically reviews investment managers and their performance in relation to the plans’ investment objectives. The Company expects its pension trust investments to meet or exceed their predetermined benchmark indices, net of fees. Generally, however, the Company realizes that investment strategies should be given a full market cycle, normally over a three to five-year time period, to achieve stated objectives.

Cash Flows The Company expects, based on current actuarial calculations, to contribute cash of approximately $12 million to its defined benefit pension plans and $2 million to its other postretirement benefit plan in 2006. Cash contributions in subsequent years will depend on a number of factors including the investment performance of plan assets.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

Estimated future payments (in millions)

   Pension
Benefits
   Postretirement
Benefits

2006

   $ 24.7    $ 2.0

2007

     25.6      2.0

2008

     26.4      2.1

2009

     27.0      2.1

2010

     27.7      2.0

2011-2015

     151.7      9.4
             

Total payments

   $ 283.1    $ 19.6
             

The Company participates in several multi-employer pension plans which provide benefits to certain employees under collective bargaining agreements. Contributions to these plans were approximately $1.1 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003.

The Company’s subsidiaries ELDEC Corporation and Interpoint Corporation have a money purchase plan to provide retirement benefits for all eligible employees. The annual contribution is 5% of each eligible participant’s gross compensation. The contributions were approximately $2.3 million in 2005 and $2.0 million in both 2004 and 2003.

The Company and its subsidiaries sponsor savings and investment plans that are available to eligible employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company made contributions to the plans of approximately $5.2 million in 2005, $5.4 million in 2004 and $4.6 million in 2003.

Long-Term Debt and Notes Payable

 

(in thousands) December 31,

   2005     2004  

Long-term debt consists of:

    

6.75% notes due 2006, including original issue discount and deferred financing costs

   $ 99,906     $ 99,770  

5.50% notes due 2013, including original issue discount and deferred financing costs

     197,759       197,464  

Credit facility deferred financing costs

     (4,518 )     (745 )

Other

     104       111  
                

Subtotal

     293,251       296,600  

Less current portion

     3       8  
                

Total long-term debt

   $ 293,248     $ 296,592  
                

Short-term notes payable

   $ 251     $ 363  
                

In September 2003, the Company issued notes having an aggregate principal amount of $200 million. The notes are unsecured, senior obligations of the Company that mature on September 15, 2013, and bear interest at 5.50% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The notes have no sinking fund requirement but may be redeemed, in whole or part, at the option of the Company. Debt issuance costs are deferred and then amortized as a component of interest expense over the term of the notes. Including debt issuance costs, these notes have an effective annualized interest rate of 5.70%.

The Company has notes outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of $100 million, issued in 1998, that mature on October 1, 2006. These notes are unsecured, senior obligations of the Company that bear interest at an annualized rate of 6.75% payable semi-annual on April 1 and October 1 of each year. They are not redeemable prior to maturity and are not subject to any sinking fund requirements. Including debt issuance costs, these notes have an effective annualized interest rate of 6.89%. The Company has the intention and ability to refinance the $100 million obligation at maturity with long-term borrowings; therefore, it is classified as long-term at December 31, 2005.

At December 31, 2005, the principal amount of long-term debt repayments required for the next five years is $100 million in 2006, as discussed above.

All outstanding senior, unsecured notes were issued under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1991. The Indenture contains certain limitations on liens and sale and lease-back transactions.

The Company has an effective shelf registration, filed on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing it to issue, in one or more offerings, up to $300 million in either senior or subordinated debt securities.

 

30


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On January 21, 2005, the Company entered into a $450 million credit facility consisting of a $300 million revolving credit component and a $150 million term loan component, which replaced a four-year, $300 million revolving credit facility the Company terminated on January 21, 2005. This contractually committed facility expires on January 21, 2010. The revolving credit allows the Company to borrow, repay or to the extent permitted by the agreement, prepay and re-borrow at any time prior to the stated maturity date, and the loan proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes including financing for acquisitions. The term loan component could only be drawn, under certain conditions, for the funding of a comprehensive asbestos settlement. In May 2005, the Company elected to irrevocably terminate the obligations of its lenders to make term loan(s) for up to $150 million under the Credit Agreement. Since the termination of the comprehensive master settlement agreement (“MSA”) for asbestos claims on January 24, 2005, the Company had no further need for the term loan component. The contractually committed facility was unused at February 27, 2006 and was not used throughout 2005. The agreement contains certain covenants including interest coverage and leverage ratio tests. The following table illustrates the compliance with these financial covenants at December 31, 2005:

 

       December 31, 2005  
       As required by debt covenants     Actual  

Interest coverage ratio (1)

   ³  3.0 to 1.0     12.25 to 1.0  

Leverage ratio (2)

   £ 65 %   27.82 %

(1) Ratio of income before taxes adjusted for interest expense, depreciation and amortization to interest expense.
(2) Ratio of total debt to total adjusted capitalization.

The Company has domestic unsecured, uncommitted money market bid rate credit lines for $150 million all of which was unused and available at December 31, 2005.

As of December 31, 2005, the Company, or its subsidiaries, had various local currency credit lines, with maximum available borrowings of $32.2 million, underwritten by banks primarily in Canada, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. These credit lines are typically available for borrowings up to 364 days and are renewable at the option of the lender. There was $0.3 million outstanding under these facilities at December 31, 2005.

At December 31, 2005, the Company had open standby letters of credit of $25.8 million issued pursuant to a Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement, and certain other credit lines, substantially all of which expire in 2006.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of investments, short-term debt, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value. Long-term debt rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value for debt issues that are not quoted on an exchange. The estimated fair value of long-term debt was $295.1 million and $305.6 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

The Company is a party to a contractually committed off-balance sheet chattel paper financing facility that enables its Crane Merchandising Systems (“CMS”) business to offer various sales support financing programs to its customers. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, $29.7 million and $31.9 million, respectively, was outstanding. Recourse to the Company for all uncollectible loans made to CMS’s customers by the banks under this agreement is limited to 20%.

Leases

The Company leases certain facilities, vehicles and equipment. Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following at December 31, 2005:

 

(in thousands)

   Operating
Leases
   Minimum
Sublease
Income
   Net

2006

   $ 13,114    $ 163    $ 12,951

2007

     10,759      184      10,575

2008

     8,200      123      8,077

2009

     3,808      67      3,741

2010

     3,579      —        3,579

Thereafter

     12,640      —        12,640
                    

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 52,100    $ 537    $ 51,563
                    

Rental expense was $19.3 million, $18.6 million and $17.4 million for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Asbestos Liability

Information Regarding Claims and Costs in the Tort System As of December 31, 2005, the Company was a defendant in cases filed in various state and federal courts alleging injury or death as a result of exposure to asbestos. Activity related to asbestos claims during the periods indicated was as follows:

 

For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003  

Beginning claims

   84,977     68,606     54,038  

New claims

   7,986     18,932     19,115  

Settlements

   (1,829 )   (1,038 )   (3,883 )

Dismissals

   (2,117 )   (1,523 )   (664 )
                  

Ending claims *

   89,017     84,977     68,606  
                  

* Does not include 36,150 maritime actions that were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania pursuant to an order by the Federal Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”). These claims have been placed on the inactive docket of cases that are administratively dismissed without prejudice in the MDL.

 

31


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Of the 89,017 pending claims as of December 31, 2005, approximately 25,000 claims were pending in New York, approximately 33,000 claims were pending in Mississippi, approximately 9,000 claims were pending in Texas and approximately 4,000 claims were pending in Ohio, all jurisdictions in which recent legislation or judicial orders restrict the types of claims that can proceed to trial on the merits.

Since the termination of the comprehensive master settlement agreement (“MSA”) on January 24, 2005, the Company has been resolving claims filed against it in the tort system. The Company has not re-engaged in discussions with representatives of current or future asbestos claimants with respect to such a comprehensive settlement. While the Company believes that federal legislation to establish a trust fund to compensate asbestos claimants is the most appropriate solution to the asbestos litigation problem, there is substantial uncertainty regarding whether this will occur and, if so, when and on what terms. The Company remains committed to exploring all feasible alternatives available to resolve its asbestos liability in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company’s shareholders.

The gross settlement and defense costs incurred (before insurance and tax effects) for the Company in the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 totaled $45.1 million, $40.9 million and $21.1 million, respectively. In contrast to the recognition of settlement and defense costs that reflect the current level of activity in the tort system, cash payments and receipts generally lag the tort system activity by several months or more. Cash payments of settlement amounts are not made until all releases and other required documentation are received by the Company, and payments of both settlement amounts and defense costs by insurers are subject to delays due to the transition from the Company’s primary insurers to its excess insurers. The Company’s total pre-tax cash payments for settlement and defense costs, net of payments from insurers and including certain legal fees and expenses relating to the terminated MSA, in the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 totaled $45.3 million, $28.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively. Detailed below are the comparable amounts for the periods indicated.

 

(in millions)

   For year ended
December 31,
   Cumulative to date through
       2005     2004    2003    December 31, 2005

Settlement costs incurred (1)

   $ 17.4     $ 17.2    $ 11.9    $  56.2

Defense costs incurred (1)

     27.7       23.7      9.2        73.7
                          

Total costs incurred

   $ 45.1     $ 40.9    $ 21.1    $129.9
                          

Pre-tax cash payments (2)

   $ 45.3     $ 28.1    $ 7.9    $  85.0

(Refund) payment associated with terminated MSA

   $ (9.9 )   $ 10.0      —      $      .1
                          

(1) Before insurance recoveries and tax effects.
(2) Net of payments received from insurers. Amounts include advance payments to third parties that are reimbursable by insurers and certain legal fees and expenses related to the terminated MSA.

The amounts shown for settlement and defense costs incurred, and cash payments, are not necessarily indicative of future period amounts, which may be higher or lower than those reported.

