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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): December 13, 2021

 

 

HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Indiana   1-6651   35-1160484

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

130 E. Randolph St., Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60601

(Address of principal executive offices)

(312) 819-7200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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))

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, without par value   HRC   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Introductory Note

On December 13, 2021, Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Hillrom” or the “Company”), completed the previously announced transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 1, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Baxter International Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Baxter”), and Bel Air Subsidiary, Inc., an Indiana corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Baxter (“Merger Sub”). At the closing, Merger Sub merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Baxter. The Merger became effective upon the filing of the articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana on the date hereof (the “Effective Time”).

 

Item 1.02.

Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information provided in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) is incorporated herein by reference.

Concurrently with the closing of the Merger, the Company terminated all commitments outstanding under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2019, by and among the Company, as lead borrower, Welch Allyn, Inc., as co-borrower, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative and collateral agent (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”). In connection with the termination of the Credit Agreement, all outstanding loans and other amounts due under thereunder were repaid in full.

Concurrently with the closing of the Merger, Hill-Rom Company, Inc. (“HRC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as initial servicer, and Hill-Rom Finance Company LLC (“HR Finance”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and a bankruptcy remote, special purpose entity, as borrower, terminated that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2017, by and among HRC, HR Finance, the persons from time to time party thereto, as lenders and as group agents and MUFG Bank, Ltd, (f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.) (“MUFG”), as Administrative Agent (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “Loan Agreement”), together with the purchase and sale agreement and performance guaranty related thereto (collectively, the “Securitization Documents”). In connection with the termination of the Securitization Documents, all outstanding amounts due thereunder were repaid in full.

Upon termination of the Loan Agreement, each of the following agreements was automatically terminated: (i) that certain Master Framework Agreement by and among HRC, Hill-Rom Manufacturing, Inc. (“HR Manufacturing”) and each additional seller from time to time party thereto, HRC, as agent for the sellers, MUFG, as buyer, and the other parties thereto, dated as of May 5, 2017 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “Framework Agreement”), (ii) that certain 1996 SIFMA Master Repurchase Agreement entered into by HRC, including Annex I thereto (as amended thereby), dated as of May 4, 2018 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “HRC MRA”), and related confirmations, and (iii) that certain 1996 SIFMA Master Repurchase Agreement entered into by HR Manufacturing, including Annex I thereto (as amended thereby), dated as of May 4, 2018 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “Manufacturing MRA”) (collectively, the “Repurchase Facility Documents”). In connection with the termination of the Repurchase Facility Documents, all outstanding amounts due thereunder were repaid in full.

Concurrently with the closing of the Merger, the Company satisfied and discharged its obligations under (i) that certain Indenture, by and among the Company, as issuer, the guarantors party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, dated as of September 19, 2019 (as supplemented by that certain First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 16, 2019), relating to the Company’s $425.00 million in


outstanding principal amount of 4.375% senior notes due 2027 (the “4.375% Notes”) and (ii) that certain Indenture, by and among the Company, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, dated as of December 1, 1991, relating to the Company’s $29.77 million in outstanding principal amount of 6.75% debentures due 2027 (the “6.75% Debentures”), in each case by irrevocably depositing with the relevant trustee funds sufficient to redeem in full, on January 6, 2022, with respect to the 4.375% Notes, and on January 12, 2022, with respect to the 6.75% Debentures, the aggregate outstanding amount of the 4.375% Notes and the 6.75% Debentures, plus any applicable premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any. This document is not and should not be construed as a notice of redemption for the 4.375% Notes or the 6.75% Debentures.

 

Item 2.01.

Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and in Items 3.03, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03 and 8.01 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

At the Effective Time, each share of common stock, no par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than certain excluded shares as described in the Merger Agreement) was cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash in the amount of $156.00 per share (the “Merger Consideration”).

At the Effective Time, (a) each stock option to purchase shares of Common Stock that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time became fully vested and was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the Merger Consideration, net of the applicable exercise price, and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such stock option immediately prior to the Effective Time, less applicable taxes, (b) each Hillrom restricted stock unit award that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and was granted prior to the date of the Merger Agreement became fully vested and was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the Merger Consideration and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such award immediately prior to the Effective Time, less applicable taxes, (c) each Hillrom restricted stock unit that was granted on or after the date of the Merger Agreement was converted into a Baxter restricted stock unit award based on a ratio of the value of the Merger Consideration to the value of a share of Company common stock as of the Effective Time and will remain subject to the original vesting schedule and continued service requirements, with acceleration of vesting upon certain qualifying terminations of employment, and (d) each Hillrom performance-based restricted stock unit award that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time became fully vested and was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the Merger Consideration and (ii) the number of shares subject to such award immediately prior to the Effective Time, based on a payout percentage of 146% (in the case of any such award granted in Hillrom’s 2020 fiscal year) or 187.5% (in the case of any such award granted in Hillrom’s 2021 fiscal year), less applicable taxes. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, any Hillrom restricted stock unit granted to a non-employee director on or after the date of the Merger Agreement would have been treated in the same manner as restricted stock units granted prior to the date of the Merger Agreement (as described in clause (b) above), however, no Hillrom restricted stock units were granted to non-employee directors on or after the date of the Merger Agreement.

