false 0000861878 0000861878 2020-03-26 2020-03-26

 

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):March 26, 2020

 

Stericycle, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

1-37556

36-3640402

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

2355 Waukegan Road

Bannockburn, Illinois 60015

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(847) 367-5910

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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

☐    

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CR 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, par value $0.01 per share

SRCL

Nasdaq Global Select Market

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.

 

 


Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On March 26, 2020, Stericycle, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a cooperation agreement (the “Agreement”) with Saddle Point Management, L.P. (“Saddle Point”) and Maxima Fund I, L.P. (“Maxima Fund”).  Saddle Point and Maxima Fund have a combined economic and beneficial ownership interest in approximately 2% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). The following is a summary of the material terms of the Agreement. The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company agreed to (i) increase the size of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) from ten to twelve directors and (ii) include two independent directors, James Martell and James Welch (the “Designees”), on the slate of nominees to be recommended by the Board in the Company’s proxy statement and on its proxy card relating to the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2020 Annual Meeting”) pursuant to the procedures described in the Agreement.  

In addition, subject to the election of the Designees at the 2020 Annual Meeting, the Board agreed to appoint (i) Martell to the Board’s Compensation Committee, (ii) Welch to the Board’s Audit Committee and (iii) each of Martell and Welch to the Board’s new Operations & Safety Committee, which will be established in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

With respect to the 2020 Annual Meeting, Saddle Point and Maxima Fund agreed to, among other things, vote in favor of each of the Company’s director nominees (provided such nominees include the Designees). Saddle Point and Maxima Fund also agreed not to (i) submit director nominations or proposals at the 2020 Annual Meeting or (ii) initiate, encourage or participate in any “vote no,” “withhold” or similar campaign with respect to the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Saddle Point also agreed to certain customary standstill provisions, effective as of the date of the Agreement through until (i) the earlier of (x) 30 days prior to the deadline for the submission of stockholder nominations for the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2021 Annual Meeting”) and (y) 100 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the 2020 Annual Meeting, or (ii) in the event that the Designees are nominated to the Board at the 2021 Annual Meeting, the date that is the earlier of (x) 30 days prior to the deadline for the submission of stockholder nominations for the Company’s 2022 annual meeting stockholders and (y) 100 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the 2021 Annual Meeting. The standstill provisions prohibit Saddle Point from, among other things: (i) soliciting proxies to vote for the election of individuals to the Board or to approve stockholder proposals, (ii) entering into a voting agreement or “group” with other stockholders of the Company, other than affiliates of Saddle Point, (iii) encouraging any person to submit nominees in furtherance of a contested solicitation for the appointment, election or removal of directors or (iv) soliciting consents from stockholders or otherwise acting or seeking to act by written consent.

The Company and Saddle Point also made certain customary representations, agreed to mutual non-disparagement provisions and agreed to the issuance of a joint press release announcing certain terms of the Agreement.


Item 8.01.

Other Events.

On March 27, 2020, the Company and Saddle Point issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the Agreement described in Item 1.01. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information furnished in Item 8.01 and Exhibit 99.1 are not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is not subject to the liabilities of that section and is not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report may contain forward-looking statements.  When we use words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of our management about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause such differences include, among others, developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on our business and results of operations, SOP pricing volatility, foreign exchange rate volatility in the jurisdictions in which we operate, the volume and size of any recall events, changes in governmental regulation of the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of regulated waste or the proper handling and protection of personal and confidential information, the level of government enforcement of regulations governing regulated waste collection and treatment or the proper handling and protection of personal and confidential information, decreases in the volume of regulated wastes or personal and confidential information collected from customers, the ability to implement our ERP system, charges related to portfolio rationalization or the failure of divestitures to achieve the desired results, failure to consummate transactions with respect to non-core businesses, including the risk that the Domestic Environmental Solutions transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of such transaction, including the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Domestic Environmental Solutions transaction on Stericycle’s business relationships, operating results and business generally and risks related to diverting management’s attention from Stericycle’s ongoing business operations, the obligations to service substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our credit agreements and notes, a downgrade in our credit rating resulting in an increase in interest expense, political, economic, inflationary and other risks related to our foreign operations, the outcome of pending or future litigation or investigations including with respect to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, changing market conditions in the healthcare industry, competition and demand for services in the regulated waste and secure information destruction industries, failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, delays or failures in implementing remediation efforts with respect to existing or future material weaknesses, disruptions in or attacks on information technology systems, as well as other factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q.  As a result, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate future results or trends.  


We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking or other statements contained herein other than in accordance with legal and regulatory obligations.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits:

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.1

 

Cooperation Agreement, dated of March 26, 2020, between Stericycle, Inc. and Saddle Point Management, L.P.

