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 29, 2008 (September 24, 2008)

 

 

THE STANLEY WORKS

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

CONNECTICUT   1-5244   06-0548860

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, Connecticut

  06053
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number including area code: (860) 225-5111

No change since last report

(Former Name or 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.

On September 29, 2008, The Stanley Works (the “Company”) completed a public offering of $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.15% Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”). The Notes were offered under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-153646).

The Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated November 1, 2002 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, as supplemented by an Officers’ Certificate (the “Officers’ Certificate”), dated September 29, 2008. The Indenture includes customary agreements and covenants by the Company.

The Officers’ Certificate is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the material terms of the Notes and the Officers’ Certificate are qualified in their entirety by reference to such exhibit.

The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company, ranking equal in right of payment with all the Company’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

The Notes were priced to investors at 99.804% of the principal amount. The Notes will mature on October 1, 2013. Interest on the Notes will be payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2009. The interest rate on the Notes is 6.15% per annum.

The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; or (ii) the sum of the present values, calculated as of the redemption date, of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis at the then current Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, plus, in each case, the Company will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to but not including the date of redemption.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem the Notes as described above, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the purchase date.

On September 24, 2008, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement, with Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Capital Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”) relating to the underwritten public offering of the Notes (the “Underwriting Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company sold the Notes to the Underwriters at a price of 99.204% of the principal amount thereof. The Underwriting Agreement contains usual and customary terms, conditions, representations and warranties and indemnification provisions. The Underwriting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the material terms of the Underwriting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.

Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for the Company, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In particular,


Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC are the lead arrangers and book runners of the Company’s credit facility, which consists of an $800 million revolving credit agreement entered into on February 27, 2008 by and among the Company, Citibank, N.A., an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as administrative agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as lead arrangers and book runners, and Bank of America, N.A. as syndication agent.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information included in Item 1.01 above related to the Officers’ Certificate is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 8.01 Other Events

The completion of the offering was announced by the Company in a press release dated September 29, 2008, which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The following material is filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K:

(d) Exhibits

 

1.1    Underwriting Agreement dated September 24, 2008, by and among The Stanley Works and Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.
4.1    Officers’ Certificate relating to the 6.15% Notes due 2013.
5.1    Opinion of Bruce H. Beatt with respect to the legality of the notes.
5.2    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to The Stanley Works, with respect to the legality of the notes.
99.1    Press release dated September 29, 2008.


SIGNATURE

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

 

THE STANLEY WORKS
By:  

/s/    Bruce H. Beatt

Name:   Bruce H. Beatt
Title:   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Dated: September 29, 2008


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit

1.1

   Underwriting Agreement dated September 24, 2008 by and among The Stanley Works and Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.

4.1

   Officers’ Certificate relating to the 6.15% Notes due 2013.

5.1

   Opinion of Bruce H. Beatt with respect to the legality of the notes.

5.2

   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to The Stanley Works, with respect to the legality of the notes.

99.1

   Press release dated September 29, 2008.

EXHIBIT 1.1

THE STANLEY WORKS

$250,000,000

6.15% Notes Due 2013

Underwriting Agreement

New York, New York

September 24, 2008

To the Representatives named in Schedule I hereto of

the several Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Stanley Works, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Connecticut (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you (the “Representatives”) are acting as representatives, the principal amount of its debt securities identified in Schedule I hereto (the “Securities”), to be issued under the Indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of November 1, 2002, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. To the extent there are no additional Underwriters listed on Schedule II other than you, the term Representatives as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriters, and the terms Representatives and Underwriters shall mean either the singular or plural as the context requires. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Exchange Act on or before the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference. Certain terms used herein are defined in Section 19 hereof.

1. Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as set forth below in this Section 1.

(a) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Act and has prepared and filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement (the file number of which is set forth in Schedule I hereto) on Form S-3, including a related Base Prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time has become effective. The


Company will file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with Rule 424(b). As filed, such final prospectus supplement shall contain all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the Base Prospectus and any Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. The Registration Statement, at the Execution Time, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x).