The description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement contained in this Item 2.01 does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 2, 2021, and is incorporated by reference herein.


Item 3.01.

Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

The information set forth under Item 2.01 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.01.

On December 13, 2021, in connection with the completion of the Merger, the Company notified the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) that the Merger had been completed, and requested that the NYSE suspend trading of the Common Stock on the NYSE and withdraw the Common Stock from listing on the NYSE prior to the opening of trading on December 13, 2021. The NYSE has filed a notification of removal from listing on Form 25 with the SEC with respect to the Common Stock in order to effect the delisting of such shares from the NYSE. Such delisting will result in the termination of the registration of the Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company intends to file a certificate on Form 15 requesting the deregistration of the Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, which will suspend the Company’s reporting obligations under Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Common Stock.

 

Item 3.03.

Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Items 2.01, 3.01 and 5.03 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

At the Effective Time, the holders of Common Stock immediately before the Merger ceased to have any rights as shareholders of the Company (other than their right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement).

 

Item 5.01.

Change in Control of Registrant.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and the information set forth under Items 2.01, 3.03 and 5.02 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

As a result of the completion of the Merger, a change in control of the Company occurred, and the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Baxter. Baxter funded the acquisition using borrowings under its term loan facility, proceeds from the issuance of senior unsecured notes and cash on hand.

 

Item 5.02.

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, all directors of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time resigned from the board of directors of the Company subject to, and effective as of, the Effective Time. No director resigned as a result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

In connection with the consummation of the Merger and in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, the directors of Merger Sub as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, José E. Almeida, James Saccaro and Sean Martin, became the directors of the Company, effective as of the Effective Time.


In addition, immediately following the consummation of the Merger, each executive officer of the Company, other than Amy Dodrill, Andreas Frank and Richard Wagner, resigned and ceased to hold such position with the Company effective as of the Effective Time.

 

Item 5.03.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

At the Effective Time, the amended and restated articles of incorporation of the Company that were in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time were amended and restated in their entirety (the “Articles of Incorporation”). In addition, at the Effective Time, the amended and restated bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time were amended and restated in their entirety to be in the form of the bylaws of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Bylaws”). Copies of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to this Current Report, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events

On December 13, 2021 the Company and Baxter jointly issued a press release announcing the closing of the Merger. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 1, 2021, by and among Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., Baxter International Inc., and Bel Air Subsidiary, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 2, 2021).*
3.1    Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
99.1    Press Release, dated December 13, 2021
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page iXBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

 

*

The schedules to the Merger Agreement have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2)(ii) of Regulation S-K.


SIGNATURES

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

 

Dated: December 13, 2021    
    HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Ellen K. Bradford

      Name: Ellen K. Bradford
      Title: Vice President and Secretary

Exhibit 3.1

SECOND RESTATED AND AMENDED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

ARTICLE I

IDENTIFICATION

The name of the corporation is Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”). The Corporation was incorporated on August 7, 1969.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSES AND POWERS

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are the transaction of any or all lawful business for which corporations may be incorporated under the Indiana Business Corporation Law, (the “Act”) as the same may, from time to time, be amended.

The Corporation, subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by the Act, other law or these Second Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”), shall have all powers now or hereafter vested in corporations duly organized and existing under and pursuant to the Act including without limitation any and all powers necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs.

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT

The name of the registered agent of the Corporation is CT Corporation System. The Signator represents that the registered agent has consented to such appointment.

ARTICLE IV

AUTHORIZED SHARES

The authorized capital stock of the Corporation consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, no par value.

ARTICLE V

DIRECTORS

The number of directors of the Corporation is fixed by the by-laws of the Corporation and may be increased or decreased in the manner specified therein.


ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

The Board may indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation against all liability and reasonable expense incurred by such person on account of or arising out of that person’s relationship to the Corporation, provided that such person is determined in the manner specified in Indiana Code Section 23-1-37-12 to have met the standards of conduct specified in Indiana Code Section 23-1-37-8. Upon demand for such indemnification, the Corporation shall proceed as provided in Indiana Code Section 23-1-37-12 to determine whether such person is eligible for indemnification. Nothing contained in this Article VI shall limit or preclude the exercise of any right relating to the indemnification of or advance of expenses to any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or the ability of the Corporation to otherwise indemnify or advance expenses to any director, officer, employee or agent.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

Section 7.1. By-Laws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the Act, the Board is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation.