99.1

 

Press Release issued by the Company and Saddle Point on March 27, 2020.

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBLR document).

 

 

 

 

  


SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

 

 

 Dated: March 30, 2020

 

Stericycle, Inc.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Janet H. Zelenka

 

 

 

 

 

Janet H. Zelenka

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

[Execution] 9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10   US-DOCS\114747541.7 Stericycle, Inc. 2355 Waukegan Road Bannockburn, IL 60015  March 26, 2020   VIA EMAIL  Roy J. Katzovicz Chief Executive Officer Saddle Point Management, L.P. 555 West 57th Street, STE 1326 New York, NY 10019  Re: Cooperation Agreement  Dear Roy,  On behalf of the board of directors (the “Board”) of Stericycle, Inc. (the “Company”), this letter confirms our mutual agreements between the parties hereto including, without limitation, the Company and Saddle Point Management, L.P. (“SPM”) acting on behalf of Maxima Fund I, L.P. (“Maxima Fund”), with respect to the nomination of Jim Martell (“Martell”) and James Welch (“Welch”) (together with Martell, the “Saddle Point Designees”) for election to the Company’s Board and the other matters set forth herein. We look forward to working with you.  In consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration the sufficiency and receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:  1. Nominations to the Board. Concurrently with the execution of this letter agreement, the Board has increased the size of the Board from ten to twelve directors. The Company hereby agrees to include the Saddle Point Designees on the slate of nominees to be recommended by the Board in the Company’s proxy statement and on its proxy card relating to the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (including any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “2020 Annual Meeting”), subject to the Saddle Point Designees (i) providing the Company with all information regarding the Saddle Point Designees that the Company is entitled to receive from all other directors regarding each of them and is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and (ii) executing all documents required to be executed by directors nominated for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting, such documents to be in substantially the same form as documents executed and provided by all other directors in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting (it being understood that each of the Saddle Point Designees shall have a ten day period to cure any failure to comply with clauses (i) or (ii) above, which ten day period shall commence upon receipt by such applicable Saddle Point Designee of a detailed notice from the Company specifying in detail any such failure).  

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 2  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 2. Power and Authority. Each of the undersigned parties represents that (i) it has the due power and authority to enter into this letter agreement and perform its obligations hereunder and that the execution and delivery of this letter agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation and agreement (except to the extent enforceability may be limited under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors rights and to general principals of equity), and (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by such party shall (A) not violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, decree or similar process, and (B) not result in any breach or violation or constitute a default or acceleration of default (in each case, whether with the lapse of time, notice or otherwise) under or pursuant to any organizational document or material contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound. SPM represents and warrants that (x) Maxima Fund beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 1,586,240 shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) and such shares of Common Stock constitute all of the Common Stock beneficially owned by Saddle Point and the Saddle Point Affiliates (as defined below) or in which Saddle Point or the Saddle Point Affiliates have any interest or right to acquire, whether through derivative securities, voting agreements or otherwise (for the avoidance of doubt, the 1,586,240 shares of Common Stock excludes shares held by entities that are not controlled affiliates of SPM), and (y) SPM has sole voting power over such shares of Common Stock and no other person or Group (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) has any voting power over such shares of Common Stock.   3. Confidentiality. The Company acknowledges that the Saddle Point Designees may, including through one-on-one conversations, communicate confidential information obtained in each of their respective capacities as a director of the Company (other than information whose provision would reasonably be expected to pose a conflict of interest) to SPM’s officers, employees, and SPM’s external counsel or other third-party advisors with a duty to keep such information confidential, in each case, in accordance with and subject to a confidentiality agreement, which SPM shall enter into with the Company (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto.  4. Certain Confirmations. This letter agreement confirms that, once elected to the Board, each of the Saddle Point Designees will be entitled to the same compensation, director indemnity and insurance and other benefits as are accorded to the other non-employee directors of the Company, after accounting for their respective roles as members of committees of the Board. Except to the extent reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, the Company confirms that it will not alter or adopt any its existing policies or its bylaws in a manner that would interfere with the purpose of this letter agreement. 5. Nominations to the Board at 2021 Annual Meeting. If and to the extent that (a) SPM requests in writing that the Company nominate the Saddle Point Designees at the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders (including any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “2021 Annual Meeting”) prior to the deadline under the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) for advance notice of director nominations proposed to be made by Company stockholders at the 2021 Annual