In 2006, the Company does not expect significant reimbursements from insurers as the Company’s cost sharing agreement with primary insurers has been essentially exhausted. Nonetheless, the Company continues to negotiate with various of its excess insurers whose policies provide substantial insurance coverage for asbestos liabilities. On July 22, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to settle its insurance coverage claims for asbestos and other liabilities against certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London reinsured by Equitas Limited for a total payment of $33 million. Under the agreement, $1.5 million was paid to the Company in the third quarter of 2005. The balance was placed into escrow for the payment of future asbestos claims and funds remaining in escrow will be paid to the Company on January 3, 2007 if no federal asbestos legislation is enacted by that date. If federal asbestos reform is enacted before January 3, 2007, the money then remaining in escrow would be paid to Equitas, subject to a payment of $1.5 million to the Company and a hold-back of certain funds in escrow for the payment of asbestos claims during the year following enactment of asbestos legislation. The Company’s settlement with Equitas resolves all its claims against pre-1993 policies issued to the Company by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London and reinsured by Equitas. The Company anticipates that one or more agreements with other excess insurers, such as coverage in place agreements, may be executed in 2006, and the Company believes that the payment terms of such agreements will be consistent with the overall estimated future reimbursement rate of 40%, although the actual reimbursement rate will vary from period to period due to policy terms and certain gaps in coverage as described below.

Effects on the Consolidated Financial Statements The Company has retained the firm of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc. (“HR&A”), a nationally recognized expert in the field, to assist management in estimating the Company’s asbestos liability in the tort system. HR&A reviewed information provided by the Company concerning claims filed, settled and dismissed, amounts paid in settlements and relevant claim information such as the nature of the asbestos-related disease asserted by the claimant, the jurisdiction where filed and the time lag from filing to disposition of the claim. The methodology used by HR&A to project future asbestos costs was based largely on the Company’s experience during 2004 and 2005 for claims filed, settled and dismissed. The Company’s experience was compared to the results of previously conducted epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population of workers believed to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, HR&A estimated the number of future claims that would be filed, as well as the related settlement or indemnity costs that would be incurred to resolve those claims. This methodology has been accepted by

 

32


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

numerous courts and is the same methodology that is utilized by the expert who is routinely retained by the asbestos claimants committee in asbestos-related bankruptcies. After discussions with the Company, HR&A assumed that costs of defending asbestos claims in the tort system would increase to $37 million in 2006 and remain at that level (with increases of 4.5% per year for inflation) indexed to the number of estimated pending claims in future years. Based on this information, HR&A compiled an estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability for pending and future claims, based on claim experience over the past two years and covering claims expected to be filed through the year 2011. Although the methodology used by HR&A will also show claims and costs for periods subsequent to 2011 (up to and including the endpoint of the asbestos studies referred to above), management believes that the level of uncertainty is too great to provide for reasonable estimation of the number of future claims, the nature of such claims or the cost to resolve them for years beyond 2011, particularly given the possibility of federal legislation within that time frame. While it is reasonably possible that the Company will incur additional charges for asbestos liabilities and defense costs in excess of the amounts currently provided, the Company does not believe that any such amount can be reasonably estimated beyond 2011. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be incurred beyond 2011.

Management has made its best estimate of the costs through 2011 based on the analysis by HR&A completed in January 2006. A liability of $581.8 million has been recorded to cover the estimated cost of asbestos claims now pending or subsequently asserted through 2011, of which approximately 56% is attributable to settlement and defense costs for future claims projected to be filed through 2011. The liability is reduced when cash payments are made in respect of settled claims and defense costs. It is not possible to forecast when cash payments related to the asbestos liability will be fully expended; however, it is expected such cash payments will continue for many years, due to the significant proportion of future claims included in the estimated asbestos liability. An asset of $234.6 million has been recorded representing the probable insurance reimbursement for such claims using the rate of 40% for future recoveries.

A significant portion of the Company’s settlement and defense costs have been paid by its primary insurers and one umbrella insurer up to the agreed available limits of the applicable policies. The Company has substantial excess coverage policies that are also expected to respond to asbestos claims as settlements and other payments exhaust the underlying policies. The same factors that affect developing estimates of probable settlement and defense costs for asbestos-related liabilities also affect estimates of the probable insurance payment, as do a number of additional factors. These additional factors include the financial viability of the insurance companies, the method by which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies and the years covered by those policies, how settlement and defense costs will be covered by the insurance policies and interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships. In addition, the timing and amount of reimbursements will vary because the Company’s insurance coverage for asbestos claims involves multiple insurers, with different policy terms and certain gaps in coverage. In addition to consulting with legal counsel on these insurance matters, the Company retained insurance consultants to assist management in the estimation of probable insurance recoveries based upon the aggregate liability estimate described above and assuming the continued viability of all solvent insurance carriers. After considering the foregoing factors and consulting with legal counsel and such insurance consultants, the Company determined its probable insurance reimbursement rate to be 40%.

Estimation of the Company’s ultimate exposure for asbestos-related claims is subject to significant uncertainties, as there are multiple variables that can affect the timing, severity and quantity of claims. The Company cautions that its estimated liability is based on assumptions with respect to future claims, settlement and defense costs based on recent experience during the last few years that may not prove reliable as predictors. A significant upward or downward trend in the number of claims filed, depending on the nature of the alleged injury, the jurisdiction where filed and the quality of the product identification, or a significant upward or downward trend in the costs of defending claims, could change the estimated liability, as would any substantial adverse verdict at trial. A legislative solution or a revised structured settlement transaction could also change the estimated liability.

Since many uncertainties exist surrounding asbestos litigation, the Company will continue to evaluate its estimated asbestos-related liability and corresponding estimated insurance reimbursement as well as the underlying assumptions and process used to derive these amounts. These uncertainties may result in the Company incurring future charges or increases to income to adjust the carrying value of recorded liabilities and assets, particularly if the number of claims and settlement and defense costs escalates or if legislation or another alternative solution is implemented; however, the Company is currently unable to estimate such future changes. Although the resolution of these claims may take many years, the effect on results of operations, cash flow and financial position in any given period from a revision to these estimates could be material.

 

33


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Certain Legal Proceedings On January 21, 2005, five of the Company’s insurers within two corporate insurer groups filed suit in Connecticut state court seeking injunctive relief against the Company and declaratory relief against the Company and dozens of the Company’s other insurers. The suit also sought temporary and permanent injunctive relief restraining the Company from participating in any further settlement discussions with representatives of asbestos plaintiffs or agreeing to any settlement unless the Company permitted the plaintiff insurers to both participate in such discussions and have a meaningful opportunity to consider whether to consent to any proposed settlement, or unless the Company elected to waive coverage under the insurers’ policies. The plaintiffs also sought expedited discovery on, among other things, the Company’s proposed global settlement. At a hearing on February 22, 2005, the Company: (i) contested the application for temporary injunctive relief and expedited discovery; (ii) moved to dismiss the count of the Complaint seeking injunctive relief on the grounds that the count was moot insofar as it addressed the proposed global settlement terminated on January 24, 2005 and not appropriate for determination insofar as it sought relief regarding any future negotiations with representatives of asbestos claimants; and (iii) moved to dismiss counts of the Complaint seeking declaratory relief with respect to the proposed global settlement as moot. At the hearing, the Court denied the plaintiff insurers’ application for temporary injunctive relief and expedited discovery. In denying temporary injunctive relief, the Court stated that the plaintiffs could not show irreparable injury and that the plaintiff insurers would have an adequate remedy at law. In light of the Court’s ruling and the Company’s motions to dismiss, the insurer plaintiffs sought and received leave to amend their Complaint to remove certain declaratory relief counts and to remove or restate the remaining allegations.

On April 8, 2005, the insurer plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint raising five counts against the Company. The Amended Complaint seeks: (i) declaratory relief regarding the Company’s rights to coverage, if any, under the policies; (ii) declaratory relief regarding the Company’s alleged breaches of the policies in connection with an alleged increase in asbestos claim counts; (iii) a declaration of no coverage in connection with allegedly time-barred claims; (iv) declaratory relief against the Company and the other insurer defendants for allocation of damages that may be covered under the insurance policies; and (v) preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. On April 18, 2005, the Company moved to dismiss the claims for injunctive relief on the grounds that the Court had no jurisdiction to consider the claims because they were speculative and unripe. On October 19, 2005, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss, ruling that the injunctive claims were not unripe. Nonetheless, the Court noted that the Company later could seek summary judgment in connection with the injunctive claims if discovery shows them to be without factual basis. The Company continues to believe it has meritorious defenses to all the counts of the Amended Complaint and intends to defend this matter vigorously.

Other Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims including proceedings under laws and regulations related to environmental, warranty and other matters. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. However, the Company believes that after final disposition, any financial impact beyond that provided for at December 31, 2005 will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or cash flows; however, there can be no assurance that such impact may not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in any given period.

The Company has established insurance programs to cover product and general liability losses. These programs have deductible amounts of $5 million per claim and $10 million aggregate per policy year before coverage begins, with the exception of aircraft products and non-U.S. claims, which have first-dollar coverage. The Company does not deem its deductible exposure to be material.

For environmental matters, the Company records a liability for estimated remediation costs when it is probable that the Company will be responsible for such costs and they can be reasonably estimated. Generally, third party specialists assist in the estimation of remediation costs. The environmental remediation liability at December 31, 2005 is primarily for the former manufacturing site in Goodyear, Arizona (the “Site”) discussed below.

The Site was operated by UniDynamics/Phoenix, Inc. (“UPI”), which became an indirect subsidiary of the Company in 1985 when the Company acquired UPI’s parent company UniDynamics Corporation. UPI manufactured explosive and pyrotechnic compounds, including components for critical military programs, for the U.S. government at the Site from 1962 to 1993, under contracts with the Department of Defense and other government agencies and certain of their prime contractors. No manufacturing operations have been conducted at the Site since 1994. The Site was placed on the National Priorities List in 1983, and is now part of the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport North Superfund site. In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued administrative orders requiring UPI to design and carry out certain remedial actions, which UPI has done. Groundwater extraction and treatment systems have been in operation at the Site since 1994. A soil vapor extraction system was in operation from 1994 to 1998, was restarted in 2004, and is currently in operation.