(b) On each Effective Date, the Registration Statement did, and when the Final Prospectus is first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date (as defined herein), the Final Prospectus (and any supplement thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules thereunder; on each Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to (i) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(c) The Disclosure Package does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(d) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the final term sheet prepared and filed by the Company pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, if any, does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein by reference and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or final term sheet based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter

 

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through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(e) The Company, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus will not be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

(f) The Company is subject to and in full compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(g) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(h) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Connecticut with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction that requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings, business or affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(i) Each subsidiary of the Company identified on Schedule III hereto (each, a “Designated Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Designated Subsidiaries”) has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, and is, in jurisdictions where the legal concept exists, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, has the power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign entity to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction set forth on Schedule III opposite each such Designated Subsidiary’s name in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock, partnership interests or membership interests, as the case may be, of each Designated Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance claim or equity, except where such security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock, partnership interests or membership interests, as the case may be, of the Designated Subsidiaries was issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such Designated Subsidiary; and the Designated Subsidiaries constitute all of the Company’s “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Act).

 

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(j) The Company’s authorized equity capitalization is as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus; the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

(k) The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company, will be duly issued and outstanding when delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

(l) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and constitutes a valid and binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity).

(m) The statements in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the headings “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations For Non-U.S. Holders”, “Description of the Notes” and “Underwriting” fairly summarize the documents and matters therein described.

(n) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(o) The execution, and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities, and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated (i) will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; (ii) nor will such action result in any violation of (A) the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the charter or by-laws of any of its Designated Subsidiaries or (B) any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body (including, without limitation, any insurance regulatory agency or body) having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries or any of their properties; except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii)(B) for conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities or consummate the transactions herein and therein contemplated; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation by the Company of the

 

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transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as have been obtained or made and except such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase of the Securities and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.

(p) The consolidated historical financial statements and related schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus present fairly the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of Regulation S-X and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).

(q) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries or its or their property is pending or, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities, or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in, incorporated by reference in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(r) The Company and its Designated Subsidiaries owns or leases all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of the operations of the Company and the Designated Subsidiaries as presently conducted, except when the failure to own or lease such properties is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(s) Neither the Company nor any of its Designated Subsidiaries is in violation or default of (i) any provision of its charter or bylaws or (ii) to the reasonable knowledge of the Company: (A) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject; or (B) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such Designated Subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except, in the case of subclauses (A) and (B), for such violations or defaults that are not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and delivered their report with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements and related schedules and the internal controls of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Act.

 

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(u) There are no stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties or other similar fees or charges under federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance or sale of the Securities or the issuance or sale by the Company of the Securities.

(v) Each of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries has timely filed all non-U.S., U.S. federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or has requested extensions thereof (except in any case in which the failure so to file would not have a Material Adverse Effect and except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto)) and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as would not have a Material Adverse Effect and except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(w) No labor problem or dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries exists or, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(x) No Designated Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(y) The Company and its Designated Subsidiaries possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by the appropriate U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now operated by them, except where the failure to possess such licenses, permits and other authorizations would not, singly or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any of its Designated Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(z) The Company and each of its Designated Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with

 

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generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(aa) Except as described, or incorporated by reference, in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and except as such matters as would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably likely result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Designated Subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries have all Governmental Licenses required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (iii) there are no pending or, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries and (iv) there are, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or Environmental Laws.

(bb) Except as to such matters as would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably likely result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) The minimum funding standard under Section 302 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ERISA”), has been satisfied by each “pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) which has been established or maintained by the Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, and the trust forming part of each such plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code is so qualified; each of the Company and its subsidiaries has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under Section 515 of ERISA; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries maintains or is required to contribute to a “welfare plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which provides retiree or other post-employment welfare benefits or insurance coverage (other than “continuation coverage” (as defined in Section 602 of ERISA)); (ii) each pension plan and welfare plan established or maintained by the Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with the currently applicable provisions of ERISA; and (iii) neither the Company nor any Designated Subsidiary has incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur any withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA, any liability under Section 4062, 4063, or 4064 of ERISA, or any other liability under Title IV of ERISA.