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 3  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 Meeting and (b) the Board subsequently determines that it is in the best interest of the Company to nominate the Saddle Point Designees at the 2021 Annual Meeting, then the Company shall include the Saddle Point Designees on the slate of nominees to be recommended by Board in the Company’s proxy statement and on its proxy card relating to the 2021 Annual Meeting, provided that the Saddle Point Designees shall (i) provide the Company with all information regarding the Saddle Point Designees that the Company is entitled to receive from all other directors regarding each of them and is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC and (ii) execute all documents required to be executed by directors nominated for election at the 2021 Annual Meeting, such documents to be in substantially the same form as documents executed and provided by all other directors in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting (it being understood that each of the Saddle Point Designees shall have a ten day period to cure any failure to comply with clauses (i) or (ii) above, which ten day period shall commence upon receipt by such applicable Saddle Point Designee of a detailed notice from the Company specifying in detail any such failure).  6. Service on Committees. Subject to the election of Welch and Martell at the 2020 Annual Meeting and subject to the Bylaws, the Board’s applicable committee charters, Nasdaq rules and applicable laws, the Board and all applicable committees of the Board shall take all actions necessary to appoint (i) Martell to the Board’s Compensation Committee, (ii) Welch to the Board’s Audit Committee and (iii) each of Martell and Welch to the Operations & Safety Committee (as defined below), in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the election of the Saddle Point Designees to the Board. Without limiting the foregoing, the Board shall give each Saddle Point Designee the same due consideration for membership to any committee of the Board as any other independent director.  7. Operations & Safety Committee. Promptly following the election of the Saddle Point Designees to the Board, the Board shall take all necessary actions to establish a committee of the Board (and to maintain such committee through the expiration of the Standstill Period) which shall be named the “Operations & Safety Committee” (the “Operations & Safety Committee”) to coordinate, provide oversight and report recommendations, from time to time, regarding the Company’s operational objectives, including transportation and logistics, ERP and technology-enabled operational improvements, and supervision and general safety matters, including regulatory, environmental and compliance matters relevant to the Company. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Operations & Safety Committee shall consider in good faith to retain one or more individuals recommended by SPM to provide recommendations to such committee with respect to, among other things, the Company’s new enterprise resource planning system’s cost, implementation and operation. The Operations & Safety Committee shall be made up of a majority of directors who qualify as “independent” pursuant to Nasdaq listing standards. The initial members of the Operations & Safety Committee shall be Cindy J. Miller (“Miller”), Martell, Welch, Stephen C. Hooley and Veronica M. Hagen, with Miller serving as the Chairman of such committee. The Operations & Safety Committee shall (i) meet promptly after the date that the Saddle Point Designees are elected to the Board to organize, plan and commence the evaluation and review to be performed in accordance with this letter agreement, and (ii) be provided with the technical resources and authority reasonably necessary for such committee to discharge its purpose, including, without limitation, to retain and terminate

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 4  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 its own independent technical consultants, advisors and experts to the extent such committee so determines. Such committee will report on the status and substance of its work to the full Board as directed by the committee Chairperson and as otherwise requested by the Board.  8. SPM Periodic Meetings. For so long as the Saddle Point Designees serve on the Board, a representative of SPM will be invited (i) to present to the Board during at least two quarterly meetings of the Board per calendar year, (ii) during such Board meetings, to separately meet with the Operations & Safety Committee and (iii) during the two quarterly periods per calendar year in which SPM is not otherwise meeting with the Board, to (x) meet with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and (y) telephonically meet with the Operations & Safety Committee. Except as expressly contemplated hereby, the meetings described in this Section 8 shall be in person, unless, at the time such meetings are to be held, in person meetings are prohibited by state, local or national order or decree, or the Company otherwise has determined that such Board and executive meetings will not be held in person. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that any presentations, meetings and discussions (and any written materials related thereto) contemplated by this Section 8 shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement. 9. Expenses. Each party will be responsible for its own fees and expenses incurred in connection with the execution and effectuation of this letter agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that the Company will, subject to an aggregate cap of $500,000, reimburse SPM and Maxima Fund for their reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees, incurred in connection with the negotiation and entry into this letter agreement and other matters related to the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting.  10. Annual Meeting Timing and Voting Agreement. The Company agrees to hold the 2020 Annual Meeting prior to June 1, 2020, subject to any delay necessitated by compliance with applicable law or regulatory, judicial or stock exchange order, published interpretation or similar requirements. During the Standstill Period (as defined below), the Company shall (i) recommend that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the election of each of the Saddle Point Designees, (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts (which shall include the solicitation of proxies) to cause the election of the Saddle Point Designees, it being understood that such efforts shall not be less than the efforts used by the Company to cause the election of the other director nominees nominated by the Company, and (iii) use its commercially reasonable to cause all of the Company Common Stock represented by proxies granted to it (or any of its officers, directors, representatives or agents) to be voted in favor of each of the Saddle Point Designees. Further, in connection with such meeting or meetings, SPM shall vote or cause to be voted any Company Common Stock beneficially owned by SPM or Maxima Fund or any other Saddle Point Affiliate as of the time of such meeting in favor of the election of directors nominated by the Board (provided such nominees include the Saddle Point Designees). Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of SPM and Maxima Fund shall be entitled to (i) vote its shares on any other proposal brought before the 2020 Annual Meeting (or any adjournments or postponements thereof) or otherwise vote as it determines in its sole discretion, and (ii) disclose, publicly or otherwise, how it intends to vote or act with

