UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 8-K

 


CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 26, 2007

 


ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   001-16583   58-2632672

(State or other jurisdiction of

Company or organization)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1170 Peachtree St., N.E., Suite 2400, Atlanta, GA   30309
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 404-853-1400

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The Registrant, formerly known as Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., is the successor issuer to Acuity Brands, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Predecessor”), which, until the transaction described in this item, had its common stock, par value $.01, and its preferred stock purchase rights registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

Effective on September 26, 2007, the former Acuity Brands, Inc., pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger among Acuity Brands, Inc., Acuity Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) and Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., dated September 25, 2007 (the “Reorganization Agreement”), reorganized into a new holding company (the “Reorganization”). The primary purposes of the Reorganization were to properly separate the assets and liabilities of the Registrant’s business units into separate subsidiaries and to create a more efficient holding company structure. In addition, in connection with the Reorganization, the Registrant completed additional subsidiary reorganizations to facilitate the previously announced spin-off of Zep Inc. The business operations of Acuity Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries will not change as a result of the Reorganization or the related subsidiary reorganizations.

The new holding company organizational structure was effected by a merger conducted pursuant to Section 251(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which provides for the formation of a holding company structure without a vote of the stockholders of the constituent corporations. Pursuant to the terms of the Reorganization Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into the Predecessor (the “Merger”), the Predecessor is the corporation that survived the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub ceased, and the Predecessor became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant. In accordance with the terms of the Reorganization Agreement:

(i) each share of Common Stock of the Predecessor (the “Predecessor Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger was converted into a share of Common Stock of the Registrant (the “Registrant Common Stock”) having the same designations, rights, powers and preferences, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as the shares of Predecessor Common Stock so converted;

(ii) each share of capital stock of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger was converted into a share of common stock of the Predecessor; and

(iii) each option, whether or not exercisable, to purchase shares of the Predecessor Common Stock (a “Predecessor Option”) which was then outstanding and unexercised ceased to represent a right to acquire shares of Predecessor Common Stock and was converted automatically into an option to acquire, under the same terms and conditions including exercise price, as were applicable to such Predecessor Option immediately prior to the Merger, shares of Registrant Common Stock, and Registrant assumed each Predecessor Option and each option plan or agreement pursuant to which such Predecessor Option was granted.

In connection with the Reorganization, the certificate of incorporation of the Predecessor was amended to change the name of the Predecessor to “Old ABI, Inc.” and, immediately thereafter, as described below under Item 5.03 of this Current Report, the certificate of incorporation of the Registrant was amended to change the corporate name of Registrant to “Acuity Brands, Inc.”

Except for certain amendments to the certificate of incorporation of the Predecessor effected in accordance with Section 251(g) of the DGCL in conjunction with the Merger, including the name change described above, the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of Registrant, including its authorized capital stock and the designations, rights, powers and preferences of such capital stock, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, are identical to those of the Predecessor immediately prior to the Merger. As a result, no post-Merger exchange of stock certificates was made and outstanding shares of Predecessor Common Stock were automatically converted into shares of Registrant Common Stock.


In addition, prior to the effective time (the “Effective Time”) of the Merger, the Registrant adopted a Rights Agreement (the “Registrant Rights Agreement”) that is in all substantive matters identical to the Rights Agreement of the Predecessor (the “Predecessor Rights Agreement”) except that Registrant is the party thereto, rather than the Predecessor. The November 16, 2011 expiration date of the Registrant Purchase Rights is identical with that of the Predecessor Purchase Rights. Under the terms of the Registrant Rights Agreement, the Registrant is obligated (pursuant to a provision identical to one that formerly obligated the Predecessor) to issue one Registrant Purchase Right at the time of each issuance thereafter of one share of Registrant Common Stock. As a result, each share of Registrant Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger was accompanied by a Registrant Purchase Right and all previously outstanding Predecessor Purchase Rights were canceled.

The provisions of the bylaws of the Registrant following the Merger are identical with the provisions of the bylaws of the Predecessor in effect immediately prior to the Merger. The directors of the Registrant immediately after the Merger are the same individuals as were directors of the Predecessor immediately prior thereto. The management of the Registrant following the Merger is the same as the management of the Predecessor immediately prior to the Merger.

The Merger qualified as a reorganization under section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and, as a result, the stockholders of the Predecessor will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes.

In connection with the Reorganization the Registrant executed a supplemental indenture (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture under which the Predecessor’s 6.00% notes due 2009 and 8.375% notes due 2010 were issued. Pursuant to the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Registrant assumed the obligations of the Predecessor and the Predecessor was released from its obligations with respect to each such series of notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. The Second Supplemental Indenture is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1.

Also in connection with the Reorganization the Registrant and the Predecessor entered into (i) an assumption agreement in respect of the Predecessor’s revolving credit facility, whereby Registrant assumed all rights, duties and obligations of Predecessor under said revolving credit facility, to allow the Reorganization and to add the Registrant as a party to such facility, and (ii) certain performance undertakings in respect of Predecessor’s receivables securitization facility, whereby Registrant agreed to guaranty certain obligations and duties of its subsidiaries under such receivables securitization facility, to allow the Reorganization.

 

Item 5.03 Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

In connection with the Reorganization, the certificate of incorporation of the Predecessor was amended to change the name of the Predecessor to “Old ABI, Inc.” On September 26, 2007 (effective September 26, 2007), Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. (the “Registrant”) filed with the Delaware Secretary of State a Certificate of Amendment (the “Certificate of Amendment”). In accordance with the Certificate of Amendment, the Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation was amended to change the corporate name of the Registrant from “Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc.” to “Acuity Brands, Inc.” The disclosure regarding the amendment to the certificate of incorporation in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 5.03 by reference.

The provisions of the bylaws of the Registrant following the Merger are identical with the provisions of the bylaws of the Predecessor in effect immediately prior to the Merger. The Bylaws of the Registrant are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.3.

Item 9.01 – Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibits

  3.1

   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., dated as of September 26, 2007.

  3.2

   Certificate of Amendment of Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., dated September 26, 2007


  3.3

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Acuity Brands, Inc., dated as of September 26, 2007.

  4.1

   Second Supplemental Indenture between Acuity Brands, Inc., Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. and Bank of New York, dated as of September 26, 2007.

  4.2

   Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement between Acuity Brands, Inc. (formerly Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc.) and The Bank of New York, dated as of September 25, 2007.

10.1

   Agreement and Plan of Merger among Acuity Brands, Inc., Acuity Merger Sub, Inc. and Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., dated September 25, 2007.

99.1

   Press Release dated September 26, 2007.


Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: September 26, 2007

 

ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

 

Kenyon W. Murphy

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative

Officer, and General Counsel


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibits

  3.1

   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., dated as of September 26, 2007.

  3.2

   Certificate of Amendment of Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., dated September 26, 2007.

  3.3

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Acuity Brands, Inc., dated as of September 26, 2007.

  4.1

   Second Supplemental Indenture between Acuity Brands, Inc., Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. and Bank of New York, dated as of September 26, 2007.

  4.2

   Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement between Acuity Brands, Inc. (formerly Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc.) and The Bank of New York, dated as of September 26, 2007.

10.1

   Agreement and Plan of Merger among Acuity Brands, Inc., Acuity Merger Sub, Inc. and Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., dated September 25, 2007.

99.1

   Press Release dated September 26, 2007.

Exhibit 3.1

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. The date of filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State was September 20, 2007, under the name of Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc.

2. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates and also further amends the Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect of said Corporation and has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law by written consent of the holders of all of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

3. The text of the Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect is hereby amended and restated to read as set forth in full herein:

ARTICLE I

The name of the Corporation is Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400 in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law.


ARTICLE IV

The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 550,000,000, of which 500,000,000 shares of the par value of $.01 per share shall be a separate class designated as Common Stock and 50,000,000 shares of the par value of $.01 per share shall be a separate class designated as Preferred Stock.

A. COMMON STOCK

(i) Voting . Except as may be provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or required by law, the Common Stock shall have voting rights in the election of directors and on all other matters presented to stockholders, with each holder of Common Stock being entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on such matters.

(ii) Dividends . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and distributions (whether payable in cash or otherwise) as may be declared on the Common Stock by the board of directors of the Corporation from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

(iii) Subdivisions, Combinations and Mergers . In the event of any merger, statutory share exchange, consolidation or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Corporation (whether or not the Corporation is the surviving entity), the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the same per share consideration, if any.

(iv) Rights on Liquidation . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation (whether voluntary or involuntary), the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders shall be distributed in equal amounts per share to the holders of Common Stock.

For purposes of this paragraph, a merger, statutory share exchange, consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Corporation (whether or not the Corporation is the surviving entity), or the sale, transfer or lease by the Corporation of all or substantially all its assets, shall not constitute or be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation.

B. PREFERRED STOCK

Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series from time to time as determined by the board of directors of the Corporation, and the board of directors of the Corporation is authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of each series of Preferred Stock, including the following:

(i) the distinctive serial designation of such series which shall distinguish it from other series;

 

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(ii) the number of shares included in such series;

(iii) whether dividends shall be payable to the holders of the shares of such series and, if so, the basis on which such holders shall be entitled to receive dividends (which may include, without limitation, a right to receive such dividends or distributions as may be declared on the shares of such series by the board of directors of the Corporation, a right to receive such dividends or distributions, or any portion or multiple thereof, as may be declared on the Common Stock or any other class of stock or, in addition to or in lieu of any other right to receive dividends, a right to receive dividends at a particular rate or at a rate determined by a particular method, in which case such rate or method of determining such rate may be set forth), the form of such dividend, any conditions on which such dividends shall be payable and the date or dates, if any, on which such dividends shall be payable;

(iv) whether dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative and, if so, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative;

(v) the amount or amounts, if any, which shall be payable out of the assets of the Corporation to the holders of the shares of such series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of the shares of such series;

(vi) the price or prices (in cash, securities or other property or a combination thereof) at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Corporation or at the option of the holder or holders thereof or upon the happening of a specified event or events;

(vii) the obligation, if any, of the Corporation to purchase or redeem shares of such series pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices (in cash, securities or other property or a combination thereof) at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(viii) whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible or exchangeable, at any time or times at the option of the holder or holders thereof or at the option of the Corporation or upon the happening of a specified event or events, into shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation or any other securities or property of the Corporation or any other entity, and the price or prices (in cash, securities or other property or a combination thereof) or rate or rates of conversion or exchange and any adjustments applicable thereto; and

 

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(ix) whether or not the holders of the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and if so the terms of such voting rights, which may provide, among other things and subject to the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, that each share of such series shall carry one vote or more or less than one vote per share, that the holders of such series shall be entitled to vote on certain matters as a separate class (which for such purpose may be comprised solely of such series or of such series and one or more other series or classes of stock of the Corporation) and that all the shares of such series entitled to vote on a particular matter shall be deemed to be voted on such matter in the manner that a specified portion of the voting power of the shares of such series or separate class are voted on such matter.

For all purposes, this Certificate of Incorporation shall include each certificate of designations (if any) setting forth the terms of a series of Preferred Stock.

Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock, an amendment of this Certificate of Incorporation to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) may be adopted by resolution adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation and all other outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, with such outstanding shares of Common Stock and other stock considered for this purpose as a single class, and no vote of the holders of Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be required therefor.

Except as otherwise required by law or provided in the certificate of designations for the relevant series, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment of this Certificate of Incorporation that alters or changes the powers, preferences, rights or other terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other series of Preferred Stock, to vote thereon as a separate class pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law as then in effect.

C. PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

There is hereby established a series of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation, and the designation and certain terms, powers, preferences and other rights of the shares of such series, and certain qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, are hereby fixed as follows:

(i) The distinctive serial designation of this series shall be “Participating Preferred Stock” (hereinafter called “this Series”). Each share of this Series shall be identical in all respects with the other shares of this Series except as to the dates from and after which dividends thereon shall be cumulative.

(ii) The number of shares in this Series shall initially be 5,000,000, which number may from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number then outstanding) by the

 

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Board of Directors. Shares of this Series purchased by the Corporation shall be canceled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock undesignated as to series. Shares of this Series may be issued in fractional shares, which fractional shares shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional share, to all rights of a holder of a whole share of this Series.

(iii) The holders of full or fractional shares of this Series shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, but only out of funds legally available therefor, dividends, (A) on each date that dividends or other distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in Common Stock of the Corporation) are payable on or in respect of Common Stock comprising part of the Reference Package (as defined below), in an amount per whole share of this Series equal to the aggregate amount of dividends or other distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in Common Stock of the Corporation) that would be payable on such date to a holder of the Reference Package and (B) on the last day of March, June, September and December in each year, in an amount per whole share of this Series equal to the excess (if any) of $25.00 over the aggregate dividends paid per whole share of this Series during the three month period ending on such last day. Each such dividend shall be paid to the holders of record of shares of this Series on the date, not exceeding sixty days preceding such dividend or distribution payment date, fixed for the purpose by the Board of Directors in advance of payment of each particular dividend or distribution. Dividends on each full and each fractional share of this Series shall be cumulative from the date such full or fractional share is originally issued; provided that any such full or fractional share originally issued after a dividend record date and on or prior to the dividend payment date to which such record date relates shall not be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such dividend payment date or any amount in respect of the period from such original issuance to such dividend payment date.

The term “Reference Package” shall initially mean 100 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Close of Business on September 27, 2007 (A) declare or pay a dividend on any Common Stock payable in Common Stock, (B) subdivide any Common Stock or (C) combine any Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then and in each such case the Reference Package after such event shall be the Common Stock that a holder of the Reference Package immediately prior to such event would hold thereafter as a result thereof.

Holders of shares of this Series shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided on this Series.

So long as any shares of this Series are outstanding, no dividend (other than a dividend in Common Stock or in any other stock ranking junior to this Series as to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon the Common Stock or upon any other stock ranking junior to this Series as to dividends or upon liquidation, unless the full cumulative dividends (including the dividend to be paid upon payment of such dividend or other distribution) on all outstanding shares of this Series shall have been, or shall contemporaneously be, paid. When dividends are not paid in full upon this Series and other stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with this Series, all dividends

 

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declared upon shares of this Series and any other stock ranking on a parity as to dividends shall be declared pro rata so that in all cases the amount of dividends declared per share on this Series and such other stock shall bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the shares of the Series and such other stock bear to each other. Neither the Common Stock nor any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with this Series as to dividends or upon liquidation shall be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Corporation ranking junior to this Series as to dividends and upon liquidation), unless the full cumulative dividends (including the dividend to be paid upon payment of such dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or other acquisition) on all outstanding shares of this Series shall have been, or shall contemporaneously be, paid.

(iv) In the event of any merger, consolidation, reclassification 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 the shares of this Series shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per whole share equal to the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, that a holder of the Reference Package would be entitled to receive as a result of such transaction.

(v) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of full and fractional shares of this Series shall be entitled, before any distribution or payment is made on any date to the holders of the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to this Series upon liquidation, to be paid in full an amount per whole share of this Series equal to the greater of (A) $10,000.00 or (B) the aggregate amount distributed or to be distributed prior to such date in connection with such liquidation, dissolution or winding up to a holder of the Reference Package (such greater amount being hereinafter referred to as the “Liquidation Preference”), together with accrued dividends to such distribution or payment date, whether or not earned or declared. If such payment shall have been made in full to all holders of shares of this Series, the holders of shares of this Series as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.

In the event the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the holders of shares of this Series upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section (v), no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of this Series upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of this Series, ratably in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of shares of this Series then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of assets of the Corporation

 

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available for distribution to its stockholders all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section (v) before any payment shall be made to the holders of Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior upon liquidation to this Series.

For the purposes of this Section (v), the consolidation or merger of, or binding share exchange by, the Corporation with any other corporation shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

(vi) The shares of this Series shall not be redeemable.

(vii) In addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation, each whole share of this Series shall, on any matter, vote as a class with any other capital stock comprising part of the Reference Package and voting on such matter and shall have the number of votes thereon that a holder of the Reference Package would have.

ARTICLE V

All corporate powers shall be exercised by the board of directors of the Corporation, except as otherwise specifically required by law or as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation. Any meeting of stockholders may be postponed by action of the board of directors at any time in advance of such meeting. The board of directors of the Corporation shall have the power to adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meetings and management of the affairs of the Corporation as they may deem proper and the power to adjourn any meeting of stockholders without a vote of the stockholders, which powers may be delegated by the board of directors to the chairman of such meeting either in such rules and regulations or pursuant to the by-laws of the Corporation.

Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called at any time by, but only by, the board of directors of the Corporation, to be held at such date, time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as may be stated in the notice of the meeting.

The board of directors of the Corporation is authorized to adopt, amend or repeal by-laws of the Corporation. No adoption, amendment or repeal of a by-law by action of stockholders shall be effective unless approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation and all other outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, with such outstanding shares of Common Stock and other stock considered for this purpose as a single class. Any vote of stockholders required by this Article V shall be in addition to any other vote of stockholders that may be required by law, this Certificate of Incorporation, the by-laws of the Corporation, any agreement with a national securities exchange or otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE VI

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot except and to the extent provided in the by-laws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VII

The directors of the Corporation shall be divided into three classes. The number of directors of the Corporation and the number of directors in each class of directors shall be fixed only by resolution of the board of directors of the Corporation from time to time. The initial term of office of the first such class of directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders, the initial term of office of the second such class of directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders and the initial term of office of the third such class of directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders, with each such class of directors to hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed the directors whose terms expire at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in the third year following the year of their election and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes in such manner as the board of directors of the Corporation shall determine, but no decrease in the number of directors may shorten the term of any incumbent director.

No director who is part of any such class of directors may be removed except both for cause and with the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for this purpose as a single class.

Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or from any other cause (other than vacancies and newly created directorships which the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are expressly entitled by this Certificate of Incorporation to fill) shall be filled by, and only by, a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director (and not by stockholders). Any director appointed to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class of directors of the director which such director replaced or the class of directors to which such director was appointed, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation shall be entitled, voting separately as a class, to elect any directors of the Corporation, then the number of directors that may be elected by such holders voting separately as a class shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of such class or series, (i) the terms of the directors elected by such holders voting separately as a class shall

 

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expire at the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding their election without regard to the classification of other directors and (ii) any director or directors elected by such holders voting separately as a class may be removed, without cause, by the holders of a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote separately as a class in an election of such directors.

ARTICLE VIII

No action of stockholders of the Corporation required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting of stockholders, without prior notice and without a vote, and the power of stockholders of the Corporation to consent in writing to the taking of any action without a meeting is specifically denied. Notwithstanding this Article VIII, the holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to take action by written consent to such extent, if any, as may be provided in the terms of such series.

ARTICLE IX

A. In addition to any approval of the board of directors or any stockholder vote or consent required by the laws of the State of Delaware or any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, there shall be required for the approval, adoption, or authorization of a Business Combination with an Interested Person the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in elections of directors considered separately for the purposes of this Article IX, which are not beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such Interested Person; provided, however , that said voting requirement shall not be applicable if all of the conditions specified in subparagraphs (1) and (2) below are met or if all of the conditions specified in subparagraph (3) are met:

(1) The consideration to be received per share in such Business Combination by holders of the stock of the Corporation is payable in cash or Acceptable Securities, or a combination of both, and the Acceptable Securities (plus the cash, if any) have a fair market value per share of the Corporation’s stock of not less than either:

(a) the highest price (including the highest per share brokerage commissions, transfer tax, and soliciting dealers fees) paid by said Interested Person in acquiring any of the Corporation’s stock; or

(b) a price per share obtained by multiplying the aggregate earnings per share of stock of the Corporation (appropriately adjusted for any subdivision of shares, stock dividend, or combination of shares during the period) for the four full consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding the record date for solicitation of votes or consents on such Business Combination by the figure obtained by dividing the highest per share price (including the highest per share brokerage commissions, transfer tax, and soliciting dealers fees) paid by such Interested

 

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Person acquiring any of the Corporation’s stock by the aggregate earnings per share of the Corporation for the four full consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding the time when the Interested Person shall have become the beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in elections of directors.

If any securities were issued by an Interested Person in exchange for stock of the Corporation prior to the proposed Business Combination, the fair market value of said securities at the time of issue shall be used in determining the per share price paid for said stock.

(2) After the Interested Person has become the beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors and prior to the consummation of such Business Combination, there shall have been no reduction in the rate of dividends payable on the Corporation’s stock which would result in a quarterly dividend rate per share which is less than the average quarterly dividend rate per share for the four full consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding the time when the Interested Person shall have become the beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the stock of the Corporation unless such reduction in the rate of dividends has been approved by the board of directors of the Corporation and a majority of the members of the board of directors approving such reduction were duly elected and acting members of the board of directors prior to the time that such Interested Person shall have become a beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the shares of the Corporation. For the purposes of this paragraph, “quarterly dividend rate per share” for any quarterly dividend shall be equal to the percentage said quarterly dividend per share bears to the earnings per share for the four full fiscal quarters immediately preceding the declaration of said quarterly dividend.

(3) The board of directors of the Corporation has approved a memorandum of understanding with such other Interested Person with respect to such Business Combination prior to the time that such Interested Person shall have become a beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the shares of stock entitled to vote in elections of directors, or thereafter if such Business Combination is otherwise approved by the board of directors of the Corporation, provided that a majority of the members of the board of directors voting for the approval of such transaction were duly elected and acting members of the board of directors prior to the time that such Interested Person shall have become a beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in elections of directors.

B. For the purposes of this Article IX:

(1) “Affiliate” and “associate” shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(2) A person shall be the “beneficial owner” and “beneficially owns” shares of stock of the Corporation (other than shares of the Corporation’s stock held in its treasury) (a) which such person and its affiliates and associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, whether of record or not, (b) which such person or any of its affiliates or associates has the right

 

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to acquire, pursuant to any agreement upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants, or options, or otherwise, (c) which such person or any of its affiliates or associates has the right to sell or vote pursuant to any agreement, or (d) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its affiliates or associates has any agreement, arrangement, or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of securities of the Corporation.

(3) “Business Combination” is

(a) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation with or into any Interested Person (regardless of the identity of the surviving corporation);

(b) any sale, lease, or other disposition of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation to any Interested Person for cash or securities or both;

(c) any issuance or delivery of securities of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation (which the beneficial owner shall have the right to vote, or to vote upon exercise, conversion, or by contract) to an Interested Person in consideration for or in exchange of any securities or other property (including cash);

(4) “Acceptable Securities” shall mean (a) securities of the same class or series, with the same rights, powers, and benefits and of the same denomination, term, and interest, or dividend, if any, as the securities issued and delivered by the Interested Person in exchange for the majority of the stock of the Corporation acquired by the Interested Person or (b) the class of common stock of the Interested Person which is beneficially owned by the most persons.

(5) “Interested Person” is any person which, as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of any Business Combination and to vote thereon or consent thereto, or as of the date of any such vote or consent, or immediately prior to the consummation of any Business Combination, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in elections of directors.