 

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(cc) None of the Company, any Designated Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its Affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(dd) To the reasonable knowledge of the Company, there is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any provision of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

2. Purchase and Sale; Commission . Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price set forth in Schedule I hereto the principal amount of the Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule II hereto.

3. Delivery and Payment . Delivery of and payment for the Securities shall be made on the date and at the time specified in Schedule I hereto or at such time on such later date not more than three Business Days after the foregoing date as the Representatives shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being herein called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to the account specified by the Company. Delivery of the Securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

 

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4. Offering by Underwriters . It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

5. Agreements . The Company agrees with each Underwriter that:

(a) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement (including the Final Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus) to the Base Prospectus or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object. The Company will cause the Final Prospectus, properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed in a form approved by the Representatives (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when the Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) or when any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission, (ii) when, prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Final Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its reasonable best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

(b) To prepare a final term sheet, containing solely a description of final terms of the Securities and the offering thereof, in the form approved by you and attached as Schedule V hereto and to file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) within the time required by such Rule.

(c) If, at any time prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), any event occurs as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Disclosure Package to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

 

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(d) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made at such time not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, including in connection with use or delivery of the Final Prospectus, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Representatives of any such event, (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement or new registration statement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable in order to avoid any disruption in use of the Final Prospectus and (iv) supply any supplemented Final Prospectus to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(e) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an earnings statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158.

(f) The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the offering.

(g) The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale by the Underwriters under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the sale of the Securities; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives of the receipt by them of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

(h) The Company agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free

 

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writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433, other than a free writing prospectus containing the information contained in the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule IV hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives or the Company is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (x) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (y) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

(i) The Company will not, until the first Business Day after the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, otherwise dispose of or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any person in privity with the Company or any affiliate of the Company), of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities) or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction; provided , that the Company shall be permitted to file a shelf registration statement (or file any amendment to its existing shelf registration statement) with respect to such securities, provided that the Company shall not effect any sales of such securities pursuant to such shelf registration statement during the period described above.

(j) The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(k) The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iii) the fees of the trustee under the Indenture; (iv) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Securities, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Securities; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, a preliminary and final blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Securities; (v) the registration of the Securities under the Exchange Act and the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange; (vi) any registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states and any

 

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other jurisdictions specified pursuant to Section 5(d) (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such registration and qualification); (vii) any filings required to be made with the FINRA (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such filings); (viii) the transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Company representatives in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Securities; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

(l) The Company will cooperate with the Representatives and use their reasonable best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

(m) The Company will, for a period of twelve months following the Execution Time, furnish to the Representatives (i) all reports or other communications (financial or other) generally made available to stockholders, and deliver such reports and communications to the Representatives as soon as they are available, unless such documents are furnished to or filed with the Commission or any securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed and generally made available to the public and (ii) such additional information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request (such statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to stockholders).

6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters . The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein at the Execution Time and the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in the certificates to be delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) The Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); the final term sheet contemplated by Section 5(b) hereto, and any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened.

(b) The Company shall have requested and caused Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Company, to furnish to the Representatives its opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

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(c) The Company shall have requested and caused the Vice President and General Counsel for the Company or an assistant General Counsel or Corporate Counsel to the Company that has been admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, to have furnished to the Representatives his opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

(d) The Representatives shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives regarding such matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(e) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate of the Company, signed by (x) the Chief Executive Officer and (y) the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and this Agreement and that:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date, and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date;

(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and

(iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there has been no Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in, incorporated by reference in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(f) At the Execution Time and at the Closing Date, the Company shall have requested and caused Ernst & Young LLP to furnish to the Representatives letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, letters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that they are independent accountants within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder and containing statements and information of a type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

 

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(g) Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (f) of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(h) The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

(i) Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

(j) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be cancelled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 will be delivered at the offices of counsel for the Underwriters, at Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, on the Closing Date.

7. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses . If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters severally through the Representatives on demand for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

 

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8. Indemnification and Contribution . (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and agents of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or any other preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities, the Final Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or the information contained in the final term sheet required to be prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Each Underwriter severally, and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the statements contained in the “Underwriting” section of any Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus (i) in the third paragraph of text, (ii) in the second sentence of the fourth paragraph of text and (iii) in the fifth, sixth and seventh paragraphs of text of such section constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless

 

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and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel (including local counsel) of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel, other than local counsel if not appointed by the indemnifying party, retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided , however , that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel (including local counsel) to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement or an admission of fault, culpability by failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided , however , that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that

 

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resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of the Final Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 8, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee, Affiliate and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

9. Default by an Underwriter . If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule II hereto bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided , however , that in the event that the aggregate principal amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule II hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 9, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company or any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

10. Termination . This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if at any time prior to such time (i) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange

 

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or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange; (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by U.S. federal or New York State authorities or there shall have occurred a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement services in the United States; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive . The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made in writing pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriters or the Company or any of the indemnified persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

12. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and (i) if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to them care of the address set forth in Schedule I hereto; or (ii) if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to (860) 827-3911 and confirmed to it at The Stanley Works, 1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, Connecticut 06053, attention of the Treasurer.

13. Successors . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the indemnified persons referred to in Section 8 hereof and their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

14. Applicable Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York. The parties hereto each hereby waive any right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

15. Arm’s Length Transaction; No Fiduciary Relationship . The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Underwriters are acting as principal and not as an agent or fiduciary of the Company; and (ii) its engagement of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the offering of the Securities, is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the sale and purchase of the Securities, irrespective of whether any of the Representatives has advised or is currently advising the Company on related or other matters.

 

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16. Integration . This Agreement supercedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

18. Headings . The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

19. Definitions . The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D.

“Base Prospectus” shall mean the base prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above contained in the Registration Statement at the Execution Time.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in The City of New York.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Base Prospectus, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus used most recently prior to the Execution Time, (iii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule IV hereto, (iv) the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, if any, and (v) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package.

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto became or becomes effective.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

“Final Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that was first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time, together with the Base Prospectus.

 

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“FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

“Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

“Investment Company Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.

“Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above which is used prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus, together with the Base Prospectus.

“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a) above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, as amended on each Effective Date and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be.

“Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D under the Act.

“Rule 158”, “Rule 163”, “Rule 164”, “Rule 172”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 424”, “Rule 430B”, “Rule 433” and “Rule 462” refer to such rules under the Act.

“Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” shall mean a registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) relating to the offering covered by the registration statement referred to in Section 1(a) hereof.

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

-20-


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.

 

Very truly yours,
The Stanley Works
By:  

/s/ Craig A. Douglas

Name:   Craig A. Douglas
Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

Banc of America Securities LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

For themselves and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule II to the foregoing Agreement.
By:   Banc of America Securities LLC
By:  

/s/ Joseph A. Crowley

Name:   Joseph A. Crowley
Title:   Vice President
By:   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
By:  

/s/ Jack D. McSpadden

Name:   Jack D. McSpadden
Title:   Managing Director

[ Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement ]

 

-21-


SCHEDULE I

Underwriting Agreement dated September 24, 2008

Registration Statement No. 333-153646

 

Representatives:    Banc of America Securities LLC
   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Title, Purchase Price and Description of Securities:

Title: 6.15% Notes Due 2013

Principal amount: $250,000,000

Purchase price: 99.204% plus accrued interest, if any, from September 29, 2008

Redemption provisions: Optional Redemption as set forth in the Disclosure Package.

Other provisions: Change of Control Put as set forth in the Disclosure Package

 

Closing Date, Time and Location:  

September 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Davis Polk & Wardwell,

450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Type of Offering: Non-delayed

Address for notices to the Representatives under Section 12:

Banc of America Securities LLC

40 West 57 th Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention: High Grade Transaction Management / Legal

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10013

Fax No: (212) 816-7912

Attention: General Counsel

 

S-I-1


SCHEDULE II

 

Underwriters

   Principal Amount
of Securities

to be Purchased

Banc of America Securities LLC

   $ 100,000,000

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     100,000,000

Wachovia Securities LLC

     50,000,000
      

Total

   $ 250,000,000

 

