-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: keymaster@town.hall.org Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFkwCgYEVQgBAQICAgADSwAwSAJBALeWW4xDV4i7+b6+UyPn5RtObb1cJ7VkACDq pKb9/DClgTKIm08lCfoilvi9Wl4SODbR1+1waHhiGmeZO8OdgLUCAwEAAQ== MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, eh+ec359fcc7n5MCuC3MY1sFGpvbHsxSNhFUpOr9UzKEMam8lXwvFRINDPIbb4sa fGWVAGmY77I/EVx2MGKiLg== 0000950123-94-001924.txt : 19941125 0000950123-94-001924.hdr.sgml : 19941125 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-94-001924 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 14D9 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 22 FILED AS OF DATE: 19941122 SROS: NYSE SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BORDEN INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000013239 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: 2020 IRS NUMBER: 130511250 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 14D9 SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-33265 FILM NUMBER: 94561502 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 180 E BROAD ST 25TH FLR CITY: COLUMBUS STATE: OH ZIP: 43215 BUSINESS PHONE: 6142254000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 277 PARK AVE STREET 2: 180 EAST BROAD STREET 25TH FLOOR CITY: COLUMBUS STATE: OH ZIP: 43215 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BORDEN CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19680813 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BORDEN INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000013239 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: 2020 IRS NUMBER: 130511250 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 14D9 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 180 E BROAD ST 25TH FLR CITY: COLUMBUS STATE: OH ZIP: 43215 BUSINESS PHONE: 6142254000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 277 PARK AVE STREET 2: 180 EAST BROAD STREET 25TH FLOOR CITY: COLUMBUS STATE: OH ZIP: 43215 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BORDEN CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19680813 SC 14D9 1 BORDEN, INC. 1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------ SCHEDULE 14D-9 SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(D)(4) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 ------------------------ BORDEN, INC. (Name of Subject Company) BORDEN, INC. (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement) COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.625 PER SHARE (Title of Class of Securities) 099599102 (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities) ------------------------ ALLAN L. MILLER, ESQ. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND GENERAL COUNSEL BORDEN, INC. 180 EAST BROAD STREET COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215 (614) 225-4000 (Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive notice and communications on behalf of the person(s) filing statement) ------------------------ With a copy to: ANDREW R. BROWNSTEIN, ESQ. WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ 51 WEST 52ND STREET NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019 (212) 403-1000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 ITEM 1. SECURITY AND SUBJECT COMPANY. The name of the subject company is Borden, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the "Company"). The address of the principal executive offices of the Company is 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The title of the class of equity securities to which this Statement relates is common stock (the "Company Common Stock"), par value $.625 per share (the "Shares"). ITEM 2. TENDER OFFER OF THE BIDDER. This Statement relates to the exchange offer disclosed in a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 (the "Schedule 14D-1") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on November 22, 1994 by Borden Acquisition Corp., a New Jersey corporation (the "Purchaser"), Whitehall Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "Partnership") and, KKR Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (together with the Partnership, the "Common Stock Partnerships"), to exchange shares, owned by the Purchaser or its affiliates, of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Holdings Common Stock"), of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), for all outstanding Shares and the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights"), not already owned by the Purchaser or its affiliates, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Exchange, dated November 22, 1994 (the "Offering Circular/Prospectus"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal" which, together with any amendments or supplements thereto or to the Offering Circular/Prospectus, collectively constitute the "Exchange Offer"). The Purchaser is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, and prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer, KKR Partners II, L.P. will hold shares of common stock of the Purchaser. The general partner of each of the Common Stock Partnerships is KKR Associates, an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., L.P. ("KKR"). Under the terms of the Exchange Offer, each Share accepted by the Purchaser in accordance with the Exchange Offer shall be exchanged for that number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Holdings Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. The term "Exchange Ratio" means the quotient (rounded to the nearest 1/100,000) obtained by dividing (i) $14.25 by (ii) the average of the average of the high and low sales prices of the Holdings Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") Composite Tape on each of the ten full consecutive trading days ending immediately prior to the ten business day period ending on the date of expiration of the Exchange Offer, including any extension thereof (the "Valuation Period"), provided that the Exchange Ratio shall not be less than 1.78125 or greater than 2.375. The Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Agreement and Plan of Merger"), dated as of September 23, 1994, as amended as of November 15, 1994 (the "Amendment"), by and among the Company, the Purchaser and the Partnership (collectively, the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which, following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, subject to certain conditions, the Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"). The consummation of the Exchange Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, there being validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer a number of Shares which, when added to any Shares previously acquired by the Partnership or the Purchaser (other than pursuant to the Option (as hereinafter defined)), represents more than 41% of the Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis (other than dilution due to the Rights) (the "Minimum Condition"). If, following the Exchange Offer and exercise of the Option, approval of the Company's shareholders is required by applicable law in order to consummate the Merger, provided that the Minimum Condition is satisfied without being reduced or waived, the Company will submit the Merger to the Company's shareholders for approval. If the Merger is submitted to the Company's shareholders for approval, the Merger will require the approval of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the Shares, including Shares owned by the Purchaser and its affiliates. In the event the Merger is consummated, holders of Shares will receive the same number of shares of Holdings Common Stock for each Share as are exchanged for each Share in the Exchange Offer. Pursuant to a Conditional Purchase/Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1994, by and among the Company, the Purchaser and the Partnership (the "Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement"), the Company has granted to the Purchaser (or its designee, which shall be the Partnership or a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Partnership) a right (the "Option") to purchase up to 28,138,000 Shares 2 3 (the "Option Shares") (approximately 19.9% of the outstanding Shares as of the date hereof) in exchange for a number of shares of Holdings Common Stock based on a valuation per Share of $11. Subject to applicable law, if the Purchaser (or the Partnership or a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Partnership) acquires more than 41% (but not more than 50%) of the outstanding Shares in the Exchange Offer, the Option must be exercised to the extent necessary so that, following such exercise, the Purchaser will own more than 50% of the outstanding Shares (the "Mandatory Purchase" and the Shares purchased thereby, the "Mandatory Purchase Shares"). If the Purchaser shall have exercised the Option, in whole or in part, prior to the termination of the Exchange Offer, the Purchaser may not waive or reduce the Minimum Condition. In addition, if the Purchaser has not exercised the Option prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer, it will not be entitled to exercise the Option thereafter if it waives or otherwise reduces the Minimum Condition and accepts fewer than 41% of the Shares for exchange in the Exchange Offer. The address of the principal executive offices of the Purchaser and the Common Stock Partnerships, as reported in the Schedule 14D-1, is 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019. ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND. (a) The name and business address of the Company, which is the person filing this Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, are set forth in Item 1 above. (b)(1) Except as described below, to the knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, there are no material contracts, agreements, arrangements or understandings (other than in the ordinary course of business), or any potential or actual conflicts of interest between the Company or its affiliates and, (i) the Company, its executive officers, directors or affiliates or (ii) the Purchaser, the Common Stock Partnerships, or their executive officers, directors or affiliates. (2) The following is a summary of certain provisions of the agreement-in-principle, dated September 11, 1994, between the Company and the Partnership (the "Letter of Intent"), the Merger Agreement (as amended as of November 15, 1994), and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement. Such summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Letter of Intent, the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, which are filed as exhibits hereto and which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement by Holdings for the registration of the Holdings Common Stock to be issued in the Exchange Offer, the Purchaser, the Partnership, Holdings and the Company entered into an indemnification agreement with respect to the information provided by each of them for inclusion in the Registration Statement; a form of such agreement is filed as an exhibit hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. As described in Item 4, KKR and the Company have entered into a confidentiality agreement, which is filed as an exhibit hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. THE LETTER OF INTENT On September 11, 1994, the Company entered into the Letter of Intent, which expressed the intent of the parties to negotiate definitive agreements on substantially the terms that were subsequently embodied in the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement. The Letter of Intent also provided for, among other matters, the payment of a $20 million initial fee (the "Initial Fee") to KKR (which was subsequently paid) and, in consideration of the Letter of Intent and such Initial Fee, the Partnership agreed that, if for any reason no merger agreement was entered into, Purchaser, or its designee, would be required to purchase 28,138,000 Shares for $11 per share, payable in Holdings Common Stock. The Letter of Intent also provided for the payment of a $50 million "topping" fee (reduced by the Initial Fee) in the event that, during the pendency of the Letter of Intent, a third party made a transaction proposal (as defined therein) that was subsequently consummated. THE MERGER AGREEMENT Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on the terms set forth in Item 2 of this Schedule 14D-9 and subject to the conditions described herein under "-- Certain 3 4 Conditions of the Exchange Offer." Without the written consent of the Company, the Purchaser may not decrease the number of Shares being sought in the Exchange Offer, change the form of consideration payable in the Exchange Offer (other than by adding consideration), add additional conditions to the Exchange Offer or make any other change in the terms or conditions of the Exchange Offer which is adverse to the holders of Shares, except that a waiver by the Purchaser of any condition, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, in its discretion, will not be deemed to be materially adverse to any holder of Shares. If the Purchaser shall have exercised the Option, in whole or in part, prior to the termination of the Exchange Offer, the Purchaser may not waive the Minimum Condition. The Purchaser has agreed with the Company that upon the request of the Company (and without limiting the number of times that the Purchaser may extend the Exchange Offer, or the total number of days for which the Exchange Offer may be extended), the Purchaser will extend the Exchange Offer, one or more times, for an aggregate of not more than 20 business days. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, the Company has approved of and consented to the Exchange Offer and represented and warranted that (a) the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Exchange Offer and the Merger, taken together, are fair to the shareholders of the Company, and resolved to recommend that holders of Shares (A) accept the Exchange Offer, (B) tender their Shares to the Purchaser, and (C) if required by applicable law, approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger (collectively, the "Recommendations") and (ii) approved the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and that such approval constitutes approval of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby for purposes of Sections 14A:10A-4 and 14A:10A-5 of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act (the "NJBCA") and Article VIII of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Charter") (relating to the approval requirements for certain business combinations) and renders inapplicable certain change in control provisions of certain debt securities and loan documents of the Company and its subsidiaries and (b) Lazard Freres & Co. ("Lazard Freres") and CS First Boston Corporation ("First Boston"), the Company's financial advisors, have delivered to the Board their respective written opinions to the effect that, as of September 22, 1994, the consideration to be received by holders of Shares pursuant to each of the Exchange Offer and the Merger was fair to such holders from a financial point of view. The Company has agreed, subject to certain exceptions described below under "-- No Solicitation," not to change the Recommendations unless the average of the average of the high and the low sales prices of the Holdings Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape for the Valuation Period is less than the price per share that would yield an Exchange Ratio of 2.375 or less (without giving effect to the limitation regarding the minimum and maximum Exchange Ratio pursuant to the definition thereof). The Company will not have any right to terminate the Merger Agreement as a result of any such change in the Recommendations and, notwithstanding any such change in the Recommendations, the Company will continue to be bound by its representations and warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement (except representations and warranties and covenants with respect to the Recommendations), including, without limitation, those with respect to the Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1986, as amended, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as rights agent (the "Rights Agreement"), antitrust approvals and divestitures (assuming that following receipt of such approvals the Purchaser purchases at least 28,138,000 Shares), Article VIII of the Charter and Sections 14A:10A-4 and 14A:10A-5 of the NJBCA. The Purchaser has reserved the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to the Partnership, or to a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Partnership, the right to exchange all or any portion of the Shares tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, but any such transfer or assignment will not relieve the Purchaser of its obligations pursuant to the Exchange Offer and will in no way prejudice the rights of tendering shareholders to receive shares of Holdings Common Stock in exchange for Shares validly tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. According to the Merger Agreement, it is presently contemplated that the right of the Purchaser to exchange for Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the right of the Purchaser to exercise the Option will be assigned to the Partnership (or a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership). 4 5 The Merger Agreement provides that, if requested by the Partnership, the Company will, following the acceptance for exchange of the Shares to be exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer and/or the purchase of the Option Shares in accordance with the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and, from time to time thereafter, take all actions necessary to cause the Applicable Percentage of directors (and of members of each committee of the Board) (rounded, in each case, to the next highest director or member) of the Company selected by the Partnership to consist of persons designated or elected by the Partnership (whether, at the election of the Company, by means of increasing the size of the Board or seeking the resignation of directors and causing the Partnership's designees to be elected). The term "Applicable Percentage" means the ratio of (i) the total voting power of all Shares accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer and/or purchased in accordance with the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement to (ii) the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, rounded to the nearest whole number and expressed as a percentage; provided that, if the Purchaser has acquired at least 28,138,000 Shares, the Applicable Percentage shall not be less than 33 1/3%. Following the election or appointment of the Partnership's designees as described in the preceding paragraph and prior to the effective time of the Merger, any amendment by the Company or termination by the Company of the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, extension by the Company for the performance or waiver of the obligations, conditions or other acts of the Partnership or the Purchaser or waiver by the Company of its rights under the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, will require the concurrence of a majority of directors of the Company then in office who are not affiliated with the Partnership or the Purchaser or selected by the Partnership for appointment or election to the Board ("Independent Directors"). Certain Conditions of the Exchange Offer. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, the Purchaser shall not be required to accept for exchange, exchange or deliver any shares of Holdings Common Stock for, subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), any Shares tendered and may terminate or (subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement) amend the Exchange Offer or may postpone the acceptance for exchange of the Shares tendered, if, immediately before acceptance for exchange of any such Shares (whether or not any Shares have theretofore been accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer), (i) the Minimum Condition shall not have been satisfied; (ii) any waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act, as amended (the "HSR Act") applicable to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer shall not have expired or been terminated or the requisite approvals, authorizations or consents required by the Investment Canada Act, Canada's Competition Act and the European Community shall not have been obtained; (iii) all consents and waivers on terms satisfactory to the Partnership necessary in order that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement not constitute (A) an event of default or an event which, with or without notice or the passage of time, would constitute an event of default under any indebtedness, partnership agreement or equityholders agreement of the Company or any subsidiary (or Borden Chemicals and Plastics Limited Partnership, Borden Chemicals and Plastics Operating Limited Partnership and T.M. Investors Limited Partnership) ("Indebtedness"), including, without limitation, the Company's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1994, with Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the "Credit Agreement"), and T.M. Investors Limited Partnership's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1994, with Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, or (B) an event which would, individually or in combination with other events, give rise to an obligation on the part of the Company to repay or repurchase any Indebtedness, partnership interest or equity interest, which event of default or other event described in clause (A) or (B) above would give rise to, with or without notice or the passage of time and taking into account any cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions, the obligation to repay prior to maturity or the acceleration of an aggregate of at least $25 million of Indebtedness or other obligations shall not have been obtained; (iv) the Company shall not have refinanced, or received commitments for refinancing or indications satisfactory to the Partnership from lenders that it will be able to refinance, in each case on market terms reasonably acceptable to the Partnership, the principal bank credit facilities of the Company and T.M.I. Associates, L.P., provided that such refinancing shall not be required to increase the available lines of credit under such facilities except to meet the working capital and other reasonable needs of the Company and its 5 6 subsidiaries and shall principally be related to extending maturities and renegotiating repayment schedules under such facilities as appropriate to meet the Company's business plan as determined by the Partnership and the Company; (v) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto shall not have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or shall be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order, or any material "blue sky" and other state securities laws applicable to the registration of the Holdings Common Stock to be exchanged for Shares shall not have been complied with; or (vi) any of the following shall occur and remain in effect and shall, in the reasonable judgment of the Purchaser, in any such case, make it inadvisable to proceed with the Exchange Offer or such acceptance for exchange of any of the Shares or to proceed with the Merger: (a) (i) any representation or warranty of the Company in the Merger Agreement shall have been untrue as of the date of the Merger Agreement and shall continue to be untrue, which untrue representations or warranties, in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect (as hereinafter defined) on the Company; or there has been a breach by the Company of any covenant or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement having a Material Adverse Effect on the Company which has not been cured; (ii) the SEC Documents (as hereinafter defined) filed by the Company with the Commission since the date of the Merger Agreement did not comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder applicable to such SEC Documents, and the SEC Documents (including any and all financial statements included therein), except to the extent revised or superseded by a subsequent filing with the Commission, as of such dates contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii) the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents filed since the date of the Merger Agreement did not comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto, were not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (except, in the case of unaudited consolidated quarterly statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the Commission) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and did not fairly present the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments); (b) there shall be any United States or foreign statute, rule, regulation, decree, order or injunction promulgated, enacted, entered into or enforced by any governmental entity, that (i) restrains or prohibits the making or consummation of the Exchange Offer or the Merger or restrains or prohibits the performance of the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, (ii) prohibits or materially limits the ownership or operation by the Partnership or the Purchaser of all or any substantial portion of the business or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or compels the Partnership or the Purchaser to dispose of or to hold separate all or any substantial portion of the business or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or imposes any material limitation on the ability of the Partnership or the Purchaser to conduct such business or own such assets or (iii) imposes material limitations on the ability of the Partnership or the Purchaser (or any other affiliate of the Partnership or the Purchaser) to acquire or hold or to exercise full rights of ownership of the Shares, including, but not limited to, the right to vote the Shares acquired by the Purchaser on all matters properly presented to the shareholders of the Company; provided, however, that the Partnership and the Purchaser shall have used their best efforts to have any such decree, order or injunction vacated or reversed; (c) any change shall have occurred since the date of the Merger Agreement in the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, including, without limitation, the commencement in respect of, or by, the Company of an involuntary, or voluntary, proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy law, decree, order or any other case or proceeding adjudging 6 7 the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or the condition of the Company is such that it is unable to pay all of its liabilities as such liabilities mature or has unreasonably small capital for conducting the business theretofore or proposed to be conducted by it; (d) there shall have occurred (and the adverse effect of such occurrence shall, in the reasonable judgment of the Purchaser, be continuing) (i) any general suspension of trading in, or limitation on prices for, securities on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States, (ii) any extraordinary or material adverse change in United States financial markets generally, including, without limitation, a decline of at least 25% in either the Dow Jones Average of Industrial Stocks or the Standard & Poor's 500 index from the date of the Merger Agreement, (iii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States, (iv) any limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any governmental entity, on, or any other event that would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect, the extension of credit by banks or other lending institutions, (v) a commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States (other than in Haiti) which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially adversely affect (or materially delay) the consummation of the Exchange Offer or (vi) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of commencement of the Exchange Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; or (e) the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms or the Exchange Offer shall have been amended or terminated with the consent of the Company. The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Partnership and the Purchaser and may be asserted by the Partnership or the Purchaser regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition and may be waived by the Partnership or the Purchaser, in whole or in part, provided, however, that if the Purchaser shall have exercised the Option in whole or in part prior to the termination of the Exchange Offer, the Purchaser shall not be permitted to waive the Minimum Condition. The Partnership's or the Purchaser's failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time. The term "Material Adverse Effect" means, when used in connection with any person, any change or effect that either individually or in the aggregate with all other such other changes or effects is materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of operations of such person and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or adversely affects the ability of such person to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in any material respect. The term "SEC Documents" means, with respect to any person, all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents filed with the Commission by such person since January 1, 1990, in each case, including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein. Merger. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, if approval of the Company's shareholders is required by applicable law in order to consummate the Merger, provided that the Minimum Condition is satisfied without being reduced or waived, following the acceptance for exchange of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company, acting through its Board, will, in accordance with applicable law, as soon as practicable following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer, duly call, give notice of, convene and, subject to the right of the parties to delay a special meeting under certain circumstances described in the Merger Agreement, hold a special meeting of its shareholders (the "Shareholders' Meeting") for the purpose of considering and taking action upon the Merger Agreement and the Merger and use its best efforts to obtain the necessary approval by its shareholders of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed that (a) its obligations described in the preceding paragraph (including, without limitation, the obligation to submit the Merger Agreement and the Merger to a vote of the Company's shareholders) will not be affected by the withdrawal or modification of the Recommendations (but there shall be no obligation of the Board to continue the Recommendation that shareholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger) and (b) (i) if the Merger is not approved by the shareholders of the Company following the acceptance for exchange of Shares pursuant to the 7 8 Exchange Offer or the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement or (ii) if the Merger is not submitted to the shareholders of the Company but the Purchaser has acquired at least 28,138,000 Shares, the approval of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Exchange Offer and the Merger, by the Board shall constitute, solely for the purposes of Sections 14A:10A-4 and 14A:10A-5 of the NJBCA and, to the extent that there are no Continuing Directors (as defined in the Charter), Article VIII of the Charter, an approval of any future "Business Combination" (as defined in Section 14A:10A-3 of the NJBCA and Article VIII of the Charter) between the Company and the Partnership or any affiliate thereof, provided that (x) such Business Combination is approved by a majority of the Independent Directors and (y) if appropriate, the Company shall have received the opinion of an investment banking firm selected by the Independent Directors that such Business Combination is fair to the Company's shareholders from a financial point of view (an "Excepted Future Transaction"). At the Shareholders' Meeting, each of the Partnership and the Purchaser has agreed that it will vote, or cause to be voted, all Shares acquired in the Exchange Offer or otherwise beneficially owned by it or any of its respective subsidiaries in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger. Under the Merger Agreement, in the event that the Partnership and the Purchaser, or any other direct or indirect subsidiary of the Partnership, acquires at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, the parties have agreed to take all necessary or appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective as soon as practicable after the expiration of the Exchange Offer without a meeting of shareholders of the Company, in accordance with applicable provisions of the NJBCA. Upon the effective time of the Merger, the Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company, and the Company will continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger under the name "Borden, Inc." The directors of the Purchaser at the effective time of the Merger will be the directors of the surviving corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the surviving corporation and until the earlier of his or her resignation or removal or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, as the case may be. The officers of the Company at the effective time of the Merger will be the officers of the surviving corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the surviving corporation and until the earlier of his or her resignation or removal or until his or her successor is duly appointed and qualified, as the case may be. By virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any Shares or any shares of capital stock of the Purchaser: (a) each share of common stock of the Purchaser issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be converted into a number of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the surviving corporation equal to one one-thousandth of the total number of outstanding Shares immediately prior to the Merger, which will be all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the surviving corporation; (b) each Share that is owned by the Company or by any subsidiary of the Company and each Share that is owned by the Partnership, the Purchaser or any other subsidiary of the Partnership will automatically be cancelled and retired and cease to exist, and no cash, Holdings Common Stock or other consideration will be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor; and (c) each issued and outstanding Share will be converted into the right to receive a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Holdings Common Stock equal to the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Holdings Common Stock that were delivered by the Purchaser with respect to each Share that was validly tendered and not properly withdrawn and accepted for exchange pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer. The Merger Agreement provides that, as of the effective time of the Merger, each holder of a then outstanding option to purchase Company Common Stock (a "Stock Option") shall receive with respect to each Share subject to such Stock Option an amount in cash equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the product of the final Exchange Ratio and the average of the average of the high and the low sales prices of the Holdings Common Stock as reported on each of the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the effective time of the Merger over (ii) the per share exercise price of such Stock Option, and the Company shall cause the surrender and cancellation of each Stock Option (and any related stock appreciation right) with respect to which a payment by the Company is made. Based upon the closing stock price of $6 5/8 per share for the 8 9 Holdings Common Stock on November 7, 1994, this estimated aggregate net payment to holders of Stock Options would be $2,722,928. With respect to Stock Options not so surrendered and cancelled, such Stock Options shall, if not previously terminated or expired in accordance with their terms, terminate upon the grantee leaving the Company except upon such grantee's death, Disability (as defined for purposes of the plans under which the Stock Options were granted) or retirement at or after age 65 (or such earlier age as the Purchaser may expressly agree) and except that, to the extent provided under any such existing Stock Option, if the grantee is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined for purposes of the plans under which the Stock Options were granted) within two years following a Change in Control (as defined for purposes of the plans under which the Stock Options were granted) of the Company, the grantee shall have a period of 90 days following such termination within which to exercise such Stock Option. No employee who has been previously granted a Stock Option or stock appreciation right will be approved for retirement for purposes of any plan or agreement under which such Stock Option or right has been granted without the express consent of the Purchaser. The Purchaser and the Company have agreed to continue to discuss the manner in which outstanding Stock Options shall be treated after the Merger is consummated. As of November 15, 1994, there were outstanding Stock Options with respect to 7,121,373 Shares. Of these, Stock Options with respect to 1,397,876 Shares, with an average exercise price of $12.31, were exercisable at prices of $14.25 or less. Under the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to take all steps necessary so that no participant in any employee plans, programs or arrangements of the Company will have any right to acquire or receive any Shares or other equity interest in the Company on or after the effective time of the Merger other than in connection with the exercise of Stock Options outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement which have not been cancelled as described in the preceding paragraph. On or prior to the effective time of the Merger, the Company has agreed to amend each of its (and cause the amendment of each of its affiliate's) qualified defined contribution plans to eliminate any investment in Shares after such effective time. In addition, the Company has agreed to cause an amendment of each of its employee plans, programs and arrangements pursuant to which an employee may be entitled to receive Shares (each a "Stock Plan") to provide that any employee entitled to receive Shares in respect of previously deferred bonuses or compensation will receive instead cash equal to the product of (i) the final Exchange Ratio multiplied by the average of the average of the high and the low closing sales prices of the Holdings Common Stock as reported on each of the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the effective time of the Merger and (ii) the number of Shares so deferred, plus interest equal to the rate otherwise credited on deferred amounts under the applicable plans or, if no such rate is credited, the prime rate established by Chemical Bank, from time to time on such deferred bonuses or compensation from the effective time of the Merger to the date of distribution. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms of any Company plan, any merger consideration paid in respect of restricted Shares held by any employee or former employee of the Company or any of its affiliates will remain restricted and subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on such restricted shares. Exchange of Certificates and Exchange Procedures in the Proposed Merger. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at or prior to the effective time, the Purchaser shall deposit with or for the account of a bank or trust company designated by the Partnership, which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the "Merger Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of Shares, for exchange, the consideration to be paid in the Merger in respect of each Share outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than Shares to be cancelled and retired in connection with the Merger). As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time, the Purchaser will instruct the Merger Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record immediately prior to the effective time (other than holders of Shares to be cancelled and retired in connection with the Merger) of a certificate or certificates representing Shares (each, a "Share Certificate") (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Share Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Share Certificates to the Merger Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as the Partnership or the Purchaser may reasonably specify) (the "Merger Letter of Transmittal") and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Share Certificates in exchange for Holdings Common Stock. Upon surrender to the Merger Exchange Agent of Share Certificates, together with such Merger Letter 9 10 of Transmittal duly executed and any other required documents, and acceptance thereof by the Merger Exchange Agent, each holder of a Share Certificate shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates representing the number of full shares of Holdings Common Stock into which the aggregate number of Shares previously represented by such Share Certificate surrendered shall have been converted pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The Merger Exchange Agent shall accept such Share Certificates upon compliance with such reasonable terms and conditions as the Merger Exchange Agent may impose to effect an orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal exchange practices. After the effective time of the Merger, there shall be no further transfer on the books and records of the Company or its transfer agent of Share Certificates and if such Share Certificates are presented to the Company for transfer, they shall be cancelled against delivery of certificates for Holdings Common Stock as described herein. If any certificate for such Holdings Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Share Certificate surrendered for exchange is registered, it shall be a condition of such exchange that the Share Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed, with signature guaranteed, or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such exchange shall pay to the Purchaser or its transfer agent any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of certificates for such Holdings Common Stock in a name other than that of the registered holder of the Share Certificate surrendered, or establish to the satisfaction of the Purchaser or its transfer agent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as described herein, each Share Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the effective time of the Merger to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the merger consideration. No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Share Certificates, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Holdings; and, notwithstanding any other provision of the Merger Agreement, each holder of Shares exchanged pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Holdings Common Stock (after taking into account all Shares delivered by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, a cash payment (without interest) representing such holder's proportionate interest in the net proceeds from the sale by the Merger Exchange Agent (following the deduction of applicable transaction costs of third parties other than the Merger Exchange Agent, the Company, the Purchaser or affiliates of any of the foregoing), on behalf of all such holders, of the shares (the "Excess Shares") of Holdings Common Stock representing all such fractions. Such sale shall be made as soon as practicable after the effective time of the Merger. No dividends or other distributions with respect to Holdings Common Stock with a record date after the effective time of the Merger shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Share Certificate for Shares with respect to the shares of Holdings Common Stock represented thereby, and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder as described above, until the surrender of such Share Certificate as described herein. Subject to the effect of applicable laws, following surrender of any such Share Certificate, there shall be delivered to the holder of such Share Certificate a certificate representing whole shares of Holdings Common Stock issued in exchange therefor and, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender or as promptly after the sale of the Excess Shares as practicable, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of Holdings Common Stock to which such holder is entitled as described herein and the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the effective time of the Merger theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Holdings Common Stock and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions payable with respect to such whole shares of Holdings Common Stock with a record date after the effective time of the Merger but prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such surrender. In no event shall the persons entitled to receive such dividends or other distributions be entitled to receive interest on such dividends or other distributions. All shares of Holdings Common Stock delivered and cash paid upon the surrender for exchange of Share Certificates which represented Shares (including any cash paid in respect of fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock) shall be deemed to have been delivered (and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Shares theretofore represented by such Share Certificates, subject, however, to the surviving corporation's obligation, with respect to Shares, to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the effective time of the Merger which may have been declared or made by the Company 10 11 on such Shares prior to the date of the Merger Agreement and which remain unpaid at the effective time of the Merger. Any portion of the consideration in the Merger deposited with the Merger Exchange Agent (the "Exchange Fund") which remains undistributed to the holders of the Share Certificates for nine months after the effective time of the Merger shall be delivered to the Partnership upon demand and any holders of Shares who have not theretofore complied with the foregoing exchange procedures shall thereafter look only to the Partnership and only as general creditors thereof for payment of their claim for Holdings Common Stock (or any security or consideration into which Holdings Common Stock is converted) and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock and shall look only to the Partnership and only as general creditors thereof for payment of any dividends or distributions with respect to Holdings Common Stock to which such holders may be entitled. None of the Partnership, the Purchaser, Holdings, the Company or the Merger Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares of Holdings Common Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. If any Share Certificates which represented Shares shall not have been surrendered prior to five years after the effective time of the Merger (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any shares of Holdings Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock or any dividends or distributions with respect to Holdings Common Stock in respect of such Share Certificate would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any governmental entity), any such shares, cash, dividends or distributions in respect of such certificate shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the Partnership, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto. The Merger Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by the Partnership, on a daily basis. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to the Partnership. Representations and Warranties. The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the Company relating, with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, to, among other things, (a) organization, standing and similar corporate matters; (b) certain subsidiaries; (c) the Company's capital structure; (d) the authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of the Merger Agreement, the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and related matters; (e) documents filed by the Company with the Commission and the accuracy of information contained therein; (f) the accuracy of information supplied by the Company in connection with this Offering Circular/Prospectus and other documents filed with the Commission in connection with the Exchange Offer and the Merger; (g) the absence of certain changes or events since the date of the most recent audited financial statements filed with the Commission, including material adverse changes with respect to the Company; (h) benefit plans and other matters relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and employment matters; (i) filing of tax returns and payment of taxes; (j) the inapplicability of provisions of the Charter and the NJBCA relating to business combinations with interested stockholders and state takeover or similar statutes, to the Merger Agreement, the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and related agreements and transactions; (k) environmental matters; (l) brokers' fees and expenses; (m) no material conflicts with laws or agreements of the Company and its subsidiaries; (n) any required vote of shareholders to approve the Merger Agreement, the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; (o) certain matters relating to the Rights; and (p) certain resolutions of the Board relating to the declaration and payment of future dividends. The Merger Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties of the Purchaser and the Partnership relating to, among other things, (a) organization, standing and similar corporate matters with respect to the Purchaser and Holdings; (b) subsidiaries of the Purchaser and Holdings; (c) the Purchaser's and Holdings' capital structures; (d) the authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and related matters with respect to the Purchaser, the Partnership and Holdings, as applicable; (e) documents filed by Holdings with the 11 12 Commission and the accuracy of information contained therein; (f) the accuracy of information supplied by the Partnership or the Purchaser in connection with the Offering Circular/Prospectus and other documents filed with the Commission in connection with the Exchange Offer and the Merger; (g) brokers' fees and expenses; (h) interim operations of the Purchaser; and (i) the absence of certain changes or events since the most recent financial statements filed with the Commission, including material adverse changes with respect to Holdings. In addition, the Merger Agreement contains representations of the Partnership relating to, among other things, (a) the authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of the Merger Agreement and related matters; (b) the Partnership's good title to the Holdings Common Stock to be transferred pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, and the listing thereof on the NYSE; and (c) no material conflicts with laws or agreements of the Partnership. Covenants Regarding Conduct of Business. Except as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, during the period from the date of the Merger Agreement to the date on which a majority of the Board consists of designees or representatives of the Partnership, the Company, with respect to itself and each of its subsidiaries, has agreed in the Merger Agreement to conduct its operations according to its ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and to use its best efforts to preserve intact its business organization, to keep available the services of its current officers and employees and to preserve existing relationships with licensors, licensees, suppliers, contractors, distributors, customers and others having business relationships with it to the end that its goodwill and ongoing businesses will be unimpaired at the date on which a majority of the Board consists of designees or representatives of the Partnership. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or as required by law or contract existing on the date of the Merger Agreement, prior to the date on which a majority of the Board consists of designees or representatives of the Partnership, the Company has agreed that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will, without the prior written consent of the Partnership (i) (x) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock (except (A) certain dividends and distributions by subsidiaries of the Company to their respective parents and (B) that the Company may continue the declaration and payment of regular quarterly cash dividends not in excess of $.01 per share (with usual record and payment dates and in accordance with its past dividend policy)), (y) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or (z) except for the redemption of the Rights and the outstanding Preferred Stock-Series B, without par value (the "Series B Preferred Stock") of the Company, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other securities; (ii) subject to certain exceptions, authorize for issuance, issue, deliver, sell or agree or commit to issue, sell or deliver (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or otherwise), pledge or otherwise encumber any shares of its capital stock or the capital stock of any of its subsidiaries, any other voting securities or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible securities or any other securities or equity equivalents; (iii) amend its certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other comparable charter or organizational documents or alter through merger, liquidation, reorganization, restructuring or in any other fashion the corporate structure or ownership of any subsidiary not constituting an inactive subsidiary of the Company; (iv) acquire or agree to acquire (x) by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the stock or assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, joint venture, association or other business organization or division thereof or (y) any assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except purchases of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (v) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets, except sales of (A) inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) properties or assets (x) with a value of less than $10 million individually but not more than $25 million in the aggregate, (y) that are currently being marketed or sold by the Company pursuant to the Company's January 1994 restructuring plan (but for consideration not lower than certain specified prices to the extent disclosed in writing to the Partnership) or (z) with respect to which a definitive agreement has been entered into by the Company prior to September 12, 1994 (provided 12 13 that no material modification or amendment shall be made to any such agreements), (C) certain sales and pledges of accounts receivable, or mortgages of other property in connection with certain financings or refinancings outside the United States and (D) in connection with certain capital expenditures otherwise permitted by the Merger Agreement; (vi) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and except for an increase of up to $300 million of the amount available or outstanding under a certain credit agreement and the refinancing of certain industrial revenue bonds in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $40 million, subject to certain conditions, (y) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness of another person (other than certain guarantees by the Company in favor of subsidiaries or by any of its subsidiaries in favor of the Company), issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another person, enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, except for short-term borrowings incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (z) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person, other than to the Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; (vii) expend funds for capital expenditures other than in accordance with the Company's current capital expenditure plans; (viii) waive, release, grant, or transfer any rights of value or modify or change in any material respect any existing license, lease, contract or other document, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (ix) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such a liquidation or a dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization; (x) enter into or amend any material collective bargaining agreement, other than in the ordinary course of business; (xi) change any accounting principle used by it, unless required by the Commission or the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (xii) subject to certain exceptions, make any tax election or settle or compromise any income tax liability or file its 1994 federal income tax return prior to the last day (including extensions) prescribed by law, in the case of any of the foregoing, material to the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (xiii) settle or compromise any litigation (whether or not commenced prior to the date of the Merger Agreement) or settle, pay or compromise any claims not required to be paid, individually in an amount in excess of $1 million and in the aggregate in an amount in excess of $10 million, other than in consultation and cooperation with the Purchaser, and, with respect to any such settlement, with the prior written consent of the Purchaser; (xiv) take any action which would cause any debt securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries no longer to be listed on any national securities exchange or registered pursuant to the Exchange Act, other than with respect to any such debt securities that have become due as a result of the maturity thereof; or (xv) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing actions. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has also agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will adopt or amend any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, severance, termination, stock option, stock appreciation right, pension, retirement, employment or other employee benefit agreement, trust, plan or other arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any director, officer or, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice with respect to employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of any director, officer or, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice with respect to employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, pay any benefit not required by any existing agreement or place any assets in any trust for the benefit of employees or directors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than contributions to the directors' trust fund in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendments required to be made to the provisions of any employee pension plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") in order to maintain such status may be made. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Partnership and the Purchaser have agreed that, during the period from the date of the Merger Agreement to the effective time of the Merger, the Purchaser will not engage in any activities of any nature except as provided in, or in connection with the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement. 13 14 No Solicitation. Under the Merger Agreement, except with respect to divestitures in accordance with the Company's January 1994 restructuring plan, the Company has agreed that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will, nor will it or any of its subsidiaries authorize or permit any of its officers, directors or employees or any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other representative retained by it or any of its subsidiaries to, (a) solicit, initiate, encourage (including by way of furnishing information), or take any other action to facilitate, any inquiry or the making of any proposal which constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any acquisition or purchase of a substantial amount of assets of, or any equity interest in, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any tender offer (including a self tender offer) or exchange offer, merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of substantially all assets, sale of securities, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement) or any other transaction the consummation of which would or could reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay the Merger or the exercise of the Option or which would or could reasonably be expected to materially dilute the benefits to the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (collectively, "Transaction Proposals") or agree to or endorse any Transaction Proposal or (b) enter into or participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any of the foregoing, or furnish to any other person any information with respect to its business, properties or assets or any of the foregoing, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage, any effort or attempt by any other person to do or seek any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the foregoing clauses will not prohibit the Company from (i) furnishing information pursuant to an appropriate confidentiality letter concerning the Company and its businesses, properties or assets to a third party who has made a Transaction Proposal, (ii) engaging in discussions or negotiations with such a third party who has made a Transaction Proposal or (iii) following receipt of a Transaction Proposal, taking and disclosing to its shareholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act or changing the Recommendations, but in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), only after the Board concludes in good faith that such action is necessary or appropriate in order for the Board to act in a manner which is consistent with its fiduciary obligations under applicable law. If the Board receives a Transaction Proposal, then the Company has agreed promptly to inform the Partnership of the terms and conditions of such proposal and the identity of the person making it and to keep the Partnership generally informed with reasonable promptness of any steps it is taking pursuant to the foregoing with respect to such Transaction Proposal. Under the Merger Agreement, neither the Company nor any subsidiary will waive any provision of any confidentiality or standstill or similar agreement to which it is a party without the prior written consent of the Partnership, unless the Board or such subsidiary concludes in good faith that waiving such provision is necessary or appropriate in order for the Board to act in a manner which is consistent with its fiduciary obligations under applicable law. Access to Information. Subject to applicable provisions regarding confidentiality, each of the Company and the Partnership has agreed in the Merger Agreement to, and to cause each of its subsidiaries to, afford to the other parties and to their representatives reasonable access during normal business hours during the period prior to the effective time of the Merger to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period, to, and to cause each of its subsidiaries to, furnish as promptly as practicable to the other parties and their respective representatives such information concerning its business, properties, financial conditions, operations and personnel as they may from time to time reasonably request. The Partnership has also agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to make available to the Company and to the officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of the Company reasonable access, during normal business hours during the period prior to the effective time of the Merger, to all the properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records of Holdings and, during such period, the Partnership shall use its reasonable best efforts to furnish as promptly as practicable to the Company such information concerning the business, properties, financial conditions, operations and personnel of Holdings as the Company party may from time to time reasonably request. Cooperation and Best Efforts. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to certain conditions and limitations described therein, the parties have agreed to cooperate with each other and to use their respective 14 15 best efforts to take actions appropriate so that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement may be consummated. Certain Antitrust Matters and Divestitures. In the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Partnership have agreed, as promptly as practicable, to file notification and report forms under the HSR Act with the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (the "Antitrust Division") and to make any other necessary filings with the applicable governmental entities related to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and to use their best efforts to respond as promptly as practicable to all inquiries received from the FTC or the Antitrust Division or such other governmental entities for additional information or documentation. Provided that, following receipt of such approvals, the Purchaser (or one of its affiliates) acquires at least 28,138,000 Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer and/or the Option, the Company has agreed to make any and all divestitures or undertakings required by the FTC, the Antitrust Division or any other applicable governmental entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, which divestitures, in each case, shall be reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and the Purchaser. See Item 8, "Additional Information to be Furnished -- Antitrust." Employee Benefits Matters. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, prior to the occurrence of a "Change in Control" as defined in the Supplemental Benefit Trust Agreement between the Company and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A. (the "Trust Agreement"), the Company has agreed to take all such action as may be necessary so that no funding of the trust created thereunder will occur as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Trust Agreement will be amended prior to a Change in Control to permit the disposition of all Shares held thereunder. The Company may amend certain benefit plans that would have been required to be funded pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement in a manner which provides for a lump-sum distribution to, but does not result in the constructive receipt of compensation by, a covered employee of his or her deferred compensation thereunder in the event of the involuntary termination or normal retirement (under the Company's Employees Retirement Income Plan) of such employee. Prior to the effective time of the Merger, the Purchaser will not request that the Company cancel, and the Company will be under no obligation to cancel, certain agreements ("Core Management Agreements") between the Company and certain executives of the Company designated by the Company which provide for certain payments and benefits in the event of certain terminations of employment. The Purchaser, or its affiliate, has agreed to continue the Company's Non-Exempt Associate Assistance Program and Exempt Associate Assistance Program, on terms no less favorable than the terms in existence on the date of the Merger Agreement, for the one-year period following the effective time of the Merger. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company is required to maintain, for the two-year period following the effective time of the Merger, employee plans and programs which are substantially similar in the aggregate to those pension and welfare plans maintained for employees of the Company generally. The Company has agreed that neither it nor any of its affiliates will accelerate the payment of any deferred award under any bonus plan or arrangement nor award or pay any pro rata awards thereunder as a result, or in anticipation, of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; provided that the Company may pay the 1994 annual bonuses pursuant to its Management Incentive Plan or other similar annual bonus plan in a manner which is consistent with past practice and the achievement of goals set forth therein. The Company also has agreed to ensure that no prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or 4975 of the Code) will occur with respect to any Company Plan, as defined in the Merger Agreement, as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. With respect to any of certain employees of the Company, in lieu of any other severance arrangement for such individual, the Company has agreed to pay such employee in the event of that employee's termination by the Company after a "Change in Control" without "Cause" (as those terms are defined in the Core Management Agreements) a cash severance amount equal to 12 months of salary. The special severance 15 16 payments described herein will no longer be applicable when 12 (18 for one employee) months have elapsed after the Change in Control. For certain executives of the Company, such executive's letter of employment will be modified so that a termination without Cause prior to the second anniversary of a Change in Control (as defined in such letters) will include a termination by the executive due to the occurrence of any one of the following events without his advance consent: (i) the executive's office is relocated to a different city; (ii) the executive's base salary is reduced or his bonus opportunity is materially lower than other Company executives of comparable rank; (iii) there is a material diminution in the nature or scope of the authority or responsibilities attached to the executive's position (and, for this purpose, a diminution in nature or scope of authority or responsibilities will not be deemed to occur simply because the company or business in which the executive is engaged has changed in size or structure); or (iv) in the case of one executive, the business (either separately or as part of a larger business unit) in which the executive is engaged is sold or otherwise disposed of. The maximum payment the Company would be required to pay to management described above as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement assuming all change in control payments on termination and other severance payments are triggered (including those in the immediately preceding sentence) is estimated to be approximately $31 million. Indemnification and Insurance. Under the Merger Agreement, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the surviving corporation in the Merger shall contain provisions eliminating personal liability of directors and officers of the surviving corporation to the extent permitted by the NJBCA and with respect to indemnification, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years from the effective time of the Merger in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of individuals who at such time were directors, officers, agents or employees of the Company. In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the surviving corporation in the Merger will maintain in effect for six years from the effective time of the Merger policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance containing terms and conditions which are not less advantageous than those policies maintained by the Company at the date of the Merger Agreement, with respect to matters occurring prior to the effective time of the Merger, to the extent available, and having the maximum available coverage under the current policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance; provided that such surviving corporation will not be required to spend in excess of a $3 million annual premium therefor; provided further that if such surviving corporation would be required to spend in excess of a $3 million premium per annum to obtain insurance having the maximum available coverage under the current policies, such surviving corporation will be required, subject to availability, to spend $3 million to maintain or procure such insurance coverage, subject to its availability. In furtherance of and not in limitation of the preceding paragraph, the Partnership and the Purchaser have agreed that the officers and directors of the Company that are defendants in all litigation commenced by shareholders of the Company with respect to (x) the performance of their duties as such officers and/or directors under federal or state law (including litigation under federal and state securities laws) and (y) the Purchaser's offer or proposal to acquire the Company, including, without limitation, any and all such litigation commenced on or after September 11, 1994 (the "Subject Litigation"), will be entitled to be represented, at the reasonable expense of the Company, in the Subject Litigation by one counsel (and New Jersey counsel if appropriate, and one local counsel in each jurisdiction in which a case is pending) each of which such counsel will be selected by a plurality of such director defendants; provided that neither the Company nor the surviving corporation nor the Partnership shall be liable for any settlement effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and that a condition to the indemnification payments provided as described above shall be that such director defendant not have settled any Subject Litigation without the consent of the Partnership or the surviving corporation; and provided further that the surviving corporation and the Partnership shall have no obligation to any officer/director defendant when and if a court of competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination shall have become final and non-appealable, that indemnification of such officer/director defendant in the manner contemplated by the Merger Agreement is prohibited by applicable law. Redemption of Series B Preferred Stock. The Merger Agreement provides that, if the Minimum Condition is satisfied without having been waived or lowered, the Company will, promptly after consummation 16 17 of the Exchange Offer, in the manner and to the extent permitted by the Charter, redeem all of its outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock prior to any record date in connection with the Merger at the amount provided for redemption in the Charter, and the Company has agreed, subject to first obtaining required approvals under certain debt instruments of the Company, promptly to commence taking all steps necessary to effect such redemptions. Redemption of Rights. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to redeem all outstanding Rights at a redemption price of one and two-thirds cents per Right effective immediately prior to the acceptance for exchange of any Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer, provided that the Minimum Condition is satisfied in the Exchange Offer. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, the Company has amended the Rights Agreement so that none of the execution or the delivery of the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, or both such agreements taken together, or commencement of the Exchange Offer or the acceptance of Shares for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement will (i) trigger the exercisability of the Rights, the separation of the Rights from the stock certificates to which they are attached or any other provisions of the Rights Agreement, including causing the Partnership and/or the Purchaser from becoming an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement), the occurrence of a Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or a Shares Acquisition Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or (ii) trigger the right of the holders of the common units of Borden Chemicals and Plastics Limited Partnership, pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated February 16, 1993, to require the Company to purchase the common units held by such holders. The Company and the Partnership have also agreed in the Merger Agreement that, if the Company amends any provision of the Rights Agreement in connection with a Transaction Proposal (or with respect to any person) or if the application of the Rights Agreement or any provision thereof is enjoined with respect to any person or Transaction Proposal or if the Company agrees to redeem the Rights on terms more favorable than the terms set forth with respect to the Partnership and the Purchaser in the Merger Agreement (any of such events, a "Third Party Rights Amendment") in a manner that makes such Third Party Rights Amendment less restrictive with respect to such person, or in connection with such Transaction Proposal, or is otherwise more favorable with respect to such person, or in connection with such Transaction Proposal, than the Rights Agreement as then in effect with respect to the Partnership and Purchaser, the Company will be deemed (if and to the extent possible and without derogating the obligations of the Company pursuant to the next sentence), without the necessity of any action by the Company or the Rights Agent, to have so amended the Rights Agreement with respect to the Partnership and the Purchaser to the same extent or to have agreed to redeem the Rights with respect to the Partnership and the Purchaser on terms as favorable. The Company has agreed to notify the Partnership promptly of any Third Party Rights Amendment and simultaneously with the execution of the Third Party Rights Amendment to execute a written amendment to the Rights Agreement with respect to the foregoing. Conditions to Each Party's Obligations to Effect the Merger. The Merger Agreement provides that the respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to the following conditions: (i) if required by New Jersey law or the Charter, the approval of the Company's shareholders shall have been obtained; (ii) any waiting period applicable to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have terminated or expired; (iii) Shares shall have been purchased pursuant to the Exchange Offer; (iv) the Registration Statement shall have become effective, and any required post-effective amendment shall have become effective, under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order, and any material "blue sky" and other state securities laws applicable to the registration of the Holdings Common Stock to be exchanged for Shares shall have been complied with; and (v) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any governmental entity which prohibits the consummation of the Merger, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, provided, however, that the parties have agreed to use their best efforts to have any such order, decree or injunction vacated. Conditions to Obligation of the Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, if fewer than 66 2/3% of the Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis (other than dilution due to the Rights) shall have been accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, the obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further 17 18 subject to the condition that the representation and warranty of the Purchaser and the Partnership to the effect that, except as disclosed in documents filed by Holdings with the Commission, since the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in such documents, Holdings has conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there is not and has not been any change in the business, financial condition or results of operations of Holdings or any of its subsidiaries which has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Holdings shall be true and correct, as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date as though made on and as of the closing date. Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser and the Partnership to Effect the Merger. If fewer than 66 2/3% of the Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis (other than dilution due to the Rights) shall have been accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, the obligations of the Purchaser and the Partnership to effect the Merger are further subject to the following conditions (i) the representation and warranty of the Company to the effect that, except as disclosed in SEC Documents filed by the Company with the Commission, since the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in such documents, the Company has conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there is not and has not been any change in the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company shall be true and correct, as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date as though made on and as of the closing date; (ii) subject to certain exceptions, the Company shall have performed in all material respects certain affirmative covenants required to be performed by it under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the effective date; and (iii) the representation and warranty referred to in clause (e) of the first paragraph under "-- Representations and Warranties" above, applied mutatis mutandis to the documents filed by the Company with the Commission since the date of the Merger Agreement, shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the closing date as though made on and as of the closing date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Company or the Purchaser and the Partnership under the Merger Agreement to effect the Merger are not subject to the satisfaction or waiver of any of the conditions described in the two preceding paragraphs to the extent that the failure of any such condition to be satisfied is the result of any action approved by a majority of those directors of Borden who are designees or representatives of the Partnership or to the extent the same results from affirmative action taken by the Company with the knowledge of the Board while a majority of the directors of the Company consists of persons designated or elected by the Partnership. Termination. The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger contemplated thereby may be abandoned at any time, notwithstanding approval thereof by the shareholders of the Company, but prior to the effective time of the Merger: (a) by mutual written consent of the Partnership, the Purchaser and the Company; (b) by the Partnership or the Company, if any court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental body located or having jurisdiction within the United States or any country or economic region in which either the Company or the Partnership, directly or indirectly, has material assets or operations, shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable; (c) by the Partnership if due to an occurrence or circumstance which would result in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer the Purchaser shall have terminated the Exchange Offer, unless such termination shall have been caused by or resulted from the failure of the Partnership or the Purchaser to perform in any material respect their material covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement; (d) by the Partnership, if the Company shall have modified or amended in any respect materially adverse to the Partnership or the Purchaser or withdrawn its approval or recommendation of the Exchange Offer, the Merger or the Merger Agreement, provided that any communication that advises that the Company has received a Transaction Proposal or is engaging in certain permitted activities with respect to a Transaction Proposal and that takes no action or position with respect to the Exchange Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement or any Transaction Proposal shall not be deemed to be a withdrawal, modification or amendment of the Company's approval or recommendation of the Exchange Offer, the Merger or the Merger Agreement and provided, further, that a "stop-look-and-listen" communication with respect to the Exchange Offer, the 18 19 Merger or the Merger Agreement of the nature contemplated in Rule 14d-9(e) under the Exchange Act made by the Company as a result of a Transaction Proposal (whether or not a tender offer), without more, shall not be deemed to be a modification or amendment of the Company's approval or recommendation of the Exchange Offer, the Merger or the Merger Agreement that is materially adverse to the Partnership or the Purchaser, if within ten business days after the date of such communication the Company shall have reaffirmed its recommendation of the Exchange Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement; (e) by the Partnership if the Company shall have (i) entered into any definitive agreement to effect the transaction contemplated by a Transaction Proposal, (ii) recommended any Transaction Proposal from a person other than the Partnership or the Purchaser or any of its affiliates or (iii) resolved to do any of the foregoing; (f) by the Partnership, if any corporation (including the Company or any of its subsidiaries), partnership, person, other entity or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries shall have become the beneficial owner of more than 35% of the outstanding Shares (excluding any dilution due to the Rights) (an "Alternative Acquisition"); (g) by the Company if (i) due to an occurrence or circumstance that would result in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer the Purchaser shall have terminated the Exchange Offer, unless such termination shall have been caused by or resulted from the failure of the Company to perform in any material respect its material covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement or (ii) prior to the exchange of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer, any person shall have made a bona fide Transaction Proposal (A) that the Board determines in its good faith judgment is more favorable to the Company's shareholders than the Exchange Offer and the Merger and (B) as a result of which the Board concludes in good faith that termination of the Merger Agreement is necessary or appropriate in order for the Board to act in a manner which is consistent with its fiduciary obligations under applicable law, provided that such termination under this clause (ii) shall not be effective until payment of the full fee and expense reimbursement required as described under "-- Certain Required Payments" below; (h) by the Partnership or the Company if, without fault of the terminating party, the effective time of the Merger shall not have occurred on or before June 30, 1995 (provided, that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement under this clause (h) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under the Merger Agreement has been the cause of, or results in, the failure of the Merger to have been consummated within such period); (i) by the Company if (i) on or after December 15, 1994, the termination date of the waiver granted to the Company of certain provisions relating to changes in control of the Credit Agreement shall not then extend past December 15, 1994 and (ii) the Company (A) shall have received written notice from the administrative agent under such Credit Agreement that, as a result of the applicability of such provisions, all amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and the other related loan documents shall have become and be due and payable (and provided that the Merger Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated without any further action by any party immediately prior to the receipt by the Company of such notice), (B) shall have been advised in writing by the administrative agent that, as a result of such provisions, the required number of banks have requested or consented to such action or (C) the Company shall reasonably believe either such action referred to in (A) or (B) above to be imminent based on communications with the administrative agent, any of the banks party to such Credit Agreement or representatives thereof; or (j) by the Partnership or the Company if any required approval of the shareholders of the Company shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote upon a vote held at a duly held meeting of shareholders or at any adjournment thereof. Amendment. Subject to the concurrence of a majority of the Independent Directors (following the election or appointment of the Partnership's designees pursuant to the Merger Agreement and prior to the effective time of the Merger), the Merger Agreement may be amended or supplemented at any time before or after the date on which a majority of the board of directors of the Company shall consist of designees or representatives of the Partnership but, after such date, no amendment shall be made which decreases or increases the Exchange Ratio or which adversely affects the rights of the Company's shareholders under the Merger Agreement without the approval of the Company and the Company's shareholders. The Merger Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the parties. Extension; Waiver. Subject to the concurrence of a majority of the Independent Directors (following the election or appointment of the Partnership's designees pursuant to the Merger Agreement and prior to the effective time of the Merger), at any time prior to the effective time of the Merger, the parties may (i) extend 19 20 the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained herein of the other parties hereto or in any document, certificate or writing delivered pursuant hereto or (iii) waive compliance by the other parties hereto with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of any party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to assert any of its rights under the Merger Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights. Certain Required Payments. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed promptly, but in no event later than two business days following written notice thereof, together with related bills or receipts, to reimburse the Partnership and the Purchaser for all of their Expenses (as hereinafter defined) as incurred from time to time in an aggregate amount of up to $15 million, against which aggregate amount Expenses actually reimbursed (other than the Initial Fee reimbursed by the Company upon the execution of the Letter of Intent) may be credited. The term "Expenses" includes all out-of-pocket expenses and fees including the fees and disbursements of counsel, financial printers, experts, consultants and accountants, as well as all fees and expenses payable to investment banking firms and other financial institutions and their respective agents and counsel, whether incurred prior to, on or after the date of the Merger Agreement, incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Letter of Intent and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement. The parties have acknowledged that the reimbursement of the $20 million Initial Fee shall not limit the reimbursement of any additional fees paid by the Parent or the Purchaser to non-affiliates of the Purchaser. Under the Merger Agreement, if (i) (x) prior to termination of the Merger Agreement, any Person shall have commenced, publicly proposed or communicated to the Company a Transaction Proposal (a "Pre-Termination Transaction Proposal") (y) the Merger Agreement is terminated and (z) on or prior to June 30, 1996, any person who commenced, publicly proposed or communicated to the Company a Pre-Termination Transaction Proposal enters into any definitive agreement to effect the transaction contemplated by such Transaction Proposal (whether or not related to such Pre-Termination Transaction Proposal) or effects an Alternative Acquisition; or (ii) prior to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (d) under "-- Termination" above (other than solely in the event that the average of the closing sales prices of the Holdings Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape for the Valuation Period is less than the price per share that would yield an Exchange Ratio of 2.375 or less without giving effect to any minimum or maximum Exchange Ratio pursuant to the definition thereof) or (iii) prior to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (e), (f) or clause (g)(ii) under "-- Termination" above then, in each case, the Company shall promptly, but in no event later than one business day after the first of such events shall occur, pay KKR a fee of $30 million in cash, which amount shall be payable in same day funds. No more than $30 million in aggregate shall be payable to KKR and no fee shall be payable to KKR pursuant to this provision if $30 million has been paid to KKR as described in the succeeding paragraph. If the Partnership, together with any subsidiary or affiliate of the Partnership including the Purchaser, shall acquire beneficial ownership (in one or more transactions) of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, then the Company shall promptly, but in no event later than one business day after such event shall occur, pay KKR a fee of $30 million in cash, which amount shall be payable in same day funds. No fee shall be payable to KKR pursuant to this provision if $30 million has been paid to KKR as described in the preceding paragraph. If the fee of $30 million in cash required to be paid by the Company to KKR as described in the two immediately preceding paragraphs (the "Transaction Fee") is not paid within five business days after the events set forth above requiring payment of the Transaction Fee occur, KKR, at its sole option, may demand (the "Fee Demand") that the Company tender to KKR, immediately in satisfaction of the Transaction Fee, such number of shares (rounded to the nearest whole share) of (i) Company Common Stock ((A) if it is publicly traded and (B) which at the request of KKR shall be issued in shares of treasury stock, if available) or (ii), at the sole option of KKR if the Option shall have been exercised, and the Company shall at the time own Holdings Common Stock that is not subject to any other call or exchange right, Holdings Common Stock 20 21 equal to (x) $30 million divided by (y) the Average Market Price. The term "Average Market Price" means the average of the average of the high and low prices of Company Common Stock, or Holdings Common Stock, as the case may be, as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape on each of the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the second trading day prior to the Fee Demand. The Company has acknowledged that it is obligated to pay the Transaction Fee in cash and that such obligation is not derogated in any respect by the existence of the option of KKR to seek satisfaction of such obligation by means of the Fee Demand. In addition to the foregoing, the Company has agreed in the Merger Agreement promptly, but in no event later than two business days following written notice thereof, together with related bills or receipts, to reimburse KKR, the Partnership and the Purchaser for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and the expenses of litigation, incurred in connection with collecting Expenses and the Transaction Fee as a result of any willful breach by the Company of its obligations described above. Except as otherwise provided above, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement will be paid by the party incurring such expenses (including, in the case of the Company, the costs of printing this Schedule 14D-9 and any other filings to be printed, and, in each case, all exhibits, amendments or supplements thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the costs and expenses of preparing and distributing any proxy statement and obtaining and complying with the antitrust requirements of any governmental entity will be paid by the Company. No Recourse Provisions. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in the Merger Agreement, no recourse under the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection therewith shall be had against any officer, agent or employee of the Partnership or against any partner of the Partnership or any director, officer, employee, partner, affiliate or assignee of any of the foregoing, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by an officer, agent or employee of the Partnership or any partner of the Partnership or any director, officer, employee, partner, affiliate or assignee of any of the foregoing, as such for any obligations of the Partnership under the Merger Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation of liability shall in no way constitute a limitation on the rights of the Company to enforce any remedies it may have against the undistributed assets of the Partnership for the collection of any obligations or liabilities in connection with the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement. THE CONDITIONAL PURCHASE/OPTION AGREEMENT Pursuant to the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, the Company has granted to the Purchaser the irrevocable Option to purchase up to 28,138,000 Option Shares (or approximately 19.9% of the outstanding Shares), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. At the time that the Option is exercised, the Company will designate whether the Option Shares shall be newly issued shares or shares of treasury stock of the Company. Exercise of Option. Under the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, the Option may be exercised by the Purchaser (or its designee, which designee must be the Partnership or a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership), in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, during the period beginning on the date of the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and ending on the Option Expiration Date, as defined in the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, provided that if the Purchaser (or its designee) has not exercised the Option, in whole or in part, prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer, it will not be entitled to exercise the Option thereafter if it waives or otherwise reduces the Minimum Condition and accepts fewer than 41% of the outstanding Shares for payment in the Exchange Offer. 21 22 Pursuant to the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, the purchase of Shares upon exercise of the Option will occur only if (i) such purchase would not otherwise violate or cause the violation of, any applicable law or regulations (including, the HSR Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, or the rules of the NYSE) and (ii) no statute, rule, regulation, decree, order or injunction shall have been promulgated, enacted, entered into or enforced by any governmental agency or authority or court which prohibits delivery of the Shares, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent (provided, however, that the parties shall have agreed to use their best efforts to have any such order, decree or injunction vacated or reversed). In the event a closing of such purchase is delayed as a result of clause (i) or (ii) above, the Purchaser shall not be obligated to purchase any Shares after the date nine months following the date of its notice of exercise of the Option. Conversion of Option. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement provides that, upon the date, if any, on which Purchaser or the Partnership or a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership acquires more than 41%, but less than 50%, of the outstanding Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Option will be converted in part from an irrevocable option to purchase the Shares into an obligation on the part of the Purchaser (or its designee, which designee must be the Partnership or a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership) to make the Mandatory Purchase, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, of the Mandatory Purchase Shares. Shares subject to the Option in excess of the number of Mandatory Purchase Shares will continue to be subject to purchase at the option of the Purchaser. Payments. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement provides that, in the event the Purchaser exercises the Option, the Purchaser (or, at the Purchaser's option, its designee) will, at any closing or Mandatory Purchase closing, as the case may be, deliver to the Company, such number of shares (rounded to the nearest whole share) of Holdings Common Stock as will equal the product of the Option Exchange Ratio and the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option. The term "Option Exchange Ratio" means the quotient (rounded to the nearest 1/100,000) obtained by dividing (i) $11 (the "Option Purchase Price") by (ii) the average of the average of the high and low prices of Holdings Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape on each of the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the second trading day prior to (x) the date of notice of exercise in the case of an Option Purchase or (y) the date of exercise in the case of a Mandatory Purchase, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. In the event that a payment is actually made to the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Merger Agreement described in the second paragraph under "-- Merger Agreement -- Certain Required Payments," the Option Purchase Price will be adjusted upward (retroactively if necessary and net of any taxes or brokerage fees paid in connection with the sale, tender or exchange of shares by Purchaser or its designee, which designee must be the Partnership or a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership) to reflect (i) with respect to any Shares sold, tendered, or exchanged in any third party transaction that triggers a payment pursuant to such provisions of the Merger Agreement, the price per share (subject to the calculation principles described in the next succeeding sentence) actually paid to holders of Company Common Stock as a result of any such third party transaction and (ii) with respect to any Shares sold, tendered or exchanged to another party or parties by Purchaser (or its designee) other than pursuant to such third party transaction, the price per share (subject to the calculation principles set forth in the next succeeding sentence) actually paid to Purchaser (or its designee) by such other party or parties in consideration for such Shares (the "Option Purchase Price Adjustment"). To the extent the "price per share" referred to in the preceding sentence consists, in whole or in part, of non-cash consideration, it will be based on the trading market value thereof or if there is no trading market for such consideration, the fair market value as determined by an independent investment banker jointly selected by the Purchaser and the Company. The Option Purchase Price Adjustment shall be payable with respect to shares actually sold, tendered or exchanged promptly following receipt of the consideration therefor (and, if necessary, the valuation thereof), and the Purchaser agrees promptly, but in no event later than two business days following such event, to notify the Company of the receipt of such consideration. The Partnership agrees promptly, but in no event later than two business days following written notice thereof, together with related bills or receipts, to reimburse the Company for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and 22 23 disbursements of counsel and the expenses of litigation, incurred in connection with collecting the Option Purchase Price Adjustment as a result of any willful breach by the Partnership of its obligations in connection with the Option Purchase Price Adjustment. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the Purchaser and the Partnership relating to, among other things: (a) organization, standing and similar matters; (b) the authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and related matters; (c) no material conflicts with laws or agreements of the Purchaser, the Partnership and Holdings; (d) with respect to the Purchaser only, distribution of the Shares that would be acquired upon exercise of the Option in compliance with the Securities Act; and (e) with respect to the Partnership only, title to shares of Holdings Common Stock. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties of the Company relating to, among other things: (a) organization, standing and similar corporate matters; (b) the authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of the Conditional Purchase/ Option Agreement and related matters; (c) no material conflicts with laws or agreements of the Company or its subsidiaries; (d) certain resolutions of the Board; (e) certain amendments to the Rights Agreement in connection with the Transactions; and (f) distribution of the shares of Holdings Common Stock that would be acquired upon exercise of the Option in compliance with the Securities Act. Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization. Pursuant to the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, in the event of any change in the number (or conversion or exchange) of issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, split-up, merger, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares, spin-off or other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company which could have the effect of diluting or otherwise diminishing the Purchaser's rights under the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement (including any issuance of Company Common Stock or other equity security of the Company at a price below the fair value thereof), the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to the Option and the Option Exchange Ratio therefor will be appropriately adjusted so that the Purchaser will receive upon exercise of the Option (or at the closing of the purchase upon such exercise) the number and kind of shares or other securities or property that the Purchaser would have received in respect of the Shares that the Purchaser is entitled to purchase upon exercise of the Option if the Option had been exercised (or such closing had occurred) immediately prior to such event. Registration Rights. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement provides that, if the Option is exercised, the Company will extend to the Purchaser (or its designee) registration rights with respect to the Option Shares on substantially the same terms and subject to the same conditions as Holdings has extended to the Partnership pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement dated July 15, 1990 between Holdings and the Partnership (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), a copy of which is on file with the Commission, except that only the first two registrations of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) will be at the expense of the Company. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement also provides that, if the Option is exercised, then subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will succeed with respect to the shares of Holdings Common Stock acquired as a result of the exercise of the Option to the rights and obligations of a subsequent Holder (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under such agreement, unless, in the written opinion of counsel to Holdings, which opinion shall be delivered to the Company and shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company and its counsel, registration of the shares of Holdings Common Stock acquired as a result of the exercise of the Option is not required to lawfully sell and distribute such shares in the manner contemplated by the Company. By its execution of the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, the Company has agreed to be bound by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. If the Option is exercised, the Partnership and the Company have agreed that the Company will be entitled to two registrations at the expense of Holdings (or, if Holdings refuses to bear such expenses, at the expense of the Partnership or the Purchaser) of Registrable Securities 23 24 and, subject to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, such other registrations at its own expense as it shall request. Board of Directors. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement includes provisions relating to the Purchaser's designation of persons as directors of the Company following the exercise of the Option similar to those described with respect to the Merger Agreement under "-- The Merger Agreement -- Exchange Offer" above. Amendments. The Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties thereto. Certain Antitrust Matters and Divestitures. In the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, the Company has made certain agreements relating to antitrust matters and divestitures similar to those described with respect to the Merger Agreement under "-- The Merger Agreement -- Certain Antitrust Matters and Divestitures." Dissenters' Rights. Holders of Shares will not be entitled to dissenters' rights under New Jersey law in connection with the Exchange Offer or the Merger. (b)(3) Certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and understandings between the Company and certain of its directors, executive officers or affiliates are described in Annex C, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. See "-- The Merger Agreement -- Merger" above for a description of the treatment of employee Stock Options, employment agreements, and benefit plans pursuant to the Merger Agreement. ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION. (A) RECOMMENDATION. At a meeting held on September 22, 1994, the Board approved the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Exchange Offer and the Merger, and determined that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Exchange Offer and the Merger, taken together, are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its shareholders. Mr. Ervin R. Shames, the Company's chief executive officer, abstained from the vote of the directors who were, otherwise, unanimous. See Item 4(b). THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER, TENDER THEIR SHARES TO THE PURCHASER UNDER THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND, IF REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, APPROVE AND ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY. A copy of a letter to shareholders communicating the Board's determination and recommendation is filed as an exhibit hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. (B) BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION; OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS. BACKGROUND The decision by the Board to enter into the Merger Agreement reflected, in part, an assessment of the risks and potential benefits of ongoing restructuring efforts against the risks and benefits of a transaction that would offer all shareholders the opportunity to receive a premium for their Shares payable in Holdings Common Stock. A significant factor in the Board's deliberation was the history of the Company's prior restructuring efforts. Set forth below is a summary of the events that led to the Board's decision. 1992 Restructuring Plan. In October 1992, the Company announced its third restructuring program since 1989 (the "1992 Restructuring Plan"). The 1992 Restructuring Plan was aimed at integrating the numerous acquisitions the Company had made, reducing costs and reversing a downward trend in earnings. In conjunction with the 1992 Restructuring Plan, the Company established a restructuring reserve of $642 million (pre-tax) charged against third quarter 1992 results, which reduced the Company's 1992 year-end 24 25 shareholders' equity to $1.13 billion, down from $1.69 billion in 1989, before the successive restructurings began. The 1992 Restructuring Plan did not achieve the anticipated results. The Company's first quarter 1993 net income was $27.2 million and earnings per share was $.20, a 43% decline in net income from the same period in 1992 (excluding charges in 1993 and 1992 for accounting changes). Sales in the first quarter of 1993 fell 7.2% to $1.30 billion, from $1.40 billion in the same period of 1992. In the second quarter of 1993, earnings per share declined 76.4% to $.13 from $.55 in the second quarter of 1992. Net income of $18.5 million was down 76.7% from $79.3 million in the second quarter of 1992. Sales were $1.35 billion, down 6% from $1.44 billion in the second quarter of 1992. In early 1993, at the initiation of KKR, representatives of KKR met with Anthony S. D'Amato, then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Lawrence O. Doza, then Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and a representative of the Company's financial advisor, First Boston, to discuss a possible transaction involving KKR and the Company. After discussion, Mr. D'Amato advised KKR's representatives that the Company did not wish to pursue a transaction with KKR at that time. Development of 1993 Restructuring Plan. In 1993, the Company began to develop alternatives to the 1992 Restructuring Plan. In addition, in June 1993, the Company hired Ervin R. Shames as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Shames joined the Company with 22 years of experience in the food business, including positions as President and Chief Executive Officer of General Foods USA and President of Kraft USA. On July 28, 1993, the Company announced that it was reviewing its portfolio of businesses to identify those it would retain and those it would not, and was reducing the quarterly cash dividend on the Company Common Stock to $.15 per share from $.30 per share. During the fall of 1993, the Company accelerated the review of its portfolio of businesses and its strategic alternatives. Booz Allen & Hamilton Inc. ("Booz Allen"), a business consulting firm, was asked to assess the existing businesses and their long-term potential and to recommend which businesses to retain and which to divest. In September 1993, First Boston was retained by the Company to provide financial advice with respect to this program. In October 1993, the Board engaged Lazard Freres to act as financial advisor to the Board with regard to the consideration of strategic alternatives. The Board also engaged Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which had previously advised the Company in special situations, as special counsel. The Company's third quarter 1993 results showed a net loss of $9.4 million, or $.07 per share, versus a net loss in the third quarter of 1992 of $1.8 million, or $.01 per share before the charge for the 1992 Restructuring Plan. Sales in the third quarter of 1993 fell to $1.39 billion from $1.53 billion in the comparable period of 1992. Nearly all of the principal businesses of the Company posted substantial declines versus prior year performance. In November 1993, Company management with the assistance of Booz Allen presented to the Board a plan (the "1993 Restructuring Plan") for restructuring the portfolio of the Company's businesses. The 1993 Restructuring Plan provided for major divestitures, including the sale of the Company's North American snacks business, its seafood business, its jams and jellies business and certain other businesses and products representing, in the aggregate, annual revenues of approximately $1.25 billion, or nearly 20% of projected 1993 sales of $6.75 billion. The 1993 Restructuring Plan also aimed at improving the Company's domestic dairy business, largely through volume recovery and cost reduction, and contemplated retention of nearly all of the non-food businesses. The 1993 Restructuring Plan envisioned cost reductions phased in over two years, reaching an annualized savings rate of $100 million by the end of 1995. These savings were to be achieved through a combination of divestitures and productivity gains. Under the 1993 Restructuring Plan, which was reviewed by Booz Allen, management projected 1994 earnings per share at the upper end of the $.75 to $1.00 per share range of estimates by securities analysts, and set performance targets for annual earnings per share growth in 1995 and 1996 of at least double the food industry average, sales growth of 6% annually and an increase in return on investment from a range of 5% to 6% in 1994 to 12% in 1996. Further, the 1993 Restructuring Plan contemplated a further reduction in the Company's quarterly cash dividend from $.15 per share to $.075 per share, and a $752.3 million pre-tax 25 26 restructuring charge against 1993 fourth quarter earnings of which approximately $637.4 million was for business divestitures and $114.9 million for organizational restructuring. Evaluation of 1993 Restructuring Plan and Possible Sale of the Company. In reviewing the proposed 1993 Restructuring Plan, the Board considered that continued poor performance would reduce financial flexibility (which, in turn, could limit the Company's ability to raise capital at attractive rates and to pursue strategic growth opportunities); that the 1993 Restructuring Plan was premised on significant turnarounds within a year or slightly longer in the Company's dairy and pasta business and improvements in almost all of the Company's other divisions; that many of the asset sales included in the 1993 Restructuring Plan would be difficult and time-consuming to consummate; that the Company's quarterly dividend payout might not be sustainable even at the reduced rate contemplated; and that a number of key management positions were held by new managers, making it difficult to assess the likelihood of success of the 1993 Restructuring Plan. The Board also took into consideration the fact that the Company was highly leveraged and exposed to liquidity risk by virtue of its relatively high ratio of short-term debt (particularly commercial paper) to total debt in the event of rating agency downgrades, and that the 1993 Restructuring Plan would leave the Company with debt coverages less favorable than the median for investment grade companies and without tangible net worth. After weighing these risks and considering that previous restructuring efforts had not achieved targeted results and after receiving two unsolicited inquiries regarding the sale of the Company, one from KKR and one from another party, the Board determined to instruct Lazard Freres to make contacts with a selected group of companies considered to be potential buyers of the Company. The potential buyers contacted by Lazard Freres consisted primarily of industrial buyers, rather than financial buyers, because Lazard Freres believed that a leveraged buyout did not appear to be feasible given the Company's operating performance and high debt levels. Lazard Freres, however, did contact KKR because of its prior indication of interest in the Company and its ownership interest in Holdings. KKR, in turn, brought the possibility of a transaction with the Company to the attention of Holdings. The other party that had previously contacted the Company was also contacted by Lazard Freres. In response to Lazard Freres' solicitations, only Holdings and one other company expressed interest in obtaining information about the Company. Both Holdings and the other potential buyer (the "Potential Buyer") entered into confidentiality agreements with the Company and commenced due diligence. Holdings, however, after preliminary meetings, declined to pursue its interest. Holdings indicated that, due to the then-current trading price of the Shares, Holdings' own indebtedness and the debt levels of the Company, Holdings was unwilling to proceed with an acquisition of the Company. In addition, Holdings said that it had determined that its strategic interest was in substantially less than all of the Company's businesses. At a Board meeting held on December 9, 1993, Lazard Freres indicated that the Potential Buyer appeared to be interested in acquiring all of the Company. At the Board meeting, management recommended that the Company proceed with the 1993 Restructuring Plan it had previously recommended. The Board, however, determined that, given the risks inherent in the 1993 Restructuring Plan, talks with the Potential Buyer should continue, and the decision as to whether to implement the 1993 Restructuring Plan was postponed. That same day, the Board accepted the resignation of Anthony S. D'Amato, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and appointed Frank J. Tasco, a director of the Company and retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., as Chairman of the Board of the Company and Ervin R. Shames, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. On December 21, 1993 the Potential Buyer indicated that it would not be interested in pursuing an acquisition of the entire Company but that it would be willing to explore the acquisition of just the Company's Packaging and Industrial Products Division ("PIP") and a concurrent investment in the remaining food company. However, the indicated price levels from the Potential Buyer's proposal would not have generated proceeds sufficient to reduce the Company's debt to a level appropriate to the remaining food business. Thus, the Board rejected this suggestion in part because it was advised that such a divestiture would leave the Company undercapitalized. The Board then instructed management to prepare the 1993 Restructuring Plan for final approval. 