 

34


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In September 2004, after extensive negotiations regarding the scope of work to be undertaken at the Site after discovery of additional trichloroethylene contamination and the detection of perchlorate during routine testing, the Company reached an agreement in principle with the EPA on a work plan for further investigation and remediation activities at the Site. This agreement is expected to be incorporated into a consent decree between the Company and the EPA in the near future. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $40 million in the third quarter 2004 for the estimated costs through 2014 of further environmental investigation and remediation at the Site, based on this agreement in principle with the EPA.

The investigation, monitoring and remediation activities undertaken by the Company at the Site have cost over $30 million since 1985. In November 2003, the Company and UPI brought suit under Section 113 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act against the federal government and several of its agencies for contribution and indemnification for these costs. As investigation and clean-up activities at the Site are expected to continue for a number of years, the Company’s action against the U.S. Government also seeks contribution with respect to future costs. The Company has been engaged in settlement discussions with representatives of the U.S. Government with the assistance of a neutral mediator pursuant to direction of the court. The Company is not able to predict at this time whether a mutually acceptable settlement can be reached in mediation.

In July 2004, the Environment & Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Company and UPI seeking reimbursement of costs allegedly incurred by the EPA at the site . The government’s action also seeks an injunction requiring UPI to comply with the terms of two earlier administrative orders; entry of a declaratory judgment regarding the Company’s and UPI’s liabilities; and both civil penalties and punitive damages. After extensive discussions regarding the nature and scope of such EPA costs and review of relevant documentation, the Company reached agreement with the EPA to pay $6.7 million in past costs, a civil penalty of $0.5 million and $1.0 million to fund a supplemental environmental project for the city of Goodyear, Arizona. These payment terms are expected to be incorporated in the consent decree mentioned above in the near future. The Company does not believe that the ultimate liability, in excess of the $32 million accrued at December 31, 2005, will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or cash flows; however, there can be no assurance that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in any given period.

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Investments

In January 2006, the Company acquired the assets of CashCode Co. Inc. (“CashCode”), a privately held company specializing in niche applications for banknote validation, storage and recycling devices for use in vending, gaming, retail and transportation applications for $86 million in cash. CashCode had sales of approximately $48 million in 2005. CashCode is located in Concord, Ontario and employs approximately 350 people worldwide serving a global marketplace with 75% of its sales outside the United States, of which a majority are in Europe and Russia. CashCode will be integrated into the Company’s Merchandising Systems segment. The final purchase price allocation will be completed in 2006.

During 2005, the Company completed two acquisitions at a total cost of approximately $9 million. The final purchase price allocations will be completed during 2006.

In December 2005, the Company acquired In One Technologies, which is part of the Company’s Merchandising Systems segment, for approximately $2 million.

In August 2005, the Company purchased the PSI division of Edlon, Inc. (“PSI”) for $7 million. PSI is a manufacturer of plastic-lined pipes, fittings and accessories. The business has been integrated into Resistoflex-Industrial, which is part of the Company’s Fluid Handling segment.

During 2004, the Company completed two acquisitions at a total cost of $50 million. Goodwill for the 2004 acquisitions amounted to approximately $37 million.

In January 2004, the Company acquired P. L. Porter Co. (“Porter”) for a purchase price of $44 million. The fair value estimates of assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been finalized and the resulting goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. Porter is a leading manufacturer of motion control products for airline seating and has been integrated into the Company’s Burbank, California Aerospace facility. Porter holds leading positions in both electromechanical actuation and hydraulic/ mechanical actuation for aircraft seating, selling directly to seat manufacturers and to the airlines. Electrically powered seat actuation systems provide motive power and control features required by premium class passengers on competitive international routes. Porter products not only provide passenger comfort with seat back and foot rest adjustment, but also control advanced features such as lumbar support and in-seat massage. In addition to seats installed in new aircraft, airlines refurbish and replace seating several times during an aircraft’s life along with maintenance and repair requirements. Porter’s 2003 annual sales were approximately $32 million. The operations were integrated into the Company’s Aerospace & Electronics segment.

 

35


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Also in January 2004, the Company acquired the Hattersley valve brand and business together with certain related intellectual property and assets from Hattersley Newman Hender, Ltd., a subsidiary of Tomkins plc, for a purchase price of $6 million. Hattersley branded products include an array of valves for commercial, industrial and institutional construction projects. This business has been integrated into Crane Ltd., which is part of the Fluid Handling segment.

In December 2004, the Company sold the Victaulic trademark and related assets, acquired in connection with the acquisition of certain valve and fittings product lines from Etex S.A. Group in June 2003, for $15 million in an all cash transaction. The Company realized an after-tax gain of $6.5 million, or $.11 per share, on the sale.

During 2003, the Company completed four acquisitions at a total cost of approximately $169 million. Goodwill for these acquisitions amounted to approximately $118 million.

In May 2003, the Company acquired Signal Technology Corporation (“STC”) for a total purchase price of approximately $138 million (net of STC cash acquired). STC, with 2002 annual sales of approximately $87 million, is a leading manufacturer of highly engineered state-of-the-art power management products and electronic radio frequency and microwave frequency components and subsystems for the defense, space and military communications markets. STC supplies many U.S. Department of Defense prime contractors and foreign allied defense organizations with products designed into systems for missile, radar, aircraft, electronic warfare, intelligence and communication applications. The operations were integrated with the Company’s Aerospace & Electronics segment.

In June 2003, the Company purchased certain pipe coupling and fittings businesses from Etex Group S.A. (“Etex”), for a purchase price of approximately $29 million. The 2002 annual sales for these businesses were approximately $60 million. These businesses provide pipe jointing and repair solutions to the water, gas and industrial markets worldwide. Products include grooved pipe systems, pipeline couplings and transition fittings and pipeline equipment. The businesses were integrated into the Company’s subsidiary, Crane Ltd., a leading provider of pipe fittings, valves and related products to the building services, “HVAC” and industrial markets in the United Kingdom and Europe.

The Company also acquired two other entities in 2003 at a total purchase price of approximately $2 million.

In March 2003, the Company sold the assets of its Chempump unit.

All acquisitions were accounted for by the purchase method. The results of operations for all acquisitions have been included in the financial statements from their respective dates of purchase. Pro forma amounts for 2005, 2004 and 2003 acquisitions were not presented because their impact on results of operations was not material.

Preferred Share Purchase Rights

On June 27, 1998, the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan to replace the Plan that expired on that date. The Company distributed one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock. The preferred rights were not exercisable when granted and may only become exercisable under certain circumstances involving actual or potential acquisitions of the Company’s common stock by a person or affiliated persons. Depending upon the circumstances, if the rights become exercisable, the holder may be entitled to purchase shares of the Company’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or shares of common stock of the acquiring person. Preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of the rights will not be redeemable. Each preferred share will be entitled to preferential rights regarding dividend and liquidation payments, voting power and, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which common shares are exchanged, a preferential exchange rate. The rights will remain in existence until June 27, 2008, unless they are earlier terminated, exercised or redeemed. The Company has authorized five million shares of $.01 par value preferred stock, of which 500,000 shares have been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company has two stock-based compensation plans: the Stock Incentive Plan and the Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan. In accounting for its stock-based compensation plans, the Company applies the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option or award on the measurement date, generally the date of grant. No stock option-based employee compensation expense is reflected in net income, as all options granted under the plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The Stock Incentive Plan also provides for awards of restricted common stock to officers and other key employees, subject to risk of forfeiture restrictions which lapse over time or upon certain performance objectives.

 

36


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As required by SFAS 123 and SFAS 148, the Company has disclosed in the accounting policies note the pro forma amounts as if the fair value method of accounting had been used for stock option awards. These pro forma amounts may not be representative of the effects on reported net income or loss in future years because the number of future shares to be issued under these plans is not known and the assumptions used to determine the fair value can vary significantly.

The weighted average fair value of options granted was $7.26 per share in 2005, $8.42 per share in 2004 and $4.80 per share in 2003. These estimates were based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Dividend yield

   1.49 %   1.20 %   2.12 %

Volatility

   30.74 %   29.63 %   29.93 %

Risk-free interest rates

   3.65 %   3.55 %   2.98 %

Expected lives in years

   4.20     3.95     5.26  

Options are granted under the Stock Incentive Plan to officers and other key employees and directors at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. Options become exercisable at a rate of 50% after the first year, 75% after the second year and 100% after the third year from the date of grant and expire six years after the date of grant (ten years for options granted prior to 2004). A summary of stock option activity, and options exercisable at December 31, follows:

 

Stock Option Activity

(shares in thousands)

   Number
of Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

2003:

    

Options outstanding at beginning of year

   6,043     $ 23.85

Granted

   1,243       18.91

Exercised

   (861 )     19.75

Canceled

   (313 )     24.94
            

Options outstanding at end of year

   6,112       23.36

2004:

    

Granted

   1,129     $ 33.23

Exercised

   (814 )     20.04

Canceled

   (114 )     26.71
            

Options outstanding at end of year

   6,313       25.51

2005:

    

Granted

   1,228     $ 26.33

Exercised

   (999 )     22.27

Canceled

   (417 )     27.75
            

Options outstanding at end of year

   6,125     $ 26.05
            

Options Exercisable (shares in thousands) December 31,

   Number
of Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

2003

   4,054     $ 23.66

2004

   4,382       24.28

2005

   4,299       25.27

 

37


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A summary of information regarding stock options outstanding at December 31, 2005, follows:

 

(shares in thousands)

   Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
of Shares
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number
of Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$26.95-33.54

   2,530    3.57    $ 30.85    1,900    $ 30.38

$22.77-26.86

   1,845    5.39      25.20    845      23.29

$16.96-22.48

   1,750    4.95      19.99    1,554      20.11
                            

Total

   6,125    4.53    $ 26.05    4,299    $ 25.27
                            

The Company awarded 368,480 time-based restricted shares with a weighted average fair value of $27.02 in 2005. As of December 31, 2005, there were available for future awards a total of 905,155 shares. Compensation expense recognized for its restricted stock awards was $7.7 million in 2005, $4.1 million in 2004 and $4.0 million in 2003.