Section 7.2. Articles. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in these Articles in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein and by the laws of the State of Indiana, and all rights conferred upon shareholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Second Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation to be signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Corporation on this 13th day of December, 2021.

 

/s/ Matthew Rice
Name: Matthew Rice
Title: Assistant Secretary

[Signature Page to 2nd A&R Articles of Incorporation]

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

OF

HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

(Adopted as of December 13, 2021)

Article 1

IDENTIFICATION

Section 1.01. Name. The name of the Corporation is Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”).

Section 1.02. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end 11:59 p.m. CT on September 30 of each calendar year unless and until the board of directors of the Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) shall otherwise determine.

Article 2

SHARES

Section 2.01. Certificates for Shares. Pursuant to Ind. Code § 23-1-26-7, the Board of Directors is authorized to issue shares without certificates. If the Board of Directors issues share certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time signed (either manually or in facsimile) by the President or a Vice President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

Section 2.02. Transfer of Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation upon surrender of the certificate or certificates (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, the stock power or its equivalent) representing the same, properly endorsed by the registered holder or by his or her duly authorized attorney, such endorsement or endorsements to be witnessed by one witness. The requirement for such witnessing may be waived in writing upon the form of endorsement by the President of the Corporation.

Article 3

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

Section 3.01. Place of Meetings. All meetings of shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Indiana, or by means of remote communication, as may be specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

Section 3.02. Annual Meeting. Unless directors are elected by written consent in lieu of an annual meeting, as permitted by the IBCL, the annual meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be set each year by resolution of the Board of Directors. Failure to hold the annual meeting shall not work any forfeiture or a dissolution of the Corporation or affect the validity of any corporate action. Shareholders may, unless the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) otherwise provide, act by written consent to elect directors.


Section 3.03. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the President, by the Board of Directors, or by the shareholders holding not less than one-fourth of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote on the business proposed to be transacted thereat.

Section 3.04. Notice of Meetings and Waiver. Whenever shareholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written or printed notice, stating the place, day and hour of the meeting, and in case of a special meeting the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered (in person, by facsimile or by electronic transmission) or mailed by the Secretary or by the officers or persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of the Corporation at the time entitled to vote, at such address as appears upon the records of the Corporation, no fewer than ten (unless a longer period is required by law) nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any such meeting may be waived in writing by any shareholder, before or after the date and time stated in the notice, if the waiver is delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes for filing with the corporate records. Attendance at a meeting, in person or by proxy, waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting the business at the meeting. Further, a shareholder’s attendance at a meeting waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented.

Section 3.05. Adjournments. Any meeting of shareholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, thereof, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 3.06. Organization. Meetings of shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairperson of the Board by the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Vice Chairperson of the Board by the President, or in the absence of the President by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairperson designated by the Board, or in the absence of such designation by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairperson of the meeting. The chairperson of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of the voting polls, for each item on which a vote is to be taken.

 

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Section 3.07. Voting at Meetings.

Clause 3.071. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, every holder of shares of the common stock of the Corporation shall have the right at all meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation to one vote for each share of common stock standing in his or her name on the books of the Corporation.

Clause 3.072. Proxies. A shareholder may vote, either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or a duly authorized attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months, unless a shorter or longer time is expressly provided in the appointment form.

Clause 3.073. Quorum. At any meeting of shareholders, a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote on the business to be transacted at such meeting, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum.

Clause 3.074. Record Date. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, or in order to make a determination of the shareholders for any other corporate purpose, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than sixty, in the case of a meeting of the shareholders nor less than ten days before the date of upon which the particular action, requiring that determination of the shareholders is to be taken. If no record date is fixed for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or other distribution, then the date upon which the resolution of the Board declaring the divided or other distribution is adopted shall be the record date for determination of the shareholders. When a determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of the shareholders has been made, the determination shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting. The shareholders upon any record date shall be the shareholders as of the close of business.

In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Indiana, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of shareholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by law, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

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Clause 3.075. List of Shareholders Entitled to Vote. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least five business days before every meeting of shareholders, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting. Nothing in this Clause 3.075 shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic content information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any shareholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at five business days prior to the meeting and continuing through the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to shareholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any shareholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

Section 3.08. Action By Shareholders Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting, and without a vote, if the action is evidenced by one or more written consents (i) setting forth the action taken, (ii) signed by (A) the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voting to the extent permitted by law, or (B) all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, and (iii) delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes for filing with the Corporation’s records.