26 27 1993 Restructuring Plan Adopted; Goals Set. On January 4, 1994, the Board formally approved the 1993 Restructuring Plan. Over the previous months, the Board had received from management and Booz Allen an extensive review of the Company's 50 distinct domestic and international businesses. The Company announced that, with the help of its financial advisors, the Board had evaluated a full range of alternatives for the Company, including sale or merger, and that the Company was not aware of any third party expressing interest in proposing such transactions. The Board also reviewed the alternative of liquidation and concluded that adverse tax consequences and the uncertainties involved in the sale of the Company in parts rendered this alternative unattractive. In announcing the 1993 Restructuring Plan, the Company stated that it had set financial goals, including earnings per share for 1994 at the upper end of the $.75 to $1.00 range of analysts' estimates, cash flow of $400 million to $450 million after capital expenditures and including divestiture proceeds, substantially all of which was intended to be applied to debt repayment, and cost reductions reaching an annualized rate of $70 million to $85 million by the end of the year. As a result of the write-off related to the implementation of the 1993 Restructuring Plan, the Company's shareholders' equity as of December 31, 1993 was reduced to $245.9 million. Progress Under the 1993 Restructuring Plan. Following the adoption of the 1993 Restructuring Plan, the Board, with the assistance of its financial advisors and management, closely monitored its implementation and the associated divestitures. In its 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders which was issued in late March 1994, the Company acknowledged that the success of the 1993 Restructuring Plan depended on multiple divestitures at anticipated prices, sharply reduced costs throughout the Company, a reversal of the weak sales and income performance of the Company's pasta business and a turnaround of the Company's domestic dairy operations, which, based on early 1994 results, would be a significant challenge. The Company's first quarter 1994 earnings per share were $.04 and net income was $5.8 million. In its announcement of first quarter results, the Company also stated that its earnings projections for 1994 were then "in line" with the current range of analyst projections of $.70 to $.95 per share, as opposed to the January 1994 earnings per share target at the "upper end" of the $.75 to $1.00 range. In June 1994, the Board and management became increasingly concerned about the Company's progress in achieving the cost reductions and earnings improvements targeted under the 1993 Restructuring Plan. The Board and management were particularly concerned that the failure to achieve significant progress by that time would make it difficult to reach the targets for 1994 and subsequent years. Further Restructuring Contemplated in Light of Six-Month Results. On July 26, 1994, management advised the Board that it would begin to explore possible modifications to the 1993 Restructuring Plan which might involve the sale or closure of all or part of the dairy operations and other businesses. The Board determined that the alternative of a sale of the Company should also be explored again. The Board was advised that the only parties that had contacted the Company since January 1994 were KKR and Japonica Partners ("Japonica"). On May 24, 1994, Japonica wrote to Mr. Tasco stating that Japonica was interested in an equity investment in the Company as a "proactive white knight." In response, the Board authorized Lazard Freres to contact Japonica to investigate, on behalf of the Board, Japonica's interest in the Company and its capacity to effectuate a transaction involving the Company. On June 13, 1994, Mr. Tasco wrote to Japonica, advising it that Lazard Freres was acting as the Company's financial advisor and was authorized to represent the Company in discussions with third parties. Subsequently, a representative of Japonica contacted Lazard Freres, but did not propose any transaction and did not provide any evidence of Japonica's source of funds for any transaction, despite Lazard Freres's repeated inquiries. (Japonica, in letters to Mr. Tasco, disputed the foregoing characterization of its contacts with Lazard Freres although it never stated that it had proposed a transaction or provided evidence of its financial resources.) 27 28 Accordingly, on July 16, 1994, Mr. Tasco wrote to Japonica explaining that in light of the serious challenges facing the Company, it was disinclined to pursue discussions with a party who was unable or unwilling to make substantive proposals or to provide any evidence of its financial capacity. At no point during any of its contacts with the Company or its advisors did Japonica make any substantive proposal or provide evidence of its ability to finance any transaction with respect to the Company. The discussion herein of the Company's written correspondence with Japonica is qualified by reference to the full texts of such correspondence which are included as exhibits to this Schedule 14D-9, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Pursuant to its decision to explore the alternative of a sale of the Company, the Board, at its July 26, 1994 meeting, instructed Lazard Freres to respond to KKR's prior contacts. Based on the advice of Lazard Freres and given the publicity concerning the Company's efforts to find a buyer in late 1993 and the lack of inquiries, the Board determined that it was reasonable to conclude that no other bidder was interested. On July 27, 1994, the Company announced that for the second quarter of 1994, it had net income of $11.1 million or $.08 per share compared with income from continuing operations of $30.5 million, or $.22 per share, in the same period of 1993. Net sales rose 1.3% to $1.37 billion from $1.35 billion in the second quarter of 1993. The six-month results included continuing losses in the Company's dairy business that were considerable. The Company stated that it was moving more slowly than it had hoped in achieving the goals of the 1993 Restructuring Plan. The Company further stated that each of the Company's businesses must contribute to the Company's objectives by virtue of market position, growth prospects, profit potential or some combination of those objectives. In light of this, the Company further stated that it was reviewing progress to date and planned to take any corrective measure that might become necessary. The Company announced that, given its results in the first half of 1994, it was clear that its earlier expectation of earnings for the year would not be realized, and did not give a further earnings forecast. The results for the first half of 1994 also caused the Board and management to focus on the liquidity of the Company. In connection with the 1993 Restructuring Plan, the Company obtained an amendment to its only financial covenant which was contained in the TMI credit agreement, a covenant related to the net worth of the Company. The amendment required achievement of financial ratios that would be met under the goals of the 1993 Restructuring Plan. The Board and management were particularly concerned about the level of the Company's short-term liabilities, including the commercial paper used to finance operations. The Board was advised that, if earnings continued below the amounts forecasted in the 1993 Restructuring Plan and the Company undertook a further restructuring, its debt ratings could be lowered and its ability to issue commercial paper could be limited. In early July 1994, the Company sought to increase its $520 million credit facilities on terms which were substantially the same terms as existed previously for a majority of the facilities. Due in part to the five-year term of the proposed facility and the existence of other Company credit facilities with terms more favorable to the lenders, these efforts met resistance in the marketplace. Later in July 1994, the Company determined to pursue a larger bridge facility that would consolidate the Company's bank lines and backstop its commercial paper. Accordingly, the Company obtained $1.4 billion, 2 1/2 year financing facilities in August 1994 from a group of banks led by Citibank, N.A. and Credit Suisse. Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan. At a special meeting of the Board on August 16, 1994, management presented further analysis of the alternatives available to the Company. First Boston provided a financial analysis for each such alternative and management recommended a plan to further reconfigure the Company (the "Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan"). The Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan provided for the divestiture of the dairy business (excluding cheese), the Company's largest business, which was depleting the Company's earnings and cash. Management advised the Board that, in its view, the Company did not have the time or the resources to turn the dairy business around. While the sale of the dairy business would improve cash flow, it was expected to generate a substantial writeoff without meaningful debt reduction. Management also recommended the additional sale of two profitable businesses from the PIP division, Wallcoverings and Packaging Resources, principally in order to generate cash to reduce debt. The Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan also called for realigning the Company into two operating divisions: Consumer Packaged Products and Worldwide Adhesives and Resins, and significantly reducing 28 29 costs in the Company's continuing operations by substantial personnel reductions and other programs. As part of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan, management also recommended that the Board reduce the quarterly cash dividend on the Shares to $.01 per share. The Board was advised that adoption of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan would require a significant charge of approximately $500 million (after-tax) in the third quarter of 1994, resulting in substantial negative shareholders' equity. In addition, the Board was advised that in the third quarter of 1994, the Company would likely incur additional pre-tax charges of approximately $95 million as a result of less than estimated proceeds from the divestiture of discontinued operations pursuant to the 1993 Restructuring Plan and could possibly incur certain other balance sheet adjustments of up to $100 million. Management had projected that the Company's 1994 earnings per share would be $.50 without a restructuring, and earnings per share under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan were projected to be $.47 for 1994, $.75 for 1995, $0.84 for 1996, $1.10 for 1997 and $1.21 for 1998. The Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan called for a reduction in the Company's debt level from $2.287 billion in 1994 to $1.659 billion in 1996 and $1.294 billion in 1998. After presentation by management and the Company's financial advisors, the Board authorized management to finalize the details of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan with a view to its formal approval and announcement in early September 1994. Developing the KKR Proposal. On August 3, 1994, KKR signed a confidentiality agreement (the "Confidentiality Agreement") and began to receive certain nonpublic information concerning the Company, specifically the Company's then current "base case" projections for 1994 showing earnings per share of $.50 and net income from continuing operations of $71 million. The Confidentiality Agreement contained certain provisions that would prohibit KKR from making an unsolicited tender offer for the Company's stock. On the same day, KKR proposed exploring a transaction, the consideration for which would be securities owned by partnerships controlled by KKR. Following the Board meeting of August 16, 1994, KKR communicated to Lazard Freres that it would be interested in pursuing a transaction with the Company in which it would pay a "meaningful" premium to the Company's trading price using Holdings Common Stock as currency. At a special meeting of the Board on August 18, 1994, management conveyed this to the Board. Management explained that KKR would require "due diligence" meetings with the senior management of the Company before it would be in a position to formalize a proposal. Management further indicated that KKR would be willing to make a decision prior to the September 7, 1994 Board meeting at which the Board intended to take final action on the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan. During the course of the Board's deliberations concerning continuing discussions with KKR, Mr. Shames expressed his view that the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan was achievable and should be pursued by the Company. He said that implementation of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan would make the Company more saleable if the Board chose to sell the Company in the future. He said that he believed that it was imperative to commence implementing the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan without additional delays. Cognizant that the Company's prior restructuring plans had fallen short of their goals and that further restructuring efforts posed significant risks, the Board determined that it was in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to continue discussions with KKR prior to acting on the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan. The Board, therefore, directed management, with the assistance of Lazard Freres and First Boston, to proceed with KKR to determine whether KKR would make a proposal that would provide a premium for all shareholders. At the same time, management was instructed to prepare to implement the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan on September 7, 1994, as had been contemplated, so that there would be no delay in the event that an acceptable proposal from KKR did not materialize. On August 22, 1994, Lazard Freres met with KKR. KKR expressed interest in meeting with management to conduct due diligence and indicated that it would be ready to make a definitive proposal by September 7, 1994. On August 25 and 26, 1994, Lazard Freres, First Boston and members of senior management met with KKR in Columbus, Ohio to conduct due diligence. On September 2, 1994, KKR proposed an offer to acquire 75% of the Company through an exchange offer for approximately 100 million Shares, at $13.50 per share, and a conditional purchase/stock option agreement wherein it would have the right to acquire 28,138,000 Shares for $11 per share, with the consideration in both cases to be paid in Holdings Common Stock valued at market. Over the course of the next three days, management of the Company, Lazard Freres, and First Boston negotiated with KKR and Morgan Stanley & Co., KKR's 29 30 investment banker, particularly with respect to KKR's willingness to pursue an offer to acquire the entire Company. On September 7, 1994, the Board met to consider both management's Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan and the KKR proposal that had resulted from the negotiations upon the understanding that these were the two viable alternatives available to the Company. During the meeting, management again reviewed for the directors the principal elements of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan. Management then summarized the KKR proposal. Responding to the Company's request for an offer that could be made for all of the Shares, KKR proposed to acquire 100% of the Shares at $13.50 per share, payable in Holdings Common Stock, through an exchange offer for all of the Shares followed by a merger in which any Shares remaining outstanding would receive the same consideration that had been paid in the exchange offer. Under New Jersey law, such a merger would require the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of the Company's outstanding shares. KKR's proposal was contingent upon the Company agreeing to enter into a conditional purchase/stock option agreement for up to approximately 28,138,000 Shares, payable in Holdings Common Stock, at $11 per share. In addition, the KKR proposal contemplated certain fees and reimbursements for KKR on terms to be negotiated. Finally, KKR proposed that it would be entitled to representation on the Board proportionate to its ownership, subject to a minimum of 40% representation if it acquired 28,138,000 Shares (approximately 19.9% of the total then outstanding Shares) pursuant to the exercise of its option or otherwise. The proposal was contingent on completion of due diligence, and the exchange offer would be contingent on certain waivers being obtained under the Company's credit facilities. The proposal was not otherwise subject to financing. Both the Board and its advisors believed that KKR intended to keep current management, to offer management an opportunity to obtain an equity interest in the surviving enterprise and to restructure the Company. However, the Board was advised that KKR had no substantive discussions of these matters, had made no commitments to management and had made no decision with respect to the precise nature of its restructuring plan. Management advised the Board that it understood that any decisions by KKR would be made only after it had completed a thorough analysis of the Company. In reporting to the Board on the negotiations, the Company's representatives indicated that they wished to ensure that, in the event of a competing transaction proposal, KKR would not be able both to profit on the conditional purchase/stock option agreement and to obtain a "topping" fee. KKR had not yet agreed to that point. The representatives also reported to the Board that the Company had requested that KKR provide some post-transaction guarantee of the price level of the Holdings Common Stock that would be issued to the Company's shareholders in the exchange offer. However, these representatives indicated that it appeared that while KKR had stated that it would negotiate a "collar" of approximately 10% around the trading price for Holdings Common Stock at the time the transaction was announced to protect the value that the Company's shareholders would receive in the exchange offer, KKR had refused to consider any post-exchange offer guarantee of the trading value of Holdings Common Stock. The representatives said that they would press for a wider collar on the Holdings Common Stock price but that they did not believe that a post-transaction guarantee would be achievable in the negotiations. The representatives indicated that they were seeking to reduce as much as possible the fees requested by KKR. Although the Board thought that the $13.50 per share price then offered was too low and that certain of the other terms proposed by KKR were not acceptable, the Board instructed the Company's negotiators to go back to KKR to seek to improve the price and to seek to negotiate satisfactory arrangements with respect to the other terms of the transaction. The Board took this action in the belief that a satisfactory proposal could be elicited from KKR. The Board considered that such a proposal would offer the shareholders of the Company a premium for their Shares in the form of a highly liquid security, which presented its own risks and opportunities. At the same time, the Board noted that while the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan was designed to improve the Company's operating results and reduce its debt, it nonetheless had significantly lower earnings projections than previous restructuring plans and that it entailed significant risks to the equity value of the Company. These risks included, in particular, the consequences of having substantial negative net worth, the possibility of a credit rating downgrade and, if results of operations and divestiture proceeds were not realized as planned, the risk of further deterioration in the Company's financial condition. The Board also considered the risk that the announcement of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan would have a negative 30 31 effect on the trading price for the Shares, thereby implicitly increasing the premium inherent in a transaction with KKR. The Board took into account the fact that the previous restructuring attempts by the Company had fallen short of their goals. The Board adjourned the meeting in order to permit the Company's negotiators to proceed. In negotiations on September 7 and 8, 1994, KKR indicated that it would be willing to increase its offer price to $14.25 per Share, and that the collar would be approximately 13%, depending on the price of Holdings Common Stock on the day that the transaction was announced. KKR also accepted the Company's position that KKR not profit as a result of exercising the option in circumstances where KKR had received a topping fee, and agreed that it would receive a 33 1/3% representation on the Board as a minimum if it purchased 28,138,000 Shares, or approximately 19.9% of the outstanding Shares, pursuant to exercise of the option. KKR insisted on the payment of (1) a $20 million initial fee, (2) a $50 million topping fee, against which the initial fee would be credited, and (3) expense reimbursement of up to $15 million. The September 7, 1994 Board meeting reconvened on September 9, 1994. Mr. Shames said that he believed that the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan could be accomplished and was a better alternative for the Company. In that regard, Mr. Shames stated he believed that it was the wrong time to sell the Company because successfully pursuing the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan would result, over time, in greater value for shareholders than that reflected in the KKR proposal. Nonetheless, after careful consideration of all the factors before it, the Board voted to authorize management to proceed to negotiate agreements with KKR on the terms outlined, to complete the Company's due diligence investigation of Holdings, and to permit KKR to complete its due diligence of the Company. Mr. Shames abstained from the vote of the Board. At a special meeting held by the Board on September 11, 1994, the Board authorized the Company to enter into an agreement-in-principle with the Partnership. The Letter of Intent expressed the intent of the parties to negotiate a definitive merger agreement on substantially the terms already described to the Board. KKR had also requested a condition in the merger agreement dealing with the refinancing of the Company's debt because, as a result of its due diligence and in anticipation of costs related to the proposed transactions, KKR believed that the Company's bank credit facilities should be increased to provide a cushion for working capital needs and their maturities extended. It was agreed that this condition would be limited to terms to be set forth in the merger agreement. The Letter of Intent also provided for the payment of the $20 million Initial Fee to KKR (which was subsequently paid) and, in consideration of the Letter of Intent and such Initial Fee, KKR agreed that, if for any reason no merger agreement was entered into, KKR would be required to purchase 28,138,000 Shares for $11 per share, payable in Holdings Common Stock, providing the Company with a saleable asset of over $300 million that could be used to reduce debt or for other purposes. The Letter of Intent also provided for the payment of the $50 million topping fee (reduced by the Initial Fee) in the event that, during the pendency of the Letter of Intent, a third party made a Transaction Proposal which was subsequently consummated. The Letter of Intent was announced on September 12, 1994 and the parties proceeded to negotiate definitive agreements. Following the announcement on September 12, 1994 that the Company had entered into the Letter of Intent with the Partnership, Japonica wrote again to the Company, reiterating its interest in acting as a "proactive white knight." The Company responded with a letter to Japonica indicating that the Board was prepared to explore all serious, substantive proposals with a view to maximizing the value of the Shares. The Company noted that none of Japonica's communications had contained any actual proposal, but it indicated that if Japonica had a proposal that it believed would maximize shareholder value and that could be effected, Japonica should contact Lazard Freres, who would arrange a meeting. On September 15, 1994, Japonica wrote again to the Company demanding that the Company forward to Japonica all material and information provided to other potential bidders, including KKR. In response, the Company wrote to Japonica the next day indicating once more that, although none of its communications had yet included any concrete proposal or provided the information regarding financing that the Company had requested, the Board remained willing to explore all serious substantive proposals. In response to Japonica's request for information that had been provided to other bidders, the Company enclosed a form of confidentiality agreement, already executed by the Company, for Japonica's signature. The confidentiality 31 32 agreement did not contain any "stand-still" provisions. Japonica has never executed and delivered the confidentiality agreement. On September 19, 1994, the Company offered to meet with Japonica and to make available to it certain senior members of management and the Company's legal and financial advisors on the assumption that, in view of its persistence, Japonica must have believed that it had a proposal to maximize shareholder value that could be effectuated. A meeting was arranged for September 21, 1994. At the meeting, Japonica indicated that it did not wish to sign the confidentiality agreement. Japonica presented a "Letter of Continuing Interest" with regard to the Company and attached to it certain materials with respect to its "Dynamic Tension(TM)" management philosophy. Although the Letter of Continuing Interest contained various nonspecific suggestions with respect to the Company, it did not contain, and upon questioning by representatives of the Company and its advisors, Japonica did not make, any proposal for the Company. Japonica also refused to provide any information with respect to its financing resources. The Company indicated that it would consider any credible proposal that Japonica chose to make, and, subject to execution of the confidentiality agreement, provide appropriate confidential information. On September 22, 1994, the Board convened to consider the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement which had been negotiated with KKR. For a description of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, see Item 3 of this Schedule. At the meeting, the Board reviewed in detail the proposed terms of the transaction. The Board received an updated report on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. The Board also reviewed investor reaction to the announcement of the Letter of Intent, the correspondence and meeting with Japonica, the due diligence that had been performed on Holdings, the presentations of Lazard Freres and First Boston and the fairness opinions delivered by Lazard Freres and First Boston. At the September 22, 1994 Board meeting, the Board, with Mr. Shames abstaining, voted to approve the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, to recommend to the shareholders of the Company that they accept the Exchange Offer, that they tender their Shares to Purchaser and that, if required by applicable law, they approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. Mr. Shames repeated the views he expressed on September 9, 1994 and stated that he was also abstaining because he felt a conflict arising from the issue of his future involvement in the Company (although he stated that he had no agreements with KKR). The Board further authorized a press release relating to the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, and a letter to be sent to Japonica, following the execution of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, indicating that the Company's agreements with the Partnership do not preclude the Board's consideration of a proposal by Japonica, and that the Board is interested in obtaining the best possible transaction for the Company's shareholders and should Japonica decide to make a substantive proposal, the Board is prepared to work with Japonica to that end. The Board indicated that if Japonica chose to submit a proposal, it should specify the means and sources of financing. The letter noted that Japonica had failed to provide information as to its ability to finance the type of transactions it had referred to even though the Board had been requesting that information for several months. After the Board meeting, the Company and KKR finalized the details of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and on September 23, 1994, the Company, Purchaser and the Partnership entered into the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement. The terms of the transactions were announced in a joint press release issued on September 23, 1994. Events Subsequent to Announcement of the KKR Transaction. Subsequent to the announcement of the Merger Agreement, Japonica wrote to Mr. Tasco, on September 27, 1994, requesting, among other things, that the Company not sell any more assets. On October 5, 1994, a representative of Japonica wrote to a representative of the Company that Japonica "is currently working on a proposal which it anticipates forwarding to Borden in a timely manner." On October 18, 1994, Japonica again wrote to the Board stating that it was "in the process of preparing a detailed proposal for the Company." To date, no such proposal has been received. An additional party, who had expressed an interest in a possible transaction with the Company following the September 23rd announcement and who, to the Company's knowledge, was not affiliated with 32 33 Japonica, executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company and met with representatives of the Company but, subsequently, indicated it was only interested in transactions involving the Company's food business or parts thereof. The Company has been approached by other parties following the September 23rd announcement, but none has executed a confidentiality agreement or made any proposal. The Company may have additional discussions with these or other parties, see Item 7. At the regularly-scheduled meeting of the Board on October 25, 1994, management reported on the third quarter results of the Company and projections for the remainder of the fiscal year. In the third quarter of 1994, the Company reported a net loss of $130.5 million or $.92 per share, including pre tax charges of $181.2 million. This pretax charge includes an accrual of $52.2 million for the transaction fees and expenses, of which $20 million has been paid to KKR to date. Management stated that the Company's dairy operations continued to post a wide loss, that profits of its pasta products were falling short of expectations, and that the Company's food businesses overall were progressing more slowly than desired. In light of the above, management advised the Board that it was revising its estimate for earnings per share for 1994 to $.38 per share (before special charges), from the $.50 per share projection which had been reported to the Board in August. The Board considered the implications of the Company's performance and of the revised projections for the transaction with KKR. On October 28, 1994, Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("Nabisco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, filed a registration statement with the Commission for the proposed offering of between 17.4% and 19.5% of Nabisco's common equity. The Company and its advisors were apprised of Nabisco's intentions immediately prior to the public announcement of the filing of such registration statement. On November 14, 1994, prior to the mailing of this Schedule 14D-9, the Board met and approved the Amendment changing the end of the Valuation Period for the Exchange Ratio (see Item 2) as a result of comments received from the Commission. The Amendment provides that the ten day Valuation Period will now end immediately prior to the tenth business day prior to the Expiration Date, as defined in the Merger Agreement, for the Exchange Offer, instead of the two business days provided in the original Merger Agreement. In connection with this amendment, the Board received confirmation from Lazard Freres and First Boston that the change to the Merger Agreement did not affect the opinions dated September 22, 1994 and delivered to the Board. (See Annexes A and B.) In addition, at this meeting, the Board reviewed with its advisors progress on the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, reviewed the Exchange Offer and this Schedule 14D-9, reviewed events subsequent to the execution of the Merger Agreement, including the proposed public offering by Nabisco and related transactions and the effect of such announcement on the price of Holdings Common Stock, and ratified its recommendation that the Company's shareholders accept the Exchange Offer, tender their Shares to the Purchaser under the Exchange Offer, and, if required by applicable law, approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. REASONS FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY The Board has determined that the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Exchange Offer and Merger, taken together, are fair to the shareholders of the Company and recommends that holders of Shares accept the Exchange Offer, tender their Shares thereunder to the Purchaser and, if required by applicable law, approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. This determination and recommendation was made by the entire Board at its meeting on September 22, 1994, with Mr. Shames, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, abstaining. As described above under "-- Background," the Board was confronted with two realistic choices: to approve the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan or to authorize the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement. The Board's decision to enter into the Merger Agreement was based, in large part, upon balancing the risks and opportunities of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan recommended by management against the risks and benefits of the Merger Agreement. On the one hand, the Board considered the Proposed 1994 33 34 Restructuring Plan to involve risk to the equity value of the Company in the short run and, if the restructuring were to be unsuccessful, a substantial future risk. On the other hand, although the Merger Agreement offers all shareholders the opportunity to receive a premium for their Shares, because the form of consideration to be paid to shareholders is Holdings Common Stock, the Board took into account the risk to the Holdings Common Stock because of tobacco developments (including litigation, legislation and governmental regulation) that the Board recognized were not determinable. In balancing the two alternatives, the Board determined that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were the less risky and preferable alternative. THE RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES IS NOT, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE, A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS CONTINUE TO OWN OR, ALTERNATIVELY, MAKE A DECISION TO SELL THE HOLDINGS COMMON STOCK ACQUIRED BY SUCH HOLDERS AS A RESULT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE MERGER. In its deliberations, the Board considered a number of factors including, without limitation, the following which includes all of the factors the Board considered material: 1. The Board's knowledge of the business, operations, properties, assets, financial condition, operating results and prospects of the Company, including, in particular, its close monitoring of the adoption and implementation of the 1993 Restructuring Plan, and the failure of that plan to attain its goals (see "-- Background" for a description of the 1993 Restructuring Plan); 2. The Board's knowledge and judgments as to the results of the Company's restructurings in 1989, 1991 and 1992, and their failure to achieve the anticipated results; 3. The Board's judgment as to the future prospects of the Company in light of management's Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan (see "-- Background" for a description of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan), which the Board viewed as posing significant risks for the equity value of the Company including that it would result in the Company having a substantial negative net worth; that it would require the sale of some of the Company's profitable businesses; that there were risks inherent in selling such businesses and attendant uncertainties as to what prices could be realized; and that the proposed restructuring would still leave the Company highly leveraged with a significant amount of indebtedness even after application of the proceeds from the sales of the businesses. The Board considered that the projected earnings for the Company following implementation of the proposed restructuring would not, based upon the advice of Lazard Freres, even if such earnings projections were met, likely result in an implied stock price on an undiscounted basis (calculated by multiplying leading earnings per share amounts by assumed multiples) exceeding $14.25 until 1997, using a multiple of 13 or until mid-1996, using a multiple of 16; 4. The view expressed by the Company's Chief Executive Officer that the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan could be accomplished and that it was a better alternative for the Company (see "-- Background"); 5. The oral and written presentations of First Boston and Lazard Freres and the opinions of First Boston and Lazard Freres that, as of September 22, 1994, the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company (other than KKR and its affiliates) in the Exchange Offer and the Merger is fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view. These opinions were based on drafts of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and were subsequently reconfirmed in writing upon the financial advisors' review of the definitive agreements. Such opinions, which are subject to limitations, qualifications and assumptions, including those relating to the absence of adverse future developments in Holdings' tobacco business, are filed as exhibits to this Schedule 14D-9 and should be read in their entirety; 6. The terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement; the Board considered in particular the "no-solicitation" provision of the Merger Agreement, the fees and expense reimbursements payable to KKR (which could require payments of up to 34 35 $65 million in the aggregate and which provisions were negotiated at arms' length between the parties) and the termination provisions of the Merger Agreement and concluded that the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement would not preclude the Board from considering alternative transaction proposals for the Company; 7. Possible alternatives to the Exchange Offer and the Merger, including continuing to operate the Company as an independent public company, approving the further restructuring proposed by the Company's management, or liquidating the Company, as well as a range of potential values to the Company's shareholders associated with such alternatives determined with the assistance of the Company's financial advisors, the timing of effectuating such alternatives and the likelihood of achieving those values; 8. Information concerning the business, financial condition and results of operations of Holdings, including a discussion by the Company's management and advisors regarding the due diligence investigation of Holdings undertaken on the Board's behalf; in that connection the Board took into account that the impact on Holdings from litigation (including pending and future matters as well as class action litigation), legislation (pending and future) and governmental regulation (present and future) involving tobacco products was unknowable and could be devastating with respect to the value of Holdings Common Stock; 9. The historical market prices of the Shares and the Holdings Common Stock; 10. The fact that the consideration to be received by the Company's shareholders in the Exchange Offer and the Merger represented a premium over the trading price of the Shares prior to the announcement of the Letter of Intent. In this regard, the Board considered the risk that announcement of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan might negatively impact the trading price of the Shares; 11. The fact that the consideration to be received by shareholders of the Company in the Exchange Offer and the Merger will consist of equity securities of Holdings, a widely followed, publicly traded company, affording them a significant degree of liquidity should the Company's shareholders determine to sell Shares of Holdings Common Stock acquired in the Exchange Offer or the Merger; 12. The fact that the Exchange Offer is for all of the outstanding Shares and holders of Shares have the right to choose whether or not to exchange their shares in the Exchange Offer; 13. The taxable nature of the transaction (as opposed to a transaction that would be tax-free), recognizing that shareholders of the Company subject to taxation whose basis in the Shares was less than $14.25 would be required to pay taxes even though they would receive no cash proceeds in the transaction. 