(6) “Person” is an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity.

(7) “Subsidiary of the Corporation” is any corporation of which fifty percent (50%) or more of any class of stock is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

C. No amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation shall amend, alter, change, or repeal any of the provisions of this Article IX unless such amendment, in addition to receiving

 

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any stockholder vote or consent required by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect at the time, shall receive the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in elections of directors which are not beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any person which would be an Interested Person if the vote or consent on such amendment were a vote or consent on a Business Combination.

ARTICLE X

A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE XI

No provision of Article V, Article VII, Article VIII or Article X or of this Article XI shall be amended, modified or repealed, and no provision inconsistent with any such provision shall become part of this Certificate of Incorporation, unless such matter is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation and all other outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, with such outstanding shares of Common Stock and other stock considered for this purpose as a single class. Any vote of stockholders required by this Article XI shall be in addition to any other vote of the stockholders that may be required by law, this Certificate of Incorporation, the by-laws of the Corporation, any agreement with a national securities exchange or otherwise.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Restated Certificate of Incorporation on this 26 day of September, 2007.

 

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

Name:   Kenyon W. Murphy
Title:  

Executive Vice President, Chief

Administrative Officer and General Counsel

 

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Exhibit 3.2

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

1. That Article I of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended by deleting such paragraph in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

“ARTICLE I

The name of the Corporation is Acuity Brands, Inc.”

2. That this Amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.

***

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be signed by the officer identified below this 26 day of September, 2007.

 

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

Name:   Kenyon W. Murphy
Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief
  Administrative Officer and General Counsel
 

Exhibit 3.3

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meeting .

(1) An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix.

(2) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be transacted by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (a) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this section.

(3) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of the foregoing paragraph, (1) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (2) such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the Delaware General Corporation Law, (3) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the Corporation with a Solicitation Notice, as that term is defined in subclause (c)(iii) of this paragraph, such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial holder to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice and (4) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this section. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 45 or more than 75 days prior to the first anniversary (the “Anniversary”) of the date on which the Corporation first mailed its proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting of


stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominees as directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such person’s written consent to serve as a director if elected; (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation Notice”).

(4) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of the third paragraph of this Section 1 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least 55 days prior to the Anniversary, a stockholder’s notice required by this Bylaw shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(5) Only persons nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting has been made in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By-Laws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these By-Laws, to declare that such defectively proposed business or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.

(6) For purposes of these By-Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.


(7) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1. Nothing in this Section 1 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

Section 2. Special Meetings .

(1) Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. For purposes of these By-Laws, the term “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships. The Board of Directors may postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting.

(2) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 1 of this Article I. Nominations by stockholders of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at such a special meeting of stockholders if the stockholder’s notice required by the third paragraph of Section 1 of this Article I shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2. Nothing in this Section 2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings .

Notice of the place, if any, date, and time of all meetings of the stockholders, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by the Delaware General Corporation Law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation).


When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the place, if any, date, and time of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 4. Quorum .

At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, a majority of the shares of such class or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter.

If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date, or time.

Section 5. Organization .

Such person as the Board of Directors may have designated or, in the absence of such a person, the Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, the President of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the chairman of the meeting appoints.

Section 6. Conduct of Business .

The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seem to him or her in order. The chairman shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.

Section 7. Proxies and Voting .

At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. Any copy, facsimile


telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this paragraph may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

The Corporation may, and to the extent required by law, shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Every vote taken by ballots shall be counted by a duly appointed inspector or inspectors.

All elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by law, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively.

Section 8. Stock List .

A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in his or her name, shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting in the manner provided by law.

The stock list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting as provided by law. This list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.

ARTICLE II - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number of Directors .

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board.

Section 2. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies .

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall, unless otherwise required by law or by resolution of the Board of Directors, be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in


office, though less than a quorum (and not by stockholders), and directors so chosen shall serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 3. Regular Meetings .

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

Section 4. Special Meetings .

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President or by a majority of the Whole Board and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they or he or she shall fix. Notice of the place, date, and time of each such special meeting shall be given to each director by whom it is not waived by mailing written notice not less than five (5) days before the meeting or by telephone or by telegraphing or telexing or by facsimile or electronic transmission of the same not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

Section 5. Quorum .

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time, without further notice or waiver thereof.

Section 6. Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone .

Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 7. Conduct of Business .

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order and manner as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Action may be taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.


Section 8. Compensation of Directors .

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of the directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or paid a stated salary or paid other compensation as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed compensation for attending committee meetings.

ARTICLE III - COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committees of the Board of Directors .

The Board of Directors may from time to time designate committees of the Board of Directors, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and shall, for those committees and any others provided for herein, elect a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

Section 2. Conduct of Business .

Each committee may determine the procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and shall act in accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Adequate provision shall be made for notice to members of all meetings; a majority of the members shall constitute a quorum unless the committee shall consist of one (1) or two (2) members, in which event one (1) member shall constitute a quorum; and all matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. Action may be taken by any committee without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of such committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

Section 1. Generally .

The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers (including a Vice Chairman of the Board and a Chairman Emeritus) as may from time to time be appointed by the


Board of Directors. Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors, which shall consider that subject at its first meeting after every annual meeting of stockholders. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The salaries of officers elected by the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors or by such officers as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Chief Executive Officer .

The Board of Directors shall designate either the Chairman of the Board or the President as the chief executive officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these By-laws and to the direction of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer shall have the responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers which are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. He or she shall have power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation.

Section 3. Chief Operating Officer .

The Board of Directors may designate an officer or the Corporation as the chief operating officer of the Corporation. The chief operating officer shall have general responsibility for the management and control of the operations of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers which are commonly incident to the office of chief operating officer or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer shall have power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision of all of the other officers (other than the Chairman of the Board or any Vice Chairman), employees and agents of the Corporation.

Section 4. Vice President .

Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. One (1) Vice President shall be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.

Section 5. Treasurer .

The Treasurer shall have the responsibility for maintaining the financial records of the Corporation. He or she shall make such disbursements of the funds of the Corporation as are authorized and shall render from time to time an account of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.


Section 6. Secretary .

The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. He or she shall have charge of the corporate books and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 7. Delegation of Authority .

The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

Section 8. Removal .

Any officer of the Corporation may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors.

Section 9. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations .

Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the President shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders of or with respect to any action of stockholders of any other Corporation in which this Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other Corporation.

ARTICLE V - STOCK

Section 1. Certificated and Uncertificated Stock .

Shares of the Corporation’s stock may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law. All certificates of stock of the Corporation shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued. Such certificates shall exhibit the holder’s name and number of shares and shall be signed by the Chairman or a Vice Chairman or the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any or all of such signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.

Section 2. Transfers of Stock .

Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the record holder of such stock, or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and, in the case of stock represented by a certificate, upon surrender of the certificate.


Section 3. Record Date .

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law, fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any meeting of stockholders, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the time for such other action as hereinbefore described; provided, however, that if no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held, and, for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise any rights of change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution relating thereto.

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates .

In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to such regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of such loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of indemnity.

Section 5. Regulations .

The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

ARTICLE VI - NOTICES

Section 1. Notices .

If mailed, notice to stockholders shall be deemed given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.


Section 2. Waivers .

A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder or director, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the sole purpose of objecting to the timeliness of notice.

ARTICLE VII - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 1. Right to Indemnification .

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article VII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Section 2. Right to Advancement of Expenses .

In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 1 of this Article VII, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 2 or otherwise.


Section 3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit .

If a claim under Section 1 or 2 of this Article VII is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

Section 4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights .

The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation, By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or directors or otherwise.

Section 5. Insurance .

The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.


Section 6. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation .

The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

Section 7. Nature of Rights .

The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article VII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer or trustee and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VII that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE VIII - MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Facsimile Signatures .

In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these By-laws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

Section 2. Corporate Seal .

The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

Section 3. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records .

Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 4. Fiscal Year .

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.


Section 5. Time Periods .

In applying any provision of these By-laws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend and repeal these By-Laws subject to the power of the holders of capital stock of the Corporation to adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws; provided, however, that, with respect to the power of holders of capital stock to adopt, amend and repeal By-Laws of the Corporation, notwithstanding any other provision of these By-Laws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law, these By-Laws or any preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% percent of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of these By-Laws.

Exhibit 4.1

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of September 26, 2007

to

INDENTURE

Dated as of January 26, 1999

 


among

ACUITY BRANDS, INC., formerly known as ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.,

OLD ABI, INC., formerly known as ACUITY BRANDS, INC.,

as successor to NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as successor to THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as successor to SUNTRUST BANK,

formerly known as SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA, as Trustee

 


Senior Debt Securities


SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of September 26, 2007 (this “Second Supplemental Indenture”), between OLD ABI, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as ACUITY BRANDS, INC. (the “Company”), ACUITY BRANDS, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC. (said corporation, together with its successors and assigns, herein referred to as “Holdco”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as successor to THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as successor to SUNTRUST BANK, formerly known as SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA, a Georgia banking corporation.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, National Service Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NSI”), and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of January 26, 1999 (the “Base Indenture”), pursuant to which NSI issued its 8.375% Notes due August 1, 2010 (the “2010 Notes”), and its 6% Notes due 2009 (the “2009 Notes” and collectively with the 2010 Notes, the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, NSI, the Company, L&C Lighting Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, The ZEP Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and the Trustee entered into a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 23, 2001 (the “First Supplement Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company assumed, in accordance with Section 801 thereof, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including all Additional Amounts, if any) on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of NSI to be performed or observed, and NSI was released from all such obligations in accordance with Section 802 thereof;

WHEREAS, the Company has conveyed or transferred all of its assets to Holdco (the “Transfer”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 801 of the Indenture, the Company may convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other corporation, partnership or trust organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; provided that such Person shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee and in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including all Additional Amounts, if any) on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

WHEREAS, Holdco will assume all the rights and obligations of, and succeed to and be substituted for, the Company under the Indenture and the Securities;

WHEREAS, to evidence the assumption of the obligations under the Indenture and the Securities by Holdco and the release of the Company from its obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities in accordance with Sections 801 and 802 of the Indenture, Holdco has agreed to execute and deliver this Second Supplemental Indenture; and

 

2


WHEREAS, the Company has delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel meeting the requirements of Section 801(c) of the Indenture;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, Holdco, the Company and the Trustee each agree, for the benefit of the other, and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as follows:

ARTICLE I

ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS

Section 101. Assumption of Obligations under Indenture . Holdco hereby fully and unconditionally assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including all Additional Amounts, if any) on all the Securities (including, without limitation, the Notes) and the performance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed.

ARTICLE II

RELEASE OF OBLIGATIONS

Section 201. Release of the Company from Obligations . The Trustee, on behalf of the Holders of the Securities, hereby relieves the Company from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities (including, without limitation, the Notes).

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 301. Terms Defined . For all purposes of this Second Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

Section 302. Effect of Second Supplemental Indenture . Upon the execution and delivery of this Second Supplemental Indenture by the Company, Holdco and the Trustee, the Indenture shall be supplemented in accordance herewith, and this Second Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Securities heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be bound thereby. In accordance with Section 802 of the Indenture, upon the execution and delivery of this Second Supplemental Indenture by the Company, Holdco and the Trustee, Holdco shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named therein as the party of the first part and the Company shall be released and relieved as heretofore agreed.

 

3


Section 303. Indenture and Second Supplemental Indenture Construed Together . This Second Supplemental Indenture is an indenture supplemental to and in implementation of the Indenture, and the Indenture and this Second Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together.