Section 3.09. Participation in Meetings by Means of Conference or Other Similar Communications Equipment. Any shareholder may participate in an annual or special meeting of the shareholders by, or through the use of, any means of communication by which all shareholders participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A shareholder participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

Article 4

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 4.01. Powers; Number; and Qualifications. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, except as may be otherwise provided by law or in the Articles of Incorporation. The Board shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person, the number thereof to be determined from time to time by the Board. Directors need not be shareholders.

 

4


Section 4.02. Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of one and a maximum of five members. The actual number of directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shareholders present, in person or by proxy, and who are entitled to vote at the annual meeting of the shareholders called for such purpose. A decrease in the number of directors does not shorten an incumbent director’s term.

Section 4.03. Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors shall meet each year immediately after the annual meeting of the shareholders, at the place where such meeting of the shareholders has been held or by remote communication, for the purpose of organization, election of officers, and consideration of any other business that may be brought before the meeting. No notice shall be necessary for the holding of this annual meeting. If such meeting is not held as above provided, the election of officers may be had at any subsequent meeting of the Board specifically called in the manner provided in Section 4.04 of this Article 4.

Section 4.04. Other Meetings. Annual meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice of the date, time, place or purpose of the meeting. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held upon the call of the President, or of any member of the Board of Directors, at any place within or without the State of Indiana, upon forty-eight hours’ notice, specifying the time, place and general purposes of the meeting, given to each director, either personally, by mailing, by facsimile or by electronic transmission. Such notice may be waived in writing by any director, before or after the date stated in the notice, if the waiver is signed by the director and filed with the Corporation’s minutes or records. In addition, a director’s attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice of the meeting unless the director at the beginning of the meeting (or promptly upon his or her arrival) objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.

Section 4.05. Quorum. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, the presence of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business except the filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors.

Section 4.06. Organization. Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairperson of the Board by the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Vice Chairperson of the Board by the President, or in their absence by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 4.07. Action By Directors Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board of Directors and is evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, signed by each director, and is included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records reflecting the action taken.

 

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Section 4.08. Compensation of Directors. The Board of Directors is empowered and authorized to fix and determine the compensation of directors for attendance at meetings of the Board, and additional compensation for any additional services that the directors may perform for the Corporation.

Section 4.09. Participation in Meetings by Means of Conference or Other Similar Communications Equipment. A member of the Board of Directors or of a committee designated by the Board may participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A director participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

Section 4.10. Resignations. A director may resign at any time by delivering notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Secretary of the Corporation. A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the Corporation accepts the future effective date, the Board of Directors may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the Board of Directors provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date.

Section 4.11. Committees. The Board of Directors may create one or more committees and appoint members of the Board of Directors to serve on them. Each committee may have one or more members, who serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the greater of (a) a majority of all the directors in office when the action is taken, or (b) the number of directors required under Section 4.05 of this Article 4 to take action at meeting of the Board of the Directors. All rules applicable to action by the Board of Directors apply to committees and their members. The Board of Directors may specify the authority that a committee may exercise; however, a committee may not (i) authorize distributions, except a committee may authorize or approve a reacquisition of shares if done according to a formula or method prescribed by the Board of Directors, (ii) approve or propose to shareholders action that must be approved by shareholders, (iii) fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or on any of its committees, (iv) amend the Articles of Incorporation, (v) adopt, amend, or repeal these Bylaws, (vi) approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval, or (vii) authorize or approve the issuance or sale or a contract for the sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and limitations of a class or series of shares, except the Board of Directors may authorize a committee to so act within limits prescribed by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.12. Committee Rules. Unless the Board otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may adopt, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of a provision by the Board or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall be the act of such committee, and in other respects each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to Article 4 of these Bylaws.

 

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Section 4.13. The Chairperson of the Board. The Board of Directors may choose from among its members a Chairperson of the Board who shall (i) preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the shareholders of the Corporation, and (ii) perform such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her or prescribed by these Bylaws.

Article 5

OFFICERS

Section 5.01. Number. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary, and such other officers as may be chosen by the Board of Directors at such time and in such manner and for such terms as the Board of Directors may prescribe. The President may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers as he may deem necessary or advisable to carry on the operations of the Corporation. Such appointed officer or officers shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors unless removed by resolution of the Board prior to such meeting date. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

Section 5.02. Election and Term of Office. The officers shall be chosen annually by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until a successor is chosen, or until his or her death, or until such officer has resigned or is removed in the manner hereinafter provided.

Section 5.03. Removal. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, at any time, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.04. Resignations. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Secretary of the Corporation. A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the Corporation accepts the future effective date, the Board of Directors may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the Board of Directors provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date.