14. The correspondence from, and the results of, the discussions and the meeting with Japonica and its representatives, the fact that no specific transaction was proposed by Japonica, that Japonica would provide no information with respect to its potential sources of financing and that the Merger Agreement does not, in the Board's judgment, preclude consideration by the Board of any proposal made by Japonica or any other party; and 15. The fact that the efforts to sell the Company in late 1993 were not successful and that despite the public disclosure that the Company was considering a number of alternatives for the Company, including the possible sale or merger of the Company, no third party contacted the Company subsequent to such announcement and prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement except the Partnership and Japonica and only the Partnership made a proposal to acquire the Company (see "-- Background"). In reaching the conclusion that the holders of Shares will receive fair value in the Exchange Offer and the Merger in Holdings Common Stock, the Company's Board considered the opinions of its financial advisors (which are Annexes A and B hereto, and are further described under "-- Opinions of Financial Advisors"), its knowledge of the Company's businesses and discussions with the Company's management and the Company's and Board's financial advisors of their views concerning the businesses, financial condition and prospects of Holdings. The Board, with the assistance of the Company's financial advisors, also considered 35 36 recent and current market prices of Holdings Common Stock, on which the Exchange Ratio for the Exchange Offer and the Merger was based. The board recognized that if KKR and its affiliates acquire more than 51% of Borden, the financial advisors would be entitled to aggregate fees equal to $20,000,000 which the Board believed to be reasonable for complex transactions of this type and appropriate in light of the services provided by such financial advisors to the Board and Company. As noted in the second paragraph of "-- Reasons for the Exchange Offer and Merger; Recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company" and in paragraph 8 above, the Board gave considerable weight to tobacco-related considerations in weighing the risks and benefits of the Merger Agreement against the risks and benefits of a fifth restructuring of the Company. As described in paragraph 8 above, members of the Company's senior management and advisors undertook a due diligence investigation of Holdings, including these matters, with members of Holdings' senior management. The Board also reviewed the statements in Holdings' recent public filings with respect to these matters. The Board was advised that Holdings' disclosures with respect to these matters in due diligence sessions with the Company's management and advisors were consistent with the statements made in such public filings. Holdings advised the Company that its due diligence access and investigation with respect to these matters was at least equal to the access and investigation of any other third party that had conducted due diligence of Holdings recently, including lenders and underwriters of publicly issued securities. The Board determined that, following its review of due diligence with respect to these matters as discussed above, which included discussions with the Company's management and advisors, evaluation of these matters was a matter of judgment and that the impact on Holdings from litigation (including pending and future matters as well as class action litigation), legislation (pending and future) and governmental regulation (present and future) involving tobacco products was unknowable and, therefore, not capable of being determined by any expert. Although the Board did not seek additional expert opinions regarding tobacco liability, for this reason, the Board accepted the opinions of its financial advisors recognizing that such opinions specifically excluded the effects of future developments in Holdings' tobacco business in light of such advisors' statements, contained in their opinions, that they "are not in a position to make an independent evaluation" of such matters. Given the nature of these matters (see "Significant Considerations -- Information Concerning Holdings -- Tobacco-Related Considerations"), the Board considered that the impact of such matters could be devastating with respect to the value of the Holdings Common Stock. On the other hand, the Board, as noted in paragraph 9 above, considered the historical market prices of Holdings Common Stock and noted that Holdings Common Stock is a liquid, well-followed security. After considering all of the factors described in this section (including the tobacco-related risks to Holdings Common Stock), the Board determined to enter into the Merger Agreement. Prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer, the Board reviewed developments since September 22, 1994, including the Company's financial performance, contacts from third parties and Nabisco's proposed public offering, and ratified the recommendation set forth above. The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given weight by the Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Exchange Offer and the Merger, the Board did not find it practicable to and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination. In addition, individual members of the Board may have given different weights to different factors. OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS Opinion of Lazard Freres. Lazard Freres delivered its written opinion to the Board that, as of September 22, 1994, the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company (other than the Partnership, the Purchaser or any other subsidiary of the Partnership) in the Exchange Offer and the Merger is fair to such shareholders, from a financial point of view. The opinion of Lazard Freres has not been, and is not anticipated to be, updated. The full text of the written opinion of Lazard Freres, dated September 22, 1994, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and the review undertaken with regard to such opinion, is attached as Annex A to this Schedule 14D-9. Lazard Freres' opinion is directed only to the fairness of the consideration to 36 37 be received by the shareholders of the Company (other than the Partnership, the Purchaser or any other subsidiary of the Partnership) and does not address any other terms of any transaction involving the Company, the Partnership and its affiliates, including Holdings, or the Company's underlying business decision to effect the transaction with the Partnership. Lazard Freres' opinion was delivered for the information of the Board and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of the Company as to whether such shareholder should tender Shares in the Exchange Offer or as to how such shareholder should vote at any meeting of the Company's shareholders called to consider the Merger. The summary of the opinion of Lazard Freres set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. The Company's shareholders are urged to read this opinion in its entirety. In rendering its opinion, Lazard Freres, among other things, (i) reviewed the terms and conditions of a draft of each of the Merger Agreement, the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the financial terms of the transactions as set forth therein; (ii) analyzed historical business and financial information relating to the Company and Holdings, including certain public filings of each of the Company and Holdings; (iii) reviewed certain financial forecasts and other data provided by the Company and each of Holdings and the Partnership relating to the businesses of the Company and Holdings, respectively, including the most recent business plan for the Company prepared by the Company's senior management, the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan; (iv) conducted discussions with members of the senior managements of the Company and each of Holdings and the Partnership with respect to the businesses and prospects of the Company and Holdings, respectively, and the strategic objectives of each; (v) reviewed public information with respect to certain other companies in lines of businesses believed by Lazard Freres to be generally comparable, in whole or in part, to the businesses of the Company and Holdings, and reviewed the financial terms of certain other business combinations that have recently been effected; (vi) reviewed the historical stock prices and trading volumes of Company Common Stock and Holdings Common Stock; and (vii) conducted such other financial studies, analyses and investigations as Lazard Freres deemed appropriate. The foregoing factors represent all of the material factors considered by Lazard Freres. In connection with its review, Lazard Freres relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information concerning the Company and Holdings that had been received by Lazard Freres and did not assume any responsibility for independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets of the Company or Holdings, nor did Lazard Freres receive any such appraisals. With respect to the financial forecasts, Lazard Freres assumed that they had been reasonably prepared on the bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of management of the Company and Holdings as to the future financial performance of the Company and Holdings, respectively. Lazard Freres assumed no responsibility for and expressed no view as to such forecasts or the assumptions upon which they were based. Lazard Freres' opinion stated that it was based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and information made available to it as of, the date of the opinion. In giving the opinion, Lazard Freres noted that it was not in a position to make an independent evaluation of certain matters described below (which involve an assessment of legal, legislative and regulatory contingencies that is beyond the area of Lazard Freres' professional experties) and thus, with the concurrence of the Board, Lazard Freres assumed, for purposes of the opinion, that no material adverse effect on Holdings or on the trading value of Holdings' Common Stock would result from (x) the proposal, enactment or adoption after September 22, 1994 of any laws or regulations (including the imposition of additional taxes on the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products) by any federal, state, local or other jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory body or agency thereunder relating to, arising out of, or otherwise affecting the tobacco industry, including, without limitation, the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products, or (y) any judicial or administrative proceeding initiated or decided after September 22, 1994, including any civil or criminal litigation or arbitration, relating to, arising out of or otherwise involving or affecting Holdings, the tobacco industry, or any other company engaged in said industry, including, without limitation, the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products. Lazard Freres advised the Board that Lazard Freres was not assuming any responsibility for or expressing any view with respect to the matters described in the preceding sentence. 37 38 Lazard Freres assumed that the transactions described in the draft Merger Agreement and draft Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement referred to above would be identical in all material respects to the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, respectively, that the transactions would be consummated on terms described in the draft Merger Agreement, without any waiver of any terms or conditions by the Company and that obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for such transactions would not have an adverse affect on Holdings or on the trading of the Holdings Common Stock. Lazard Freres has since advised the Board that the changes incorporated in the Merger Agreement, including the Amendment and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement from the drafts made available to Lazard Freres on which the opinion was based, would not have affected Lazard Freres' ability to deliver its opinion set forth therein. In its analyses, Lazard Freres did not consider the proposed public offering of between 17.9% and 19.5% of Nabisco, since the proposed offering was not publicly filed until October 28, 1994. The following is a brief summary of the analyses performed by Lazard Freres in connection with rendering its opinion as to the fairness of the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company (other than the Partnership, the Purchaser or any other subsidiary of the Partnership) from a financial point of view and discussed with the Board at its meeting on September 22, 1994. The financial analyses used by Lazard Freres in arriving at its opinion included: (i) a "has-gets" comparison, which compared the various characteristics, including dividend payments and earnings per share data, of a Company Share with the characteristics of shares of Holdings Common Stock to be received in the Exchange Offer or the Merger at exchange ratios within the range provided for in the Merger Agreement; (ii) valuation analyses, which consisted of (w) discounting to the present value potential future trading values of Company's Common Stock under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan, (x) discounting to the present value projected cash flow forecasted by the Company's management to be derived under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan, (y) discounting to the present value potential proceeds that might have been obtained from implementation of the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan for a period of time, followed by the tax-free distribution to the Company's shareholders of its non-food business segment and the tax-free disposition of the Company's food business segment and (z) valuing the proceeds on an after-tax basis that might have been obtained from divestitures of the Company's business units; (iii) comparable company trading analyses, which consisted of comparing financial, market and operating performances of selected publicly traded companies to business segments of the Company; and (iv) comparable transaction analyses, which consisted of reviewing financial aspects of selected acquisitions of assets or businesses comparable to those of the Company. The material portions of the foregoing analyses (which are all of the material valuation methodologies performed by Lazard Freres) are summarized in more detail below. Has-Gets Comparison Lazard Freres compared the various characteristics, including dividend payments and earnings per share data, of a share of Company Common Stock with the characteristics of shares of Holdings Common Stock to be received in the Exchange Offer or the Merger, assuming a price of Holdings Common Stock in the range of $6 to $8, which represents the exchange value of Holdings Common Stock within the collar. Lazard Freres noted that the Company's shareholders would be receiving a premium of 22.6% over the closing price of a share of Company Common Stock on September 9, 1994, and a premium of 19.2% over the average price of a share of Company Common Stock during the period from August 9, 1994 to September 9, 1994. Lazard Freres also presented the Board with information concerning the historical trading prices of the Company Common Stock which indicated that for part of the 12-month period preceding September 9, 1994, the Company Common Stock traded at market prices higher than $14.25, although in the six-month period preceding September 9, 1994, the Company Common Stock generally traded at market prices less than $14.25. Valuations of Alternative Scenarios Lazard Freres also analyzed the Company's possible value under four alternative scenarios. These scenarios included (i) a discounted present value analysis of the potential future public market trading values 38 39 of Company Common Stock based upon management's earnings per share forecast under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan; (ii) a discounted unleveraged cash flow analysis based upon unleveraged cash flow projected under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan through 1998 plus terminal values based on projected 1998 earnings before interest, taxes and amortization ("EBITA") under the Plan; (iii) a valuation analysis assuming that the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan is implemented through December 31, 1995 and, on January 1, 1996, a tax-free distribution of the non-food business segment to the Company's shareholders, as well as a tax-free disposition of the food business segment, are consummated; and (iv) an after-tax breakup analysis. These alternative valuation scenarios are described below. Discounted Value -- Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan Lazard Freres analyzed the potential future public market trading values of the Company suggested by management's earnings per share forecasts under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan, applying at the beginning of each year multiples of 13 to 16 times the forecasted earnings per share for that year, and discounting the result at a 13.7% annual discount rate. This analysis, which was conducted for the 1995 through 1998 earnings per share forecast, generated per share present values of potential future trading values ranging from $9.60 to $13.61. Unleveraged Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Lazard Freres' unleveraged discounted cash flow analysis was based upon the financial information for each of the Company's major business units forecast by management to be derived under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan. Lazard Freres calculated a range of the net present values of the projected unleveraged free cash flows in the forecast, using various discount rates reflecting a weighted average cost of capital in the range of 10% to 12%, of $894 million to $932 million. Lazard Freres also calculated a range of terminal values for the Company by multiplying projected EBITA for 1998 by a range of exit multiples from 9.5 to 10.5 and discounting the result to present value using the same discount rates. The net present value of projected free cash flow, when combined with the terminal values, yielded a total enterprise value in the range of $3.416 billion to $3.929 billion. In order to derive total equity value and the equity value per share of the Company, Lazard Freres subtracted from the total enterprise value the estimated net debt and other liabilities forecasted under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan at December 31, 1994 to yield a total equity value range of $1.646 billion to $2.158 billion, or a per share equity value in the range of $11.64 to $15.26. 1996 Tax-free Distribution/Sale In analyzing the possible value of the Company assuming a tax-free distribution of the non-food business segment and concurrent tax-free disposition of the food business segment as of January 1, 1996, Lazard Freres established a range of potential per share public trading values for the Company's non-food business segment as of January 1, 1996, as well as a range of aggregate sales valuations for each of the Company's food business segments. This analysis yielded a value range per share, discounted to January 1, 1995, at a 13.7% annual discount rate, of $10.40 to $15.09. After-tax Breakup Analysis Lazard Freres also analyzed the Company's possible value under an after-tax breakup analysis, assuming that its businesses are sold in separate taxable transactions. In determining such possible values, Lazard Freres deducted potential tax payments from the reference valuation range for each of the business units, assuming a tax rate of 38%. For purposes of this analysis, Lazard Freres relied upon tax data (including as to basis) provided by the Company. This analysis yielded a valuation range of $7.64 to $12.87 per share. Comparable Company Trading Analysis Lazard Freres selected other publicly traded companies whose lines of business made them, in Lazard Freres' judgment, comparable to the Company (the "Comparable Group"). Using publicly available financial data for historical periods, as well as publicly available financial data estimates for 1994 and 1995, Lazard Freres determined the relationship for the companies in the Comparable Group between their then current 39 40 price per share and earnings per share ("P/E Ratio"), as well as between aggregate valuation ("AV") and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") ("AV/EBITDA Ratio"), EBITA ("AV/EBITA Ratio") and earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") ("AV/EBIT Ratio"). Lazard Freres also performed similar analyses for the Company based upon the multiples implied by a transaction value estimated at $14.25 per share in relation to the actual results through June 1994 (the "12 Month Actual Period"), and estimated results for the years ended 1994 and 1995 (the "1994 and 1995 Periods") forecasted under the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan. These analyses generated an estimated 1994 and 1995 P/E Ratio for the Company of 30.3 and 19.0, respectively, as compared to the average, median, high and low 1994 P/E Ratios for the Comparable Group of 16.1, 15.9, 17.7 and 14.6, and the average, median, high and low 1995 P/E Ratios for the Comparable Group of 14.6, 14.3, 15.5 and 13.7. These analyses generated AV/EBITDA Ratios for the Company for the 12 Month Actual Period and the 1994 and 1995 Periods of 13.2, 10.2 and 8.4, respectively, as compared to the average, median, high and low AV/EBITDA Ratios for the Comparable Group of 8.3, 8.4, 9.2 and 5.8 for the 12 Month Actual Period of 8.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 7.2 for the 1994 Period and of 7.5, 7.4, 8.4 and 7.0 for the 1995 Period. These analyses also generated AV/EBITDA Ratios for the Company for the 12 Month Actual Period, and the 1994 and 1995 Periods, of 30.0, 13.1 and 10.5, respectively, as compared to the average, median, high and low AV/EBITDA Ratios for the Comparable Group of 10.3, 10.4, 11.3 and 7.6 for the 12 Month Actual Period, of 9.8, 9.7, 10.7 and 8.9 for the 1994 Period, and of 9.2, 9.1, 9.7 and 8.7 for the 1995 Period. These analyses also generated AV/EBIT Ratios for the Company for the 12 Month Actual Period, and the 1994 and 1995 Periods, of 41.0, 14.0 and 11.0, respectively, as compared to the average, median, high and low AV/EBIT Ratios for the Comparable Group of 10.7, 10.9, 11.7 and 8.0 for the 12 Month Actual Period, of 10.1, 10.1, 10.9 and 9.3 for the 1994 Period and of 9.5, 9.6, 10.1 and 9.0 for the 1995 Period. The Comparable Companies examined in Lazard Freres analysis included Campbell Soup Company; Conagra, Inc.; CPC International Inc.; General Mills, Inc.; H.J. Heinz Company; Hershey Foods Corporation; Kellogg Company; Pet Incorporated; The Quaker Oats Company; and Ralston Purina Company. Comparable Acquisition Analysis Lazard Freres reviewed acquisitions of companies and businesses similar to those of the Company over the past several years, and selected a number of those acquisitions which it believed were most comparable to a transaction involving the sale of the Company (the "Comparable Transactions"). Using publicly available information, Lazard Freres determined for the Comparable Transactions the relationship between the transaction price per target company share and the last 12 months earnings per target company share ("P/E Ratio") and book value per target company share ("P/BV Ratio"), as well as between the aggregate target company valuation and the last 12 months target company sales ("AV/Sales Ratio"), EBITDA ("AV/EBITDA Ratio") and EBIT ("AV/EBIT Ratio"). Lazard Freres also noted the premium of the transaction price over the target company price one month prior to the announcement of the transaction. Lazard Freres also performed similar analyses for the Company based upon an acquisition at $14.25 in relation to its actual results for the 12 months ended June 1994 and its forecasted results for fiscal 1994 on a pro forma basis as forecasted by the Proposed 1994 Restructuring Plan. These analyses generated an estimated P/E Ratio for the Company of 30.3 for the 12 months ended June 1994 as compared to the average, median, high and low P/E Ratios for the Comparable Transactions of 26.5, 25.9, 60.1 and 13.1, respectively. These analyses also generated a P/BV Ratio for the Company of 7.8 for the 1994 fiscal year, on a pro forma basis, as compared to the average, median, high and low P/BV Ratios for the Comparable Transactions of 8.1, 5.2, 37.6 and 1.4, respectively. These analyses also generated AV/Sales Ratios for the Company of 0.8 (actual to June 1994) and 1.1 (pro forma 1994), as compared to the average, median, high and low AV/Sales Ratios for the Comparable Transactions of 1.3, 1.1, 3.3 and 0.5, respectively. These analyses also generated AV/EBITDA Ratios for the Company of 13.2 (actual to June 1994) and 10.2 (pro forma 1994), as compared to the average, median, high and low AV/EBITDA Ratios for the Comparable Transactions of 9.8, 9.0, 17.5 and 6.1, respectively. These analyses also generated AV/EBIT Ratios for the Company of approximately 41.0 (actual to June 1994) and 14.0 (pro forma 1994), as compared to the average, median, high and low AV/EBIT Ratios for the Comparable Transactions of 13.8, 13.9, 20.9 and 7.9, respectively. Finally, this analysis reflected a premium over trading price one month prior to announcement for the Company of 17.5%, as compared to 40 41 the average, median, high and low premium for the Comparable Transactions of 63.4%, 57.9%, 131.9% and 18.5%, respectively. The Comparable Transactions examined in Lazard Freres' analyses included: Sandoz Ltd./Gerber Products Company; Specialty Foods Acquisition Corporation/North American food business of Beledia N.V.; Tomkins plc/Ranks, Hovis, McDougall plc; Campbell Soup Company/Arnotts Ltd.; The Philip Morris Companies Inc./Freia Marabou A/S; Nestle S.A./Source Perrier Company; The Philip Morris Companies Inc./Suchard; Conagra, Inc./Beatrice Companies, Inc.; KKR/RJR Nabisco, Inc.; The Philip Morris Companies Inc./Kraft Inc.; Grand Metropolitan plc/The Pillsbury Companies Inc.; Nestle S.A./ Rowntree Company; KKR/Beatrice Companies, Inc.; The Philip Morris Companies Inc./General Foods Corporation; R.J. Reynolds Company/Nabisco, Inc.; and Nestle S.A./Carnation Company. In arriving at its written opinion and in discussing its opinion with the Board, Lazard Freres performed various financial analyses, portions of which are summarized above. The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of Lazard Freres' analyses. Lazard Freres believes that its analyses and the summaries set forth above must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, without considering all analyses, could create an incomplete view of the process underlying the opinion. In performing its analyses, Lazard Freres made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of the Company or Holdings. Although, in connection with the delivery of its opinion, Lazard Freres also analyzed Holdings, Lazard Freres' opinion is not a valuation of Holdings and does not represent Lazard Freres' view as to what the value of the shares of Holdings Common Stock will be upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or the Merger. In giving its opinion as to the fairness of the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company, Lazard Freres derived a range of values for the Company Common Stock using the valuation analyses described above and compared them with $14.25, the trading value (determined pursuant to the Exchange Ratio at the time of the delivery of Lazard Freres' opinion) of the shares of Holdings Common Stock to be received as consideration in the Exchange Offer and the Merger. Lazard Freres reviewed Holdings' public filings with the Commission, reviewed publicly available analyst and other third party reports addressing Holdings and the Holdings Common Stock and held discussions with senior management of Holdings. Based solely on the foregoing, Lazard Freres determined that it was not aware of any material information relating to Holdings that was not publicly disclosed and thus concluded that the trading value (at the time of the delivery of Lazard Freres' opinion) of Holdings Common Stock, a liquid, well-followed security, reflected the market's reasonable assessment of its value. Because of the large aggregate amount of shares of Holdings Common Stock being issued to shareholders of the Company and other factors, such shares may trade at prices below those at which they would trade initially on a fully distributed basis. In addition, as described above, in its analyses, Lazard Freres assumed, with the Company's concurrence, the absence of certain future adverse developments affecting Holdings or the tobacco industry in general. The analyses performed by Lazard Freres are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Additionally, analyses relating to the values of businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect actual market valuations or trading ranges, which may vary significantly from amounts set forth above. Opinion of First Boston. On September 22, 1994, First Boston delivered its written opinion to the Board that, as of such date, the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company, other than KKR and its affiliates, in each of the Exchange Offer and the Merger was fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view. The opinion of First Boston has not been, and is not anticipated to be, updated. No limitations were imposed by the Board upon First Boston with respect to the investigations made or the procedures followed by it in rendering its opinion, except that First Boston was not requested to, and did not, solicit third party offers to acquire all or any part of the Company or participate in efforts other advisors may have made to solicit alternative offers. First Boston's opinion was directed only to the fairness of the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company, other than KKR and its affiliates, and did not address any other terms of any transaction involving the Company and KKR and its affiliates or the Company's underlying business decision to effect the transaction with the Partnership. First Boston's opinion was delivered for the information of the Board and does not constitute a recommendation to any Company shareholder as to whether such shareholder 41 42 should tender Shares into the Exchange Offer or how such shareholder should vote at any meeting of Company shareholders called to consider the Merger. In arriving at its opinion, First Boston reviewed, among other things, the Letter of Intent, the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, as well as certain publicly available business and financial information relating to each of the Company and Holdings. First Boston also considered certain financial and stock market data for each of the Company and Holdings and compared that data with similar data for other publicly held companies in businesses similar to those of the Company and Holdings, respectively, and considered the financial terms of certain other business combinations that have recently been effected. In addition, First Boston participated in discussions with the Company's management and with management of Holdings and representatives of KKR concerning the past and current operations, financial condition and prospects of each of the Company and Holdings, respectively, and considered such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria which it deemed relevant. The foregoing factors represent all of the material factors considered by First Boston. In connection with its review, First Boston did not assume any responsibility for independent verification of any of the foregoing information and relied on its being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the financial forecasts, First Boston assumed that they had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of each of the Company's and Holdings' managements as to the future financial performance of the Company and Holdings, respectively, and First Boston's opinion did not express any views as to such forecasts or the assumptions underlying such forecasts. First Boston also did not assume any responsibility for an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of the Company or Holdings, nor was First Boston furnished with any such appraisals. In giving its opinion First Boston also assumed, with the Company's consent, that there will not be any material adverse effect on Holdings or on the trading value of the Holdings Common Stock as a result of or relating to (x) the proposal, enactment or adoption after September 22, 1994, of any laws or regulations (including the imposition of additional taxes on the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products) by any federal, state, local or other jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory body or agency thereunder relating to, arising out of, or otherwise affecting the tobacco industry, including without limitation the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products, or (y) any judicial or administrative proceeding initiated or decided after September 22, 1994, including any civil or criminal litigation or arbitration relating to or arising out of or otherwise involving or affecting Holdings, the tobacco industry, or any other company engaged in said industry, including without limitation the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products. First Boston advised the Board that First Boston was not in a position to make an independent evaluation of these matters (which involve an assessment of legal, legislative and regulatory contingencies that is beyond the area of First Boston's professional expertise) and assumed no responsibility for and expressed no view with respect to these matters. First Boston assumed that the transactions described in the draft Merger Agreement and draft Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement referred to above would be identical in all material respects to the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, respectively. First Boston also assumed that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement would be consummated on the anticipated terms, without any waiver of terms or conditions by the Company and that obtaining necessary regulatory consents will not have an adverse effect on Holdings or the trading value of Holdings Common Stock. First Boston has since advised the Board that the changes incorporated in the Merger Agreement, including the Amendment, and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement from the drafts made available to First Boston on which the opinion was based, would not have affected First Boston's ability to deliver its opinion set forth herein. The full text of the opinion of First Boston dated September 22, 1994, which sets forth assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken, is attached as Annex B to this Schedule 14D-9. Company shareholders are urged to read this opinion in its entirety. The summary of the opinion of First Boston set forth in this Schedule 14D-9 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion. 42 43 The generally accepted financial analyses First Boston used in reaching its opinion included (i) discounted cash flow ("DCF") analyses, which consisted of discounting to present value the projected future free cash flows and terminal values of each of the Company's major business units on a business unit by business unit basis, (ii) comparable company trading analyses, which consisted of reviewing market statistics and financial and operating information in respect of selected publicly traded companies considered for comparability to the Company's major business units, (iii) comparable acquisition analyses, which consisted of reviewing operating statistics and purchase price information with respect to selected acquisitions of assets or businesses similar to those of the Company's major business units and (iv) a disaggregation analysis in which First Boston supplemented the other three analyses by taking into account tax costs related to the disposition in the short term of the Company's major business units. The material portions of these analyses (which are all of the material valuation methodologies performed by First Boston) are summarized below. In its analyses, First Boston did not consider the proposed public offering of between 17.9% and 19.5% of Nabisco, since the proposed offering was not publicly filed until October 28, 1994. To derive an implied equity reference range for the Company as a whole, First Boston used the analyses described in (i) through (iii) above for each major business unit to obtain a reference range for each unit, totalled these reference