Section 304. Confirmation of Indenture . Except as amended by this Second Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed, and all the terms thereof shall remain in full force and effect. The Trustee has no responsibility for correctness of the recitals of facts herein contained, which shall be taken as the statements of the Company and Holdco, and makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Second Supplemental Indenture and shall incur no liability or responsibility in respect of the validity thereof.

Section 305. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . If any provision of this Second Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) that is required under the Act to be part of and govern any provision of this Second Supplemental Indenture, the provision of the Act shall control. If any provision of this Second Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Act shall be deemed to apply to the Indenture as so modified or to be excluded by this Second Supplemental Indenture, as the case may be.

Section 306. Severability . In case any provision in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 307. Headings . The Article and Section headings of this Second Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered part of this Second Supplemental Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 308. Benefits of Second Supplemental Indenture . Nothing in this Second Supplemental Indenture or the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and thereto and their successors hereunder, any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and Security Registrar, and the Holders, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture, this Second Supplemental Indenture or the Securities.

Section 309. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee . In entering into this Second Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to the benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, whether or not elsewhere herein so provided.

Section 310. Governing Law . THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

4


Section 311. Successors . All agreements of Holdco and the Company in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall bind the Holders of all Securities and all successors and assigns of the Trustee or such Holders.

Section 312. Multiple Counterparts . The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Second Supplemental Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 313. Endorsement and Change of Form of Notes . Any Notes authenticated and delivered after the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture in exchange or substitution for Notes then outstanding and all Notes presented or delivered to the Trustee on and after that date for such purpose shall (unless textually revised as hereinafter provided) be stamped or typewritten by the Trustee with a notation as follows:

“Acuity Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. (“Acuity”), has assumed the obligations of Old ABI, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Acuity Brands, Inc. (“Old ABI”(which itself previously succeeded to National Service Industries, Inc.’s (“NSI”) obligations hereunder)) as successor to Old ABI in connection with the transfer to Acuity of the properties and assets of Old ABI substantially as an entirety. Acuity has expressly assumed the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and obligations in the Indenture to be performed by Old ABI, and Old ABI will be relieved from all covenants and obligations under the Notes and the Indenture in accordance with the Second Supplemental Indenture referred to below. The Indenture dated as of January 26, 1999 referred to in this Note has been amended by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 23, 2001 to provide for NSI’s release under the Notes and the Indenture and a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 26, 2007 to provide for such assumptions of obligations by Acuity and the release of Old ABI from such obligations. Reference is hereby made to said Second Supplemental Indenture, copies of which are on file with The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to the Bank of New York as successor to SunTrust Bank), as Trustee, for a description of the amendments therein made.”

Any Notes hereafter authenticated and delivered in exchange or substitution for Notes then outstanding shall, if Holdco so elects, be textually revised in a form approved by the Trustee to make reference to the Second Supplemental Indenture and to reflect the supplement of the Indenture hereby instead of being stamped or typewritten as hereinabove provided.

 

5


Section 314. Effectiveness of Second Supplemental Indenture . This Second Supplemental Indenture shall be effective upon the execution and delivery by the Company, Holdco and the Trustee.

Section 315. Indemnification of Trustee . Holdco agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives and administrators (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against, for and in respect of, any and all Losses (as hereinafter defined), including, but not limited to, those which might arise as a result of Litigation (as hereinafter defined) or Third-Party Claims (as hereinafter defined), assessed against, or paid, suffered or incurred by, any Indemnified Party which directly or indirectly result from or are based upon, or arise out of: (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; (ii) the Transfer, and all other transactions described herein (collectively, the “Transactions”); (iii) the inaccuracy, untruth, or breach of any representation, warranty, statement or opinion made by Holdco or its officers, agents or counsel pursuant to this Agreement or the Indenture, or contained in any certificate, opinion or other document or paper furnished to the Trustee by Holdco or its officers, agents or counsel in connection herewith or the Indenture; (iv) any breach or failure to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the Indenture by the Company in connection with the Transactions; or (v) any action or failure to act on the part of the Trustee or any other Indemnified Party in connection with this Agreement or the Indenture with respect to the Transactions. Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, the foregoing indemnity shall not be applicable to any Losses suffered or incurred by any Indemnified Party as result of such Indemnified Party’s negligence or bad faith.

For purposes of this Section, the terms “Litigation,” “Losses,” “Third-Party Claim” and “Indemnification Claim” shall have the following meanings:

Litigation ” shall mean any demand, action, suit, cause of action, claim, complaint, prosecution, formal, informal, or threatened examination, investigation, hearing or other proceeding (whether civil, criminal or administrative or involving any arbitration) relating to or affecting an Indemnified Party.

Losses ” shall mean any and all assessments, losses, diminution in value, damages, (including direct, indirect, special and consequential damages and sums paid in settlement of claims), liabilities, judgments, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, interest, penalties, fines, reasonable costs of investigation and defense, and the reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and other advisors).

Third-Party Claim ” shall mean any Litigation (including, without limitation, a binding arbitration or an audit by any governmental or administrative authority) that is instituted or threatened against an Indemnified Party and which, if prosecuted successfully, could result in an Indemnification Claim.

Indemnification Claim ” shall mean any claim for indemnification provided under this Section 315.

 

6


Section 316. Trustee’s Fees and Expenses . Without duplication with respect to any obligation of Holdco under Section 315 hereof, Holdco agrees to pay the Trustee upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement and thereafter upon receipt of a written request therefor, fees and expenses of the Trustee incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions, including, without limitation, all attorney’s fees and expenses in connection with (i) the review, negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and any and all documents, opinions, certificates and other papers prepared in connection herewith and with the Transactions, (ii) the administration or enforcement of the Indenture or this Agreement in connection with the Transactions, and (iii) any administrative, judicial, arbitration or other proceedings, or any investigations with respect thereto or in any way related to this Agreement or the Indenture with respect to any of the Transactions.

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

7


SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

ACUITY BRANDS, INC., formerly known as

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

Name:   Kenyon W. Murphy
Title:  

Executive Vice President, Chief

Administrative Officer, General Counsel and

Assistant Secretary

OLD ABI, INC., formerly known as ACUITY

BRANDS, INC., as successor to NATIONAL

SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

Name:   Kenyon W. Murphy
Title:  

Executive Vice President, Chief

Administrative Officer, General Counsel and

Assistant Secretary

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST

COMPANY, N.A., as successor to THE BANK

OF NEW YORK, as successor to SUNTRUST

BANK, formerly known as SUNTRUST

BANK, ATLANTA, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Stephan Victory

Name:   Stephan Victory
Title:   Vice President

 

8

Exhibit 4.2

 


STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

dated as of

September 25, 2007

between

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

as Rights Agent

 



STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Table of Contents

 

          Page

ARTICLE I

   CERTAIN DEFINITIONS    2

        1.1

   Certain Definitions    2

ARTICLE II

   THE RIGHTS    9

        2.1

   Legend on Common Stock Certificates    9

        2.2

   Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights    10

        2.3

   Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights    14

        2.4

   Date on Which Exercise is Effective    16

        2.5

   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates    16

        2.6

   Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange    17

        2.7

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates    18

        2.8

   Persons Deemed Owners    19

        2.9

   Delivery, Cancellation and Destruction of Certificates    20

        2.10

   Agreement of Rights Holders    21

ARTICLE III

   ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS    22

        3.1

   Flip-in    22

        3.2

   Flip-over    25

ARTICLE IV

   THE RIGHTS AGENT    26

        4.1

   General    26

        4.2

   Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent    28

        4.3

   Duties of Rights Agent    29

        4.4

   Change of Rights Agent    33

ARTICLE V

   MISCELLANEOUS    34

        5.1

   Redemption    34

        5.2

   Expiration    35

        5.3

   Issuance of New Rights Certificates    35

        5.4

   Supplements and Amendments    36

        5.5

   Fractional Shares    36

        5.6

   Rights of Action    37

        5.7

   Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Stockholder    38

        5.8

   Notice of Proposed Actions    38

        5.9

   Notices    38

        5.10

   Suspension of Exercisability    40

        5.11

   Costs of Enforcement    40

        5.12

   Successors    40

        5.13

   Benefits of this Agreement    40

 

i


                     

     

        5.14

   Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.    41

        5.15

   Descriptive Headings    41

        5.16

   GOVERNING LAW    41

        5.17

   Counterparts    42

        5.18

   Severability    42

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A Form of Rights Certificate (Together with Form of Election to Exercise)

 

Exhibit B Form of Article IV. C to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. (setting forth terms of Participating Preferred Stock)

 

ii


STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of September 25, 2007, between Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York, as rights agent (the “Rights Agent”, which term shall include any successor Rights Agent hereunder).

WITNESSETH :

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has (a) authorized and declared a dividend of one right (“Right”) in respect of each share of Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) held of record as of the Close of Business on September 25, 2007 (the “Record Time”) and (b) as provided in Section 2.3, authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each share of Common Stock issued on or after the date hereof and prior to the Separation Time (as hereinafter defined) and, to the extent provided in Section 5.3, each share of Common Stock issued after the Separation Time;

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Right entitles the holder thereof, after the Separation Time, to purchase securities or assets of the Company (or, in certain cases, securities of certain other entities) pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to appoint the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Rights Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, transfer, exchange and replacement of Rights Certificates (as hereinafter defined), the exercise of Rights and other matters referred to herein;


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

ARTICLE I

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

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

“Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, who is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided , however , that the term “Acquiring Person” shall not include (i) Acuity Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Old Parent”), until the effective date of the merger (the “Holding Company Merger”) of a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) with and into Old Parent as contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger among Old Parent, Merger Sub and the Company; (ii) any Person who is the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the date of this Agreement or who shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock solely as a result of an acquisition by the Company of shares of Common Stock, until such time hereafter or thereafter as any of such Persons shall become the Beneficial Owner (other than by means of a stock dividend or stock split) of any additional shares of Common Stock, or (iii) any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock but who acquired Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock without any plan or intention to seek or affect control of the Company, if such Person promptly divests, or enters into an agreement with the Company satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, to divest, and thereafter promptly divests (without exercising or retaining any power, including voting power, with respect to such shares), sufficient shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common

 

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Stock) so that such Person ceases to be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company and any employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company (or any entity or trustee holding shares of Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company) or any Person organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan shall not be an Acquiring Person.

“Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is amended and in effect on the date of this Agreement.

A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner”, and to have “Beneficial Ownership” of, and to “Beneficially Own”, any securities as to which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is or may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of pursuant to Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rules are amended and in effect on the date of this Agreement, as well as any securities as to which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to become Beneficial Owner (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of conditions) 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 the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided , however , that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner”, or to have “Beneficial Ownership” of, or to

 

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“Beneficially Own”, any security (i) solely because such security has been tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered security is accepted for payment or exchange or (ii) solely because such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security pursuant to a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made to more than ten holders of shares of a class of stock of the Company registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the agreements, arrangements or understandings relating thereto) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report). For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Person is the Beneficial Owner, all shares as to which such Person is deemed the Beneficial Owner shall be deemed outstanding.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York and/or the State of New Jersey are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m. New York City time on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the next succeeding Business Day.

“Common Stock” shall mean the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

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“Exchange Time” shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 3.1(c) hereof.

“Exercise Price” shall mean, as of any date, the price at which a holder may purchase the securities issuable upon exercise of one whole Right. Until adjustment thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, the Exercise Price shall equal $100.00.

“Expiration Time” shall mean the earliest of (i) the Exchange Time, (ii) the Redemption Time, and (iii) the Close of Business on November 16, 2011, unless extended by action of the Board of Directors.