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 5  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 respect to common stock it beneficially owns, with respect to any stockholder proposal or other matter to be voted on by stockholders of the Company and the reasons therefore (in each case, subject to Section 11 below).  11. Standstill.  a. Except as may be required by law, rule, a court, legal or regulatory process, each of SPM and Maxima Fund agrees that from the date of this letter agreement until (i) the earlier of (x) the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the deadline for the submission of stockholder nominations for the 2021 Annual Meeting pursuant to the Bylaws and (y) 100 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the 2020 Annual Meeting (such date, the “Notice Deadline”), or (ii) in the event that the Saddle Point Designees are nominated to the Board at the 2021 Annual Meeting pursuant to Section 5 of this letter agreement (and, if SPM makes the nomination request contemplated by Section 5(a) at least 90 days prior to the Notice Deadline, the irrevocable commitment to make such nominations is made by the Board at least 60 days prior to the Notice Deadline), the date that is the earlier of  (x) thirty (30) days prior to the deadline for the submission of stockholder nominations for the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Bylaws and (y) 100 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the 2021 Annual Meeting (such period, the “Standstill Period”), SPM will not, and it will cause each of its controlled affiliates, including Maxima Fund (collectively, the “Saddle Point Affiliates”, and each a “Saddle Point Affiliate”) and its respective directors, officers, managers and employees not to, and will direct its consultants, agents, representatives, attorneys and advisors (to the extent directly or indirectly acting on its behalf) not to, directly or indirectly, (A) make, engage in or in any way participate in, any regulated solicitation of proxies or consents or become a “participant” in a “solicitation” (as such terms are defined in Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) of proxies or consents (including, without limitation, any solicitation of consents that seeks to call a special meeting of stockholders) with respect to any voting securities of the Company or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for any such securities (collectively, “Securities of the Company”) for the election of individuals to the Board or to approve stockholder proposals, (B) form, join, encourage, influence, advise or in any way participate in any Group (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) with any persons or entities that are not Saddle Point Affiliates with respect to any Securities of the Company, or otherwise in any manner agree, attempt, seek or propose to deposit any Securities of the Company in any voting trust or similar arrangement, or subject any Securities of the Company to any arrangement or agreement with respect to the voting thereof, except (1) as expressly set forth in this Agreement and (2) with respect to any arrangement in effect as of the date hereof and disclosed to the Company prior to the date hereof, or (3) in connection with any non-discretionary research arrangement or discretionary single-managed accounts on behalf of third-parties (subject to the beneficial ownership threshold of part (C) of this Section 11), (C) buy, offer to buy or agree to buy shares of the Company’s Common Stock that would, after giving effect to such purchases, give rise to its beneficial ownership exceeding 7.5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted and fully converted

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 6  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 basis as of the date hereof (as determined under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), including any shares of Common Stock or economic exposure to shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or other similar right (including, without limitation, any put or call option or “swap” transaction), (D) effect or seek to effect, offer or propose to effect, cause or participate in, or in any way assist or facilitate any other person or entity to effect or seek, offer or propose to effect or participate in, any tender or exchange offer, merger, consolidation, division, acquisition, scheme, arrangement, business combination, recapitalization, reorganization, sale or acquisition of material assets, liquidation, dissolution or other extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or joint ventures or any of their respective securities (each, an “Extraordinary Transaction”), or make any public statement with respect to an Extraordinary Transaction; provided, however, that this clause shall not preclude the tender by Saddle Point or a Saddle Point Affiliate of any Securities of the Company into any tender or exchange offer or vote by Saddle Point or a Saddle Point Affiliate of any Securities of the Company with respect to any Extraordinary Transaction, (E) engage in any short sale or any purchase, sale or grant of any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or other similar right (including, without limitation, any put or call option or “swap” transaction) with respect to any security (other than a broad based market basket or index) that includes, relates to or derives any significant part of its value from a decline in the market price or value of the Securities of the Company, the result of which would cause Maxima Fund and the other Saddle Point Affiliates controlled by SPM, taken together, to not maintain at least a 25% net long position, with respect to its holdings, (F) (i) call or seek to call any meeting of stockholders, including by written consent, (ii) seek the formal removal of any member of the Board, (iii) solicit consents from stockholders or otherwise act or seek to act by written consent, (iv) conduct a referendum of stockholders, or (v) make a request for any stockholder list or other Company books and records, whether pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or otherwise; (G) publicly take any action in support of or publicly make any proposal or request that constitutes changing the Board or management of the Company, including pursuant to a “contested solicitation” for the appointment, election or removal of directors with respect to the Company or seek, knowingly encourage or take any other action with respect to the election or formal removal of any directors, (H) make any public disclosure, announcement or statement regarding any intent, purpose, plan or proposal with respect to the Board, the Company, its management, policies or affairs, any of its securities or assets or this letter agreement that is inconsistent with the provisions of this letter agreement, (I) seek representation on, or nominate any candidate to, the Board other than in connection with the matters contemplated by this letter agreement, (J) enter into any agreements, arrangements or understandings with any third party with respect to any of the foregoing, or otherwise take or cause any action or make any statement inconsistent with any of the foregoing, or (K) make any request or submit any proposal to amend the terms of this letter agreement other than through non-public communications with the Company that would not reasonably be expected to require disclosure by any party.