ranges, and then subtracted debt and minority interests, pension underfunding and capitalized non-allocated administrative costs and added the present value of the benefit of net operating losses and excess cash. Discounted Cash Flow Analysis First Boston's DCF analysis was based upon the four-year financial forecast for each of the Company's major business units contained in management's financial forecast, as well as a forecast for years five through nine prepared by First Boston with underlying assumptions similar to management's projections for years one through four. First Boston also calculated a range of terminal values for each business unit by multiplying projected earnings for each business unit for 2004 by a range of exit multiples (8.5x to 9.0x for Niche Grocery; 8.0x to 8.5x for Pasta and Packaging; 7.5x to 8.0x for the International Foods Unit; 8.0x to 9.0x for Resin and Consumer Adhesives; and 6.5x to 7.0x for Decorative Products) derived from comparable companies and transactions. First Boston discounted the projected unleveraged free cash flows in the forecast and the projected terminal values at a range of discount rates for each business unit (12% to 13% for Niche Grocery, Pasta and International Foods Unit; and 12% to 14% for Packaging, Resin, Decorative Products and Consumer Adhesives) to arrive at an estimated present value range for each of the Company's major business units. The hypothetical range of values for each of the Company's major business units derived from the DCF analysis ranged from approximately $675 to $800 million for Niche Grocery; $800 to $1,050 million for Pasta; $750 to $900 million for the International Foods Unit; $300 to $375 million for Packaging; $800 to $1,000 million for Resin; $275 to $325 million for Decorative Products; and $140 to $180 million for Consumer Adhesives. Comparable Company Trading Analysis For each of the Company's major business units, First Boston selected other publicly traded companies whose market positions and capital structures made them, in its judgment, most closely comparable to the relevant Company unit. Using publicly available financial and stock price data, First Boston determined the relationship for these comparable companies between equity value (total market value of outstanding equity securities) and net income and book value and between capitalized value (equity value plus debt, preferred stock and minority interest less cash and marketable securities) and sales, EBITDA and EBIT. First Boston then derived a range of multiples of capitalized value as a multiple of 1994 and 1995 sales, EBITDA and EBIT (1.8x to 2.1x, 8.5x to 10.0x and 9.2x to 10.8x, respectively, for 1994, and 1.8x to 2.1x, 8.6x to 10.1x and 9.3x to 11.0x, respectively, for 1995, for Niche Grocery; 1.0x to 1.0x, 11.5x to 12.4x and 19.1x to 20.5x, respectively, for 1994, and 0.9x to 1.0x, 7.0x to 7.5x and 9.8x to 10.5x, respectively, for 1995, for Pasta; 0.9x to 1.0x, 7.0x to 7.9x and 9.7x to 10.9x, respectively, for 1994, and 0.9x to 1.0x, 6.9x to 7.8x and 9.6x to 10.8x, respectively, for 1995, for the International Foods Unit; 0.6x to 0.7x, 6.7x to 8.1x and 10.0x to 12.0x, respectively, for 1994, and 0.6x to 0.7x, 5.3x to 6.3x and 7.2x to 8.6x, respectively, for 1995, for Packaging; 1.1x to 1.2x, 7.1x to 8.0x and 8.3x to 9.3x, respectively, for 1994, and 1.1x to 1.2x, 7.0x to 7.9x and 8.3x to 9.3x, respectively, for 1995, for Resins; 0.6x to 0.7x, 6.0x to 7.2x and 8.3x to 9.9x, respectively, for 1994, and 0.5x to 0.6x, 5.0x to 6.0x and 6.4x to 7.7x, respectively, for 1995, for Decorative Products; and 1.3x to 2.0x, 5.7x to 43 44 9.2x and 6.1x to 9.8x, respectively, for 1994, and 1.2x to 1.9x, 5.3x to 8.5x and 5.7x to 9.1x, respectively, for 1995, for Consumer Adhesives) based on the high, average, median and low multiples among comparable companies and applied these ranges to financial data for each of the Company's major business units. The hypothetical range of values for each of the Company's major business units derived from such analysis ranged from approximately $725 to $850 million for Niche Grocery; $755 to $810 million for Pasta; $800 to $900 million for the International Foods Unit; $275 to $330 million for Packaging; $900 to $1,010 million for Resins; $250 to $300 million for Decorative Products; and $100 to $160 million for Consumer Adhesives. The comparable companies examined in First Boston's analysis for each Company unit included, among others: Niche Grocery, Pasta and the International Foods Unit: Campbell Soup Company; CPC International, Inc.; Flowers Industries; General Mills, Inc.; Hershey Foods Corporation; H.J. Heinz Company; Interstate Bakeries Corporation; Kellogg Company; Pet Incorporated; Ralston Continental Baking Group. Packaging Unit: Bemis Company, Inc.; Sealed Air Corporation; Sonoco Products Company; Union Camp Corporation; The Valspar Corporation. Decorative Products Unit: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.; Collins & Aikman Group, Inc.; Premark International, Inc.; Sherwin-Williams Company. Worldwide Resins Unit: Grow Group, Inc.; H.B. Fuller Company; Lilly Industries, Inc.; Loctite Corporation. Consumer Adhesives Unit: BIC Corporation; Duracell International, Inc.; First Brands Corporation; Rubbermaid Incorporated. Comparable Acquisition Analysis For each of the Company's major business units, First Boston reviewed acquisitions of companies in similar industries over the past several years. First Boston then selected a number of those acquisitions which it believed were most comparable to a hypothetical transaction involving the particular Company business unit. Using publicly available information, First Boston determined for the comparable transactions the relationship between capitalized value (equity value plus debt, preferred stock and minority interest less cash and marketable securities) and sales, EBITDA and EBIT. First Boston then derived a range of these multiples of estimated sale value as a multiple of 1994 sales, EBITDA and EBIT (1.8x to 2.3x, 8.8x to 11.2x and 9.5x to 12.0x, respectively, for Niche Grocery; 1.0x to 1.2x, 11.5x to 14.5x and 19.0x to 24.1x, respectively, for Pasta; 0.9x to 1.1x, 7.5x to 9.2x and 10.3x to 12.7x, respectively, for the International Foods Unit; 0.7x to 0.9x, 7.3x to 9.2x and 10.9x to 13.7x, respectively, for Packaging; 1.1x to 1.3x, 7.5x to 8.6x and 8.8x to 10.0x, respectively, for Resins; 0.6x to 0.9x, 6.6x to 9.7x and 9.1x to 13.2x, respectively, for Decorative Products; and 1.3x to 2.3x, 6.0x to 10.3x and 6.4x to 11.0x, respectively, for Consumer Adhesives) and applied these ranges to financial data for each Company unit. The hypothetical range of values for each of the Company's major business units derived from this analysis ranged from approximately $750 to $950 million for Niche Grocery; $750 to $950 million for Pasta; $850 to $1,050 million for the International Foods Unit; $300 to $375 million for Packaging; $950 to $1,080 million for Resins; $275 to $400 million for Decorative Products; and $105 to $180 million for Consumer Adhesives. The comparable acquiror/target transactions examined in First Boston's analysis for each Company unit included, among others: Niche Grocery, Pasta and the International Foods Unit: Investor Group/Del Monte Foods; Sandoz AG/Gerber Products; Doskocil Cos./Frozen Specialty Foods Unit (Int'l Multifood); Tomkins PLC/Ranks Hovis McDougall; Campbell Soup Company/Arnotts Ltd. Packaging Unit: Applied Extrusion/Technologies, Inc./Packaging Film Group (Hercules, Inc.); Sonoco Products Company/Engraph, Inc. Decorative Products Unit: Arjo Wiggins Appleton PLC/Gebrueder Buhl Papierfabrite; Coloroll Group PLC/Burlington; Wickes Companies/Collins & Aikman Group, Inc. Worldwide Resins Unit: Scapa Group PLC/Society des Adhesifs de Bellgrade; Laporte/Evode Group PLC. Consumer Adhesives Unit: Orkem SA/Bostic Division (Black & Decker Corp.); Borden, Inc./Jadow & Sons, Inc. (Krazy Glue). Disaggregation Analysis First Boston analyzed the Company's possible value assuming the Company was sold in pieces in a tax efficient manner. In this analysis, First Boston added the reference range for each business unit derived from the analyses described above to arrive at an enterprise value for the Company. The hypothetical range of values for each of the Company's major business units derived from such analysis ranged from approximately $800 million to $900 million for Niche Grocery; $750 million to $950 million for Pasta; $800 million to $900 million for the International Foods Unit; $290 million to $350 million for Packaging; $900 million to $1,050 million for Resins; $250 million to $325 million for Decorative Products; $130 million to $170 million for 44 45 Consumer Adhesives; and $140 million to $295 million for miscellaneous businesses. Using these ranges gives a range of enterprise values of $4,060 million to $4,940 million for the Company. After subtracting debt ($2,287 million), pension underfunding ($97 million) and capitalized administrative overhead costs ($257 million), and adding in the present value of the net operating loss carryforwards (reduced by the amount used to offset the tax liability incurred in the hypothetical disaggregation of the business units) (from $34 million (corresponding to the upper end of the divested businesses' value range) to $125 million (corresponding to the lower end of the divested businesses' value range) depending on the proceeds of the hypothetical divestitures) the range of equity values for the Company is $1,544 million to $2,333 million, or $10.92 to $16.50 per share of Company Common Stock. This compares to the approximately $14.25 (based upon the Exchange Ratio and the Valuation Period) to be received for each Share in the Exchange Offer. As noted above, these per share calculations are derived from the ranges obtained in the Discounted Cash Flow, Comparable Trading and Comparable Acquisition analyses described above, but no per share calculations were presented to the Board from the individual analyses. For purposes of this Disaggregation analysis, First Boston relied upon tax data and calculations provided by the Company and assumed the Packaging and Industrial Products Unit and the Dairy Unit were sold separately in taxable transactions and the balance of the food segment was sold tax free or retained by the Company. Although in connection with the delivery of its opinion First Boston also analyzed Holdings, First Boston's opinion is not a valuation of Holdings and does not represent First Boston's view as to what the value of the Holdings Common Stock to be exchanged for Company Shares actually will be when the Exchange Offer or the Merger is consummated. In giving its opinion as to the fairness of the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company, First Boston derived a range of values for the Company Common Stock using the valuation analyses described above and compared them with $14.25, the trading value (determined pursuant to the Exchange Ratio at the time of the delivery of First Boston's opinion) of the shares of Holdings Common Stock to be received as consideration in the Exchange Offer and the Merger. First Boston reviewed Holdings' public filings with the Commission, reviewed publicly available analyst and other third party reports addressing Holdings and Holdings Common Stock and held discussions with senior management of Holdings. Based solely on the foregoing, First Boston determined that it was not aware of any material information relating to Holdings that was not publicly disclosed and thus concluded that the trading value (at the time of the delivery of First Boston's opinion) of Holdings Common Stock, a liquid, well-followed security, reflected the market's reasonable assessment of its value. As a result of the limitation on the Exchange Ratio, such actual value could be higher or lower than $14.25 per share at such times depending on the value of Holdings Common Stock. Because of the large aggregate amount of Holdings Common Stock being distributed to shareholders of the Company in exchange for their Company Shares and other factors, such securities may trade initially at prices below those at which they would trade on a fully distributed basis. In arriving at its opinion dated September 22, 1994, First Boston performed a variety of financial analyses, including those summarized above. The summary set forth in this section does not purport to be a complete description of First Boston's analyses. First Boston believes that its analyses and the summary set forth above must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, without considering all analyses, or of the summary above, without considering all factors and analyses, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying First Boston's opinion. In addition, First Boston may have given various analyses more or less weight than other analyses, and may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions, so that the ranges of valuation resulting from any particular analysis described above should not be taken to be First Boston's view of the actual value of the Company or Holdings. First Boston's analyses depend upon numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and Holdings. As described above, in its analyses First Boston assumed, with the Company's consent, the absence of future adverse developments affecting Holdings's tobacco business. First Boston's analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results that might be achieved and are not and do not purport to be appraisals or otherwise reflective of prices at which the business units actually could be sold or prices at which securities actually would trade 45 46 ITEM 5. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED. The Company has retained Lazard Freres and First Boston as financial advisors in connection with the Merger, the Exchange Offer and other matters arising in connection therewith. Pursuant to an engagement letter agreement dated September 13, 1994, between the Company and Lazard Freres, the Company paid Lazard Freres (i) a fee of $3 million on execution of the Merger Agreement and has agreed to pay (ii) an additional fee of $7 million, in the event KKR and its affiliates acquire at least 50.1% of the outstanding Shares. Lazard Freres was originally retained by the Company on October 11, 1993 to provide certain financial advisory services to the Company and has earned fees aggregating $2.2 million for such services. The Company has also agreed to reimburse Lazard Freres for its out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, and to indemnify Lazard Freres and its partners, employees, agents, affiliates or controlling persons against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws, relating to or arising out of its engagement. Lazard Freres is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and regularly engages in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and for other purposes. The Board selected Lazard Freres to act as its financial advisor with respect to certain matters, including the transactions with the Partnership, on the basis of Lazard Freres' qualifications, expertise and reputation in investment banking, in general, and mergers and acquisitions specifically. From time to time, in the past, Lazard Freres has represented KKR and received customary fees therefore. Pursuant to an engagement letter dated as of October 26, 1993, as amended on September 22, 1994, between the Company and First Boston, the Company has agreed to pay First Boston (i) a fee of $3 million upon commencement of the Exchange Offer and (ii) an additional fee of $7 million in the event KKR and its affiliates acquire at least 51% of the outstanding Shares. First Boston has earned fees aggregating $2.3 million for other services rendered pursuant to this engagement letter. The Company has also agreed to reimburse First Boston for its out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel. The Company has also agreed to indemnify First Boston and its affiliates, their respective directors, officers, partners, agents and employees and each person, if any, controlling First Boston or any of its affiliates against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws, relating to or arising out of its engagement. First Boston is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and regularly engages in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and for other purposes. The Board selected First Boston to act as its financial advisor on the basis of First Boston's international reputation, the Company's prior relationship with First Boston and First Boston's familiarity with the Company. In the past, First Boston has provided investment banking services for the Company, Holdings and KKR for which First Boston has received customary compensation. In the ordinary course of First Boston's business, First Boston actively trades the debt and equity securities of both the Company and Holdings for its own account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. The Company has also engaged Mackenzie Partners, Inc. to communicate with shareholders on behalf of the Company, for which it will receive reasonable and customary compensation. Except as otherwise disclosed herein, neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has retained any other persons to make solicitations or recommendations to shareholders on its behalf concerning the Exchange Offer. ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES. (a) To the best of the Company's knowledge, except as herein noted, no transactions in the Shares have been effected during the past 60 days by the Company or, to the Company's knowledge, by any executive officer, director, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company. On November 2, 1994, the Company issued 267,529 Shares to the Company's Employees Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") to fund the Company's obligation to make matching employer contributions thereunder for the period from January through October 1994. (b) To the best of the Company's knowledge, all of its executive officers, directors, affiliates or subsidiaries currently intend to tender all Shares which are held of record or beneficially owned by such persons pursuant to the Exchange Offer, other than Shares, if any, held by such persons which, if tendered, 46 47 could cause such person to incur liability under the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and the trustee of the ESOP has taken no position with respect to the Exchange Offer. ITEM 7. CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS BY THE SUBJECT COMPANY. (a) Except as described in Item 3(b), no negotiation is being undertaken or is under way by the Company in response to the Exchange Offer which relates to or would result in (i) an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger or reorganization, involving the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, (ii) a purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, (iii) a tender offer for or other acquisition of securities by or of the Company or (iv) any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the Company. (b) Except as described under Item 3 and Item 4, there are no transactions, board resolutions, agreements in principle or signed contracts in response to the Exchange Offer which relate to or would result in one or more of the matters referred to in paragraph (a) of this Item 7. Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement described in Item 3 under "The Merger Agreement -- No Solicitation," the Company may engage in discussions or negotiations with respect to transactions or proposals of the type referred to above in this Item 7. At its meeting held on November 14, 1994, the Board determined that public disclosure with respect to the parties to, or the possible terms of any proposals made in connection with, or agreement that may result from, such discussions or negotiations might jeopardize their continuation, and adopted a resolution authorizing and directing management not to make any such public disclosure unless and until an agreement in principle is reached relating thereto. ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED. (A) NEW JERSEY SHAREHOLDERS PROTECTION ACT. Under Sections 14A:10A-1 through 14A:10A-61 of the NJBCA, a publicly traded New Jersey corporation with its principal executive offices or significant business operations located in New Jersey is prohibited from consummating a business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of five years unless the business combination is approved by the board of directors prior to the date the shareholder became interested. In addition, after the five-year period, a New Jersey corporation may not engage in a business combination with an interested shareholder unless either (i) the business combination is approved by the board of directors prior to the date the shareholder became an interested shareholder or (ii) the business combination is approved by the holders of two-thirds of the voting stock not held by the interested shareholder or (iii) subject to certain other requirements, the consideration per share received in the business combination is at least equal to the greater of (x) the highest price per share paid by the interested shareholder in the five years prior to either the announcement of the business combination or the date at which the interested shareholder became such, whichever results in a higher price, and (y) the market price on either the date the business combination is announced or on the date the interested shareholder first became such, whichever is higher. New Jersey law defines "interested shareholder" as a person beneficially owning 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation. The Charter adds to the requirements of the NJBCA and provides that no business combination with a "related person" (defined as a shareholder who beneficially owns 20% or more of any class of capital stock of the corporation) may occur unless (i) the business combination is approved by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote for directors, (ii) the business combination is approved by a majority of the "continuing directors" (defined as a director who is not affiliated with any related person and was a director prior to the time that the related person crossed the threshold of 5% voting power of any class of capital stock) or (iii) the consideration to be received per share in the business combination is at least as high as the greater of the highest price per share of prior purchases of Company's capital stock by the related person and the average closing price per share on the NYSE for the prior 200 trading days. In accordance with the provisions of the Charter and the NJBCA, the Board has approved the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement and the Purchaser's acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Merger and the Option and, therefore, the restrictions of the Charter and 47 48 the NJBCA are inapplicable to the Merger and the related transactions. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has also approved, solely for purposes of the NJBCA and the Charter, future business combinations with the Partnership or its affiliates, subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the following: (1) that the Merger is not approved by the shareholders of the Company following the acceptance for exchange of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, or that the Merger is not submitted to the shareholders of the Company but the Purchaser has acquired at least 28,138,000 Shares and (2) that such business combination is approved by a majority of the Independent Directors (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) and (3) if appropriate, that the Company shall have received the opinion of an investment banking firm selected by the Independent Directors that such business combination is fair to the shareholders of the Company from a financial point of view. (B) CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. Twelve putative class actions have been filed by purported Company shareholders in the New Jersey and Ohio state courts against the Company, members of the Board and, in five of the New Jersey cases, KKR. These actions, encaptioned Kohnstamm v. Borden, Inc., et al., C-257-94; Hartman v. Borden, Inc., et al., 94-CV-H09-6306; Jaroslawicz v. Borden, Inc., et al., 94-CV-H09-6654; Lubin et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., C-139-94; Weiss et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., C-138-94; Stepak v. Borden, Inc., et al., C-142-94; Strougo et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al.; Krim v. Borden, Inc., et al., C-141-94; Peterson et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., C-143-94; Marcus v. Borden, Inc., et al., C-149-94; Dwyer v. Borden, Inc., et al. , C-152-94 and Pittman Neurosurgical P.A., et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al. , C-158-94(collectively, the "Class Complaints"), allege, among other things, that the Company is being sold at too low a price, and that the Company's directors have breached their fiduciary duties by failing to "auction" the company and by "locking-up" a transaction that is not in the best interests of shareholders. KKR is alleged to have aided and abetted these breaches of fiduciary duty. The Class Complaints seek preliminary and permanent relief, including a preliminary injunction, damages in an unspecified amount and attorneys' fees. On November 4, 1994, the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey in Mercer County consolidated all pending New Jersey actions into one action in Mercer County under Docket No. C-139-94. The Ohio cases, Hartman v. Borden, Inc., et al., 94-CV-HO9-6306 and Jaroslawicz v. Borden, Inc., et al., 94 CV-HO9-6654, have been stayed pursuant to a court order pending resolution of the New Jersey consolidated action. The Company has also been named as a defendant in a putative shareholder derivative action, encaptioned Shingala v. Harper, et al., C.A. No. 13739, filed against Holdings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The Company believes that the ultimate outcome of the litigation described above should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. (C) ANTITRUST. Under the HSR Act and the rules that have been promulgated thereunder by the FTC, certain acquisition transactions may not be consummated unless certain information has been furnished to the Antitrust Division and the FTC and certain waiting period requirements have been satisfied. The acquisition of Shares by the Purchaser pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to such requirements. On September 19, 1994, the Partnership filed a Premerger Notification and Report Form in connection with the exchange of Shares with the FTC and the Antitrust Division pursuant to the Exchange Offer. On September 29, 1994, the Company filed a Premerger Notification and Report Form in connection with the Exchange Offer and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement. On October 19, 1994, the Partnership and the Company each received a request from the FTC for additional information and documentary material, this matter having been cleared to the FTC by the Antitrust Division, and on November 4, 1994, the Partnership responded to such request. The FTC granted early termination of the waiting period with respect to the transactions on November 17, 1994. The Antitrust Division and the FTC frequently scrutinize the legality under the antitrust laws of transactions. At any time before or after the consummation of any such transactions, the Antitrust Division or 48 49 the FTC could, notwithstanding termination of the waiting period, take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Exchange Offer or seeking divestiture of the Shares so acquired or divestiture of substantial assets of the Purchaser or the Company. Private parties may also bring legal actions under the antitrust laws. There can be no assurance that a challenge to the Offer on antitrust grounds will not be made, or if such a challenge is made, what the result will be. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to make any and all divestitures or undertakings required by the FTC, the Antitrust Division or any other applicable governmental entity in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby, which divestitures in each case shall be reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and the Purchaser, provided that certain conditions are met. See Item 3 "-- The Merger Agreement -- Certain Conditions of the Exchange Offer" for certain conditions to the Exchange Offer, including conditions with respect to litigation and certain governmental actions. ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS. Exhibit 99.1 -- Letter of Intent, dated September 11, 1994, between the Company and the Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated September 11, 1994). Exhibit 99.2 -- Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 23, 1994, among the Partnership, the Purchaser and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated September 23, 1994 (the "September 23, 1994 8-K")). Exhibit 99.3 -- Form of Amendment, dated as of November 15, 1994, among the Purchaser, the Partnership and the Company, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 23, 1994, among the Partnership, the Purchaser and the Company. Exhibit 99.4 -- Conditional Purchase/Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1994, among the Partnership, the Purchaser and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the September 23, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.5 -- Confidentiality Agreement, dated August 2, 1994, between KKR and the Company. Exhibit 99.6 -- Letter to Shareholders of the Company, dated November 22, 1994.(*) Exhibit 99.7 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated May 24, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated October 5, 1994, regarding the background and reasons for entering into the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement (the "October 5, 1994 8-K")). Exhibit 99.8 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated June 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.9 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to J. Rosenfeld, dated June 8, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.10 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to Japonica Partners, dated June 13, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.11 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to J. Rosenfeld, dated June 20, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to the October 5, 1994 8-K).
- --------------- (*) Included with Schedule 14D-9 mailed to shareholders of the Company. 49 50 Exhibit 99.12 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to M. David-Weill, dated June 24, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.13 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated July 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 7 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.14 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated July 14, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.15 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated July 19, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.16 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to J. Rosenfeld, dated July 26, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.17 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated July 26, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.18 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated August 11, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.19 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated August 19, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.20 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to E.R. Shames with attached list of questions to management, dated September 7, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.21 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated September 13, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 15 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.22 -- Letter from A.L. Miller to P.B. Kazarian, dated September 14, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.23 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated September 15, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 17 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.24 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian with attached confidentiality letter, dated September 16, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.25 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated September 17, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.26 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated September 19, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 20 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.27 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco with "Dynamic Tension" and "Management Principles" attachments, dated September 21, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.28 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to the Board, dated September 22, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.29 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated September 23, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 23 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.30 -- Letter from A.R. Brownstein to M. Nussbaum, dated September 26, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24 to the October 5, 1994 8-K).
50 51 Exhibit 99.31 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated September 27, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.32 -- Letter from M. Nussbaum to M. Lipton, dated October 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 26 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.33 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to the Board, dated October 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 27 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). Exhibit 99.34 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to the Board, dated October 18, 1994. Exhibit 99.35 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated October 27, 1994. Exhibit 99.36 -- Opinion of Lazard Freres, dated September 22, 1994 (set forth as Annex A to the Schedule 14D-9).(*) Exhibit 99.37 -- Opinion of First Boston, dated September 22, 1994 (set forth as Annex B to the Schedule 14D-9).(*) Exhibit 99.38 -- Complaint filed in Kohnstamm v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 12, 1994). Exhibit 99.39 -- Complaint filed in Hartman v. Borden, Inc. (Ohio Ct. Common Pleas Sept. 12, 1994). Exhibit 99.40 -- Complaint filed in Jaroslawicz v. Borden, Inc. (Ohio Ct. Common Pleas Sept. 22, 1994). Exhibit 99.41 -- Complaint filed in Lubin v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 12, 1994). Exhibit 99.42 -- Complaint filed in Weiss v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 12, 1994). Exhibit 99.43 -- Complaint filed in Stepak v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 16, 1994). Exhibit 99.44 -- Complaint filed in Strougo v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 13, 1994). Exhibit 99.45 -- Complaint filed in Krim v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 14, 1994). Exhibit 99.46 -- Complaint filed in Peterson v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 16, 1994). Exhibit 99.47 -- Complaint filed in Marcus v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 22, 1994). Exhibit 99.48 -- Complaint filed in Dwyer v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 23, 1994). Exhibit 99.49 -- Complaint filed in Shingala v. Harper (Del. Ch. Sept. 13, 1994). Exhibit 99.50 -- Complaint filed in Pittman Neurosurgical v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 29, 1994). Exhibit 99.51 -- 1994 Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iv) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 (the "1993 10-K")). Exhibit 99.52 -- 1994 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.53 -- Executive Family Survivor Protection Plan as amended through December 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(vi) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.54 -- Executives Excess Benefits Plan as amended through December 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(vii) to the 1993 10-K).
- --------------- (*) Included with Schedule 14D-9 mailed to shareholders of the Company. 51 52 Exhibit 99.55 -- Executives Supplemental Pension Plan as amended through December 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(viii) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.56 -- Advisory Directors Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(viii) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1989 (the "1989 10-K")). Exhibit 99.57 -- Advisory Directors Plan Trust Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ix) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1988 (the "1988 10-K")). Exhibit 99.58 -- Supplemental Benefit Trust Agreement, as amended through December 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xi) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.59 -- Form of Indemnification Letter Agreements entered into with all Directors of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xii) to the 1988 10-K). Exhibit 99.60 -- Form of Letter Agreement entered into with all holders of stock appreciation rights (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiii) to the 1989 10-K). Exhibit 99.61 -- Agreement with Mr. A.S. D'Amato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1993 (the "June 30, 1993 10-Q")). Exhibit 99.62 -- Amendment to Agreement with Mr. A.S. D'Amato (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1993). Exhibit 99.63 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. A.S. D'Amato (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(a) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.64 -- Agreement with Mr. E.R. Shames, President and Chief Operating Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) to the June 30, 1993 10-Q). Exhibit 99.65 -- Description of Amendment to Agreement with Mr. E.R. Shames (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(e) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.66 -- Agreement with Mr. R.J. Ventres, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xvii)(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991). Exhibit 99.67 -- Description of Amendment to Agreement with Mr. R.J. Ventres (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(g) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.68 -- Form of salary continuance arrangement with Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ix)(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987). Exhibit 99.69 -- Agreement with Mr. J.G. Hettinger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(i) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.70 -- Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(j) to the 1993 10-K). Exhibit 99.71 -- Description of Amendment to Agreement with Mr. E.R. Shames (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994 (the "June 30, 1994 10-Q").
53 Exhibit 99.72 -- Agreement with Mr. L.O. Doza dated June 2, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) to the June 30, 1994 10-Q). Exhibit 99.73 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo dated May 4, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii) to the June 30, 1994 10-Q). Exhibit 99.74 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo dated June 20, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iv) to the June 30, 1994 10-Q). Exhibit 99.75 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo dated September 30, 1994. Exhibit 99.76 -- Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1994, among Holdings, the Partnership, Purchaser and the Company. Exhibit 99.77 -- Joint Press Release of the Company and KKR dated November 22, 1994.