“Flip-in Date” shall mean any Stock Acquisition Date or such later date and time as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Flip-in Date that would otherwise have occurred.

“Flip-over Entity,” for purposes of Section 3.2, shall mean (i) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, the Person issuing any securities into which shares of Common Stock are being converted or exchanged and, if no such securities are being issued, the other party to such Flip-over Transaction or Event and (ii) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event referred to in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the Person receiving the greatest portion of the assets, operating income or cash flow being transferred in such Flip-over Transaction or Event, provided in all cases if such Person is a Subsidiary of a Person, the parent Person shall be the Flip-Over Entity.

“Flip-over Stock” shall mean the capital stock (or similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power in respect of the election of directors (or other Persons similarly responsible for direction of the business and affairs) of the Flip-Over Entity.

 

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“Flip-over Transaction or Event” shall mean a transaction or series of transactions on or after a Flip-in Date in which, directly or indirectly, (i) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any other Person, (ii) 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 Stock 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 (iii) 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 (A) aggregating more than 50% of the assets (measured by either book value or fair market value) or (B) generating more than 50% of the operating income or cash flow, of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries) or to two or more such Persons which are Affiliates or Associates or otherwise acting in concert.

“Holding Company Merger” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the definition hereunder of “Acquiring Person.”

“Market Price” per share of any securities on any date shall mean the average of the daily closing prices per share of such securities (determined as described below) on each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days through and including the Trading Day immediately preceding such date; provided , however , that if any event described in Section 2.3 hereof, or any analogous event, shall have caused the closing prices used to determine the Market Price on any Trading Days during such period of 20 Trading Days not to be fully comparable with the closing price on such date, each such closing price so used shall be appropriately adjusted in order to make it fully comparable with the closing price on such date. The closing price per share of any

 

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securities on any date shall be the last reported sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place or is quoted on such date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for each share of such securities, 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, Inc. or, if the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the securities are listed or admitted to trading or, if the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or 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 securities selected by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided , however , that if on any such date the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, the closing price per share of such securities on such date shall mean the fair value per share of securities on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm, and set forth in a certificate delivered to the Rights Agent.

“Old Parent” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the definition hereunder of “Acquiring Person.”

 

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“Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect on the date of this Agreement), corporation or other entity.

“Preferred Stock” shall mean the series of Participating Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company created by Article IV.C of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto appropriately completed.

“Redemption Price” shall mean an amount equal to one cent, $0.01.

“Redemption Time” shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof.

“Separation Time” shall mean the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Separation Time that would otherwise have occurred) after the date on which any Person commences a tender or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in such Person’s becoming an Acquiring Person and (ii) the Close of Business on the Flip-in Date; provided , that if any tender or exchange offer referred to in clause (i) of this paragraph is canceled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time without the purchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, such offer shall be deemed, for purposes of this paragraph, never to have been made.

“Stock Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company (by any means, including, without limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) that a Person has become an Acquiring Person or the date on which any Person who has made a tender or exchange offer for 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock becomes an Acquiring Person by the purchase of shares pursuant to the tender or exchange offer (or by any other means within 180 days following the expiration of such tender or exchange offer).

 

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“Subsidiary” of any specified Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the equity securities or a majority of the equity or membership interest is Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or otherwise controlled by such Person.

“Trading Day,” when used with respect to any securities, shall mean a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

ARTICLE II

THE RIGHTS

2.1 Legend on Common Stock Certificates . Certificates for the Common Stock issued on or after the date of this Agreement but prior to the Separation Time shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby and, except for certificates for the Common Stock issued in connection with the Holding Company Merger (which certificates previously represented common stock of Old Parent), shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them a legend in substantially the following form:

Until the Separation Time (as defined in the Rights Agreement referred to below), this certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in a Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2007 (as such may be amended from time to time, the “Rights Agreement”), between Acuity Brands

 

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Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent, the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may become exercisable for securities or assets of the Company or securities of another entity, may be exchanged for shares of Common Stock or other securities or assets of the Company, may expire, may become null and void (if they are “Beneficially Owned” by an “Acquiring Person” or an “Affiliate” or “Associate” thereof, as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement, or by any transferee of any of the foregoing) or may be evidenced by separate certificates and may no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of the Rights Agreement to the holder of this certificate without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor.

Certificates representing shares of Common Stock that are issued and outstanding at the Record Time shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock evidenced thereby notwithstanding the absence of the foregoing legend.

If the Common Stock issued after the Record Time but prior to the Separation Time shall be uncertificated, the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby and the Company will mail to every Person that holds such Common Stock a confirmation of the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company, which confirmation will have impressed, printed, written or stamped thereon or otherwise affixed thereto the above legend or such other notification as to which the Company and the Rights Agent shall mutually agree. The Company will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of this Agreement to any Person that holds Common Stock, as evidenced by the registration of the Common Stock in the name of such Person on the stock transfer books of the Company, without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor from such Person.

2.2 Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights . (a) Subject to Sections 3.1, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.10 and subject to adjustment as herein set forth, each Right will entitle the holder thereof, on or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, to purchase, for the Exercise Price, one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock.

 

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(b) Until the Separation Time, (i) no Right may be exercised and (ii) each Right will be evidenced by the certificate for the associated share of Common Stock (or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, by the registration of the associated Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company) and will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, such associated share.

(c) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, the Rights (i) may be exercised and (ii) may be transferred independent of shares of Common Stock. Promptly following the Separation Time and receipt by the Rights Agent of notice thereof as well as other relevant information, the Rights Agent will mail to each holder of record of Common Stock as of the Separation Time (other than any Person whose Rights have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)), at such holder’s address as shown by the records of the Company (the Company hereby agreeing to furnish, or causing to be furnished, copies of such records to the Rights Agent for this purpose), (x) a certificate (a “Rights Certificate”) in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto appropriately completed, representing the number of Rights held by such holder at the Separation Time and having such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (but which do not affect the rights, duties, liabilities or responsibilities of the Rights Agent) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or traded, or to conform to usage, and (y) a disclosure statement describing the Rights.

 

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(d) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Rights may be exercised on any Business Day on or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time by submitting to the Rights Agent the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights with an Election to Exercise (an “Election to Exercise”) substantially in the form attached to the Rights Certificate duly and properly completed, accompanied by payment in cash, or by certified or official bank check or money order payable to the order of the Company, of a sum equal to the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Rights being exercised and a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates (or, if uncertificated, the registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) for shares or depositary receipts (or both) in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being exercised.

(e) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate, with an Election to Exercise duly and properly completed accompanied by payment as set forth in Section 2.2(d), and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Rights Agent will thereupon promptly (i)(A) requisition from the transfer agent of the Company stock certificates evidencing such number of shares or other securities to be purchased or, in the case of uncertificated shares or other securities, requisition from the transfer agent of the Company a notice setting forth such number of shares or other securities to be purchased for which registration will be made on the stock transfer books of the Company (the Company hereby irrevocably authorizing its transfer agents to comply with all such requisitions) and (B) if the Company elects pursuant to Section 5.5 not to issue certificates (or effect registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) representing fractional shares,

 

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requisition from the depositary selected by the Company depositary receipts representing the fractional shares to be purchased or requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 5.5 and (ii) after receipt of such certificates, depositary receipts, notices and/or cash, deliver the same to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered (in the case of certificates, depositary receipts or notices) in such name or names as may be designated by such holder.

(f) In case the holder of any Rights shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced by such holder’s Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the Rights remaining unexercised will be issued by the Rights Agent to such holder or to such holder’s duly authorized assigns.

(g) The Company covenants and agrees that it will (i) take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares delivered (or evidenced by registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates (or registration) for such shares (subject to payment of the Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered (or registered) and fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) take all such action as may be necessary to comply with any applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and any other applicable law, rule or regulation, in connection with the issuance of any securities upon exercise of Rights; and (iii) pay when due and payable any and all federal and state taxes and governmental charges which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates or of any shares issued upon the exercise of Rights, provided , that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates (or the registration) for shares in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being transferred or exercised.

 

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2.3 Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights . (a) In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time (i) declare or pay a dividend on Common Stock payable in Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, (x) the Exercise Price in effect after such adjustment will be equal to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment divided by the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Expansion Factor”) that a holder of one share of Common Stock immediately prior to such dividend, subdivision or combination would hold thereafter as a result thereof and (y) each Right held prior to such adjustment will become that number of Rights equal to the Expansion Factor, and the adjusted number of Rights will be deemed to be distributed among the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the original Rights were associated (if they remain outstanding) and the shares issued in respect of such dividend, subdivision or combination, so that each such share of Common Stock will have exactly one Right associated with it. Each adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made as of the payment or effective date for the applicable dividend, subdivision or combination.

In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue any shares of Common Stock otherwise than in a transaction referred to in the preceding paragraph, each such share of Common Stock so issued shall automatically have one new Right associated with it, which Right shall be evidenced by the certificate representing such share (or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, such Right shall be evidenced by the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company). Rights shall be issued by the Company in respect of shares of Common Stock that are issued or sold by the Company after the Separation Time only to the extent provided in Section 5.3.

 

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(b) In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue or distribute any securities or assets in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for Common Stock (other than pursuant to any non-extraordinary periodic cash dividend or a dividend paid solely in Common Stock) whether by dividend, in a reclassification or recapitalization (including any such transaction involving a merger, consolidation or share exchange), or otherwise, the Company shall make such adjustments, if any, in the Exercise Price, number of Rights and/or securities or other property purchasable upon exercise of Rights as the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, may deem to be appropriate under the circumstances in order to adequately protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally, and the Company and the Rights Agent, subject to Section 5.4, shall amend this Agreement as necessary to provide for such adjustments.

(c) Each adjustment to the Exercise Price made pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be calculated to the nearest cent. Whenever an adjustment to the Exercise Price is made pursuant to this Section 2.3 or any event affecting the Rights or their exercisability (including, without limitation, an event which causes the Rights to become null and void), the Company shall (i) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment or describing such event and a brief, reasonably detailed statement of the facts, computations and methodology accounting for such adjustment and (ii) promptly file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock a copy of such certificate. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained and shall have no duty with respect to and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment unless and until it shall have received such a certificate.

 

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(d) Rights certificates shall represent the securities purchasable under the terms of this Agreement, including any adjustment or change in the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, even though such certificates may continue to express the securities purchasable at the time of issuance of the initial Rights Certificates.

2.4 Date on Which Exercise is Effective . Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares is issued (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company is effected) upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares represented thereby on the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Exercise Price for such Rights (and any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the exercising holder hereunder) was made; provided , however , that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the stock 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 (or registration) shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the stock transfer books of the Company are open.

2.5 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates . (a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Rights Certificates may be manual or facsimile.

 

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Rights Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the countersignature and delivery of such Rights Certificates.

Promptly after the Separation Time, the Company will give written notice to the Rights Agent of such Separation Time and will deliver Rights Certificates executed by the Company to the Rights Agent for counter-signature, and, subject to Section 3.1(b), the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver such Rights Certificates to the holders of the Rights pursuant to Section 2.2(c) hereof. Until such notice is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent may presume conclusively that the Separation Time has not occurred. No Rights Certificate shall be valid for any purpose unless countersigned by the Rights Agent. The countersignature of the Rights Agent on the Rights Certificates must be manual.

(b) Each Rights Certificate shall be dated the date of countersignature thereof.