Section 5.05. The President. The President shall have management responsibility for the operation of the Corporation, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors or any officer that the Board of Directors may direct. If no Chairperson of the Board is elected or appointed, the President shall preside at all meetings of shareholders, discharge all the duties which devolve upon a presiding officer, and perform such other duties as these Bylaws or the Board of Directors may prescribe.

Section 5.06. The Vice Presidents. Each Vice President (if one or more Vice Presidents be elected or appointed) shall have such powers and perform such duties as these Bylaws provide or as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, prescribe or delegate to him or her.

Section 5.07. The Secretary. The Secretary shall prepare or cause to be prepared the minutes of the meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors; shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by law; shall be custodian and responsible for the authentication of the records; and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as these Bylaws provide or as may, from time to time, be assigned by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 5.08. The Assistant Secretaries. Each Assistant Secretary (if one or more Assistant Secretaries be elected or appointed) shall assist the Secretary in his or her duties and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, prescribe or delegate to him or her. At the request of the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary may, in the case of the absence or inability to act of the Secretary, temporarily act in the Secretary’s place.

Section 5.09. The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the controller of the Corporation; shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds of the Corporation, and deposit all such funds in the name of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors; shall receive, and give receipts for, monies due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever; and, in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as these Bylaws provide or as may, from time to time, be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.10. The Assistant Treasurers. Each Assistant Treasurer (if one or more Assistant Treasurers be elected or appointed) shall assist the Treasurer in his or her duties, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, prescribe or delegate to him or her. At the request of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer may, in the case of the absence or inability to act of the Treasurer, temporarily act in the Treasurer’s place.

Section 5.11. Delegation of Authority. In case of the absence of any officer of the Corporation, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the Board may delegate the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer, for the time being, provided a majority of the entire Board concurs therein.

Section 5.12. Salaries. The salaries of the officers shall be fixed, from time to time, by the Board of Directors. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact he is also a director of the Corporation.

Article 6

NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS, DEEDS, CONTRACTS AND SHARES

Section 6.01. Execution of Negotiable Instruments. All checks, drafts, notes, bonds, bills of exchange and orders for the payment of money of the Corporation shall, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, or unless otherwise required by law, be signed by any officer of the Corporation, signing singly, or such other officers or employees as may be directed by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.02. Execution of Deeds, Contracts, Etc. All deeds and mortgages made by the Corporation and other material written contracts and agreements into which the Corporation enters other than transactions in the ordinary course of business shall, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors or required by law, be executed in its name by any officer of the Corporation, signing singly, and, when necessary or required, shall be duly attested by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary. In addition to the above designated officers, written contracts and agreements in the ordinary course of business operations may be executed by any other officer or employee of the Corporation designated by the President to execute such contracts and agreements.

 

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Section 6.03. Endorsement of Stock Certificates. Subject always to the further orders and directions of the Board of Directors, any share or shares of stock issued by any other corporation and owned by the Corporation (including retired shares of stock of the Corporation) may, for sale or transfer, be endorsed in the name of the Corporation by the President and such endorsement shall be duly attested by the Secretary of the Corporation.

Section 6.04. Voting of Stock Owned by Corporation. Subject always to the further orders and directions of the Board of Directors, any share or shares of stock issued by any other corporation and owned or controlled by the Corporation may be voted at any shareholder’s meeting of such other corporation by the President of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, by the Secretary of the Corporation. Whenever, in the judgment of the President, it is desirable for the Corporation to execute a proxy or give a shareholder’s consent in respect to any share or shares of stock issued by any other corporation and owned by the Corporation, such proxy or consent shall be executed in the name of the Corporation and shall be attested by the Secretary of the Corporation. Any person or persons designated in the manner above stated as the proxy or proxies of the Corporation shall have the full right, power, and authority to vote the share or shares of stock issued by such other corporation and owned by the Corporation the same as such share or shares might be voted by the Corporation.

Article 7

PROVISIONS FOR REGULATION OF BUSINESS

AND CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS OF CORPORATION

Section 7.01. Contracts. Any contract or other transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors, or between the Corporation and any firm of which one or more of its directors are members or employees, or in which they are interested, or between the Corporation and any corporation or association of which one or more of its directors are shareholders, members, directors, officers, or employees, or in which they are interested, shall be valid for all purposes, notwithstanding the presence of such director or directors at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation which acts upon, or in reference to, such contract or transaction, and notwithstanding such director(s)’ participation in such action, if the fact of such interest shall be disclosed or known to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall, nevertheless, authorize, approve, and ratify such contract or transaction by a vote of a majority of the directors on the Board of Directors who have no direct or indirect interest in the contract or transaction or, if all directors have such an interest, then by a vote of a majority of the directors. If a majority of such directors vote to authorize, approve or ratify such contract or transaction, a quorum is deemed to be present for purposes of taking such action. This Section 7.01 shall not be construed to invalidate any contract or other transaction which would otherwise be valid under the common and statutory law applicable thereto.