53 54 SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. BORDEN, INC. Dated: November 22, 1994 By: /s/ Allan L. Miller --------------------------------- Name: Allan L. Miller Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel 54 55 ANNEX A [LETTERHEAD OF LAZARD FRERES & CO.] September 22, 1994 The Board of Directors Borden, Inc. 180 East Broad Street Columbus, OH 43215 Dear Members of the Board: You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of shares of Common Stock, par value $.625 per share ("Company Common Stock"), of Borden, Inc. (the "Company") of the consideration to be received in a series of transactions (collectively, the "Transactions") pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, to be entered into among the Company, Whitehall Associates, L.P. ("WA") and Borden Acquisition Corp. ("Merger Co."), a draft of which, dated September 19, 1994 (the "Merger Agreement"), has been furnished to us. The terms of the Merger Agreement provide, among other things, that (i) WA promptly will offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer"), for each outstanding share of Company Common Stock, a number (the "Applicable Number") of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("RJR Common Stock"), of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR"), having a trading value (as determined in the Merger Agreement) equal to $14.25; provided that the Applicable Number may not be less than 1.78125 nor exceed 2.375, and (ii) following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, subject to, among other things, WA having obtained the favorable vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, Merger Co. will merge with and into the Company, and each of the remaining outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (other than shares owned by the Company as treasury stock or owned by WA, Merger Co. or any other subsidiary of WA) will be converted into the right to receive the Applicable Number of shares of RJR Common Stock. In connection with the rendering of this opinion, we have: (i) Reviewed the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the financial terms of the Transactions as set forth therein, and the Conditional Purchase/Stock Option Agreement, to be entered into among the Company, WA and Merger Co., a draft of which, dated September 19, 1994 (the "Option Agreement"), has been furnished to us; (ii) Analyzed certain historical business and financial information relating to the Company and RJR, including the Annual Reports to Stockholders and Annual Reports on Forms 10-K of each of the Company and RJR for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1991 through 1993, and the Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q of each of the Company and RJR for the quarters ended March 31, 1994 and June 30, 1994; (iii) Reviewed certain financial forecasts and other data provided to us by the Company and each of RJR and WA relating to the businesses of the Company and RJR, respectively, including the most recent business plan for the Company prepared by the Company's senior management, in the form furnished to us; (iv) Conducted discussions with members of senior managements of the Company and each of RJR and WA with respect to the businesses and prospects of the Company and RJR, respectively, and the strategic objectives of each; A-1 56 (v) Reviewed public information with respect to certain other companies in the lines of businesses we believe to be generally comparable in whole or in part to the businesses of the Company and RJR and reviewed the financial terms of certain other business combinations that have recently been effected; (vi) Reviewed the historical stock prices and trading volumes of Company Common Stock and RJR Common Stock; and (vii) Conducted such other financial studies, analyses and investigations as we deemed appropriate. We have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information concerning the Company and RJR that have been received by us and have not assumed any responsibility for independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets of the Company or RJR nor have we been furnished with any such appraisals. With respect to financial forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgements of managements of the Company and RJR as to the future financial performance of the Company and RJR, respectively. We assume no responsibility for and express no view as to such forecasts or the assumptions on which they are based. Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof. In that regard, as you are aware, we are not in a position to make an independent evaluation of the matters discussed below. Accordingly, for purposes of this opinion, we have assumed, with your concurrence, that no material adverse effect on RJR or on the trading value of RJR Common Stock will result from (x) the proposal, enactment or adoption after the date hereof of any laws or regulations (including the imposition of additional taxes on the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products) by any federal, state, local or other jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory body or agency thereunder relating to, arising out of, or otherwise affecting the tobacco industry, including without limitation the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products, or (y) any judicial or administrative proceeding initiated or decided after the date hereof, including any civil or criminal litigation or arbitration, relating to or arising out of or otherwise involving or affecting RJR, the tobacco industry, or any other company engaged in said industry, including without limitation the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products. We assume no responsibility for and express no view with respect to the matters described in the previous sentence. In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the actual Agreement and Plan of Merger and the actual Conditional Purchase/Stock Option Agreement, entered into among the parties thereto, will be identical in all material respects to the Merger Agreement and the Option Agreement, respectively, and that the Transactions will be consummated on the terms described in the Merger Agreement, without any waiver of any terms or conditions by the Company and that obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the Transactions will not have an adverse effect on RJR or on the trading value of RJR Common Stock. In addition, we note that because of the large number of shares of RJR Common Stock being issued to stockholders of the Company and other factors, such securities may trade initially at prices below those at which they would trade on a fully distributed basis. We are acting as financial advisor to the Company's Board of Directors in connection with the Transactions and will receive fees for such services, a substantial portion of which fees are contingent upon the consummation of the Transactions. Our firm has in the past provided and is currently providing investment banking and financial advisory services to the Company and has received fees for rendering such services. Our firm has in the past also provided investment banking and financial advisory services to RJR and affiliates of WA and has received fees for rendering such services. This letter and the opinion expressed herein are being delivered pursuant to our engagement by the Company's Board of Directors. It is understood that, except for inclusion of this letter in its entirety in a proxy statement or exchange offer recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 from the Company to holders of shares of Company Common Stock relating to the Transactions, this letter may not be disclosed or otherwise referred to without our prior written consent, except as may otherwise be required by law or by a court of competent jurisdiction. A-2 57 Based on and subject to the foregoing provisions of this letter, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the consideration to be paid to the stockholders of the Company (other than WA, Merger Co. or any other subsidiary of WA) in the Exchange Offer and the Merger is fair to such stockholders, from a financial point of view. Very truly yours, /s/ Lazard Freres & Co. -------------------------------------- A-3 58 ANNEX B [LETTERHEAD OF CS FIRST BOSTON] September 22, 1994 Board of Directors Borden, Inc. 277 Park Avenue New York, NY 10172 Gentlemen and Madame: You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Common Stock, par value $.625 per share (the "Company Shares"), of Borden, Inc., a New Jersey corporation ("Borden" or the "Company"), other than Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and its affiliates, of the consideration to be received by Borden's stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement expected to be dated as of September 22, 1994 among Borden Acquisition Corp., a New Jersey corporation ("Acquisition"), Whitehall Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Whitehall"), and the Company (the "Merger Agreement"). The Merger Agreement provides for an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") and subsequent merger (the "Merger"; the Exchange Offer and Merger, together, the "Transaction") in which each Company Share (other than treasury stock and shares owned by Whitehall or any of its subsidiaries) will be exchanged for a number of shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("RN Shares"), of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation ("RN"), determined by dividing $14.25 by the average of the average of the high and low sales prices of RN Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape on each of the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the second trading day prior to the date of expiration of the Exchange Offer, but subject to the limitation that in no event will Borden stockholders receive more than 2.375 RN Shares nor less than 1.78125 RN Shares for each Company Share. In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed, among other things, the letter of intent dated as of September 11, 1994 between the Company and Whitehall (the "Letter of Intent"), a draft of the Merger Agreement and a draft of the Conditional Purchase/Stock Option Agreement expected to be dated as of September 22, 1994 by and among Whitehall, Acquisition and the Company (the "Option Agreement"), as well as certain publicly available business and financial information relating to each of RN and the Company. We have also reviewed certain other information, including financial forecasts provided to us by each of RN and the Company. We have met with RN's management and representatives of KKR and with the Company's management to discuss the past and current operations and financial condition and prospects of each of RN and the Company, respectively. We have also considered certain financial and stock market data for each of RN and the Company and we have compared that data with similar data for other publicly held companies in businesses similar to those of RN and the Company, respectively, and we have considered the financial terms of certain other business combinations that have recently been effected. We also considered such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria that we deemed relevant. In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on its being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the financial forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of each of RN's and the Company's management as to the future financial performance of RN and the Company, respectively. We express no view as to such forecasts or the assumptions on which they are based (which, in the case of RN, includes the assumption that RN's tobacco business will not become subject to materially more burdensome litigation costs or regulatory B-1 59 requirements) and there cannot be any assurance that actual results of the Company or RN will not differ materially from those reflected in the projections. We have not assumed any responsibility for an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of RN or the Company, nor have we been furnished with any such appraisals. In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the execution versions of the Merger Agreement and the Option Agreement will not differ materially from the drafts we have reviewed, that the Transaction will be consummated on the terms described in the Merger Agreement and the Option Agreement, without any waiver of any terms or conditions by the Company and that obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the Transaction will not have an adverse effect on RN or on the trading value of the RN Shares. In giving this opinion we have assumed, with your consent, that there will not be any material adverse effect on RN or on the trading value of the RN Shares as a result of or relating to (x) the proposal, enactment or adoption after the date hereof of any laws or regulations (including the imposition of additional taxes on the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products) by any federal, state, local or other jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory body or agency thereunder relating to, arising out of, or otherwise affecting the tobacco industry, including without limitation the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products, or (y) any judicial or administrative proceeding initiated or decided after the date hereof, including any civil or criminal litigation or arbitration relating to or arising out of or otherwise involving or affecting RN, the tobacco industry, or any other company engaged in said industry, including without limitation the manufacture, sale, distribution or use of tobacco products. We are not in a position to make an independent evaluation of these matters and we assume no responsibility for and express no view with respect to these matters. Our opinion addresses only the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be received by stockholders of the Company, other than KKR and its affiliates, in each of the Exchange Offer and the Merger. We do not express any views on any other terms of the Transaction or any related agreements or arrangements, including any transactions which might occur among KKR, RN and the Company after consummation of the Exchange Offer or the Merger. Our opinion also does not address the Company's underlying business decision to effect the Transaction. We were not requested to, and did not, solicit third party offers to acquire all or any part of the Company or participate in efforts other advisors may have made to solicit alternative offers. Our opinion is necessarily based solely upon information available to us and business, market, economic and other conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the date hereof. This opinion does not represent our opinion as to what the value of the RN Shares to be exchanged for Company Shares actually will be when the Exchange Offer or the Merger is consummated. As a result of the limitation on the number of RN Shares to be received as described in the first paragraph of this letter, such actual value could be higher or lower than $14.25 per share at such times. Because of the large aggregate amount of RN shares being issued to stockholders of the Company and other factors, such securities may trade initially at prices below those at which they would trade on a fully distributed basis. We have acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Transaction and will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is contingent upon KKR's acquisition of a majority of the outstanding Company Shares. In the past, we have provided investment banking services for the Company, RN and KKR for which we have received customary compensation. In the ordinary course of our business, we actively trade the debt and equity securities of both the Company and RN for our own account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. It is understood that this opinion is only for the information of the Board of Directors of the Company. However, this opinion may be included in its entirety in any proxy statement or exchange offer recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 from the Company to holders of Company Shares. This opinion may not, however, be summarized, excerpted from or otherwise publicly referred to without our prior written consent. In addition, we may not be otherwise publicly referred to without our prior consent. B-2 60 Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the consideration to be received by the stockholders of the Company, other than KKR and its affiliates, in each of the Exchange Offer and the Merger is fair to such stockholders from a financial point of view. Very truly yours, CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION by /s/ CS First Boston Corporation -------------------------------------- B-3 61 ANNEX C BORDEN, INC. 180 EAST BROAD STREET COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215 INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(F) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND RULE 14F-1 THEREUNDER This Information Statement is being mailed on or about November 22, 1994 as part of the Company's Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the "Schedule 14D-9") to the holders of record of the Shares at the close of business on November 22, 1994. You are receiving this Information Statement in connection with the possible election of persons designated by the Partnership to a majority of the seats on the Board. The Merger Agreement requires the Company, at the request of the Purchaser, to take all action necessary to cause the Partnership's designees (the "Partnership Designees") to be elected or appointed to the Board under the circumstances described therein. This Information Statement is required by Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 thereunder. See "Board of Directors -- Right to Designate Directors; the Partnership Designees." You are urged to read this Information Statement carefully. YOU ARE NOT, HOWEVER, REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY ACTION PURSUANT TO THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Schedule 14D-9. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser commenced the Exchange Offer on November 22, 1994. The Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight on December 20, 1994, New York City time, at which time (or any extension thereof), upon the expiration of the Exchange Offer, if all conditions of the Exchange Offer have been satisfied or waived, the Purchaser has informed the Company that it intends to purchase all Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and not properly withdrawn. The information contained in this Information Statement concerning the Purchaser and the Partnership has been furnished to the Company by the Purchaser and the Partnership, and the Company assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. GENERAL As of November 15, 1994, there were 141,814,967 shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $.625 per share (the "Common Stock"), and 6,822 shares of Preferred Stock -- Series B, without par value (the "Series B Preferred Stock"), which constituted all of its outstanding voting securities as of such date. Each share of Common Stock and each share of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote, and the shares of Common Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock vote together as one class. On October 25, 1994 the Board authorized the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock. Under the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock until the date specified as the date of redemption. The Board currently consists of eight members with no vacancies. Each director holds office until such director's successor is elected and qualified or until such director's earlier resignation or removal. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Right to Designate Directors; the Partnership Designees The Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement provide that, if requested by the Partnership, the Company will, following the acceptance for exchange of the shares of Common Stock to be exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer and/or the purchase of the Option Shares in accordance with the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, take all actions necessary to cause the Applicable Percentage (as hereinafter defined) of directors (and of members of each committee of C-1 62 the Board) (rounded, in each case, to the next highest director or member) of the Company selected by the Partnership to consist of persons designated or elected by the Partnership (whether, at the election of the Company, by means of increasing the size of the Board or seeking the resignation of directors and causing the Partnership Designees to be elected). The term "Applicable Percentage" means the ratio of (i) the total voting power of all shares of Common Stock accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer and/or purchased in accordance with the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement to (ii) the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, rounded to the nearest whole number and expressed as a percentage; provided that, if the Purchaser has acquired at least 28,138,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement and/or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, the Applicable Percentage will not be less than 33 1/3. Pursuant to this provision, if shares of Common Stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company are accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer and/or purchased in accordance with the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, the Partnership will have the right to designate a majority of the directors. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, if the Purchaser (or the Partnership or a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Partnership) acquires more than 41% (but not more than 50%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in the Exchange Offer, the Option must be exercised to the extent necessary so that, following such exercise, the Purchaser will own more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Following the election or appointment of the Partnership Designees and prior to the time the Merger becomes effective, any amendment by the Company or termination by the Company of the Merger Agreement or the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement, extension by the Company for the performance or waiver of the obligations, conditions or other acts of Purchaser or the Partnership or waiver by the Company of its rights thereunder, will require the concurrence of a majority of directors of the Company then in office who are not affiliated with the Purchaser or the Partnership or selected by the Partnership for appointment or election to the Board in accordance with the Merger Agreement. The Partnership has advised the Company that it currently intends to designate one or more of the persons listed in Schedule I to the Offering Circular/Prospectus as an executive officer of the Purchaser or a general partner of KKR Associates, the general partner of the Partnership, which is incorporated herein by reference, to serve as directors of the Company. The Partnership has advised the Company that all of such persons have consented to act as directors of the Company, if so designated. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY The information set forth below is as of November 1, 1994. The Board is comprised of eight directors: Frederick E. Hennig, Wilbert J. LeMelle, Robert P. Luciano, H. Barclay Morley, John E. Sexton, Ervin R. Shames, Patricia Carry Stewart and Frank J. Tasco. Each such director was elected at the May 1994 annual meeting of shareholders for a term ending at the next annual meeting of shareholders and until a successor is duly elected and qualified. Frederick E. Hennig, age 62, has served as a director since 1990. Mr. Hennig has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Woolworth Corporation, formerly F.W. Woolworth Co. (retail merchandising), since 1987. He is a director of Woolworth Corporation and is a member of the Canadian-American Committee of the National Planning Association. He is a member of the Committee on Officers' Compensation (the "Compensation Committee") and of the Audit and Nominating Committees of the Board. Wilbert J. LeMelle, age 62, has served as a director since 1987. Dr. LeMelle has been President of the Phelps-Stokes Fund (educational foundation) since June 1990. He was President of Mercy College from 1985 to 1990. He is a former Ambassador to Kenya and to The Seychelles. He is a director of the Council of American Ambassadors, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Chase Manhattan Metro North Advisory Board, and the Public Broadcast Service (PBS). He is also a Trustee of the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Executive and Nominating Committees and of the Compensation Committee of the Board. C-2 63 Robert P. Luciano, age 61, has served as a director since 1989. Mr. Luciano has been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Schering-Plough Corporation (pharmaceuticals and consumer products) since January 1984. He joined Schering-Plough Corporation in July 1978 and has been Executive Vice President (pharmaceutical operations), President and Chief Operating Officer, and President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a director of Schering-Plough Corporation, C. R. Bard, Inc., Allied Signal Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. He is Chairman of the Nominating Committee and a member of the Audit and Executive Committees and of the Compensation Committee of the Board. H. Barclay Morley, age 65, has served as a director since 1992. Mr. Morley was formerly Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stauffer Chemical Company. He was its Chief Executive Officer from 1974 to 1985. He joined Stauffer Chemical Company in 1962 and has been an Executive Vice President, President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of that Company. He is a Director of Schering-Plough Corporation, Champion International Corporation, American Maize-Products Company and The Bank of New York Company, Inc. He is Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Executive, Nominating and Pension Committees of the Board. John E. Sexton, age 52, was elected a director in 1994. Mr. Sexton has been Dean of the New York University School of Law since 1988. He began teaching at New York University School of Law in 1981, becoming a Professor of Law in 1984, specializing in the area of Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law and Religion and Law. He is currently serving as a Special Master in connection with the Love Canal litigation and the Drexel Burnham litigation, and is on the American Arbitration Association's Panel of Neutral Arbitrators for Complex Cases. He is director of the Fund for Modern Courts and a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York University Law Center Foundation. He is a member of the Audit, Pension and Nominating Committees of the Board. Ervin R. Shames, age 54, has served as a director, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since June 28, 1993, and Chief Executive Officer since December 9, 1993. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Stride Rite Corporation from June 1990 to June 1993 and Chairman of the Board from June 1992 to June 1993. From November 1989 until June 1990, he was Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Kendall Company. Prior to that, he held the office of President of Kraft USA from February 1989 to August 1989 and was President and Chief Executive Officer of General Foods USA from 1986 to January 1989. He is also a director of First Brands Corporation. He is a member of the Executive and Pension Committees of the Board. Patricia Carry Stewart, age 66, has served as a director since 1976. Ms. Stewart is the Retired Vice President of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, a charitable foundation, and serves as director of Bankers Trust Company, Continental Corporation and Melville Corporation. She is also Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, a member of the Cornell University Medical College Board of Overseers and a Director Emeritus of the Investor Responsibility Research Center. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a director of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. She is Chair of the Pension Committee and a member of the Executive, Audit and Nominating Committees of the Board. Frank J. Tasco, age 67, has served as Chairman since December 1993 and as a director since 1988. He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (insurance/reinsurance broking, consulting, investment management) from 1986 until May 1992. He served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Marsh & McLennan Board of Directors from May 1992 to May 1994. He is also a director of The Travelers, Inc. (formerly Primerica Corporation) and the New York Telephone Company, Chairman of the Phoenix House Foundation and a Trustee of New York University. He is Chairman of the Executive Committee and a member of the Pension Committee of the Board. C-3 64 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The information set forth below is as of November 1, 1994. In addition to the executive officer of the Company listed above who is also a director, other executive officers of the Company, their ages and business experience during the past five years are as follows: Paul J. Josenhans, age 58, was elected Secretary of the Company effective April 26, 1991. He has served as Associate General Counsel since 1982. Randy D. Kautto, age 49, was elected Vice President -- Human Resources of the Company effective February 1, 1994. He was Vice President -- Employee Relations at Philip Morris Companies Inc. from 1992 to 1994. He was Vice President of Human Resources at General Foods USA from 1989 to 1992. David A. Kelly, age 56, was elected Vice President and Treasurer of the Company in 1980. Allan L. Miller, age 62, assumed the position of General Counsel of the Company in 1994 in addition to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Company to which he was elected in 1985. George P. Morris, age 50, assumed the positions of President of North American Pasta Products and Group Vice President of the Company effective October 10, 1994. Prior to that, he had served as Vice President of Finance for the North American and International Foods Division of the Company since September 9, 1993, as Vice President and Chief Strategic Officer of the Company since February 7, 1994, and as interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company from March 1994 to June 15, 1994. From 1991 to 1993, he served as Vice President and Group Executive and from 1989 to 1991 as Vice President, Finance, of Maxwell House, a company within the Kraft General Foods unit of Philip Morris Companies Inc. P. Michael Morton, age 48, was elected Vice President and General Controller of the Company effective June 9, 1994. He served as Controller of the Specialty Products Group of International Paper Company from 1990 to 1994 and as Controller of the Printing Papers Sector from June 1993 to 1994. From 1987 to 1989, he served as Vice President, Finance for the Worldwide Coffee and International Unit of General Foods Corporation. Joseph M. Saggese, age 63, has been Executive Vice President of the Company and President of the Packaging and Industrial Products Division Domestic and International since July 1, 1990. From January 1, 1985 to July 1, 1990, he served as a Senior Group Vice President of the Packaging and Industrial Products Division Domestic and International of the Company. James C. Van Meter, age 56, was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective June 16, 1994. From 1983 to 1994, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he also served as a Director beginning in 1990 and as Vice Chairman beginning in 1993. The Board of Directors designates executive officers each year and from time to time as necessary. Personnel and Functions of Board Committees The Company's by-laws (the "By-Laws") provide for five committees of the Board, namely, the Executive, Audit, Nominating and Pension Committees and the Compensation Committee. The Executive Committee consists of Mr. Tasco, Chairman, Mr. Shames and four non-employee directors, Messrs. LeMelle, Luciano, Morley and Ms. Stewart. The By-Laws provide that the Executive Committee may undertake those general or special duties assigned to it by the Board subject to the laws of the State of New Jersey which prohibit its amending by-laws, electing or appointing directors, removing officers or directors, submitting matters for shareholder approval, or amending or repealing resolutions previously adopted by the Board which by their terms are amendable or repealable only by the Board. The Executive Committee may exercise the powers of the Board in its absence when time is of the essence. The Executive Committee did not meet in 1993. C-4 65 The Audit Committee consists of five non-employee directors, Messrs. Hennig, LeMelle, Luciano, Sexton and Ms. Stewart. The Audit Committee met three times in 1993. The Audit Committee reviews management's selection of an accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of the Company's financial statements, reviews audit reports and recommendations, reviews the scope and adequacy of the internal auditing program and, from time to time, reports its findings to the Board. The Nominating Committee consists of six non-employee directors, Messrs. Hennig, LeMelle, Luciano, Morley, Sexton and Ms. Stewart. Created in November 1993, the Committee met in February 1994 to review and propose nominees for election as directors. The Nominating Committee reviews and determines the qualifications of potential directors, makes recommendations with respect to the composition of the Board, recommends candidates to fill vacancies on the Board and proposes a slate of nominees for election as directors at each annual meeting of shareholders. The Nominating Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders. If a shareholder wishes to nominate a candidate to stand for election as a director at the 1995 annual meeting, such nomination should be submitted to the Secretary of the Company, along with a description of the candidate's qualifications and relevant biographical data. The By-Laws provide that such a nomination must be in writing and received by the Secretary between February 20 and March 21, 1995. The Compensation Committee consists of four non-employee directors, Messrs. Hennig, LeMelle, Luciano, and Morley. The Compensation Committee met seven times in 1993. The Compensation Committee considers salaries for officers of the Company, administers the Management Incentive Plan and the Stock Option Plan, and reviews incentive compensation plans and related subjects. The Pension Committee consists of Mr. Tasco, Mr. Shames and three non-employee directors, Messrs. Morley and Sexton and Ms. Stewart. The Pension Committee met three times in 1993. The Pension Committee administers the Employees Retirement Income Plan (the "ERIP"), the retirement savings plans and the Employees Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP"), and oversees the investment of various related funds. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS Each director who is not currently an employee of the Company is paid a retainer of $28,000 per annum. Every non-employee director is paid a meeting fee of $1,000 for attendance at each meeting of the Board. Directors may defer their compensation, in the form of deferred share equivalents, or cash with interest, until retirement from the Board. The Company assumes the payment of premiums for group life insurance in the amount of $100,000 for each non-employee director, the cost of which in 1993 was $4,048, in the aggregate. Commencing December 9, 1993, the Company retained Mr. Tasco as Chairman of the Board, with fixed compensation, in addition to the foregoing compensation as a director, at the rate of $100,000 per quarter. The Company had an agreement with Mr. R. J. Ventres, a former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, retaining him as a consultant and as Chairman of the Executive Committee from March 1992 until April 1995, with fixed compensation at the rate of $250,000 per annum and limited benefits. Upon his resignation as a director, as of December 31, 1993, such agreement was amended to terminate such compensation at the end of April 1994. The Board met 13 times in 1993. Any officer of the Company who is also a director does not receive any compensation for service on the Board. The Board functions in part through its committees. The non-employee members of each of these committees are paid a meeting fee of $1,000 for each committee meeting attended. In addition, a committee chairman who is also a non-employee is paid an annual retainer of $1,000. The committees of the Board held a total of thirteen meetings during 1993. Current directors who are not employees of the Company are also provided, upon retirement and attaining age 70, with annual benefits through a funded grantor trust equal to their final annual retainer if they served in at least three plan years. Such benefits continue for up to 15 years. Retired directors are also invited to attend up to two Board meetings a year. If they attend, they are paid the usual directors' meeting fees. These benefits do not apply to Mr. Ventres or Mr. D'Amato. C-5 66 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Unless otherwise indicated, the information presented below, in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Commission, is provided as of December 31, 1993. The following table provides certain summary information concerning compensation of all individuals serving during the last completed fiscal year as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, the four other most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 1993 and one additional former executive officer of the Company (the "Named Executive Officers") for the periods indicated. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION --------------------------------- PAYOUTS AWARDS ------- ANNUAL COMPENSATION -------------------- LONG-TERM ---------------------------------- SECURITIES INCENTIVE OTHER RESTRICTED UNDERLYING PLAN ALL OTHER ANNUAL STOCK OPTIONS/ (LTIP) (9) SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARD(S) LSARS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) - ----------------------------- ---- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------- --------- E.R. Shames.................. 1993 306,818 200,000(2) 9,065 555,000(3) 200,000 NONE 86,486(4) President & Chief Executive Officer (1) J.M. Saggese................. 1993 364,000 NONE 2,991 NONE 14,000 NONE(5) 35,761 Executive Vice President & 1992 325,000 40,000 2,274 NONE 14,000 NONE(6) 40,281 President 1991 325,000 130,663 3,889 NONE 14,000 54,167(7) 34,363 Packaging & Industrial Products Division G.J. Waydo................... 1993 352,000 NONE 5,489 NONE 14,000 NONE(5) 44,566 Vice President 1992 335,000 NONE 5,297 NONE 14,000 NONE(6) 63,774 1991 335,000 184,295 3,365 NONE 14,000 61,905(7) 52,607 L.O. Doza.................... 1993 351,000 NONE 442 NONE 10,500 NONE(5) 40,482 Former Senior Vice President 1992 328,000 NONE 2,648 NONE 10,500 NONE(6) 58,718 & 1991 328,000 136,202 3,537 NONE 10,500 46,429(7) 49,462 Chief Financial Officer (7A) A.L. Miller.................. 1993 345,000 NONE 2,869 NONE 10,500 NONE(5) 42,559 Senior Vice President 1992 322,000 NONE 3,337 NONE 10,500 NONE(6) 56,269 & Chief Administrative 1991 322,000 133,114 3,504 NONE 10,500 46,429(7) 51,213 Officer A.S. D'Amato................. 1993 777,173 NONE 11,097 175,006(8) 75,000 NONE(5) 4,422,120(11) Former Chairman & Chief 1992 725,000 NONE 10,222 NONE NONE NONE(6) 93,570 Executive Officer (10) 1991 600,000 277,950 8,260 NONE 300,000 92,857(7) 66,688 J.G. Hettinger............... 1993 370,000(12) NONE 4,049 NONE 15,000 NONE(5) 298,794(13) Former Executive Vice 1992 352,000 NONE 2,517 NONE 15,000 NONE(6) 67,309 President 1991 352,000 187,455 1,499 NONE 15,000 61,905(7) 55,763 & President, Grocery Products Division