2.6 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange . (a) After the Separation Time, the Company will cause to be kept a register (the “Rights Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company will provide for the registration and transfer of Rights. The Rights Agent is hereby appointed “Rights Registrar” for the purpose of maintaining the Rights Register for the Company and registering Rights and transfers of Rights after the Separation Time as herein provided. In the event that the Rights Agent shall cease to be the Rights Registrar, the Rights Agent will have the right to examine the Rights Register at all reasonable times after the Separation Time.

After the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of any Rights Certificate, and subject to the provisions of

 

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Section 2.6(c) and (d), the Company will execute, and the Rights Agent will countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Rights Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b), all Rights issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Rights Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company, and such Rights shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Rights surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(c) Every Rights Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Rights Agent, as the case may be, duly executed by the holder thereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.6, the Company or the Rights Agent may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action under any Section of this Agreement which requires the payment of a Rights holder of applicable taxes and changes unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

(d) The Company shall not register the transfer or exchange of any Rights after such Rights have become null and void under Section 3.1(b), been exchanged under Section 3.1(c) or been redeemed under Section 5.1.

2.7 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates . (a) If any mutilated Rights Certificate is surrendered to the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1, the Company shall execute and the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.

 

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(b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Rights Certificate and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any of their agents harmless, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1 and in the absence of notice to the Company or the Rights Agent that such Rights Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so destroyed, lost or stolen.

(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.7, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent) connected therewith.

(d) Every new Rights Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 2.7 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall evidence an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and, subject to Section 3.1(b) shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Rights duly issued hereunder.

2.8 Persons Deemed Owners . Prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or notice of transfer,

 

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if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, such Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever, including the payment of the Redemption Price and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. As used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the term “holder” of any Rights shall mean the registered holder of such Rights (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated shares of Common Stock).

2.9 Delivery, Cancellation and Destruction of Certificates . All Rights Certificates surrendered upon exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Rights Agent, be delivered to the Rights Agent and, in any case, shall be promptly canceled by the Rights Agent. The Company may at any time deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation any Rights Certificates previously countersigned and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Rights Certificates so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Rights Agent. No Rights Certificates shall be countersigned in lieu of or in exchange for any Rights Certificates canceled as provided in this Section 2.9, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. The Rights Agent shall return to the Company all canceled Rights Certificates approximately one and one-half (1 1/2) years after the cancellation date. The Company shall destroy the certificates after any applicable retention period required by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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2.10 Agreement of Rights Holders . Every holder of Rights by accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of Rights that:

(a) prior to the Separation Time, each Right will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, the associated share of Common Stock;

(b) after the Separation Time, the Rights Certificates will be transferable only on the Rights Register as provided herein;

(c) prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary;

(d) Rights beneficially owned by certain Persons will, under the circumstances set forth in Section 3.1(b), become null and void; and

(e) this Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time pursuant to Section 2.3(b) or 5.4 hereof.

 

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ARTICLE III

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN

THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

3.1 Flip-in . (a) In the event that prior to the Expiration Time a Flip-in Date shall occur, except as provided in this Section 3.1, each Right shall constitute the right to purchase from the Company, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof (but subject to Section 5.10), that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Market Price on the Stock Acquisition Date that gave rise to the Flip-in Date equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that on or after such Stock Acquisition Date any of the events described in Section 2.3(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Common Stock).

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Rights that are or were Beneficially Owned on or after the Stock Acquisition Date by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof or by any transferee, direct or indirect, of any of the foregoing shall become null and void and any holder of such Rights (including transferees) shall thereafter have no right to exercise or transfer such Rights under any provision of this Agreement. If any Rights Certificate is presented for assignment or exercise and the Person presenting the same will not complete the certification set forth at the end of the form of assignment or notice of election to exercise and provide such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner and its Affiliates and Associates (or former Beneficial Owners and their Affiliates and Associates) as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request, then the Company shall be entitled conclusively to deem the Beneficial Owner thereof to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights

 

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evidenced thereby to be null and void and not transferable or exercisable. The Company shall give the Rights Agent written notice of the identity of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or the nominee of any of the foregoing, and the Rights Agent may rely on such notice in carrying out its duties under this Agreement and shall be deemed not to have any knowledge of the identity of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or the nominee of any of the foregoing unless and until it shall have received such notice.

(c) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after a Flip-in Date and prior to the time that an Acquiring Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock elect to exchange all (but not less than all) the then outstanding Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1(b)) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of holders of Rights generally in the event that after the Separation Time any of the events described in Section 2.3(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Common Stock (such exchange ratio, as adjusted from time to time, being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Ratio”).

Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company electing to exchange the Rights, without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right (other than Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)), whether or not previously exercised, will thereafter represent only the right to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors electing to exchange the Rights, the Company shall give written notice thereof (specifying the steps to be taken to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange

 

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for Rights) to the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights (other than Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)) outstanding immediately prior thereto by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.9.

Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares is issued (or for whom any registration on the stock transfer books of the Company is made) upon the exchange of Rights pursuant to this Section 3.1(c) or Section 3.1(d) shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares represented thereby on, and such certificate (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered as of), the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the holder was made; provided , however , that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the stock 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 (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered as of), the next succeeding Business Day on which the stock transfer books of the Company are open.

(d) Whenever the Company shall become obligated under Section 3.1(a) or (c) to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise of or in exchange for Rights, the Company, at its option, may substitute therefor shares of Preferred Stock, at an initial rate of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock for each share of Common Stock so issuable, as appropriately adjusted to reflect adjustments in the voting rights of the Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms thereof, so that the fraction of a share of Preferred Stock delivered in lieu of each share of Common Stock shall have the same voting rights as one share of Common Stock.

 

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(e) In the event that there shall not be sufficient treasury shares or authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company to permit the exercise or exchange in full of the Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(a) or if the Company so elects to make the exchange referred to in Section 3.1(c), the Company shall either (i) call a meeting of stockholders seeking approval to cause sufficient additional shares to be authorized (provided that if such approval is not obtained the Company will take the action specified in clause (ii) of this sentence) or (ii) take such action as shall be necessary to ensure and provide, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any agreements or instruments in effect on the Stock Acquisition Date to which it is a party, that each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to receive, (x) at the Company’s option, either (A) in return for the Exercise Price, debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to twice the Exercise Price, or (B) without payment of consideration (except as otherwise required by applicable law), debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the Exercise Price, or (y) if the Board of Directors of the Company elects to exchange the Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(c), debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the product of the Market Price of a share of Common Stock on the Flip-in Date times the Exchange Ratio in effect on the Flip-in Date, where in any case set forth in (x) or (y) above the fair value of such debt or equity securities or other assets shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm.

3.2 Flip-over . (a) Prior to the Expiration Time, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event unless and until it shall have entered into a supplemental agreement with the Flip-over

 

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Entity, for the benefit of the holders of the Rights, providing that, upon consummation or occurrence of the Flip-over Transaction or Event (i) each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to purchase from the Flip-over Entity, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, that number of shares of Flip-over Stock of the Flip-over Entity having an aggregate Market Price on the date of consummation or occurrence of such Flip-over Transaction or Event equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that after such date of consummation or occurrence any of the events described in Section 2.3(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Flip-over Stock) and (ii) the Flip-over Entity shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Flip-over Transaction or Event and such supplemental agreement, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 3.2 shall apply to successive Flip-over Transactions or Events.

(b) Prior to the Expiration Time, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event if at the time thereof there are any rights, warrants or securities outstanding or any other arrangements, agreements or instruments that would eliminate or otherwise diminish in any material respect the benefits intended to be afforded by this Rights Agreement to the holders of Rights upon consummation of such transaction.

ARTICLE IV

THE RIGHTS AGENT

4.1 General . (a) The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent

 

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hereby accepts such appointment. 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 in the preparation, delivery, amendment, 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, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent (which gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction), for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be done by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of defending against and appealing any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly. The indemnity provided herein shall survive termination of this Agreement and the termination, exercise or expiration of the Rights and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent. The costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this right of indemnification shall be paid by the Company. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, punitive, indirect, incidental 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. Any liability of the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement will be limited to the amount of fees paid by the Company to the Rights Agent.

 

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(b) The Rights Agent shall be authorized and protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder in reliance upon any certificate for securities (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) purchasable upon exercise of Rights, Rights Certificate, certificate 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 otherwise upon the advice or opinion of counsel as set forth in Section 4.3. The Rights Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any event of which it was supposed to receive notice thereof hereunder, and the Rights Agent shall be fully protected and shall incur no liability for failing to take action in connection therewith unless and until it has received such notice in writing.

4.2 Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent . (a) Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent is a party, or any Person succeeding to the shareholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, will 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 Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent succeeds to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Rights Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, any such

 

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successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates have not been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights 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 Rights Certificates will have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.

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

4.3 Duties of Rights Agent . The Rights Agent undertakes to perform only the duties and obligations expressly imposed by this Agreement (and no implied duties) upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights 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 or an employee of the Rights Agent), and the advice or opinion of such counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered, or omitted by it in accordance with such advice or opinion.

 

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(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent deems it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the determination of Market Price) be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting to take 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 signed by a Person believed by the Rights Agent to be the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c) The Rights Agent will be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (as determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction).

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

(e) The Rights Agent shall not have any liability or 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

 

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of any certificate, if any, for securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor will it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor will it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming null and void pursuant to this Agreement) or any change or adjustment in the terms of the Rights including the manner, method or amount thereof provided for in Sections 2.3, 3.1 or 3.2 hereof or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights after receipt of the certificate contemplated by Section 2.3 describing any such change or adjustment upon which the Rights Agent may rely); nor will it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or any Rights or as to whether any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights will, when issued, be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered and 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, 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 Person believed by the Rights Agent to be the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such Persons for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and such instructions shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no

 

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liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in accordance with instructions of any such Person or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions. The Rights Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying upon the most recent instructions received by any such officer.

(h) The Rights Agent and any member, affiliate, stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in Common Stock, 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 or any such member, affiliate, stockholder, director, officer or employee from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.

(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 (through its directors, officers and employees) or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent will 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 or any other Person resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in the continued employment thereof (each as determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction).

(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 it believes that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

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4.4 Change of Rights Agent . The Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days’ notice (or such lesser notice as is acceptable to the Company) in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of Common Stock known to the Rights Agent by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.9. The Company may remove the Rights Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock known to the Rights Agent by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.9. If the Rights Agent should resign or be removed or otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company will appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company fails to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after 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 any Rights (which holder shall, with such notice, submit such holder’s Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Rights or the Rights Agent 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 a Person (or an affiliate of such a Person) organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise the powers of the Rights Agent contemplated by this Agreement and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent will 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

 

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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 will file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the holders of the Rights. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 4.4, 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.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Redemption . (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the Flip-in Date, elect to redeem all (but not less than all) the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price and the Company, at its option, may pay the Redemption Price either in cash or shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company deemed by the Board of Directors, in the exercise of its sole discretion, to be at least equivalent in value to the Redemption Price.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company electing to redeem the Rights (or, if the resolution of the Board of Directors electing to redeem the Rights states that the redemption will not be effective until the occurrence of a specified future time or event, upon the occurrence of such future time or event), without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right, whether or not previously exercised, will thereafter represent only the right to receive the Redemption Price in cash or securities, as determined by the Board of Directors. Promptly after the Rights are redeemed, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.9.

 

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5.2 Expiration . The Rights and this Agreement shall expire at the Expiration Time and no Person shall have any rights pursuant to this Agreement or any Right after the Expiration Time, except, if the Rights are exchanged or redeemed, as provided in Sections 3.1 or 5.1 hereof, respectively.