Under the Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan, directors who are not full-time employees of the Company receive 50% of their annual retainer in shares of common stock. The shares are issued each year after the Company’s annual meeting, are forfeitable if the director ceases to remain a director until the Company’s next annual meeting and may not be sold for a period of five years or until the director leaves the Board. Also under this plan, at the date of the annual meeting, each non-employee director is granted an option to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant exercisable at a rate of 50% after the first year, 75% after the second year and 100% after the third year from the date of grant, expiring ten years after the date of grant. For 2005, the non-employee directors received an aggregate of 17,500 shares with a weighted average fair value of $26.91. Upon the adoption of this plan in 2000, each non-employee director received a grant of options to purchase common stock with an aggregate value, determined on the basis of the Black-Scholes method, equal to his accrued benefit under a retirement plan for non-employee directors which was terminated. One director elected to remain in the retirement plan and does not receive options under the new plan.

 

38


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Segment Information

The Company’s segments are reported on the same basis used internally for evaluating segment performance and for allocating resources. The Company has five reporting segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Engineered Materials, Merchandising Systems, Fluid Handling and Controls.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties at current market prices. Information by industry segments follows:

 

(in thousands)

   2005    2004    2003

Aerospace & Electronics

        

Net sales — outside

   $ 554,299    $ 511,334    $ 429,128

Net sales — intersegment

     145      290      —  

Operating profit

     86,136      92,650      96,155

Assets

     476,400      480,301      432,219

Goodwill

     196,559      197,942      173,473

Capital expenditures

     7,837      6,677      8,979

Depreciation and amortization

     15,247      16,705      16,192

Engineered Materials

        

Net sales — outside

   $ 304,824    $ 276,186    $ 240,220

Operating profit

     62,982      54,072      48,136

Assets

     189,353      188,212      185,889

Goodwill

     122,636      123,040      123,322

Capital expenditures

     5,565      1,516      2,481

Depreciation and amortization

     4,173      4,316      5,059

Merchandising Systems

        

Net sales — outside

   $ 166,298    $ 169,205    $ 155,289

Operating profit

     12,797      9,722      2,766

Assets

     104,162      121,709      113,346

Goodwill

     43,057      44,227      42,301

Capital expenditures

     1,544      3,219      4,123

Depreciation and amortization

     5,381      6,165      6,719

Fluid Handling

        

Net sales — outside

   $ 953,696    $ 861,676    $ 748,042

Net sales — intersegment

     264      261      217

Operating profit

     76,132      52,152      43,496

Assets

     692,856      734,863      647,876

Goodwill

     190,599      198,277      181,559

Capital expenditures

     8,421      10,135      11,256

Depreciation and amortization

     18,798      20,291      17,983

Controls

        

Net sales — outside

   $ 82,132    $ 71,934    $ 63,312

Net sales — intersegment

     13      17      65

Operating profit

     7,274      5,528      4,541

Assets

     48,107      49,919      49,594

Goodwill

     15,504      15,595      15,584

Capital expenditures

     1,101      958      1,272

Depreciation and amortization

     2,067      2,214      2,412

 

39


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(in thousands)

   2005     2004     2003  

Consolidated net sales

      

Reporting segments

   $ 2,061,671     $ 1,890,903     $ 1,636,273  

Intersegment elimination

     (422 )     (568 )     (282 )
                        

TOTAL NET SALES

   $ 2,061,249     $ 1,890,335     $ 1,635,991  
                        

Operating profit (loss)

      

Reporting segments

   $ 245,321     $ 214,124     $ 195,094  

Corporate – before asbestos

     (31,699 )     (27,820 )     (25,482 )

Corporate expense – asbestos charge

     —         (307,794 )     —    

Corporate expense – environmental charge

     —         (40,000 )     (600 )
                        

TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)

   $ 213,622     $ (161,490 )   $ 169,012  
                        

Assets

      

Reporting segments

   $ 1,510,878     $ 1,575,004     $ 1,428,924  

Corporate

     628,608       541,504       382,852  
                        

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,139,486     $ 2,116,508     $ 1,811,776  
                        

Goodwill

      

Reporting segments

   $ 568,355     $ 579,081     $ 536,239  
                        

Capital expenditures

      

Reporting segments

   $ 24,468     $ 22,505     $ 28,111  

Corporate

     2,696       2       17  
                        

TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

   $ 27,164     $ 22,507     $ 28,128  
                        

Depreciation and amortization

      

Reporting segments

   $ 45,666     $ 49,691     $ 48,365  

Corporate

     10,049       6,025       5,660  
                        

TOTAL DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

   $ 55,715     $ 55,716     $ 54,025  
                        

Information by geographic segments follows:

      

(in thousands)

   2005     2004     2003  

Net sales*

      

United States

   $ 1,311,535     $ 1,210,531     $ 1,073,855  

Canada

     190,451       164,387       140,902  

Europe

     453,314       421,440       351,208  

Other international

     105,949       93,977       70,026  
                        

TOTAL NET SALES

   $ 2,061,249     $ 1,890,335     $ 1,635,991  
                        

Assets*

      

United States

   $ 947,438     $ 988,414     $ 892,790  

Canada

     86,948       87,808       76,494  

Europe

     419,596       451,041       404,548  

Other international

     56,896       47,741       55,092  

Corporate

     628,608       541,504       382,852  
                        

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,139,486     $ 2,116,508     $ 1,811,776  
                        

* Net sales and Assets by geographic region are based on the location of the business unit.

 

40


MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Crane Co. and subsidiaries have been prepared by management in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, in the judgment of management, present fairly and consistently the Company’s financial position and results of operations and cash flows. These statements by necessity include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments and give due consideration to materiality.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005. In making this assessment, it used the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2005, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

The Company’s independent auditors have issued an audit report on our assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 52.

 

LOGO
Eric C. Fast
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

LOGO

J. Robert Vipond

Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

The Section 302 certifications of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer have been filed as Exhibit 31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Furthermore, because the Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer is required to make, and he has made as of May 24, 2005, a CEO’s Annual Certification to the NYSE in accordance with Section 303A.12 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual stating that he was not aware of any violations by the Company of New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

LOGO

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Crane Co.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Crane Co. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and changes in shareholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Crane Co. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

LOGO
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
FEBRUARY 27, 2006

 

41


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

LOGO

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Crane Co.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying “Management’s Responsibility for Financial Reporting”, that Crane Co. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the board of directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and for the year then ended of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

 

LOGO
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
FEBRUARY 27, 2006

 

42


2004 REVIEW MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Aerospace & Electronics

 

(dollars in millions)

   2004     2003  

Net sales

   $ 512     $ 429  

Operating profit

     93       96  

Assets

   $ 480     $ 432  

Operating margin

     18.1 %     22.4 %

Overview

The Aerospace & Electronics segment is organized in two groups: the Aerospace Group and the Electronics Group. Each Group is structured as one company to reduce operating costs, eliminate duplicate overhead and capital expenditures, leverage and share intellectual capital, improve focus on customer solutions and provide the structure for efficient integration of acquisitions. In 2004, the segment revenue was derived 60% from the Aerospace Group and 40% from the Electronics Group.

The Aerospace Group products are currently manufactured under the brand names ELDEC, Hydro-Aire, Lear Romec, Resistoflex-Aerospace, and P.L. Porter (“Porter”). The Group’s products are organized into the following solution sets: Landing Systems Solutions, Sensing and Controls Solutions, Fluid Management Solutions, Aircraft Electrical Power Solutions and Cabin Solutions. The latter solution set was added with the Porter acquisition in late January 2004.

Porter, acquired in late January 2004 for a purchase price of $44 million, holds leading positions in both electromechanical actuation and hydraulic/mechanical actuation for aircraft seating, selling directly to seat manufacturers and to the airlines. This new solution set’s products are the Aerospace & Electronics segment’s first offerings for passenger service applications.

The Electronics Group products are currently manufactured under the brand names Interpoint, General Technology, STC Microwave Systems, Keltec, Olektron, ELDEC and Advanced Integrated Systems Division (“AISD”). The Group’s products are organized into the following solution sets: Power Solutions, Microwave Systems Solutions, Electronic Manufacturing Services Solutions, and Microelectronics Solutions/AISD.

Through acquisitions in both 2002 and 2003, the Group was further strengthened and substantially increased its defense-related product portfolio. In November 2002, the Company acquired General Technology Corporation (“GTC”), a strategic acquisition that extended the group’s already strong position in the electronics market by increasing its focus on the military market. GTC provides high-reliability, customized-contract manufacturing services and products focused on military and defense applications. In 2003, the microelectronics packaging capability of Interpoint was teamed with the engineering talent at GTC, opening new markets for the Electronics Group. In May 2003, the Company acquired Signal Technology Corporation (“STC”) for approximately $138 million. STC is a leading manufacturer of highly-engineered, state-of-the-art power management products and electronic radio frequency and microwave frequency components and subsystems for the defense, space and military communications markets. STC supplies many U.S. Department of Defense prime contractors and foreign allied defense organizations with products designed into systems for missile, radar, aircraft, electronic warfare, and intelligence and communications applications.