S-II-2

Exhibit 4.1

Officers’ Certificate

September 29, 2008

The undersigned, on behalf of The Stanley Works, a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), acting pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) on April 25, 2007 and July 18, 2008 (the “Board Resolutions”) and resolutions adopted by the Special Securities Committee (as defined in the Board Resolutions) on September 24, 2008 (the “Special Securities Committee Resolutions”), hereby establish a series of securities (the “Securities”) by means of this Officers’ Certificate. Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Officers’ Certificate shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the indenture (the “Initial Indenture”), dated as of November 1, 2002, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Initial Indenture, the “Indenture”) dated as of March 20, 2007, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank. Pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture and pursuant to the Board Resolutions and the Special Securities Committee Resolutions, there is hereby established a series of Securities which, in addition to the terms provided in the Indenture, shall have the following terms:

1. The title of the series of Securities shall be the 6.15% Notes due 2013.

2. The CUSIP No. for the Securities is 854616 AN9.

3. The limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.5 or 11.7 of the Indenture) shall be $250,000,000.

4. The Securities shall mature on October 1, 2013.

5. The Securities shall bear interest from September 29, 2008 at the rate of 6.15% per annum.

6. Interest shall be payable semiannually, in arrears, on April 1, and October 1, commencing on April 1, 2009, to the persons in whose names the Securities are registered at the close of business on the preceding March 15 and September 15, respectively.

7. Payment on the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, on the Securities shall be made, and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and the Indenture shall be served, at the principal office of the Trustee at


The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60602.

8. The Securities shall be unsecured and unsubordinated and shall rank equally with all of the Company’s existing and future unsecured and subordinated debt and rank senior to all of the Company’s existing and future subordinated debt. The Securities will be junior to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt.

9. The Securities shall be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, and the Securities shall not be issued in the form of Bearer Securities or temporary global Securities.

10. The Securities shall be issued as Registered Securities in permanent global form, as set forth in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 of the Indenture. The certificates representing the global Securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a custodian for The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

11. The Company may redeem the Securities, in whole or in part (equal to an integral multiple of $1,000), at its option at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal on the Securities to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued and unpaid to, but not including, the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that the principal amount of a Security remaining outstanding after a redemption in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Notice of redemption shall be given to each registered Holder of the Securities to be redeemed at least 30 days, and not more than 60 days, prior to the redemption date. Once notice of redemption is mailed, the Securities called for redemption shall become due and payable on the redemption date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Securities.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (A) the arithmetic average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer

 

2


Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all such quotations for such redemption date.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the Company; provided, that if such Reference Treasury Dealer ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and two other primary U.S. Government securities dealers in The City of New York selected by the Company; provided, that if any of the foregoing dealers shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in The City of New York (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York City time on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

Interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities, or any portion thereof called for redemption, on and after the redemption date for the Securities, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price. The Company, on or before the redemption date for the Securities, shall deposit with a paying agent, or the Trustee, funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to be redeemed on such date. If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.

12. The Company shall not be obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities at the option of any Holder thereof.

13. The Securities shall not be convertible into shares of Common Stock and/or exchangeable for other securities.

 

3


14. Section 4.2(2) of the Indenture (relating to defeasance) and Section 4.2(3) of the Indenture (relating to covenant defeasance) shall be applicable to the Securities.

15. The Securities shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

16. The Securities shall be denominated in and principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities shall be payable in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

17. None of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities will be payable at the election of the Company or a holder thereof in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which the Securities are denominated or stated to be payable.

18. The amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, on the Securities shall not be determined with reference to an index or formula.

19. The Securities shall not contain any deletions from, modification of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company contained in the Indenture.

20. The Security Register and Paying Agent for the Securities shall be the Trustee.

21. Pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Indenture and pursuant to the Board Resolutions and the Special Securities Committee Resolutions, the form of Securities attached hereto as Annex A is hereby established as the form of the Securities.

22. Beneficial owners of interests in the Securities may exchange such interests for Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination in the manner specified in Section 3.5 of the Indenture.