5.3 Issuance of New Rights Certificates . Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the number or kind or class of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock by the Company following the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time pursuant to the terms of securities convertible or redeemable into shares of Common Stock or to options, in each case issued or granted prior to, and outstanding at, the Separation Time, the Company shall issue to the holders of such shares of Common Stock, Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with the issuance or sale of such shares of Common Stock; provided , however , in each case, (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued, if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or to the Person to whom such Rights Certificates would be issued, (ii) no such Rights Certificates shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall have otherwise been made in lieu of the issuance thereof, and (iii) the Company shall have no obligation to distribute Rights Certificates to any Acquiring Person or Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any transferee of any of the foregoing.

 

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5.4 Supplements and Amendments . Subject to the last sentence of this Section 5.4, the Company may, and the Rights Agent, if so directed by the Company, shall from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights (i) prior to the Flip-in Date, in any respect and (ii) on or after the Flip-in Date, to make any changes that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights generally or in order to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be inconsistent with any other provisions herein or otherwise defective. The Rights Agent will, upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company that states that the proposed supplement or amendment complies with this Section 5.4, duly execute and deliver any supplement or amendment hereto requested by the Company which satisfies the terms of the preceding sentence. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any supplement or amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement and it shall not be bound by any such supplement or amendment not executed by it.

5.5 Fractional Shares . If the Company elects not to issue certificates representing (or register on the stock transfer books of the Company) fractional shares upon exercise or redemption of Rights, the Company shall, in lieu thereof, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, either (a) evidence such fractional shares by depositary receipts issued pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it, providing that each holder of a depositary receipt shall have all of the rights, privileges and

 

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preferences to which such holder would be entitled as a beneficial owner of such fractional share, or (b) pay to the registered holder of such Rights the appropriate fraction of the Market Price per share in cash. Whenever a payment for fractional Rights or fractional Shares is to be made by the Rights Agent, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare and deliver to the Rights Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the facts related to such payment and the prices and/or formulas utilized in calculating such payments, and (ii) provide sufficient monies to the Rights Agent in the form of fully collected funds to make such payments. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying upon such a certificate and shall have no duty with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any payment for fractional Rights or fractional shares under any Section of this Agreement relating to the payment of fractional Rights or fractional shares unless and until the Rights Agent shall have received such a certificate and sufficient monies.

5.6 Rights of Action . Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including Sections 3.1(b) and 5.14), rights of action in respect of this Agreement, other than rights of action vested solely in the Rights Agent, are vested in the respective holders of the Rights; and any holder of any Rights, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights, may, on such holder’s own behalf and for such holder’s own benefit and the benefit of other holders of Rights, 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 such holder’s Rights in the manner provided in such holder’s Rights 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 by the Company of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations by the Company of, the obligations of any Person subject to this Agreement.

 

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5.7 Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Stockholder . No holder, as such, of any Rights shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares or any other securities which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of such Rights, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights, 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 5.8 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until such Rights shall have been exercised or exchanged in accordance with the provisions hereof.

5.8 Notice of Proposed Actions . In case the Company shall propose on or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time (i) to effect or permit a Flip-over Transaction or Event or (ii) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right, in accordance with Section 5.9 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the date on which such Flip-over Transaction or Event, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place, and such notice shall be so given at least 20 Business Days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action.

5.9 Notices . Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Company shall

 

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be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc.

1170 Peachtree Street, Suite 2400

Atlanta, GA 30309

Attention: Corporate Secretary

with a copy to:

Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc.

1170 Peachtree Street, Suite 2400

Atlanta, GA 30309

Attention: General Counsel

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

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street, 11E

New York, NY 10286

Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to or on the holder of any Rights shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Separation Time, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.

 

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5.10 Suspension of Exercisability . To the extent that the Company determines in good faith that some action will or need be taken pursuant to Section 3.1 or to comply with federal or state securities laws, the Company may suspend the exercisability of the Rights for a reasonable period in order to take such action or comply with such laws. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue as promptly as practicable a public announcement with prompt written notice to the Rights Agent stating that the exercisability or exchangeability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended. Notice thereof pursuant to Section 5.9 shall not be required.

Failure to give a notice pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any action taken hereunder.

5.11 Costs of Enforcement . The Company agrees that if the Company or any other Person the securities of which are purchasable upon exercise of Rights fails to fulfill any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, then the Company or such Person will reimburse the holder of any Rights for the costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by such holder in actions to enforce such holder’s rights pursuant to any Rights or this Agreement.

5.12 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.

5.13 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 holders of the Rights any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement and this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.

 

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5.14 Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc . The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement. All such actions, interpretations, calculations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) done or made by the Board shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors of the Company to any liability to the holders of the Rights. The Rights Agent shall always be entitled to assume that the Board of Directors of the Company acted in good faith and shall be fully protected and incur no liability in reliance thereon.

5.15 Descriptive Headings . Descriptive headings appear herein for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

5.16 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH RIGHT 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; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ALL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE RIGHTS AGENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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5.17 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.

5.18 Severability . If any term or provision hereof or the application thereof to any circumstance shall, in any jurisdiction and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, such term or provision shall be ineffective as to such jurisdiction to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the application of such term or provision to circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable; provided, however, that if such excluded provision shall affect the rights, immunities, duties or obligations of the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately.

5.19 Force Majeure . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war, or civil unrest.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

Name:   Kenyon W. Murphy
Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Rights Agent
By:  

/s/ Eon Canzius

Name:   Eon Canzius
Title:   Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A

[Form of Rights Certificate]

 

Certificate No. W-                        Rights

THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION OR MANDATORY EXCHANGE, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY ACQUIRING PERSONS OR AFFILIATES OR ASSOCIATES THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR TRANSFEREES OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING WILL BE NULL AND VOID.

Rights Certificate

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

This certifies that                              , or registered assigns, is the registered holder of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the registered holder thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2007 (as amended from time to time, the “Rights Agreement”), between Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”, which term shall include any successor Rights Agent under the Rights Agreement), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Separation Time (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to the Close of Business on November 16, 2011, one one-hundredth of a fully paid share of Participating Preferred Stock, $.01 par value (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Company (subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement) at the Exercise Price referred to below, upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Exercise duly executed and properly completed at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes. The Exercise Price shall initially be $100.00 per Right and shall be subject to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Rights Agreement.


In certain circumstances described in the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced hereby may entitle the registered holder thereof to purchase securities of an entity other than the Company or securities or assets of the Company other than Preferred Stock, all as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, covenants and restrictions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, covenants and restrictions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of exercisability of such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal office of the Company and are available without cost upon written request.

This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing an aggregate number of Rights equal to the aggregate number of Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the registered holder shall be entitled to receive, upon surrender hereof, another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, each Right evidenced by this Certificate may be (a) redeemed by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, at a

 

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redemption price of $0.01 per Right or (b) exchanged by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, for one share of Common Stock or one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock per Right (or, in certain cases, other securities or assets of the Company), subject in each case to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of Common Stock or of any other securities 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 Rights Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged as provided in the Rights Agreement.

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

 

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

 

Date:                           
ATTEST:     ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

    By  

 

  Secretary      
Countersigned:      
THE BANK OF NEW YORK      
By  

 

     
  Authorized Signature      

 

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[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if such

holder desires to transfer this Rights Certificate.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED                                  hereby

sells, assigns and transfers unto                                                                                                                                                          

                (Please print name and address of transferee)

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

 

Dated:                                          
Signature Guaranteed:      

 

        Signature
        (Signature must correspond to name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever)
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee Medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-15.
       

                                                                 

            (To be completed if true)        

     

 

The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and shares of Common Stock, that the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

       

 

        Signature


NOTICE

In the event the certification set forth above is not completed in connection with a purported assignment, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by the enclosed Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate to be null and void and not transferable or exercisable.

 

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[To be attached to each Rights Certificate]

FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE

(To be executed if holder desires to

exercise the Rights Certificate.)

TO: ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise                              whole Rights represented by the attached Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Participating Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of:

 

Address:                                                         

                                                                     

Social Security or Other Taxpayer

Identification Number:                                  

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

                                                                             

Address:                                                                 

                                                                             

Social Security or Other Taxpayer

Identification Number:                                           

Dated:                          ,             

 


Signature Guaranteed:      

 

      Signature
      (Signature must correspond to name as written upon the face of the attached Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever)
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee Medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-15.

 

     
(To be completed if true)      

The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and shares of Common Stock, that the Rights evidenced by the attached Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

 

     

 

      Signature

 

     

NOTICE

In the event the certification set forth above is not completed in connection with a purported exercise, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by the attached Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate to be null and void and not transferable or exercisable.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF ARTICLE IV. C TO RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC. (SETTING FORTH TERMS OF

PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK OF ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.)

PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

There is hereby established a series of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation, and the designation and certain terms, powers, preferences and other rights of the shares of such series, and certain qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, are hereby fixed as follows:

(i) The distinctive serial designation of this series shall be “Participating Preferred Stock” (hereinafter called “this Series”). Each share of this Series shall be identical in all respects with the other shares of this Series except as to the dates from and after which dividends thereon shall be cumulative.

(ii) The number of shares in this Series shall initially be 5,000,000, which number may from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number then outstanding) by the Board of Directors. Shares of this Series purchased by the Corporation shall be canceled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock undesignated as to series. Shares of this Series may be issued in fractional shares, which fractional shares shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional share, to all rights of a holder of a whole share of this Series.

(iii) The holders of full or fractional shares of this Series shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, but only out of funds legally available therefor, dividends, (A) on each date that dividends or other distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in Common Stock of the Corporation) are payable on or in respect of Common Stock comprising part of the Reference Package (as defined below), in an amount per whole share of this Series equal to the aggregate amount of dividends or other distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in Common Stock of the Corporation) that would be payable on such date to a holder of the Reference Package and (B) on the last day of March, June, September and December in each year, in an amount per whole share of this Series equal to the excess (if any) of $25.00 over the aggregate dividends paid per whole share of this Series during the three month period ending on such last day. Each such dividend shall be paid to the holders of record of shares of this Series on the date, not exceeding sixty days preceding such dividend or distribution payment date, fixed for the purpose by the Board of Directors in advance of payment of each particular dividend or distribution. Dividends on each full and each fractional share of this Series shall be cumulative from the date such full or fractional share is originally issued; provided that any such full or fractional share originally issued after a dividend record date and on or prior to the dividend payment date to which such record date relates shall not be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such dividend payment date or any amount in respect of the period from such original issuance to such dividend payment date.


The term “Reference Package” shall initially mean 100 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Close of Business on September 27, 2007 (A) declare or pay a dividend on any Common Stock payable in Common Stock, (B) subdivide any Common Stock or (C) combine any Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then and in each such case the Reference Package after such event shall be the Common Stock that a holder of the Reference Package immediately prior to such event would hold thereafter as a result thereof.

Holders of shares of this Series shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided on this Series.

So long as any shares of this Series are outstanding, no dividend (other than a dividend in Common Stock or in any other stock ranking junior to this Series as to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon the Common Stock or upon any other stock ranking junior to this Series as to dividends or upon liquidation, unless the full cumulative dividends (including the dividend to be paid upon payment of such dividend or other distribution) on all outstanding shares of this Series shall have been, or shall contemporaneously be, paid. When dividends are not paid in full upon this Series and other stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with this Series, all dividends declared upon shares of this Series and any other stock ranking on a parity as to dividends shall be declared pro rata so that in all cases the amount of dividends declared per share on this Series and such other stock shall bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the shares of the Series and such other stock bear to each other. Neither the Common Stock nor any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with this Series as to dividends or upon liquidation shall be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Corporation ranking junior to this Series as to dividends and upon liquidation), unless the full cumulative dividends (including the dividend to be paid upon payment of such dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or other acquisition) on all outstanding shares of this Series shall have been, or shall contemporaneously be, paid.