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 7  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7  b. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (1) nothing in this letter agreement shall prevent SPM, Maxima Fund or their controlled affiliates from taking actions in furtherance of identifying director candidates in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting, including discussing with the Board potential Board candidates with relevant technology experience, so long as such actions do not create a public disclosure obligation for SPM or Maxima Fund (or their respective controlled affiliates) or the Company and are undertaken on a basis reasonably designed to be confidential, (2) SPM and Maxima Fund shall be entitled to make confidential proposals to the Board or management of the Company regarding any of the matters set forth in this Section 11, but only so long as such request or proposal would not reasonably be expected to require public disclosure by the Company or SPM or Maxima Fund, and (3) this Section 11 shall be of no further force and effect if (A) the Company enters into a definitive agreement with a person or Group of persons involving the direct or indirect acquisition of all or at least 50% of the Company’s equity securities or all or a majority of the Company and its subsidiaries’ assets on a consolidated basis, other than in connection with an internal restructuring transaction involving only the Company, one or more of its subsidiaries and/or any holding company formed for the purpose of such transaction, which, for the avoidance of doubt, would include, without limitation, any spin-off, split-off or similar transaction involving any division or operating segment of the Company, (B) any person or Group becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities of the Company, or (C) a tender or exchange offer is commenced that, if consummated, would result in all or at least 50% of the Company’s equity securities being owned by persons other than the Company or current holders of the Company’s equity securities and the Board (or a committee thereof) fails to recommend within ten (10) business days from the date of commencement of such offer that its stockholders reject such offer. For the avoidance of doubt, absent a written or legally binding agreement unrelated to a Maxima Fund limited partner’s investment in Maxima Fund, neither SPM nor Maxima Fund shall be deemed to be a member of a Group with their limited partners solely by virtue of their status as limited partners or such person’s holdings (if any) outside of Maxima Fund or another entity controlled by SPM. 12. Nomination Withdrawal. Subject to the Company’s continued performance hereunder, SPM on behalf of Maxima Fund (and the Saddle Point Affiliates) hereby withdraws its previous submission of a Notice of Nomination for the Election of Directors dated March 18, 2020. Further, subject to the Company’s continued performance hereunder, each of SPM and Maxima Fund, hereby agrees that it will not, and that it will not permit any of its Affiliates to, directly or indirectly (A) nominate or recommend for nomination any person for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting, (B) submit any proposal for consideration at, or bring any other business before, the 2020 Annual Meeting, directly or indirectly, or (C) initiate, encourage or participate in any “vote no,” “withhold” or similar campaign with respect to the 2020 Annual Meeting. 13. Press Release. Promptly following the execution and delivery of this letter agreement, the Company and SPM shall issue a joint press release substantially in the form attached to this letter agreement as Exhibit A (the “Joint Press Release”) and each party to this letter