23. If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem the Securities as described above, a Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to an integral multiple of $1,000) of its Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”); provided that the principal amount of its Securities outstanding after a repurchase in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Securities repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will mail a notice to Holders describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Securities on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures and described in such notice. The Company

 

4


will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the Securities, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such conflicts.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful: (i) accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being purchased by the Company and the amount to be paid by the paying agent.

For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions are applicable:

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Securities are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies).

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of the Company’s subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding total voting power of all shares of the Company’s capital stock entitled to vote generally in elections of directors; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors are not Continuing Directors.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

 

5


“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the board of directors of the Company who (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date the Securities were first issued; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination or election.

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. and its successors.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s, BBB– (or the equivalent) by S&P and BBB– (or the equivalent) by Fitch.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch; and (2) if any of Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch ceases to rate the Securities or fails to make a rating of the Securities publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, as amended, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Company’s board of directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

24. The Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon delivery to the Trustee of (i) such Securities duly executed as provided in the Indenture, with the terms set forth therein duly completed, (ii) the Officers’ Certificate with respect to such Securities and (iii) a copy of the Board Resolutions and the Special Securities Committee Resolutions, each such resolutions certified by the Secretary of the Company.

25. The other terms and conditions of the Securities shall be substantially as set forth in the Indenture relating to the Securities.

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto executed this Officers’ Certificate as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Craig A. Douglas

Name: Craig A. Douglas
Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

/s/ Donald Allan Jr.

Name: Donald Allan Jr.
Title:   Vice President & Corporate Controller

 

7

Exhibit 5.1

September 29, 2008

The Stanley Works

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, CT 06053

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am General Counsel of The Stanley Works, a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”) and have represented the Company in connection with the Underwriting Agreement, dated September 24, 2008 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as Representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters) and the Company, relating to the sale by the Company to the Underwriters of $250 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.15% Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”) to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, as supplemented by the Officers’ Certificate, dated as of the date hereof (the “Officers’ Certificate” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), establishing the form and terms of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.1 of the Base Indenture.

This opinion is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

In rendering the opinions set forth herein, I have examined and relied on originals or copies of the following:

(a) the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-153646) of the Company relating to the Notes and other securities of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Act on September 24, 2008, allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), including the information deemed to be a part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations (such registration statement, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);


The Stanley Works

September 29, 2008

Page 2

 

(b) the prospectus, dated September 24, 2008, which forms a part of and is included in the Registration Statement;

(c) the “issuer free writing prospectus” dated September 24, 2008, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission;

(d) the prospectus supplement, dated September 24, 2008, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

(e) an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement;

(f) an executed copy of the Base Indenture;

(g) an executed copy of the Officers’ Certificate;

(h) an executed copy of the global certificate representing the Notes;

(i) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company;

(j) the By-laws of the Company; and

(k) certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, adopted April 25, 2007 and July 18, 2008, and the certain resolutions of the sole member of the Special Securities Committee thereof, dated September 24, 2008.

I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein.

In my examination, I have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to me as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of Connecticut and I do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. The Base Indenture provides that it is governed by the laws of the State of New York. To the extent that the opinion expressed herein relates to matters governed by the laws of the State of New York, I have relied, with their permission, as to all matters of New York law, on the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP dated the date hereof, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 5.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and my opinion is subject to the exceptions, qualifications and assumptions contained in such opinion.

 

2


The Stanley Works

September 29, 2008

Page 3

 

The Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes are referred to herein collectively as the “Transaction Documents.”

The opinions set forth below are subject to the following further qualifications, assumptions and limitations:

I have assumed that the execution and delivery by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its properties is subject, (ii) any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or any of its properties is subject (except that I do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to Opined-on Law (as defined below)), (iii) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with any governmental authority;

My opinions set forth herein are limited to those laws of the State of Connecticut that, in my experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on-Law”). I do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined-on-law or as to the effect of any such Opined-on-Law on the opinions herein stated.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, I am of the opinion that the Notes have been duly authorized.