Section 7.02. Indemnification.

Clause 7.021. Right to Indemnification. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, shall indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,

 

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administrative or investigative (including, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan) (a “Covered Entity”), against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. Any director or officer of the Corporation entitled to indemnification as provided in this Clause 7.021 is hereinafter called an “Indemnitee”. Any right of an Indemnitee to indemnification shall be a contract right and shall include the right to receive, prior to the conclusion of any Proceeding, payment of any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of applicable law as then in effect and the other provisions of this Section 7.02.

Clause 7.022. Insurance, Contracts and Funding. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any indemnified person against any expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement as specified in Clause 7.021 or Clause 7.025 of this Section 7.02 or incurred by any indemnified person in connection with any Proceeding referred to in such Sections, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect. The Corporation may enter into contracts with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of any Covered Entity in furtherance of the provisions of this Section 7.02 and may create a trust fund or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Section 7.02.

Clause 7.023. Indemnification; Not Exclusive Right. The right of indemnification provided in this Section 7.02 shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any indemnified person may otherwise be entitled, and the provisions of this Section 7.02 shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of any indemnified person under this Section 7.02 and shall be applicable to Proceedings commenced or continuing after the adoption of this Section 7.02, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such adoption.

Clause 7.024. Advancement of Expenses; Remedies. In furtherance, but not in limitation, of the foregoing provisions, the following procedures, presumptions and remedies shall apply with respect to the advancement of expenses and the right to indemnification under this Section 7.02:

(a) Advancement of Expenses. All reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding shall be advanced to the Indemnitee by the Corporation within 20 days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Any such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee and shall include any written affirmation or undertaking required by applicable law in effect at the time of such advance.

 

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(b) Remedies of Indemnitee. If a determination shall have been made that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be obligated to pay the amounts constituting such indemnification within five days after such determination has been made. In the event that an amount properly owed to an Indemnitee under this Section 7.02 is not paid in full by the Corporation, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek judicial enforcement of the Corporation’s obligation to pay to the Indemnitee such advancement of expenses or indemnification. In the event that the Indemnitee, pursuant to this Clause 7.024(b), seeks a judicial adjudication to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Section 7.02, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Corporation, and shall be indemnified by the Corporation against, any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee prevails in such judicial adjudication. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication that the Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication shall be prorated accordingly.

Clause 7.025. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 7, the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, may indemnify any person other than a director or officer of the Corporation who is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by reasons of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or, at the request of the Corporation, a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of a Covered Entity against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The Corporation may also advance expenses incurred by such employee, fiduciary or agent in connection with any such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of applicable law as then in effect.

Clause 7.026. Severability. If any of this Section 7.02 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Section 7.02 (including, without limitation, all portions of any Section of this Section 7.02 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Section 7.02 (including, without limitation, all portions of any Section of this Section 7.02 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

Clause 7.027. Effect of Amendments. Neither the amendment or repeal of, nor the adoption of a provision inconsistent with, any provision of this Section 7.02 (including, without limitation, this Clause 7.027) shall adversely affect the rights of any director or officer under this Section 7.02 with respect to any Proceeding commenced or threatened prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision or with respect to any Proceeding arising out of any action or omission occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision, in either case without the written consent of such director or officer.

 

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Article 8

STOCK

Section 8.01. Stock Certificates and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of stock in the Corporation shall be uncertificated, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock shall be represented by certificates. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation, representing the number of shares of stock registered in certificate form owned by such holder. If such certificate is manually signed by one officer or manually countersigned by a transfer agent or by a registrar, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.

Section 8.02. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

Article 9

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01. Seal. The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

Section 9.02. Form of Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device, or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records in accordance with applicable law.

Section 9.03. Amendments. The powers to make, alter, amend or repeal these Bylaws are vested in the Board of Directors, but the affirmative vote of a majority of the number of directors in office at the time of such vote shall be necessary to effect any alteration, amendment or repeal of these Bylaws.