2004 Operating Results

Sales of the Aerospace & Electronics segment increased $83 million, or 19%, in 2004, including incremental sales of $35 million from the Porter acquisition. Operating profit declined $3 million or 4%. Aerospace Group operating profit rose, but this gain was more than offset by a decline in the Electronics Group in part reflecting disruption from closure of a plant acquired with STC. The operating margin for the segment was 18.1% in 2004 compared with 22.4% in 2003, reflecting the Electronics Group performance and the Aerospace Group’s OEM/aftermarket mix and higher engineering investment. For the segment, inventory turns improved to 3.7 times at December 31, 2004 from 3.4 times at December 31, 2003, while working capital as a percent of sales was 26.4% at December 31, 2004 compared with 26.1% at December 31, 2003.

Aerospace Group

Aerospace Group sales of $309 million increased 23%, from $250 million in 2003, including $24 million, or 9%, from the core business and $35 million, or 14%, from the Porter acquisition. Sales growth reflected increased OEM demand partially offset by lower aftermarket demand for commercial and military products. Operating profit increased 4% in 2004, as the strong OEM sales and the incremental profit from the Porter acquisition was partially offset by a decline in the high-margin aftermarket business and increased engineering investment of $4 million for new aircraft platforms and retrofit programs.

The commercial market accounted for about 75% of Aerospace Group sales in 2004, while sales to the military market were approximately 25% of the total. Sales in 2004 by its five solution sets divided as follows: landing systems, 25%; sensing and controls, 25%; fluid management, 31%; aircraft electrical power, 8%; and cabin, 11%.

The Aerospace Group’s core business shipments to OEM customers in 2004 increased 19% above 2003 as a result of increased demand from both the commercial and military markets. Aftermarket sales in 2004, excluding those attributable to the Porter acquisition, declined 6% compared with 2003 largely due to early retirements of older commercial aircraft platforms containing these products as well as lower military spares. Sales to OEMs, excluding the Porter acquisition, were 56% of the total in 2004 compared with 52% in 2003.

In 2004, the Aerospace Group continued to invest in new technology and new markets with an emphasis on products that improve safety and/or reduce operating costs. An important result of this emphasis has been the development of a weight

 

43


2004 REVIEW MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

and balance system (“AirWeighs™”). The AirWeighs system converts landing gear struts into scales that measure an aircraft’s weight and determines the center of gravity in seconds, versus today’s method that calculates this information using average passenger and baggage weights. Automatically measuring actual aircraft weight and center of gravity information improves airline operations and enhances aircraft performance while focusing on safety. Also being introduced in 2005 is the hand-held SmartStem System which replaces the existing valve stem in an aircraft wheel with a radio frequency equipped valve stem capable of communicating tire pressure, temperature, and other stored data wirelessly. The ease of use behind the SmartStem System reduces labor costs while the technology extends the life of a tire. SmartStem has been selected by Cessna for the business jet market and by Boeing for the 7E7. Its attributes include reducing labor costs and increasing tire warranty.

In 2004, the Aerospace Group established the Cabin Systems Solution set with the acquisition of Porter.

Electronics Group

In 2004, Electronics Group sales increased $24 million to $204 million, with $26 million of the increase resulting from full-year inclusion of the results of STC, acquired in May 2003. Operating profit declined by 16%, impacted by operational challenges largely the result of disruption from closure of a plant site obtained with the STC acquisition.

Electronics Group sales by market in 2004 were as follows: military/defense, 89%; commercial aerospace, 5%; medical, 4%; and space, 2%. The proportion of 2004 sales by Electronics Group solution set follows: Power Solutions, 50%; Microwave Systems Solutions, 22%; Electronic Manufacturing Solutions, 16%; and Microelectronics Solutions/AISD, 12%.

Power Solutions, the largest solution set of the Group, accounting for 50% of total Group revenue, includes both core business and STC acquired product lines. Revenue growth during 2004 was strong at 10%. Operating profit margins remained strong, the strongest for all product lines in the Electronics Group. Backlog at December 31, 2004 was 40% above prior year levels.

The Microwave Solution set, which accounts for 22% of the group’s total revenue, suffered from a number of business challenges in 2004. In 2004, operating profit declined significantly as the business experienced design development and production throughput issues resulting from closure of the California site obtained with the STC acquisition. Numerous corrective actions were implemented during the fourth quarter of 2004. However, weak orders during 2004 resulted in a year-end backlog level 13% below prior year.

The Electronics Manufacturing Solutions set accounts for 16% of the Group’s revenue. The 2004 operating profit decline was due to ramp-up production issues occurring early in the year which were partly offset by volume increases.

Engineered Materials

 

(dollars in millions)

   2004     2003  

Net sales

   $ 276     $ 240  

Operating profit

     54       48  

Assets

     188       186  

Operating margin

     19.6 %     20.0 %

Overview

The Engineered Materials segment consists of two business units, Kemlite and Polyflon. Kemlite is the world’s largest manufacturer of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (“frp”) panels for recreational vehicles (“RVs”), truck trailers, building products and industrial building materials. Polyflon is a manufacturer of small specialty components, primarily substrate materials for antennas.

2004 Operating Results

Engineered Materials sales increased $36 million from $240 million in 2003 to $276 million in 2004. Operating profit increased $6 million in 2004 to $54 million compared with $48 million in 2003, while operating margins were 19.6% in 2004 compared with 20.0% in 2003.

In 2004, Kemlite’s sales increased 15%, while operating profit increased 12%. Sales of frp panels to the RV market were up 19% with demand at its highest level in over twenty-five years, as the RV build rates reached approximately 370,000 units in 2004. Sales of translucent roofs and interior scuff and liner panels for transportation trailers increased 18% in 2004 compared with 2003. Kemlite’s sales also benefited from price increases, the introduction of new products and improved international market penetration. Operating margins in 2004 were down slightly, primarily as a result of rising raw material costs that started early in the year and continued to escalate throughout 2004. Price increases to customers did not fully offset the higher material costs during 2004.

Kemlite continued its operational excellence programs, focusing on cost reductions and working capital efficiencies. These operating efficiencies helped defray some of the substantial raw material cost increases. Kemlite’s working capital metrics were as follows: inventory turned 17.7 times in 2004 compared with 15.4 times in 2003, while the working capital investment level was reduced to 5.3% as a percent of sales in 2004 compared with 7.5% in 2003. On-time delivery remained at 98% in both 2004 and 2003.

Polyflon’s sales of $3 million increased 21% in 2004, while operating profit increased 37%.

 

44


2004 REVIEW MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Merchandising Systems

 

(dollars in millions)

   2004     2003  

Net sales

   $ 169     $ 155  

Operating profit

     10       3  

Assets

     122       113  

Operating margin

     5.7 %     1.8 %

Overview

The Merchandising Systems segment is comprised of two businesses: Crane Merchandising Systems (“CMS”), which makes food, snack and beverage vending machines as well as vending management software, and National Rejectors (“NRI”), which is based in Germany and makes coin changers and validators.

CMS, which accounted for over 80% of the 2004 segment sales, is located in St. Louis, Boston, and Chippenham, England. Crane Merchandising Systems’ competitive advantage is the direct-sales business model, which allows more cost-efficient distribution, shorter lead times on equipment purchases and enhanced customer communications resulting in better customer service.

The CMS business unit is working to broaden product appeal to vending operators who are seeking to maximize return on investment and consumers who are looking for greater selection, product quality and transactional confidence.

In 2004, CMS launched three new products. CMS’s new Shopper unit, which replaces a 1987 model, includes sleek styling and 23% more vending volume than its predecessor product. The increased vending volume allows operators to offer a greater variety of merchandise including healthier items, such as salads. Other new features allow use of various payment methods, coins, bills and credit cards, which increase sales volume and thus raise return on investment for machine operators. The Refreshment Center is targeted to smaller sites, and will vend fresh food, snacks and beverages from one machine. The Genesis Tabletop Coffee Machine provides genuine espresso and fresh brew coffee for the European market. NRI is working toward expansion in the U.S. through a new payment system that will include a cash recycler that returns change in dollars and coins.

2004 Operating Results

Segment sales increased $14 million, or 9%, from $155 million in 2003 to $169 million in 2004, and operating profit more than tripled in 2004 to $10 million from $3 million in 2003. Approximately half of the increase in sales was due to favorable foreign currency translation, with the balance resulting from a recovery in demand for European coin changing equipment and a modest increase in CMS shipments.

As most units are placed in factories or offices, CMS’ business is heavily dependent on U.S. employment rates and commercial office occupancy. Employment rates have improved slightly from 2003 and office occupancy rates have stabilized.

CMS sales of $141 million increased 6% in 2004, up from $133 million in 2003, mainly from favorable foreign currency impacts and a modest volume increase. Operating profit increased 43% as a result of increased volume, productivity gains from cost reduction activities and operational efficiencies partially offset by increased raw material costs.

CMS has been focusing on operational excellence to significantly improve both customer focus and operations. CMS inventory turnover has improved to 6.0 turns in 2004 from 4.5 turns in 2003 (a 33% improvement) and 4.2 turns in 2002, a 43% improvement in two years. Operating working capital as a percentage of sales continued its favorable trend from 23% in 2002 to 20% at the end of 2003 and 17% at the end of 2004, a 26% improvement in two years. Customer metric improvements included on-time deliveries of 97% in both 2004 and 2003 and lead-times down to four days in 2004 from six days in 2002.

NRI’s net sales in 2004 were $28 million, up 24%, compared with 2003 sales of $23 million. Sales benefited from favorable foreign currency translation and a modest increase in demand in Europe for the coin validator products. NRI had an operating loss in both 2003 and 2004, although significantly reduced in 2004. Lower 2004 severance costs and an improved cost structure from headcount reductions benefited 2004 results. Severance costs were $1.5 million in 2004 and $3.1 million in 2003.