 

3


The Stanley Works

September 29, 2008

Page 4

 

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated the date hereof. I also hereby consent to the use of my name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and I disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Bruce H. Beatt

Bruce H. Beatt
General Counsel

 

4

Exhibit 5.2

September 29, 2008

The Stanley Works

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, CT 06053

Re: The Stanley Works – 6.15% Notes due 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to The Stanley Works, a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Underwriting Agreement, dated September 24, 2008 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”) and the Company, relating to the sale by the Company to the Underwriters of $250 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.15% Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”) to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, as supplemented by an Officers’ Certificate, dated the date hereof (the “Officers’ Certificate” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), establishing the form and terms of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.1 of the Base Indenture.

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we have examined and relied on originals or copies of the following:

(a) the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-153646) of the Company relating to the Notes and other securities of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Act on September 24, 2008, allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), including


The Stanley Works

September 29, 2008

Page 2

 

the information deemed to be a part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations (such registration statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

(b) the prospectus, dated September 24, 2008 which forms a part of and is included in the Registration Statement;

(c) the “issuer free writing prospectus” dated September 24, 2008, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission;

(d) the prospectus supplement, dated September 24, 2008, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

(e) an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement;

(f) an executed copy of the Base Indenture;

(g) an executed copy of the Supplemental Indenture; and

(h) an executed copy of the global certificate representing the Notes.

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below.

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, including the Company, had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and, except to the extent expressly set forth in our opinion below, the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. We have also assumed that the Company has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing, and has requisite legal status and legal capacity, under the laws of its

 

2


The Stanley Works

September 29, 2008

Page 3

 

jurisdiction of organization and that the Company has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of all relevant jurisdictions (including the laws of the State of Connecticut) in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents (as defined herein), other than the laws of the State of New York insofar as we express our opinion herein. As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.

The Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes are referred to herein collectively as the “Transaction Documents.”

The opinions set forth below are subject to the following further qualifications, assumptions and limitations:

(a) we have assumed that the execution and delivery by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its properties is subject, (ii) any law, rule, or regulation to which the Company or any of its properties is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to Opined-on Law (as defined below)), (iii) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with any governmental authority;

(b) the validity or enforcement of any agreements or instruments may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

(c) we do not express any opinion as to the applicability or effect of any fraudulent transfer, preference or similar law on any of the Transaction Documents or any transactions contemplated thereby; and

(d) to the extent any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions of the Transaction Documents, our opinion is rendered in reliance upon N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 5-1401, 5-1402 (McKinney 2001) and N.Y. C.P.L.R. 327(b) (McKinney 2001) and is subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be limited by public policy considerations.

 

3


The Stanley Works

September 29, 2008

Page 4

 

Our opinions set forth herein are limited to those laws of the State of New York that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”). We do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined-on Law or as to the effect of any such non-Opined-on Law on the opinions herein stated.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, the Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Bruce H. Beatt, General Counsel of the Company, may rely on this opinion, subject to the limitations and assumptions set forth in this opinion, as if it were addressed to him in rendering his opinion dated the date hereof, which is to be filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated the date hereof. We also hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

 

4

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STANLEY WORKS CLOSES OFFERING OF 6.15% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2013

New Britain, CT, September 29, 2008: The Stanley Works ( NYSE: SWK ) (the “Company”) today announced that it closed its offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2013.

The notes bear interest at a rate of 6.15% per annum. The price to investors was 99.804% of the principal amount of the notes for an effective yield of 6.196%. The Company will receive gross proceeds of $250 million from the sale of the notes, before deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. Stanley intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to reduce borrowings under its existing commercial paper program and/or other short-term obligations and for other general corporate purposes.

Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as joint book-running managers for this offering.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities referred to above. An offering of any such securities will be made only be means of a prospectus. Any such prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The Stanley Works is a diversified worldwide supplier of tools and engineered solutions for professional, industrial, construction and do-it-yourself use, and security solutions for commercial applications.

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including those regarding Stanley’s anticipated use of the net proceeds. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

Contact:

  

Greg Waybright – Interim VP, Investor Relations

  

(860) 827-3544

  

gwaybright@stanleyworks.com