(iv) In the event of any merger, consolidation, reclassification 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 the shares of this Series shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per whole share equal to the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, that a holder of the Reference Package would be entitled to receive as a result of such transaction.

(v) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of full and fractional shares of this Series shall be entitled, before any distribution or payment is made on any date to the holders of the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to this Series upon liquidation, to be paid in full an amount per whole share of this Series equal to the greater of

 

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(A) $10,000.00 or (B) the aggregate amount distributed or to be distributed prior to such date in connection with such liquidation, dissolution or winding up to a holder of the Reference Package (such greater amount being hereinafter referred to as the “Liquidation Preference”), together with accrued dividends to such distribution or payment date, whether or not earned or declared. If such payment shall have been made in full to all holders of shares of this Series, the holders of shares of this Series as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.

In the event the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the holders of shares of this Series upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section (v), no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of this Series upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of this Series, ratably in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of shares of this Series then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section (v) before any payment shall be made to the holders of Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior upon liquidation to this Series.

For the purposes of this Section (v), the consolidation or merger of, or binding share exchange by, the Corporation with any other corporation shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

(vi) The shares of this Series shall not be redeemable.

(vii) In addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation, each whole share of this Series shall, on any matter, vote as a class with any other capital stock comprising part of the Reference Package and voting on such matter and shall have the number of votes thereon that a holder of the Reference Package would have.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into on this 25 th day of September, 2007, by and among Acuity Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“ Holdings ”), and Acuity Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (“ Merger Sub ”).

WHEREAS, the Company’s authorized capital stock consists of (a) 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Company Common Stock ”), of which 43,646,880 shares were issued and outstanding as of July 6, 2007, and (b) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01, of which 5,000,000 shares have been designated as “Participating Preferred Stock” and none of which is outstanding;

WHEREAS, Holdings’ authorized capital stock consists of (a) 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Holdings Common Stock ”), of which 100 shares are currently issued and outstanding and owned by the Company, and (b) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01, of which 5,000,000 shares have been designated as “Participating Preferred Stock” and none of which is outstanding;

WHEREAS, the designations, rights, and preferences, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Holdings Common Stock are the same as those of the Company Common Stock;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to create a new holding company structure in accordance with Section 251(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”) by merging Merger Sub with and into the Company, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Holdings in effect immediately following the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined) contain provisions identical to the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (to the extent required under Section 251(g)(4) of the DGCL);

WHEREAS, the directors and executive officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the directors and executive officers of Holdings upon the Effective Time;

WHEREAS, the boards of directors of Holdings, the Company and Merger Sub have duly approved this Agreement and declared its advisability; and

WHEREAS, the Company, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Holdings, and Holdings, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, have approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


ARTICLE I.

The Merger

1.1 Basic Transaction . Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and in accordance with Section 251(g) of the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”), whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL, and the Company shall be the surviving corporation (the “ Surviving Corporation ”). At the Effective Date, the effects of the Merger shall be as provided in Section 259 of the DGCL.

1.2 Effective Time . The parties hereto shall cause this Agreement to be properly executed and delivered for filing in accordance with the DGCL on the date hereof. The Merger shall become effective upon the acceptance for record of this Agreement by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the DGCL (the “ Effective Time ”).

ARTICLE II.

Conversion and Exchange of Shares

2.1 Conversion of Capital Stock . At the Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger, and without any action on the part of the holders of shares of capital stock of the Company, Holdings or Merger Sub:

(a) Each share of capital stock of the Company held by the Company as treasury stock or owned by Merger Sub or any subsidiary of either of them immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be canceled, and no payment shall be made with respect thereto;

(b) Each share of capital stock of Holdings owned by the Company or any subsidiary thereof immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be canceled, and no payment shall be made with respect thereto;

(c) Each share of capital stock of Merger Sub outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one share of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation with the same rights and privileges as the shares so converted and shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation; and

(d) Each share of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, except as otherwise provided in clause (a) above, be converted into the right to receive one (1) share of Holdings Common Stock (subject to any restrictions applicable to the share of Company Common Stock, e.g., outstanding unvested shares of restricted stock).

2.2 Rights of Certificate Holders . From and after the Effective Time, holders of certificates formerly evidencing shares of Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of the Company, except as provided by law and except that such holders shall have the rights set forth in Section 2.3 below.

 

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2.3 No Surrender of Certificates . Until thereafter surrendered for transfer or exchange, each stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, evidenced outstanding Company Common Stock shall be deemed and treated for all corporate purposes to evidence the ownership of the number of shares of Holdings Common Stock into which such shares of Company Common Stock were converted pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1 above.

2.4 Conversion of Options .

(a) At the Effective Time, each option, whether or not exercisable, to purchase shares of Company Common Stock which is then outstanding and unexercised (a “ Company Option ”) shall cease to represent a right to acquire shares of Company Common Stock and shall be converted automatically into an option to acquire, under the same terms and conditions including exercise price, as were applicable to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, shares of Holdings Common Stock, and Holdings shall assume each Company Option and each option plan or agreement pursuant to which such Company Option was granted. The number of shares of Holdings Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of such Company Option shall be equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock that were purchasable under such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time. The terms of each Company Option shall, in accordance with its terms, be subject to adjustment as appropriate to reflect any Change in Capitalization (as defined in the applicable plan or agreement) with respect to Holdings Common Stock on or subsequent to the Effective Time.

(b) At the Effective Time, each outstanding restricted stock unit (RSU) to acquire shares of Company Common Stock shall be automatically converted into an RSU to acquire, under the same terms and conditions, shares of Holdings Common Stock and Holding shall assume each RSU and each plan or agreement pursuant to which such RSU was granted.

(c) At the Effective Time, Holdings shall assume all other rights to acquire, or to receive a distribution of, Company Common Stock, and such rights shall automatically be converted into a right to acquire, or to receive a distribution of, Holdings Common Stock under the same terms and conditions.

(d) At or prior to the Effective Date, Holdings shall reserve for issuance the number of shares of Holdings Common Stock necessary to satisfy Holdings’ obligations under Section 2.4(a).

ARTICLE III.

The Surviving Corporation

3.1 Certificate of Incorporation . The certificate of incorporation of the Company as in force and effect immediately prior to the Effective Time in the State of Delaware shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, except as follows:

(a) Article I thereof shall be amended so as to read in its entirety as follows:

“The name of the Corporation is Old ABI, Inc.”

 

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(b) A new Article XII shall be added thereto which shall be and read in its entirety as follows:

“Any act or transaction by or involving the Corporation, other than the election or removal of directors, that requires for its adoption under the DGCL or its certificate of incorporation the approval of the stockholders of the Corporation, shall, pursuant to subsection (7)(i)(A) of Section 251(g) of the DGCL, require, in addition, the approval of the stockholders of Acuity Brands Holdings, Inc. (or any successor by merger), by the same vote as is required by the DGCL and/or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation.”

3.2 Bylaws . The bylaws of the Company shall be amended in the Merger to be identical to the bylaws of Merger Sub as in force and effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, and shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until changed, altered, or amended as therein provided and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware.

3.3 Directors and Officers . The directors and officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the members of the Board of Directors and the officers of the Surviving Corporation, all of whom shall hold their respective offices until the election and qualification of their respective successors or until their tenure is otherwise terminated in accordance with the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

ARTICLE IV.

Covenants

4.1 Rights Plan . Prior to the Effective Time, (a) the Company shall take all actions necessary to terminate, as of the Effective Time, the Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (the “ Company Rights Plan ”), between the Company and The Bank of New York (as successor to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.), as rights agent, dated as of November 12, 2001, and (b) Holdings shall take all actions necessary to enter into a new rights agreement with substantially the same terms as the Company Rights Plan.

4.2 Additional Actions . If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any further assignments or assurances in law or any other acts are necessary or desirable (a) to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation, title to and possession of any property or right of Merger Sub acquired or to be acquired by reason of, or as a result of, the Merger, or (b) otherwise to carry out the purpose of this Agreement, Merger Sub and the proper officers thereof shall be deemed to have granted hereby to the Surviving Corporation an irrevocable power of attorney to execute and deliver all such proper deeds, assignments and assurances in law and to do all acts necessary or proper to vest, perfect or confirm title to and the possession of such property or rights in the Surviving Corporation and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement; and the proper officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are hereby fully authorized in the name of Merger Sub or otherwise to take any and all such action.

 

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ARTICLE V.

Amendment; Termination

5.1 Amendment . This Agreement may be amended only by the Board of Directors of the parties hereto by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto; provided , however , that there shall be no amendments which (a) alter or change any term of the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, except for alterations or changes that could otherwise be adopted by the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation; or (b) alter or change any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement if such alteration or change would adversely affect the holders of any class of stock of any of the parties hereto.

5.2 Termination . At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by the Board of Directors of the parties hereto.

5.3 Effect of Termination . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, this Agreement shall become null and void and of no further force and effect, and all obligations of the parties hereto shall terminate and there shall be no liability or obligation of any party hereto or its representatives.

ARTICLE VI.

Miscellaneous

6.1 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and the same agreement.

6.2 Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of each party hereto.

6.3 Waivers . Any waiver by any party of any violation of, breach of, or default under, any provision of this Agreement, or any other agreements provided for herein, by any other party shall not be construed as, or constitute a continuing waiver of such provision, or wavier of any other violation of, breach of, or default under, any other provision of this Agreement or such other agreements.

6.4 Severability . In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested hereto by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:

 

ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

Name:   Kenyon W. Murphy
Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel

HOLDINGS:

 

ACUITY BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Richard K. Reece

Name:   Richard K. Reece
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERGER SUB:

 

ACUITY MERGER SUB, INC.

By:  

/s/ Kenyon W. Murphy

Name:   Kenyon W. Murphy
Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel

[Signature Page to the Agreement and Plan of Merger]


Certificate of the Secretary of

Acuity Brands, Inc.

The undersigned, being the Secretary of Acuity Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby certifies that the Agreement and Plan of Merger to which this certificate is attached has been adopted by the board of directors of the Company pursuant to Section 251(g) of the DGCL and that the conditions specified in the first sentence of Section 251(g) of the DGCL have been satisfied.

 

/s/ Helen D. Haines

Helen D. Haines
Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

Acuity Brands Announces Formation of New Holding Company

ATLANTA—September 26, 2007—Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) announced today that effective September 26, 2007, it reorganized by creating a new holding company structure. In addition, in connection with the holding company reorganization, the Company completed reorganizations of its subsidiaries to facilitate the previously announced spin-off of Zep Inc.

The primary purposes of the reorganizations were to properly separate the assets and liabilities of the Company’s business units into separate subsidiaries and to create a more efficient holding company structure. The business operations of Acuity Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries will not change as a result of the reorganizations.

As part of the holding company reorganization, a new parent company, Acuity Brands, Inc., was formed. Outstanding shares of the capital stock of the former parent company, which was also named Acuity Brands, Inc., were automatically converted, on a share for share basis, into identical shares of common stock of the new holding company. The new holding company assumed the obligations of the former Acuity Brands, Inc. under the 6.00% notes due 2009 and the 8.375% notes due 2010.

The certificate of incorporation, the bylaws, the executive officers and the board of directors of the new holding company are the same as those of the former Acuity Brands, Inc. in effect immediately prior to the reorganization. The common stock of the new holding company will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AYI.” The rights, privileges and interests of the Company’s stockholders will remain the same with respect to the new holding company. The change to the holding company structure was tax free to the Company’s stockholders.