 

45


2004 REVIEW MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Fluid Handling

 

(dollars in millions)

   2004     2003  

Net sales

   $ 862     $ 748  

Operating profit

     52       44  

Assets

     735       648  

Operating margin

     6.1 %     5.8 %

Overview

The Fluid Handling segment consists of the Valve Group, Crane Ltd., Resistoflex-Industrial, Crane Pumps & Systems, Crane Supply and Crane Environmental. The Valve Group manufactures and sells various types of industrial and commercial valves and provides valve testing, parts and services. Crane Ltd. manufactures pipe fittings, commercial valves, couplings and connectors for the building services, gas and water utility markets. Resistoflex-Industrial manufactures lined pipe and fittings. Crane Pumps & Systems manufactures and sells pumps for a wide range of applications. Crane Supply is a Canada-based distributor of pipe, valves and fittings, and Crane Environmental manufactures specialized water purification solutions for industrial and commercial markets.

Revenues of the Fluid Handling segment in 2004 were derived as follows: Valve Group, 53%; Crane Ltd., 14%; Resistoflex-Industrial Products, 5%; Crane Pumps & Systems, 11%; Crane Supply, 15%; and Crane Environmental, 2%.

During 2004, the Fluid Handling segment experienced core sales growth (excluding foreign exchange and acquisitions), as well as margin improvement in several businesses. However, this segment continued to face significant challenges in 2004: unsatisfactory margin levels at certain businesses, largely due to escalation in raw material costs; both internal and external supply chain disruptions and transition problems relating to shifting the production of commodity valves to low-cost countries (China and Mexico).

Improvement in end-market conditions in the segment’s chemical processing, power and hydrocarbon/oil and gas markets began in 2004, as evidenced by growth in emerging markets for industrial valves, increased demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) and small projects and strengthened demand in U.S. power service.

In January 2004, the Company acquired the Hattersley valve brand and business for $6 million, a subsidiary of Tomkins plc, whose branded products include an array of valves for commercial, industrial and institutional construction projects. In June 2003, the Company purchased for $28 million certain pipe coupling and fittings businesses from Etex Group S.A. (“Etex”). Both of these acquisitions have been integrated into Crane Ltd.

In December 2004, the Company sold the Victaulic trademark and related assets, acquired in connection with the acquisition of certain valve and fittings product lines from Etex S.A. Group for $15.3 million in an all cash transaction. The Company realized an after-tax gain of $6.5 million, or $.11 per share, on the sale.

2004 Operating Results

Fluid Handling sales of $862 million in 2004 increased $114 million, or 15%, from $748 million in 2003. Sales growth was 4% from core businesses ($30 million), 6% from acquisitions ($46 million) and 5% from favorable foreign currency translation ($38 million). Core business growth was driven by higher shipments of certain valve and pump products and Crane Supply performance. Operating profit of $52 million in 2004 increased $8 million, or 20%, compared with $44 million in 2003. This increase is primarily a result of the higher revenue and operating efficiencies from facility closures and workforce reductions coupled with reduced severance costs in 2004. Operating profit margin was 6.1% in 2004 compared with 5.8% in the prior year.

Valve Group sales of $460 million increased $38 million, or 9% from $422 million in the prior year. Approximately half of the increase was from favorable foreign currency translation ($20 million); the remaining $18 million, or 4%, reflects increased product shipments to the industrial and chemical process markets and, to a lesser degree, price increases. Valve Group operating profit increased 25% as a result of the benefits from the higher sales level and lower costs from prior year facility and work force rationalizations partially offset by poor performance in the marine valve business from significant material cost increases on long-term, fix-price contracts with customers. The challenge for the Valve Group continues to be attaining price increases to offset material cost increases, establishing robust supply chains from low-cost country sources and continuing the improvement in business processes and productivity. Valve Group inventory turns have improved to 3.3 times at December 31, 2004 from 3.0 times at December 31, 2003, while working capital as a percent of sales was 28.5% at December 31, 2004, compared with 30.4% at December 31, 2003.

 

46


2004 REVIEW MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Crane Ltd. sales increased 67%, to $120 million, in 2004 compared with 2003 due to the incremental revenue from the Hattersley and Etex acquisitions and favorable foreign exchange. Demand continued to be weak in the core commodity valve product line in the domestic U.K. market. Margins were depressed, impacted by product availability issues and higher material costs. Operating profit increased $2 million in 2004 to $7 million. Excluding acquisitions, operating profit declined by $1 million. For Crane Ltd., 2004 was a year of consolidation and transition as acquisitions were integrated. Two sites acquired with the Etex acquisition were consolidated and closed while the Hattersley product line acquisition included a move to integrate it into an existing Crane Ltd. location.

Resistoflex-Industrial sales of $42 million in 2004 were flat compared with 2003, while operating profit increased $2 million. This increase in operating profit was largely due to the full year benefits gained from the Bay City, Michigan, facility closure in early 2003 while European productivity improvements provided additional benefit.

Crane Pumps & Systems’ net sales of $100 million increased $6 million, or 7%, in 2004 compared with 2003. This sales improvement was a result of aggressive marketing toward the professional plumbing market and expansion of the decorative water feature product line. Government shipments also increased from 2003, reflecting the growth in military spending in the U.S. and abroad. Operating margins were 11.4% in 2004 compared with 12.5% in 2003. Operating profit, in 2004, included $.9 million of closure costs related to the Salem, Ohio manufacturing facility which began in the fourth quarter of 2004 and was to be completed in 2005.

Net sales at Crane Supply increased $22 million, or 20%, compared with 2003. Operating profit increased $3 million, or 36%, in 2004 compared with 2003. This improved performance was a result of increased sales of core products of pipe, valves and fittings as well as services differentiation through the business solutions group. In 2004, Crane Supply focused on transitioning to one operating company with 33 operating locations across Canada. Local management has implemented changes to infrastructure to become more consistent from location to location and front-end focused to improve customer metrics, specifically lead times, on-time delivery and quality.

Controls

 

(dollars in millions)

   2004     2003  

Net sales

   $ 72     $ 64  

Operating profit

     5       4  

Assets

     50       50  

Operating margin

     7.7 %     7.2 %

Overview

The Controls segment is comprised of the Barksdale, Azonix and Dynalco businesses. Barksdale is a producer of ride-leveling, air-suspension control valves for heavy trucks and trailers, as well as pressure, temperature and level sensors used in a range of industrial machinery and equipment. Azonix/Dynalco is an established manufacturer of electronic human-machine interface panels for harsh and hazardous environments typically found on oil rigs and platforms, as well as large engine compressor monitoring and diagnostic systems.

In 2004, Controls entered new growth markets, such as on-road transportation and diesel engine monitoring and diagnostics. Its approach to growing the business has resulted in broadening service capabilities to leverage its installed product base and strengthening its sales channels.

2004 Operating Results

Controls net sales of $72 million increased $8 million in 2004 compared with 2003, as all businesses experienced improvements in market conditions, particularly the truck manufacturing, oil and gas exploration, gas gathering and transmission and hydrocarbon processing markets. Most of the segment’s businesses have benefited from the resurgence of industrial capital spending and a strong transportation market. Segment operating profit of $5 million increased $1 million in 2004 above 2003, primarily as a result of these improved sales levels, particularly at Barksdale.

Barksdale’s 2004 net sales increased 16% from the prior year. This increase is attributable to market growth, favorable foreign exchange and new products. Barkdale’s foreign operation has benefited from the recovery of the European economy in the second half of 2004. Barksdale’s operating profit increased 88% from the prior year primarily as a result of leveraging the incremental sales volume.

Azonix/Dynalco’s net sales increased 10% in 2004 from the prior year. This increase is attributable to market growth and new products. Operating profit was flat as compared with the prior year.

For the segment, inventory turns have increased to 4.2 times at December 31, 2004 compared with 3.6 times at December 31, 2003, while working capital as a percent of sales was 20% at December 31, 2004 compared with 22% at December 31, 2003.

 

47


2004 REVIEW MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

Corporate

 

(dollars in millions)

   2004     2003  

Corporate expense

   $ (28 )   $ (25 )

Corporate expense – Asbestos charge

     (307 )     —    

Corporate expense – Environmental charge

     (40 )     (1 )
                

Total Corporate

     (375 )     (26 )

Interest income

     1       1  

Interest expense

     (23 )     (20 )

Miscellaneous — net

     15       1  

Effective tax rate on income

     37.3 %     31.0 %

Corporate expense increased $349 million in 2004 due to asbestos and environmental charges ($346 million) and employee-related costs ($3 million).

Corporate expense—asbestos charges In October 2004 the Company reached an agreement in principle with representatives of a majority of current claimants and an independent representative of future claimants to resolve all current and future asbestos-related personal injury claims against the Company, to be structured and implemented pursuant to Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. On that date, MCC Holdings, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company formerly known as Mark Controls Corporation (“MCC”), entered into a Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) with representatives of a majority of current claimants and a Settlement Trust Agreement, which provided for a $280 million trust (the “MCC Settlement Trust”) to be funded and administered to pay asbestos-related personal injury claims settled under the MSA. In connection with the terms of the MSA, which would have brought finality to this overall obligation, a third quarter 2004 asbestos charge of $322 million (pre-tax and after insurance) was recorded.

On December 2, 2004, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the District Court order approving Combustion Engineering’s asbestos-related bankruptcy plan of reorganization and addressed the scope of Section 524(g) and the appropriate structure of transactions providing relief for asbestos defendant companies under Section 524(g). The Court’s opinion, in the Company’s view, constituted a material change in the case law regarding Section 524(g) transactions, and accordingly, on January 24, 2005, the Company exercised its right to terminate the MSA.

The termination of the MSA placed the Company and asbestos claimants back into the tort system for the resolution of claims. In the fourth quarter, Crane Co. management, with the assistance of outside experts, made its best estimate of settlement and defense costs through 2011 (including certain related fees and expenses). In making this estimate, the Company adjusted the assumed rate of insurance recoveries from 30% in the context of the proposed comprehensive asbestos settlement back to 40% of the estimated liability payable over time in the tort system. The estimated asbestos liability was reviewed in light of these changes and resulted in a $14 million reduction in the 2004 estimated cost after anticipated insurance recoveries but before tax. The principal factor affecting the lower asbestos liability estimate under the tort system versus the MSA is a higher insurance recovery rate, partly offset by the inclusion of defense costs under the tort system.