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 8  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 agreement shall not, and shall cause its controlled affiliates and its and their respective principals, directors, members, partners, officers, employees, agents and representatives acting on their behalf not to, make any statement inconsistent with the Joint Press Release in connection with the announcement of this letter agreement. 14. Mutual Non-Disparagement. Subject to applicable law, each of the parties covenants and agrees that, during the Standstill Period or if earlier, until such time as the other party or any of its agents, subsidiaries, controlled affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, key employees or directors shall have breached this Section 14, neither it nor any of its respective agents, subsidiaries, controlled affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, key employees or directors, shall in any way publicly (including by any communication with other investors or prospective investors in the Company, with securities analysts or any member of traditional or digital media) criticize, disparage, call into disrepute or otherwise defame or slander any other party hereto or such other party’s subsidiaries, controlled affiliates, officers (including any current officer of a party or a party’s subsidiaries who no longer serves in such capacity at any time following the execution of this letter agreement), directors (including any current director of a party or a party’s subsidiaries who no longer serves in such capacity at any time following the execution of this letter agreement), employees, stockholders, agents, attorneys or representatives, or any of their respective businesses, products or services, in any manner that would reasonably be expected to damage the business or reputation of such other party, their businesses, products or services or their subsidiaries, controlled affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, directors, employees, stockholders, agents, attorneys or representatives. For purposes of this Section 14, no actions taken by any director, agent or other representative of a party in any capacity other than on behalf of, and at the direction of, such party will be covered by this letter agreement. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Company acknowledges and agrees that private or otherwise non-public communications between SPM or Maxima Fund, on the one hand, and any of SPM’s or Maxima Fund’s current or prospective clients or investors, on the other hand, shall not be considered public and are not prohibited by this Section 14, and the release of any material, documents, or presentations created and furnished to such persons prior to the date hereof, and released by such persons not under the control of SPM or Maxima Fund subsequent to the date of this letter agreement shall not constitute a breach of this agreement. The foregoing shall not (i) restrict the ability of any party or its representatives to comply with any applicable subpoena or other legal process or respond to a request for information from any governmental authority, other legal requirement or the rules of any securities exchange to which it is subject, (ii) apply to any party’s internal communications, (iii) apply to private communications between any party or their controlled affiliates and such party’s directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives acting on such party’s behalf, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives acting on their behalf, on the other hand or (iv) prohibit a response by a party to any statement made by the other party or any of its agents, subsidiaries, Affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, key employees or directors which is in violation of this Section 14. 15. Equitable Relief; Specific Performance. Each party acknowledges that (i) the other parties hereto would be irreparably injured by a breach of this letter agreement, and (ii) monetary remedies may be inadequate to protect a party against any actual or threatened breach or continuation of any breach of this agreement. Without prejudice to any other rights and

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 9  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 remedies otherwise available to a party under this letter agreement, (a) each party shall be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction or otherwise to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of any of the provisions of this letter agreement, without proof of actual or special damages, (b) the breaching party shall not plead in defense thereto that there would be an adequate remedy at law, and (c) the breaching party agrees to waive any applicable right or requirement that any surety, bond or other monies be posted by the non-breaching party. Such remedies shall not be the exclusive remedies for a breach of this agreement, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity.  16. Miscellaneous.  a. The restrictions in Section 11 shall terminate ten (10) business days after written notice is delivered to a breaching party hereto following a material breach of this letter agreement by such party (including without limitation the Company’s failure to nominate a Saddle Point Designee in accordance with Section 1) if such breach has not been cured within such notice period. This Agreement is effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in full force and effect for the period commencing on the date hereof and ending as of the end of the Standstill Period. The provisions of Sections 15 – 19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. No termination pursuant to this Section 16 shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of this agreement prior to such termination. b. This letter agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other party (including by means of electronic delivery or facsimile). c. This letter agreement and the rights and obligations herein may not be assigned or otherwise transferred, in whole or in part, by any party hereto without the express written consent of the other parties hereto. This letter agreement, however, shall be binding on successors of the parties hereto. 17. Notice. Any notices, consents, determinations, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this letter agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (a) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (b) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); (c) upon confirmation of receipt, when sent by email (provided such confirmation is not automatically generated); or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:  If to the Company:  Stericycle, Inc. 2355 Waukegan Road Bannockburn, Illinois 60015 Attention: Stu Funderburg

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 10  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 Email:   Stu.Funderburg@stericycle.com     With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:  Latham & Watkins LLP 330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2800  Chicago, Illinois 60611 Attention: Bradley Faris Email: bradley.faris@lw.com  If to SPM, Maxima Fund or the Saddle Point Designees:  Saddle Point Management, L.P. 555 West 57th Street, Ste. 1326 New York, New York 10019 Attention: Suzanne Curl Email: compliance@saddlept.com  With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:  Proskauer Rose Eleven Times Square New York, New York 10036 Attention: Daniel Ganitsky Email: dganitsky@proskauer.com 18. Governing Law. This letter agreement and all claims and causes of action hereunder, whether in tort or contract, or at law or in equity, shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to the conflict of laws principles thereof. 19. Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this letter agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this letter agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by the other party hereto or its successors or assigns, whether in tort or contract or at law or in equity, shall be brought and determined exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal court within the State of Delaware). Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this letter agreement in any court other than the aforesaid courts. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any action or proceeding with respect to this letter agreement, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason, (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 11  9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7 from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable legal requirements, any claim that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this letter agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.   [REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March  26, 2020 Page 12     I and the Board look forward to working together with you. Please confirm that the  foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement by signing and returning to a duplicate copy of this  letter. Very truly yours,  STERICYCLE, INC.    By: ___________________________    Accepted and Agreed to as of the date first written above:  SADDLE POINT MANAGEMENT, L.P.     By: ___________________________ Name: Roy J. Katzovicz Title: Chief Executive Officer MAXIMA FUND I, L.P. By: SADDLE POINT GP, LLC, its General Partner   By: ___________________________ Name: Roy J. Katzovicz Title: Managing Member     Cindy J. Miller, CEO