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact

Lauren Russ, (224) 948-5353

media@baxter.com

Investor Contact

Clare Trachtman, (224) 948-3020

BAXTER COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF HILLROM,

CREATING ~$15 BILLION GLOBAL MEDTECH LEADER

 

   

Accelerates the company’s vision for transforming healthcare and advancing patient care worldwide – from the hospital to the home

 

   

Combination creates opportunities for innovation that should drive efficiencies across care settings and help improve care outcomes

 

   

Complementary products and pipeline enable broader access to care globally

 

   

Expected to generate high single-digit ROIC by year five and approximately $250 million of annual pre-tax cost synergies by the end of year three

 

   

Positions Baxter for anticipated faster top- and bottom-line growth

DEERFIELD, Ill., December 13, 2021 – Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a global medtech leader, announced today it has completed its acquisition of Hillrom. Baxter paid $156.00 in cash for each outstanding share of Hillrom common stock for a purchase price of $10.5 billion (based on Hillrom share counts at closing). Including the assumption of Hillrom’s outstanding debt obligations, the enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $12.5 billion.

“The Baxter-Hillrom combination unlocks the next phase of our transformation, presenting a new wave of potential to drive greater impact for patients, clinicians, employees, shareholders and other communities we serve worldwide,” said José (Joe) E. Almeida, Baxter’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Integrating our complementary capabilities introduces additional opportunities for growth across our broad geographic footprint and also creates remarkable new possibilities for connectivity with leading-edge digital health innovation focused on enhancing care, lowering costs and increasing workflow efficiency.”

 

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The combination unites two leading medtech organizations in a shared vision for transforming healthcare and advancing patient care worldwide. Baxter now supports millions of patients each day across homes, physician offices, ambulatory care centers, and nearly every hospital department. The company plans to build on its robust global footprint, including commercial and service infrastructure, to expand legacy Hillrom and Welch Allyn products into new international markets, bringing the collective portfolio of products and services to even more patients and providers worldwide.

Baxter also has a unique opportunity to advance innovation in new areas that are designed to help healthcare providers increase workflow efficiencies and improve care outcomes. Building on the company’s collective installed base of more than two million medical devices globally, Baxter plans to use its combined expertise in connectivity technology and integration, digital health solutions, data visualization and analytics, therapy development, and monitoring and sensing to build a connected system that surrounds the patient and their care team.

“We are invigorated by the potential to create value for patients and customers in new ways as a combined company,” said Mr. Almeida, “and we are energized by the power we bring together as one team united in our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. We are very excited to welcome our Hillrom colleagues to Baxter.”

Both companies have a strong legacy as socially responsible corporate citizens. Each has been recognized for achievements in workplace diversity and corporate responsibility, and for fostering an environment that supports and encourages high performance, respect for individuals, and professional growth.

Executive and Board Appointments

In conjunction with the acquisition, Baxter announced the following executive and board appointments.

Giuseppe Accogli, formerly Baxter’s senior vice president and president, Americas and Global Business Units, has been recently named to the newly established role of executive vice president and chief operating officer. Mr. Accogli has been with Baxter for 14 years in roles of increasing responsibility. He previously worked for Medtronic plc, and in several sales, product and marketing roles for Tyco Healthcare and then Covidien.

 

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Additionally, in connection with the acquisition close, Baxter’s board of directors has appointed Nancy M. Schlichting, retired president and chief executive officer of Henry Ford Health System, to the Baxter board. Ms. Schlichting had served on the Hillrom board of directors. She currently serves as a director of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Encompass Health and Pear Therapeutics; vice-chair of the Duke University Health System board; and a trustee of Kresge Foundation and Duke University.

Transaction and Financial Highlights

Baxter’s proposed acquisition of Hillrom was announced on Sept. 2, 2021.

Baxter expects the combination to result in approximately $250 million of annual pre-tax cost synergies by the end of year three. This estimate excludes any benefit from potential new revenue growth opportunities resulting from the combination of the two organizations.

The transaction is expected to be low double-digit accretive to Baxter’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the first full year post close, increasing to more than 20% by the third year following closing. The transaction is also expected to expand Baxter’s overall adjusted EBITDA margins over the medium term and deliver strong cash flow generation with a high single-digit return on invested capital (ROIC) expected by the fifth year following closing.

Baxter funded the acquisition, and the refinancing of certain assumed indebtedness of Hillrom, through the issuance of $7.8 billion in fixed and floating rate bonds, $4.0 billion in drawn three- and five-year floating rate term loan agreements, and the remainder in cash on hand. The weighted average cost of the final acquisition financing is approximately 2%, with a weighted average maturity of approximately seven years. Baxter is committed to deleveraging to a 2.75x net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio within two years post-closing.