Corporate expense—environmental charge The environmental charge includes anticipated environmental cleanup costs which are based on an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the scope of work for further investigation and remediation of the Company’s Goodyear, Arizona Superfund site.

Interest expense increased $3 million to $23 million in 2004 compared with 2003 due to higher borrowing levels in support of acquisitions, share repurchases and asbestos-related costs as well as increased short-term interest rates.

Miscellaneous – net income was $15 million in 2004 compared with $1 million in 2003. 2004 included income of $9 million from the sale of the Victaulic trademark and business assets; $4 million of equity income from the Ferguson business, and other asset sales generating income of $2 million. 2003 reflects income of $3 million from the Ferguson joint venture partly offset by asset disposal costs and other miscellaneous costs.

The effective tax rate on income was 37.3% in 2004 compared with 31.0% in 2003 as a result of the federal tax benefits related to the asbestos and environmental charges recorded in 2004.

 

48


FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

(in thousands, except per share data) For year ended December 31,

   2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  

Net sales

   $ 2,061,249     $ 1,890,335     $ 1,635,991     $ 1,516,347     $ 1,587,180  

Operating profit (loss)

     213,622       (161,490 )     169,012       39,671       171,684  

Interest expense

     (22,416 )     (23,161 )     (20,010 )     (16,900 )     (21,187 )

Income (loss) before taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     196,523       (168,170 )     151,164       24,453       135,817  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     60,486       (62,749 )     46,861       7,825       47,197  
                                        

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     136,037       (105,421 )     104,303       16,628       88,620  

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —         —         —         (28,076 )     —    
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 136,037     $ (105,421 )   $ 104,303     $ (11,448 )   $ 88,620  
                                        

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle per diluted share

   $ 2.25     $ (1.78 )   $ 1.75     $ 0.28     $ 1.47  

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle per diluted share

     —         —         —         (0.47 )     —    
                                        

Net income (loss) per diluted share

   $ 2.25     $ (1.78 )   $ 1.75     $ (0.19 )   $ 1.47  
                                        

Cash dividends per common share

   $ 0.45     $ 0.40     $ 0.40     $ 0.40     $ 0.40  

Total assets

     2,139,486       2,116,508       1,811,776       1,413,696       1,292,115  

Long-term debt

     293,248       296,592       295,861       205,318       302,368  

QUARTERLY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

 

(in thousands, except per share data) For year ended December 31,

   First    Second    Third     Fourth    Year  

2005

             

Net sales

   $ 507,061    $ 525,619    $ 522,231     $ 506,338    $ 2,061,249  

Cost of sales

     351,641      363,333      356,058       347,630      1,418,662  

Gross profit

     155,420      162,286      166,173       158,708      642,587  

Net income

     24,997      35,674      40,043       35,323      136,037  

Net income per basic share

     0.42      0.60      0.67       0.59      2.27  

Net income per diluted share

     0.42      0.59      0.66       0.58      2.25  

2004

             

Net sales

   $ 448,306    $ 479,107    $ 477,320     $ 485,602    $ 1,890,335  

Cost of sales

     305,926      324,348      687,863       328,531      1,646,668  

Gross profit (loss)

     142,380      154,759      (210,543 )     157,071      243,667  

Net income (loss)

     22,177      31,238      (205,206 )     46,370      (105,421 )

Net income (loss) per basic/diluted share

     .37      .53      (3.48 )     .78      (1.78 )

MARKET AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION – CRANE CO. COMMON SHARES

 

     New York Stock Exchange Composite Price per Share    Dividends per Share

Quarter

   2005
High
   2005
Low
   2004
High
   2004
Low
   2005    2004

First

   $ 30.55    $ 26.00    $ 33.00    $ 29.45    $ .10    $ .10

Second

     29.05      25.15      34.40      29.03      .10      .10

Third

     32.50      26.26      31.46      25.83      .125      .10

Fourth

     37.77      27.70      32.39      27.26      .125      .10
                         
               $ .45    $ .40
                         

On December 31, 2005 there were approximately 3,899 holders of record of Crane Co. common stock.

Crane Co. common share ownership inclusive of stock options exercisable by Management and Directors are as follows:

5% Holders, 25%; Other Institutional Holders, 48%; Retail Shareholders, 16%; Management and Directors, 7%; and Employee Benefit Plans, 4%.

 

49


The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines reflect the Board’s commitment to monitor the effectiveness of policy and decision making both at the Board and management level, with a view to enhancing long-term shareholder value.

Key aspects of the guidelines are set forth on page 60, and Committee descriptions may be found on the reverse side of this page. The full text of the guidelines is available at the Company’s website at www.craneco.com/investors/corporate governance.

 

50


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

The Board’s Goal

The Board’s goal is to build long-term value for the Company’s shareholders and to assure the vitality of the Company for its customers, employees and the other individuals and organizations who depend on the Company.

Size of the Board

The Board believes that it should generally have no fewer than nine and no more than twelve directors.

Selection of New Directors

The guidelines require that nominees for director be those people who, after taking into account their skills, expertise, integrity, diversity and other qualities, are believed to enhance the Board’s ability to manage and direct, in an effective manner, the business and affairs of the Company.

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the appropriate balance of criteria required of Board members.

Each director is expected, within five years following his or her election to the Board, to own stock in the Company in an amount that is equal in value to five times the director’s annual retainer fee.

Other Public Company Directorships

Directors who also serve as chief executive officers should not serve on more than two public company boards in addition to the Board, and other directors should not sit on more than four public company boards in addition to the Board. The members of the Audit Committee should not serve on more than two other audit committees of public companies.

Independence of the Board

The Board shall be comprised of a substantial majority of directors who qualify as independent directors (“Independent Directors”) under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). The Board has adopted Standards for Director Independence, the text of which appears on the Company’s website.

Retirement Policy for Directors

The Board does not believe that there should be fixed criteria requiring automatic retirement from the Board. However, the Board recognizes that there are certain events that could have an effect on a person’s ability to be an effective contributor to the Board process. Accordingly, each director who has attained the age of 70, served on the Board for fifteen years or changed the position he or she held when he or she became a member of the Board is expected to so notify the Nominating and Governance Committee and offer to submit his or her resignation as a director effective at such time. The Nominating and Governance Committee will review the continued appropriateness of the affected director remaining on the Board under the circumstances.

Board Compensation

A director who is also an officer of the Company does not receive additional compensation for such service as a director. The Company believes that compensation for non-employee directors should be competitive and should encourage increased ownership of the Company’s stock through the payment of a portion of director compensation in Company stock, options to purchase Company stock or similar compensation. Director’s fees (including any additional amounts paid to chairmen of committees and to members of committees of the Board) are the only compensation a member of the Audit Committee may receive from the Company. Any charitable contribution in excess of $10,000 to a charity or other tax exempt organization in which a director or executive officer of the Company is a trustee or Board member or which under the rules established by the NYSE would cause a director to be deemed not to be independent requires the prior approval of the Audit Committee.

Board Operations

The Board holds eight regularly scheduled meetings each year. At least one regularly scheduled meeting of the Board is held each calendar quarter.

The non-management directors of the Company meet in executive session without management on a regularly scheduled basis, but not less than two times a year. The Chairman of the Board presides at such executive sessions, unless such person is a member of management of the Company. If the Chairman is a member of management of the Company, the presiding person at executive sessions rotates on an annual basis among the chairmen of the Nominating and Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Management Organization and Compensation Committee.

Strategic Direction of the Company

It is management’s job, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, to formalize, propose and establish strategic direction, subject to review and input by the Board. It is also the primary responsibility of management, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, to implement the Company’s business plans in accordance with such strategic direction and for the Board to monitor and evaluate, with the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer, strategic results.

Board Access to Management

Board members have access to the Company’s management and, as appropriate, to the Company’s outside advisors.

Attendance of Management Personnel at Board Meetings

The Board encourages the Chief Executive Officer to bring members of management who are not directors into Board meetings from time to time to: (i) provide management’s insight into items being discussed by the Board which involve the manager; (ii) make presentations to the Board on matters which involve the manager; and (iii) bring managers with significant potential into contact with the Board. Attendance of such management personnel at Board meetings is at the discretion of the Board.

 

51


COMMITTEES

The Company has four standing committees, namely the Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Management Organization and Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee. Other than the Executive Committee, each committee is composed entirely of independent directors as defined by the NYSE.

Executive Committee

This committee, which meets when a quorum of the full Board of Directors cannot be readily obtained, may exercise any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except for: (i) approving an amendment of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws; (ii) adopting an agreement of merger or sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets or dissolution of the Company; (iii) filling vacancies on the Board or any committee thereof; or (iv) electing or removing officers of the Company.

Audit Committee

This committee is the Board’s principal agent in fulfilling legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions of the Company. This includes oversight of the integrity of financial statements, authority for retention and compensation of the Company’s independent auditors, evaluation of qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors, review of staffing and performance of the internal audit function and oversight of the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Management Organization and Compensation Committee

This committee’s responsibilities include recommending to the Board of Directors all actions regarding compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, review of the compensation of other officers and business unit presidents, annual review of director compensation, administration of the EVA Incentive Compensation Plan and Stock Incentive Plan and review and approval of significant changes or additions to the compensation policies and practices of the Company. This committee will provide the Chief Executive Officer with an annual performance review. It shall be responsible for determining that a satisfactory system is in effect for education, development, and orderly succession of senior and mid-level managers throughout the Company.

Nominating and Governance Committee

This committee is responsible for identifying, screening and recommending to the Board candidates for Board membership. It shall be responsible for sponsoring an annual self-assessment of the Board’s performance as well as the performance of each committee of the Board. It shall be responsible for recommendations with respect to the assignment of Board members to various committees and appointing committee chairmen.


DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS as of December 31, 2005            SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

Directors

 

E. Thayer Bigelow, Jr. (1, 3, 4)

Managing Director

Bigelow Media

Investment in Media and

Entertainment Companies

 

Donald G. Cook (3)

General (Retired)

United States Air Force

 

Karen E. Dykstra (2)

Vice President, Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

Worldwide Computer Services

 

Robert S. Evans (1)

Chairman of the Board

of the Company

 

Eric C. Fast (1)

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company

 

Richard S. Foré (2)

Retired Chairman

Forté Cashmere Company

Importer and Manufacturer

 

Dorsey R. Gardner (2, 3)

President

Kelso Management Company, Inc.

Investment Management

 

Jean Gaulin (2, 4)

Retired Chairman, President,

and Chief Executive Officer

Ultramar Diamond Shamrock

Corporation

Refiner and Marketer of

Petroleum Products

 

William E. Lipner (3)

Executive Vice Chairman

Taylor Nelson Sofres, PLC

Market Research Services

 

Dwight C. Minton (1, 3, 4)

Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

Manufacturer of Consumer and Specialty Products

 

Charles J. Queenan, Jr. (2, 4)

Senior Counsel

Kirkpatrick & Lockhart

Nicholson Graham LLP

Attorneys at Law

 

James L. L. Tullis (3)

Chief Executive Officer

Tullis-Dickerson & Co.

Venture Capital to

Health Care Industry

  

Corporate Officers

 

Eric C. Fast

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Gil A. Dickoff

Treasurer

 

Augustus I. duPont

Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

 

Elise M. Kopczick

Vice President,

Human Resources

 

Joan Atkinson Nano

Vice President,

Controller

 

Thomas M. Noonan

Vice President,

Taxes

 

Anthony D. Pantaleoni

Vice President,

Environment, Health and Safety

 

Thomas J. Perlitz

Vice President,

Operational Excellence

 

Curtis P. Robb

Vice President,

Business Development

and Strategic Planning

 

J. Robert Vipond

Vice President, Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

  

Crane Co. Internet Site and Shareholder Information Line

Copies of Crane Co.’s report on Form 10-K for 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as other financial reports and news from Crane Co. may be read and downloaded off the Internet at

www.craneco.com.

 

If you do not have access to the Internet, you may request free printed materials by telephone, toll-free, from our Crane Co. Shareholder Direct ® information line at 1-888-CRANECR (1-888-272-6327).

 

Both services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Annual Meeting

The Crane Co. annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 24, 2006, at The Westin Stamford Hotel One First Stamford Place Stamford, CT 06902.

 

Stock Listing

Crane Co. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CR.

 

Auditors

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Stamford Harbor Park

Stamford, CT 06902

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Crane Co. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Company to recruit, hire, promote and transfer to all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin.

 

Environment, Health and Safety Policy

Crane Co. is committed to protecting the environment by taking responsibility to prevent serious or irreversible environmental degra- dation through efficient operations and activities. Crane Co. recognizes environmental management among its highest priorities throughout the corporation, and has established policies and programs that are integral and essential elements of the business plan of each of the business units. Additionally, Crane Co. has established the position of Vice President, Environment, Health and Safety, which is responsible for assuring compliance, measuring environment, health and safety per- formance and conducting associated audits on a regular basis in order to provide appropriate information to the Crane Co. management team and to regulatory authorities.

  

Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar of Stock

Computershare Trust Company, N . A . Customer Service: 1-781-575-2725

E-mail: equiserve@equiserve.com

 

Non-Postal Deliveries

250 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

 

General Correspondence/ Changes of Address/ Transfer of Stock Certificates

P.O. Box 43069

Providence, RI 02940-3069

 

Bond Trustee and Disbursing Agent

The Bank of New York Corporate Trust Department

1-800-254-2826

101 Barclay Street, 8W

New York, NY 10286

 

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

Crane Co. offers shareholders the opportunity to participate in a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. The plan provides two convenient methods for increasing your investment in Crane Co. common stock, without paying fees and commissions.

 

Dividend Reinvestment :

For all or part of your dividends on Crane Co. common stock; and Voluntary Cash Payments: Of any amount from $10 to a maximum of $5,000 a month. Under terms of the Plan, Computershare Trust Company, N . A . will act as agent for shareholders interested in purchasing additional Crane common stock automatically, on a regular basis. The details of this plan and its benefits to you as a Crane Co. shareholder are described in a brochure available by writing to:

 

Computershare Trust Company, N . A . Crane Co. Dividend Reinvestment Plan

P.O. Box 43081

Providence, RI 02940-3081


(1) Member of the Executive Committee
(2) Member of the Audit Committee
(3) Member of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee
(4) Member of the Nominating and Governance Committee

Exhibit 21

CRANE CO.

Exhibit 21 to FORM 10-K

Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2005

Subsidiaries of Registrant

The following is a list of active subsidiaries of the registrant and their jurisdictions of incorporation. Except as noted, all of these subsidiaries are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, and all are included in the consolidated financial statements. The bold type signifies a parent company of a lower-tier subsidiary. The names of several other subsidiaries have been omitted, as they would not, if considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, constitute a significant subsidiary.

 

Crane GmbH    Germany

National Rejectors, Inc. GmbH

   Germany

NRI Iberica S.A.

   Spain

Crane International Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

Crane Aerospace, Inc.

   Delaware

ELDEC Corporation

   Washington

ELDEC France S.A.R.L.

   France

Hydro-Aire, Inc.

   California

Crane (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd.

   Singapore

Resistoflex Plastic Lined System (Shanghai) Co. Ltd

   China

Crane Controls, Inc.

   Delaware

Azonix Corporation

   Massachusetts

Barksdale Control Products GmbH

   Germany

Barksdale, Inc.

   Delaware

Dynalco Controls Corporation

   Delaware

Crane Fengqiu (Zhejiang) Pump Co. Ltd.

   China (70%)

Crane Nantong Company Ltd.

   China (70%)

Crane Ningjin Valve Co.

   China (90%)

Crane Zhengying Rubber Co. Ltd.

   China (80%)

Crane Resistoflex GmbH

   Germany

CR Holdings C.V.

   Netherlands

Crane Global Holdings S.L.

   Spain

Crane Australia Pty. Ltd.

   Australia

P.T. Crane Indonesia

   Indonesia (51%)

Crane Holdings (Germany) GmbH

   Germany

Crane Process Flow Technologies GmbH

   Germany

Crane Process Flow Technologies S.P.R.L.

   Belgium

Crane Process Flow Technologies S.r.l.

   Italy

Crane YongXiang (Ningbo) Valve Co. Ltd.

   China (70%)

Westad Industri A/S

   Norway

Xomox Hungary Kft.

   Hungary

Xomox International GmbH & Co.

   Germany

Xomox Japan Ltd.

   Japan

Xomox Korea Ltd.

   Korea

Xomox Southeast Asia Pte Ltd.

   Singapore


Exhibit 21 to FORM 10-K (continued)

 

Crane International Capital B.V.

   Netherlands

Crane International Capital S.á.r.l.

   Luxembourg

Crane Canada Co.

   Canada

Crane Ltd.

   England

Crane Europe Ltd.

   Scotland

Crane Merchandising Systems Ltd.

   England

Crane Process Flow Technologies Ltd.

   England

Crane Process Flow Tech. (India) Ltd.

   India

Crane Stockham Valve Ltd.

   England

International Couplings B.V.

   Netherlands

ELDEC Electronics Ltd.

   England

General Technology Corporation

   New Mexico

Interpoint Corporation

   Washington

Interpoint S.A.R.L.

   France

Interpoint Taiwan Corporation

   Taiwan

Interpoint U.K. Ltd.

   England

Crane Composites, Inc.

   Delaware

Kemlite Ltd.

   England

MCC Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

Crane Environmental Inc.

   Delaware

Crane Nuclear, Inc.

   Delaware

Crane Pumps & Systems, Inc.

   Delaware

Xomox Corporation

   Ohio

Flow Technology, Inc.

   Ohio

Xomox Sanmar Ltd.

   India (49%)

Signal Technology Corporation

   Delaware

Xomox A.G.

   Switzerland

Xomox Chihuahua S.A. de C.V.

   Mexico

Xomox Corporation de Venezuela C.A.

   Venezuela

Xomox France S.A.

   France

Streamware Corporation

   Massachusetts

EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration No. 333-114849 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-63678 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-63676 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-35860 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-37636 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-50495 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement No. 333-109002 on Form S-3, of our reports dated February 27, 2006 relating to the financial statements of Crane Co., consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company listed in item 15 and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Crane Co. for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
March 9, 2006

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Eric C. Fast, certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Crane Co.;

(2) Based on my knowledge, this Annual Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Annual Report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Annual Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this Annual Report;

(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15 (e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under appropriate supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Annual Report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this Annual Report the conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this Annual Report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of this Annual Report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

By  

/s/ Eric C. Fast

  Eric C. Fast
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  March 9, 2006

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, J. Robert Vipond, certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Crane Co.;

(2) Based on my knowledge, this Annual Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Annual Report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Annual Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this Annual Report;

(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15 (e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under appropriate supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Annual Report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this Annual Report the conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this Annual Report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of this Annual Report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

By  

/s/ J. Robert Vipond

  J. Robert Vipond
  Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
  March 9, 2006

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Crane Co. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Eric C. Fast, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify to the best of my knowledge that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

This Certification accompanies this Form 10-K and shall not be treated as having been filed as part of this Form 10-K.

 

By  

/s/ Eric C. Fast

  Eric C. Fast
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  March 9, 2006

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Crane Co. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, J. Robert Vipond, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify to the best of my knowledge that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

This Certification accompanies this Form 10-K and shall not be treated as having been filed as part of this Form 10-K.

 

By  

/s/ J. Robert Vipond

  J. Robert Vipond
  Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
  March 9, 2006