 


 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. March 26, 2020 Page 12 I and the Board look forward to working together with you. Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement by signing and returning to a duplicate copy of this letter. Very truly yours, STERICYCLE, INC.  By: ___________________________ Accepted and Agreed to as of the date first written above: SADDLE POINT MANAGEMENT, L.P.  By: ___________________________ Name: Roy J. Katzovicz Title: Chief Executive Officer MAXIMA FUND I, L.P. By: SADDLE POINT GP, LLC, its General Partner  By: ___________________________ Name: Roy J. Katzovicz Title: Managing Member

 


 

Exhibit A Confidentiality Agreement [See attached] 9986/48254-001 CURRENT/115004776v10 US-DOCS\114747541.7

 

Exhibit 99.1

Stericycle Nominates New Candidates for Election to Board of Directors

 

Nominees Include James J. Martell and James L. Welch

 

Company Announces Agreement with Saddle Point Management, L.P.

 

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., March 27, 2020 (Globe Newswire) -- Stericycle, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRCL) (“Stericycle” or the “Company”) today announced that its Board of Directors has agreed to nominate James J. Martell (“Jim”), former Chief Executive Officer of Express-1, the predecessor company to XPO Logistics, and James L. Welch, former Chief Executive Officer of YRC Worldwide, as director nominees to stand for election to the Board at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

The director nominations follow ongoing discussions with Saddle Point Management, L.P. (“Saddle Point”), a current investor in the Company. In connection with the Board’s agreement to nominate Mr. Martell and Mr. Welch, Stericycle and Saddle Point have entered into a settlement agreement, including customary standstill and related provisions.

 

“We are pleased to nominate Jim and James as part of our ongoing commitment to maintain a highly qualified, independent board with an impressive range of expertise to help guide Stericycle in our continued transformation,” said Robert Murley, Chairman of Stericycle. “Jim and James are seasoned executives who bring a deep level of experience in logistics and transportation, two areas that are key to our operations and the successful execution of the key business priorities that will drive improved performance and enhanced shareholder value at Stericycle. We look forward to benefiting from their fresh perspectives and relevant expertise as part of the Stericycle Board.”

 

Mr. Martell brings over 40 years of invaluable logistics expertise, including implementing disruptive transportation technology, as well as significant leadership experience as both an executive and board member. Mr. Welch has deep experience in both logistics and transportation, having served in a series of executive positions at YRC Worldwide throughout more than 40 years with the company, in addition to extensive experience as a director on public company boards. The nominees provide important and valued perspectives to the Board, as Stericycle continues to focus on driving operational cost efficiencies and improved performance.

 

“As shareholders in Stericycle, we strongly support the nomination of Jim and James to the Stericycle Board and are proud to have worked closely in the process that resulted in the nominations,” said Roy Katzovicz, Chief Executive Officer of Saddle Point. “The deep expertise of each of these nominees will further supplement the current Board and provide the enhanced logistics and technology perspectives Stericycle needs to further support and oversee the operational turnaround underway.”

 

In addition to Mr. Martell and Mr. Welch, Stericycle expects to nominate its existing directors for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting resulting in an expanded Board of twelve members. These nominations continue the Stericycle Board’s pattern of significant refreshment – including Mr. Martell and Mr. Welch, Stericycle has added nine new independent directors to the Board in the last three years.  The Board will also form an Operations and Safety Committee to provide oversight regarding the Company’s operational, safety and environmental objectives.  The Committee will be chaired by Cindy Miller, Stericycle’s Chief Executive Officer, and will include Mr. Martell and Mr. Welch, along with current Board members Veronica Hagen and Stephen Hooley.

 

 


The complete agreement between Stericycle and Saddle Point will be included as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Additional details regarding the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be included in the Company’s definitive proxy materials, which will be filed with the SEC.

 

BofA Securities is serving as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal advisor to Stericycle. Spotlight Advisors, LLC is serving as financial advisor and Proskauer Rose LLP is serving as legal advisor to Saddle Point.