 

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LOGO

 

About Baxter

Every day, millions of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers rely on Baxter’s leading portfolio of diagnostic, critical care, kidney care, nutrition, hospital and surgical products used across patient homes, hospitals, physician offices and other sites of care. For 90 years, we’ve been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers who make it happen. With products, digital health solutions and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter’s employees worldwide are now building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. To learn more, visit www.baxter.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures include the following forecasted items: adjusted EPS accretion, adjusted EBITDA margin, net leverage and ROIC. The company defines adjusted EPS accretion as the increase in its adjusted EPS (i.e., diluted EPS excluding special items, net of the related income tax effects) resulting from the Hillrom acquisition. The company defines adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA (i.e., income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and special items) divided by net sales. The company defines net leverage as total debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by the trailing-twelve month (TTM) adjusted EBITDA. The company defines ROIC as free cash flow (i.e., operating cash flow less capital expenditures) derived from Hillrom divided by the enterprise value of Hillrom at the date of acquisition.

Special items include intangible asset amortization, business optimization charges, acquisition and integration expenses, expenses related to European Medical Devices Regulation, and investigation and related costs. These items are excluded because they are highly variable or unusual and of a size that may substantially impact the company’s reported operations for a period. Additionally, intangible asset amortization is excluded as a special item to facilitate an evaluation of current and past operating performance and is consistent with how management and the company’s board of directors assess performance.

Non-GAAP financial measures may enhance an understanding of the company’s operations and may facilitate an analysis of those operations, particularly in evaluating performance from one period to another. Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with the results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the reconciliations to corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures, may enhance an investor’s overall understanding of the company’s past financial performance and prospects for the future. Accordingly, management uses these non-GAAP measures internally in financial planning, to monitor business unit performance, to evaluate the company’s ability to service its debt, and, in some cases, for purposes of determining incentive compensation. This information should be considered in addition to, and not as substitutes for, information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

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The company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures for the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release without unreasonable effort as certain items that impact these measures, such as the potential impact of future business or asset acquisitions or dispositions, intangible asset impairments, restructuring actions, developments related to gain or loss contingencies, or unusual or infrequently occurring items that may occur in future years have not yet occurred, are sometimes out of the company’s control and cannot be predicted.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, each as amended, concerning Baxter’s business development activities (including the Hillrom acquisition), capital structure (including Baxter’s proposed deleveraging plans) and financial outlook for the combined companies (including anticipated cost synergies).

Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events and include any statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact.

Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, as a result of factors, risks and uncertainties, not under the company’s control, including, but not limited to: (i) successful integration of Hillrom with the company and the realization of anticipated benefits of the acquisition (including anticipated synergies and net leverage targets) within the expected timeframes or at all; (ii) potential adverse reactions to the Hillrom acquisition by the company or Hillrom’s strategic partners; (iii) the impact of global economic conditions (including potential trade wars) and public health crises and epidemics, such as the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, on the company and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which the company operates; (iv) the demand for and market acceptance of risks for new and existing products (including the impact of reduced hospital admission rates and elective surgery volumes); (v) product development risks (including any delays in required regulatory approvals); (vi) product quality or patient safety concerns; (vii) the impact of competitive products and pricing, including generic competition, drug reimportation and disruptive technologies; (viii) accurate identification of and execution on business development and R&D opportunities and realization of anticipated benefits (including the acquisitions of Hillrom, Cheetah Medical, Seprafilm Adhesion Barrier and PerClot Polysaccharide Hemostatic System and specified rights to Caelyx/Doxil in territories outside the U.S., and Transderm Scop); (ix) loss of key employees or inability to identify and recruit new employees; (x) breaches or failures of the company’s information technology systems or products, including by cyberattack, unauthorized access or theft; (xi) future actions of national and foreign regulatory and governmental authorities, including Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the New York Attorney General and the Environmental Protection Agency, including the continued delay in lifting the warning letter at the company’s Ahmedabad facility or proceedings related to the investigation related to foreign exchange gains and losses; (xii) uncertainties regarding actual or potential legal proceedings, including the opioid litigation, ethylene oxide litigation and litigation related to the company’s internal investigation of foreign exchange

 

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LOGO

 

gains and losses; (xiii) increasing regulatory focus on privacy and security issues; failures with respect to compliance programs; (xiv) U.S. healthcare reform and other global austerity measures; (xv) pricing, reimbursement, taxation and rebate policies of government agencies and private payers; proposed regulatory changes of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in kidney health policy and reimbursement; (xvi) the ability to enforce owned or in-licensed patents or the prevention or restriction of the manufacture, sale or use of products or technology affected by patents of third parties; (xvii) global, trade and tax policies; (xviii) any change in laws concerning the taxation of income (including current or future tax reform), including income earned outside the United States and potential taxes associated with the Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax; (xix) actions taken by tax authorities in connection with ongoing tax audits; (xx) fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates; and (xxi) and other factors discussed in “Risk Factors” in Baxter’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year and other filings with the SEC, which are available on Baxter’s website and at http://www.sec.gov. Baxter is providing the information in this communication as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Baxter, Hillrom and Welch Allyn are registered trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

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