 

James J. Martell Biography

 

James J. Martell, a logistics veteran with 40 years of industry experience, most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Express-1, the predecessor company of XPO Logistics. Mr. Martell joined Express-1 after serving as Chief Executive Officer of SmartMail, which he sold to DHL, from 1999 to 2006. Before that, Mr. Martell was a founding senior executive of UTi Worldwide, a global transportation and logistics company, which he managed from 1995 to 1999. Prior to UTi Worldwide, Mr. Martell spent nearly 14 years in various management positions at FedEx and UPS.

 

Mr. Martell has served on boards of multiple logistics and transportation companies, including Cirrus Aircraft (2005 to 2011), XPO Logistics (2005 to 2016), GEODIS (2007 to 2015), P&S Transportation (2012 to 2017) and Livingston International (2016 to 2019). He also served tenures as Chairman of the Board for GEODIS and XPO Logistics. Mr. Martell currently sits on the boards of Mobile Mini (since 2010), ProTrans International (since 2012), MyUS.com (since 2012), Ameriflight (since 2014), Transforce (since 2015), Quality Distribution (since 2015), uShip (since 2016), Baxter Planning Systems (since 2017) and Transplace (since 2018).

 

Mr. Martell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Michigan Technological University and attended the Harvard Business School Executive Education program on Board Governance.

 

James L. Welch Biography

 

Before retiring in 2018, James L. Welch served as Chief Executive Officer of YRC Worldwide, a holding company of several brands focused on shipping and supply chain solutions in North America. Mr. Welch re-joined YRC in 2011 from same-day transportation provider Dynamex Inc., where he had served as President and CEO since 2008. Prior to that, he served as a Consultant at Goldman Sachs Special Situations Group. Mr. Welch started his career in 1978 at YRC Worldwide, where he spent over 28 years working for Yellow Transportation and held multiple positions across the organization, including President and CEO.

 

Mr. Welch currently sits on the boards of Schneider National, where has served since 2018, and SkyWest, Inc., where he has served since 2007. He previously sat on the boards of YRC WorldWide from August 2011 to July 2018, Roadrunner Transportation Systems from 2010 to 2011, and Spirit Aerosystems Holdings from 2008 to 2011.

 

Mr. Welch holds a bachelor of science degree from West Texas A&M University and completed executive programs at Yale University and Arizona State University.

 

About Stericycle

 

Stericycle, Inc., (Nasdaq: SRCL) is a U.S. based business-to-business services company and leading provider of compliance-based solutions that protect people and brands, promote health and safeguards the environment.  

 


Stericycle serves more than one million customers in all 50 U.S. states and 18 countries worldwide with solutions for regulated waste management, secure information destruction, compliance, customer contact, and brand protection.  For more information about Stericycle, please visit www.stericycle.com.

 

About Saddle Point

 

Saddle Point Management, L.P. is a private investment firm focused on public and private investments.  The firm is based in New York City and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

 

Contact:  

Stericycle Investor Relations

847-607-2012

 

Media

Sard Verbinnen & Co.

Bryan Locke, Mike DeGraff or Lindsay Charles

Stericycle-SVC@SARDVERB.com

 

Saddle Point Management, L.P.

Anne Sullivan

info@saddlept.com

212-951-1223

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements.  When we use words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of our management about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause such differences include, among others, SOP pricing volatility, foreign exchange rate volatility in the jurisdictions in which we operate, the volume and size of any recall events, changes in governmental regulation of the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of regulated waste or the proper handling and protection of personal and confidential information, the level of government enforcement of regulations governing regulated waste collection and treatment or the proper handling and protection of personal and confidential information, decreases in the volume of regulated wastes or personal and confidential information collected from customers, the ability to implement our ERP system, charges related to portfolio rationalization or the failure of divestitures to achieve the desired results, failure to consummate transactions with respect to non-core businesses, including the risk that the Domestic Environmental Solutions transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of such transaction, including the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Domestic Environmental Solutions transaction on Stericycle’s business relationships, operating results and business generally and risks related to diverting management’s attention from Stericycle’s ongoing business operations, the obligations to service substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our credit agreements and notes, a downgrade in our credit rating resulting in an increase in interest expense, political, economic, inflationary and other risks related to our foreign operations, the outcome of pending or future litigation or investigations including with respect to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, changing market conditions in the healthcare industry, competition and demand for services in the regulated waste and secure information destruction industries, failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting,

 


delays or failures in implementing remediation efforts with respect to existing or future material weaknesses, disruptions in or attacks on information technology systems, as well as other factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q.  As a result, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate future results or trends.  We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking or other statements contained herein other than in accordance with legal and regulatory obligations.