- --------------- (1) E.R. Shames became President and Chief Operating Officer June 28, 1993 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer on December 9, 1993. Compensation shown above is for all services rendered in all capacities during fiscal year 1993. (2) Bonus guaranteed per employment contract. (3) Under his employment contract, Mr. Shames was awarded a total of 30,000 shares of restricted stock which vests 25% annually, or 7,500 shares for each completed year of employment, beginning July 1, 1994. Dividends are to be paid on this stock. At December 31, 1993, Mr. Shames had a total of 30,000 shares of restricted stock valued at $510,000. (4) In addition to compensation in footnote 9, includes $60,000 in legal fees associated with his employment contract. (5) No payments were made for the period 1991-1993. (6) No payments were made for the period 1990-1992. (7) Amounts paid for the period 1989-1991. (7A) Mr. Doza retired effective March 1, 1994. (8) In January 1993, Mr. D'Amato was awarded a total of 6,350 shares of restricted stock which vested on December 9, 1993. At December 31, 1993 these shares were valued at $107,950. C-6 67 (9) All other compensation consists of the following:
EXECUTIVE FAMILY MATCHING CAPITAL SURVIVOR PROTECTION CONTRIBUTION ACCUMULATION YEAR PLAN (A) (RSP AND ESP)(B) ACCOUNT(C) TOTAL ---- ------------------- ---------------- ------------ ------ E.R. Shames.................................... 1993 13,219 11,167 2,100 26,486 J.M. Saggese................................... 1993 16,122 15,439 4,200 35,761 1992 13,299 22,782 4,200 40,281 1991 11,106 19,057 4,200 34,363 G.J. Waydo..................................... 1993 21,495 18,871 4,200 44,566 1992 23,223 36,351 4,200 63,774 1991 17,995 30,412 4,200 52,607 L.O. Doza...................................... 1993 17,464 18,818 4,200 40,482 1992 22,024 32,494 4,200 58,718 1991 17,316 27,946 4,200 49,462 A.L. Miller.................................... 1993 19,863 18,496 4,200 42,559 1992 20,211 31,858 4,200 56,269 1991 19,162 27,851 4,200 51,213 A.S. D'Amato................................... 1993 31,374 31,593 4,200 67,167 1992 39,223 50,147 4,200 93,570 1991 26,368 36,120 4,200 66,688 J.G. Hettinger................................. 1993 8,541 19,836 1,750 30,127 1992 25,347 37,762 4,200 67,309 1991 19,661 31,902 4,200 55,763
(a) The Executive Family Survivor Protection Plan provides for a benefit of 2% of annual earnings each year (base pay and short-term incentive bonus) payable at termination, Company-provided death benefit of one times earnings and the cost of providing a pre-retirement annuity to a surviving spouse or dependent children upon death of the executive while an employee. (b) "RSP" and "ESP" refer to the Company's Retirement Savings Plan and executive supplemental benefit plans, respectively. (c) The Capital Accumulation Account provides a benefit of $350 per month payable at termination in lieu of certain previously provided medical benefits. (10) Mr. D'Amato ceased to be Chief Executive Officer effective December 9, 1993. (11) Includes $757,000 paid incident to termination in consideration for waiving certain rights under employment agreement, including the right to options on 100,000 shares of Common Stock; $67,167 as noted in footnote 9, above; and a total of $3,597,953 consisting of post-termination salary payable through October 31, 1997, secretarial services of up to $30,000 per year for two years, and $35,777 in legal fees associated with Mr. D'Amato's termination arrangement. In addition, he is entitled to active employee benefits through October 31, 1997 and certain miscellaneous transition expenses. All of the foregoing future payments are contingent upon his continued compliance with the terms of his employment agreement, and are subject to acceleration upon a change in control of the Company prior to November 1, 1997. (12) Mr. Hettinger resigned his position effective March 1, 1993. Of the $370,000 shown as salary, $308,333 represents post-termination salary paid in 1993. (13) Includes $30,127, as noted in footnote 9, and $268,667 of post-termination salary and outplacement-related expenses payable through August 31, 1994 contingent upon Mr. Hettinger's continued compliance with the terms of his employment agreement. Mr. Hettinger will also continue to receive certain employee benefits described under "-- Employment, Termination and Change-in-Control Arrangements" which are not currently quantifiable. The following table provides information on Stock Option/LSAR grants during fiscal year 1993 to the Named Executive Officers. OPTION/LSAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS -------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZABLE # OF VALUE AT ASSUMED SECURITIES % OF TOTAL ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK UNDERLYING OPTIONS/LSARS EXERCISE PRICE APPRECIATION FOR OPTIONS/LSARS GRANTED TO OR OPTION TERM (2) GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION ----------------------- NAME (#) (1) FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE @ 5% ($) @ 10% ($) - ----------------------- ------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- E.R. Shames............ 200,000 36.8% 17.75 09/27/2003 2,232,000 5,658,000 J.M. Saggese........... 14,000 2.6% 27.56 01/25/2003 242,620 614,880 G.J. Waydo............. 14,000 2.6% 27.56 09/30/1994 242,620 614,880 L.O. Doza.............. 10,500 1.9% 27.56 02/28/1999 98,385 223,230 A.L. Miller............ 10,500 1.9% 27.56 01/25/2003 181,965 461,160 A.S. D'Amato........... 75,000 13.8% 27.56 10/31/2002 1,299,750 3,294,000 J.G. Hettinger......... 15,000 2.8% 27.56 08/31/1994 259,950 658,800
- --------------- (1) Under the Company's stock option plan, Stock Options have been granted at an exercise price of 100% of fair market value. Stock Options are exercisable one year from date of grant and over a period of not more than ten years from the date of grant. Limited stock appreciation rights ("LSARs") (rights exercisable only in the event of a change of control) attach to the Stock Options granted to C-7 68 executive officers. Executive officers were also granted cash-only units, in corresponding numbers and exercise price, exercisable within six months from date of grant after a change in control with provisions to prevent duplication of benefits. (2) These amounts represent assumed rates of appreciation only. Actual gains, if any, on Stock Option exercises and Common Stock holdings will be dependent on overall market conditions and on the future performance of the Company and its Common Stock. There can be no assurance that the amounts reflected in this table will be achieved. In May 1994, the shareholders of the Company approved the Company's 1994 stock option plan (the "1994 Option Plan") and the Company's 1994 Management Incentive Plan (the "MIP") which are included as exhibits to the Schedule 14D-9 and are incorporated by reference herein. Under the 1994 Option Plan, 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued pursuant to Stock Options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), including LSARs. Stock Options and SARs that are granted under the 1994 Option Plan generally may not be exercised until the grantee completes at least 12 months of continuous employment with the Company after the date of grant. However, if the grantee dies, becomes disabled, or retires, or if a change in control occurs before Stock Options or SARs become exercisable, the Compensation Committee, which is charged with administering the 1994 Option Plan, may cause such Stock Options and SARs to become immediately exercisable. Generally, unexercised Stock Options and SARs terminate after the grantee's employment ceases (except in the case of death or disability). However, the 1994 Option Plan provides that, at or any time after the grant of a Stock Option or SAR, the Committee may provide that if the grantee is terminated without cause within two years after a change in control, he may exercise his Stock Options and SARs during a period of 90 days following his termination. In case of, or in anticipation of, a change in control of the Company, as defined in the MIP, the Compensation Committee may make pro-rata interim annual and long-term awards for the year of the change, based on the lower of that year's estimated income or the prior year's actual income. If such change in control should take place soon after the end of a year, the Compensation Committee may make annual and long-term awards for the prior year based upon unaudited figures. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS UNDER THE MIP PURSUANT TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT, SEE THE DISCLOSURE UNDER ITEM 3(B)(2) OF THE SCHEDULE 14D-9, WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. The following table provides information on Stock Option/LSAR exercises during fiscal year 1993 by the Named Executive Officers and the value of their unexercised Stock Options/LSARs at December 31, 1993. AGGREGATED OPTION/LSAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/LSAR VALUES
# OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED SHARES UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONEY ACQUIRED UNEXERCISED OPTIONS/LSARS OPTIONS/LSARS AT FISCAL ON VALUE AT FISCAL YEAR END (1) YEAR END ($) (2) EXERCISE REALIZED ------------------------- ------------------------- NAME (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE - ------------------------------ ---------- ------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- E.R. Shames................... 0 N/A 0 200,000 0 0 J.M. Saggese.................. 0 N/A 112,800 14,000 131,990 0 G.J. Waydo.................... 0 N/A 138,500 14,000 0 0 L.O. Doza..................... 0 N/A 115,200 10,500 0 0 A.L. Miller................... 0 N/A 139,200 10,500 61,094 0 A.S. D'Amato.................. 0 N/A 513,000 0 0 0 J.G. Hettinger................ 0 N/A 136,200 15,000 0 0
- --------------- (1) Represents the number of Stock Options held at year-end which can and cannot be exercised. (2) Represents the total gain which would be realized if all Stock Options for which the year-end stock price was greater than the exercise price were exercised. Based on market value of $17 per share on December 31, 1993. C-8 69 The following table provides information awards made in fiscal year 1993 to the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"). LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS--AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
NUMBER OF SHARES, PERFORMANCE ESTIMATED FUTURE UNITS, OR OTHER PAYOUTS UNDER OR PERIOD NON-STOCK PRICE- OTHER UNTIL BASED PLANS (2) RIGHTS MATURATION -------------------- NAME (#)(1) OR PAYMENT THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM - ------------------------------ ----- --------- -------- -------- -------- E.R. Shames................... 3,000 1993-1995 $120,000 $300,000 $405,000 J.M. Saggese.................. 1,500 1993-1995 60,000 150,000 202,500 G.J. Waydo(3)................. 1,500 1993-1995 0 0 0 L.O. Doza(3).................. 1,150 1993-1995 0 0 0 A.L. Miller................... 1,150 1993-1995 46,000 115,000 155,250 A.S. D'Amato(3)............... 6,000 1993-1995 0 0 0 J.G. Hettinger(3)............. 1,500 1993-1995 0 0 0
- --------------- (1) 1 Unit = $100. (2) 1993-1995 long-term award payouts are based on earnings-per-share ("EPS") improvement over the base year (1992). The target amount will be earned if 100% of target EPS improvement is achieved; the threshold amount if 73% is achieved; and the maximum amount, if 120% is achieved. One quarter of the award is allocated for each year (1993, 1994, and 1995), in which EPS improvement is achieved over base year (1992), and one quarter of the award is allocated for three year average improvement over base year (1992). (3) While awards were made to Messrs. D'Amato, Doza, Hettinger, and Waydo in fiscal 1993, they are no longer eligible for any compensation under the LTIP. RETIREMENT BENEFITS The Borden Employees Retirement Income Plan ("ERIP") for salaried employees was amended as of January 1, 1987 to provide benefit credits of 3% of earnings which are less than the Social Security wage base for the year plus 6% of earnings in excess of the wage base and an additional 1.5% and 3%, respectively, for certain older employees. Earnings include annual incentive awards paid currently but exclude any long-term incentive awards. Benefits for service through December 31, 1986 are based on the ERIP formula then in effect, and have been converted to opening balances under the ERIP. Both opening balances and benefit credits receive interest credits at one-year Treasury Bill rates until the participant commences receiving benefit payments. For the year 1993, the interest rate was 3.68%. At the time the ERIP was amended as of January 1, 1983, a provision for the grandfathering of benefits for then key employees including executive officers as of January 1, 1983 was added to the Company's retirement program that, generally speaking, provided for the payment of any shortfall if the sum of (a) the pension actually payable on retirement under the ERIP (and any excess or supplemental plans), together with (b) the amount (converted to a pension equivalent) attributable to Company contributions that would be standing to the employee's credit at retirement under the Company's Retirement Savings Plan (the "RSP") if the employee had contributed to the maximum permitted rate (subject to Company matching) after December 31, 1983 until retirement, does not equal or exceed the sum of (c) the retirement income calculated on the basis of the pre-amendment ERIP pension formula (with certain adjustments), and (d) the amount (converted to a pension equivalent) attributable to Company contributions that would be standing to the employee's credit at retirement had the RSP as in effect on January 1, 1983 remained unchanged and had the Company's contributions after December 31, 1983 been equal to 3.3% of compensation. The projected pension figures for Messrs. D'Amato, Doza, Hettinger, Miller and Saggese appearing at the end of this section include the effect of the foregoing grandfathering. The ERIP contains transitional provisions for employees who met certain age and service requirements at January 1, 1987. The transitional minimum benefit is a final average pay benefit for service prior to 1988 plus a career average pay benefit based on each year's earnings for years 1988 through 1996 (1% of each year's earnings up to the Social Security wage base plus 1 1/2% of excess). Benefits vest on a graded five-year schedule for employees hired prior to July 1, 1990. Benefits vest after completion of five years of employment for employees hired on or after July 1, 1990. C-9 70 The Company has a supplemental plan which will provide those benefits which are otherwise produced by application of the ERIP formula, but which, under Section 415 or Section 401(a)(17) of the Code, are not permitted to be paid through a qualified plan and its related trust. Such an arrangement is specifically provided for under the law. Since no payments will be made from the ERIP on account of deferred incentive compensation awards or certain other deferred compensation, the Company will pay a supplemental pension to employees who defer such annual amounts in the same amounts realizable as if the deferred amounts had been paid currently. The total projected annual benefits payable under the formulas of the ERIP at age 65 (67 for Mr. D'Amato), without regard to the Section 415 or 401(a)(17) of the Code limit and recognizing supplemental pensions as described above, are as follows for the Named Executive Officers of the Company: Mr. D'Amato -- $551,118, Mr. Doza -- $96,440 (assuming accrual of benefits through February 28, 1994), Mr. Hettinger -- $84,254, Mr. Miller -- $167,285, Mr. Saggese -- $209,043, Mr. Shames -- $108,833 (not including a supplemental pension benefit payable under his employment agreement beginning at age 65 of $100,000 annually continuing for the number of years of completed service), and Mr. Waydo -- $74,451. EMPLOYMENT, TERMINATION AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS The Company has had an employment agreement with Mr. D'Amato since December 1990 when he became President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The agreement was amended several times, including at the time of his promotion to Chief Executive Officer, upon the hiring of Mr. Shames as President and Chief Operating Officer, and upon the termination of Mr. D'Amato's employment with the Company, effective December 9, 1993. As amended, the agreement provides for certain payments and benefits upon termination by the Company other than for cause through October 31, 1997. Upon Mr. D'Amato's termination in December 1993, payments to him of $900,000 annually commenced pursuant to the existing agreement. The payments accelerate upon a change in control of the Company prior to November 1, 1997 and are subject to his compliance with an agreement not to engage in competition with the Company or solicit customers or employees of the Company and to assist and cooperate with the Company, upon request, with matters within his special knowledge or competence. In December, Mr. D'Amato received a payment of $757,000 in consideration for waiving certain rights, including a right to the grant of Stock Options on 100,000 shares. The agreement also provides for the immediate vesting of 6,350 shares of restricted stock that were to vest on January 25, 1996, Stock Options on 75,000 shares of Common Stock exerciseable at $27.56 that were to vest on January 1, 1994, and Stock Options on 180,000 shares of Common Stock exerciseable at $32.06 that were to vest at the rate of 60,000 shares per year on each of September 1, 1994, 1995 and 1996. In addition, all existing Stock Options may be exercised up to five years after the term of the agreement, but in no event after their scheduled expiration dates. The Company has also had an employment agreement with Mr. Shames since June 1993, when he was hired as President and Chief Operating Officer. The original terms were based in part upon the need to compensate him for his forfeiture of substantial monetary and other benefits he would have been entitled to had he remained as Chief Executive Officer of his previous employer. Changes in the agreement were approved as a result of his promotion to Chief Executive Officer in December 1993. The agreement now provides for a base salary of $800,000; a guaranteed annual incentive for 1993 of $200,000; 30,000 shares of restricted stock, one quarter of which vest each year over the four years, beginning July 1, 1994, and all of which vest upon a change in control to the extent not previously vested; a Stock Option grant on 200,000 shares of Common Stock at market ($17.75 per share) in 1993 and a Stock Option grant on 150,000 shares of Common Stock at market ($14.50 per share) consisting of a 100,000 share Stock Option originally promised for 1994 and accelerating a 50,000 share Stock Option originally promised for 1995. In addition, the agreement provides for grants at market on July 1, 1994 and January 2, 1995, of performance vesting Stock Options on 250,000 shares of Common Stock each grant, which can be exercised only after one year from the date of grant and only after an average stock price of $21.50 per share and $25.00 per share respectively is maintained for 20 consecutive trading days. The agreement further provides that, if Mr. Shames purchases shares of Common Stock at any one time prior to February 22, 1995, he shall receive Stock Options to purchase two times the number of shares of Common Stock purchased at the purchase price, up to a C-10 71 maximum of 100,000 shares. Finally, the agreement provides a supplemental pension benefit beginning at age 65 of $100,000 annually, continuing for the number of years of completed service, and for payment, upon termination by the Company other than for cause, of a minimum annual compensation of $950,000 for three years following such termination. The Company has a salary continuance arrangement (the "CORE Arrangement") with a number of key employees and executive officers including Messrs. Shames, Saggese, and Miller ("CORE members"), which provides for the payment of one year of base salary if employment is terminated without cause. As of December 31, 1993, there were 24 CORE members. In the event that any individual or group acquires 15% of the shares and holds it for 30 days, the CORE Arrangements are extended to a period of between two and three years, generally based on age and length of service. In the event a CORE member is terminated without cause following any such extension, the CORE Arrangement provides for the continuance of salary, bonus and other compensation and benefits. Payments thereunder could be reduced or eliminated by compensation earned from other specified employment. Arrangements have also been made for payment by the Company, upon certain conditions, of the legal expenses of these employees if they are required to enforce the provisions of their CORE Arrangement. If any excise tax (under Sec. 4999 of the Code) is imposed in respect of payments under the CORE Arrangement or Mr. D'Amato's employment agreement, the Company will pay to such officers an amount that will net the officers the same sum as they would have retained if the excise tax did not apply. An offset provision in Mr. Shames' employment agreement prevents any duplication of payments under his employment agreement with payments under his CORE Arrangement. Mr. Hettinger, a CORE member and executive officer of the Company since 1985, resigned effective March 1, 1993. Pursuant to a termination agreement with the Company which superseded his CORE Arrangement, he received payments equal to his base salary through August 31, 1994. The agreement extends certain perquisites, provides for reimbursement of certain outplacement-related expenses, and extends certain medical, life insurance, pension and other employee benefits, all subject to Mr. Hettinger's compliance with an agreement not to compete. Mr. Waydo, also a CORE member and executive officer since 1985, has a termination arrangement with the Company which superseded his CORE Arrangement and provided him with employment by the Company through September 30, 1994. The agreement provides for the continuation of his base salary through September, 1995, the extension of certain perquisites, reimbursement of certain outplacement-related expenses and the option to extend health insurance or convert to a private insurance plan, all subject to his compliance with an agreement not to compete. Mr. Doza, a CORE member and executive officer since 1977, retired effective March 1, 1994. Pursuant to a termination agreement with the Company which supersedes his CORE Arrangement, he will receive payments equal to his base salary through August 31, 1995. The agreement extends certain perquisites, provides for reimbursement of certain outplacement-related expenses, and extends certain medical, life insurance, pension and other employee benefits, all subject to Mr. Doza's compliance with certain obligations under the agreement. FOR THE TREATMENT OF CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT PLANS, INCLUDING STOCK OPTIONS, UNDER THE MERGER AGREEMENT SEE THE DISCLOSURE UNDER ITEM 3(B)(2) OF THE SCHEDULE 14D-9, WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. C-11 72 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS The following table sets forth information, as of November 15, 1994, with respect to the ownership of shares of Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock (the only classes of outstanding voting securities of the Company) by each person who is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company is not aware of any beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Statements regarding beneficial ownership are based upon information furnished by the transfer agent and contained in Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the Commission. Unless otherwise indicated below, each shareholder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares beneficially owned.
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT NAME AND ADDRESS OF OF COMMON OF BENEFICIAL OWNER STOCK CLASS - --------------------------------------------------------- ------------- --------- FMR Corp................................................. 14,599,083(1) 10.29%(2) 82 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02109 Whitehall Associates, L.P. and affiliates................ 28,138,000(3) 16.56%(2) 9 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019
- --------------- (1) In a Schedule 13G filing with the Commission, FMR Corp. ("FMR") has reported that these shares are beneficially owned by two wholly owned subsidiaries of FMR, Fidelity Management & Research Company, which beneficially owns shares of Common Stock as a result of acting as investment advisor to several investment companies, and Fidelity Management Trust Company, through which FMR has sole voting power with respect to 95,911 shares of Common Stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 14,599,083 shares of Common Stock. (2) Under the terms of Rule 13d-3 ("Rule 13d-3") promulgated under the Exchange Act, Stock Options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after November 15, 1994, which are owned by each individual are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of Shares of Common Stock owned by that individual. Therefore, each percentage is computed based on the sum of (i) the shares actually outstanding as of November 15, 1994 and (ii) the number of Stock Options exercisable within 60 days of November 15, 1994, owned by that individual or entity whose percentage of share ownership is being computed, but not taking account of the exercise of Stock Options by any other person or entity. (3) In Schedule 13D filings with the Commission, the Partnership and its affiliates, Borden Acquisition Corp., and KKR Associates, have indicated that this beneficial ownership consists solely of the Option, which is exercisable immediately. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS OF THE OPTION, SEE ITEM 3(B)(2) OF THE SCHEDULE 14D-9. C-12 73 OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT OF EQUITY SECURITIES Shown below, as reported to the Company, is information as of November 15, 1994, unless otherwise indicated, as to beneficial ownership of equity securities of the Company, for each director, for each Named Executive Officer and for all directors and executive officers as a group.
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK(1) BENEFICIALLY PERCENT NAME OWNED(2) OWNED(5) - --------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----- DIRECTORS Frederick E. Hennig................................. 4,513(3) * Wilbert J. Lemelle.................................. 998(3) * Robert P. Luciano................................... 1,000 * H. Barclay Morley................................... 1,000 * John E. Sexton...................................... 100 * Ervin R. Shames..................................... 230,100 * Patricia Carry Stewart.............................. 1,200 * Frank J. Tasco...................................... 34,707(3) * NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Anthony S. D'Amato.................................. 583,624(4) * Lawrence O. Doza.................................... 181,875(4) * Jon G. Hettinger.................................... 4,387(4) * Allan L. Miller..................................... 216,646 * Joseph M. Saggese................................... 145,996 * George J. Waydo..................................... 29,193(4) * ALL DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A GROUP (20)..... 1,601,948 1.12%
- --------------- * Less than 1%. (1) None of the directors or executive officers held any Series B Preferred Stock as of November 15, 1994. (2) Includes deferred shares of Common Stock earned pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan, shares of Common Stock held in the RSP, Directors' deferred compensation share equivalents, shares under the Executives Supplemental Pension Plan ("ESPP") and also shares allocated under the ESOP. The numbers of shares of Common Stock held in the RSP, under the ESPP and allocated under the ESOP are stated as of December 31, 1993, which is the most current information available to the Company. Shares in the RSP will be voted in the same proportion as the shares allocated to employees are voted by employees in the ESOP. Also includes a total of 30,000 shares originally granted to Mr. Shames as restricted stock under the 1994 Stock Option Plan. Also includes shares of Common Stock that can be acquired within 60 days, pursuant to outstanding employee Stock Options, which total 513,000 shares for Mr. D'Amato, 125,700 shares for Mr. Doza, 140,100 shares for Mr. Miller, 117,200 shares for Mr. Saggese, 200,000 shares for Mr. Shames and 1,204,100 shares for all directors and executive officers as a group. (3) Member of Dividend Reinvestment Plan. (4) Messrs. D'Amato, Doza, Hettinger, and Waydo are no longer employed by the Company. Information as to their beneficial ownership is as of November 1, 1994. (5) The percentage owned has been indicated where the percentage exceeds 1.0%. Pursuant to Rule 13d-3, Stock Options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after November 15, 1994 which are owned by each individual are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of shares of Common Stock owned by that individual. Therefore, each percentage is computed based on the sum of (i) the shares actually outstanding as of November 15, 1994 and (ii) the number of Stock Options exercisable within 60 days of November 15, 1994 owned by that individual or entity whose percentage of share ownership is being computed, but not taking account of the exercise of Stock Options by any other person or entity. C-13 74 COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT IN FISCAL 1993 Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file with the Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of shares of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with. C-14 75 EXHIBIT INDEX
SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED DESCRIPTION PAGE -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Exhibit 99.1 -- Letter of Intent, dated September 11, 1994, between the Company and the Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated September 11, 1994). ......................................... Exhibit 99.2 -- Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 23, 1994, among the Partnership, the Purchaser and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated September 23, 1994 (the "September 23, 1994 8-K")). ............................................. Exhibit 99.3 -- Form of Amendment, dated as of November 15, 1994, among the Purchaser, the Partnership and the Company, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 23, 1994, among the Partnership, the Purchaser and the Company. .................. Exhibit 99.4 -- Conditional Purchase/Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1994, among the Partnership, the Purchaser and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the September 23, 1994). ......................................... Exhibit 99.5 -- Confidentiality Agreement, dated August 2, 1994, between KKR and the Company. ............................................. Exhibit 99.6 -- Letter to Shareholders of the Company, dated November 22, 1994.(1)...................................................... Exhibit 99.7 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated May 24, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated October 5, 1994, regarding the background and reasons for entering into the Merger Agreement and the Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement (the "October 5, 1994 8-K")). ................................................. Exhibit 99.8 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated June 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................................ Exhibit 99.9 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to J. Rosenfeld, dated June 8, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................... Exhibit 99.10 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to Japonica Partners, dated June 13, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................... Exhibit 99.11 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to J. Rosenfeld, dated June 20, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................................ Exhibit 99.12 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to M. David-Weill, dated June 24, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................... Exhibit 99.13 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated July 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 7 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................................ Exhibit 99.14 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated July 14, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................................ Exhibit 99.15 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated July 19, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................................ Exhibit 99.16 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to J. Rosenfeld, dated July 26, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................
76
SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED DESCRIPTION PAGE -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Exhibit 99.17 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated July 26, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................ Exhibit 99.18 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated August 11, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................... Exhibit 99.19 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated August 19, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................... Exhibit 99.20 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to E.R. Shames with attached list of questions to management, dated September 7, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................... Exhibit 99.21 -- Letter from P.B. Kazarian to F.J. Tasco, dated September 13, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 15 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................ Exhibit 99.22 -- Letter from A.L. Miller to P.B. Kazarian, dated September 14, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................ Exhibit 99.23 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated September 15, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 17 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................ Exhibit 99.24 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian with attached confidentiality letter, dated September 16, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ...... Exhibit 99.25 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated September 17, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................ Exhibit 99.26 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated September 19, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 20 October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................................ Exhibit 99.27 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco with "Dynamic Tension" and "Management Principles" attachments, dated September 21, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). .................................... Exhibit 99.28 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to the Board, dated September 22, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................ Exhibit 99.29 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated September 23, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 23 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................ Exhibit 99.30 -- Letter from A.R. Brownstein to M. Nussbaum, dated September 26, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................ Exhibit 99.31 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to F.J. Tasco, dated September 27, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ........................................ Exhibit 99.32 -- Letter from M. Nussbaum to M. Lipton, dated October 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 26 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................... Exhibit 99.33 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to the Board, dated October 5, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 27 to the October 5, 1994 8-K). ................................................ Exhibit 99.34 -- Letter from Japonica Partners to the Board, dated October 18, 1994. ........................................................ Exhibit 99.35 -- Letter from F.J. Tasco to P.B. Kazarian, dated October 27, 1994. ........................................................
77
SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED DESCRIPTION PAGE -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Exhibit 99.36 -- Opinion of Lazard Freres, dated September 22, 1994 (set forth as Annex A to the Schedule 14D-9).(1)......................... Exhibit 99.37 -- Opinion of First Boston, dated September 22, 1994 (set forth as Annex B to the Schedule 14D-9).(1)......................... Exhibit 99.38 -- Complaint filed in Kohnstamm v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 12, 1994). ........................................ Exhibit 99.39 -- Complaint filed in Hartman v. Borden, Inc. (Ohio Ct. Common Pleas Sept. 12, 1994). ....................................... Exhibit 99.40 -- Complaint filed in Jaroslawicz v. Borden, Inc. (Ohio Ct. Common Pleas Sept. 22, 1994). ................................ Exhibit 99.41 -- Complaint filed in Lubin v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 12, 1994). ............................................. Exhibit 99.42 -- Complaint filed in Weiss v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 12, 1994). ............................................. Exhibit 99.43 -- Complaint filed in Stepak v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 16, 1994). ........................................ Exhibit 99.44 -- Complaint filed in Strougo v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 13, 1994). ........................................ Exhibit 99.45 -- Complaint filed in Krim v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 14, 1994). ............................................. Exhibit 99.46 -- Complaint filed in Peterson v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 16, 1994). ........................................ Exhibit 99.47 -- Complaint filed in Marcus v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 22, 1994). ........................................ Exhibit 99.48 -- Complaint filed in Dwyer v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 23, 1994). ............................................. Exhibit 99.49 -- Complaint filed in Shingala v. Harper (Del. Ch. Sept. 13, 1994). ....................................................... Exhibit 99.50 -- Complaint filed in Pittman Neurosurgical v. Borden, Inc. (N.J. Super. Ch. Div. Sept. 29, 1994). ............................. Exhibit 99.51 -- 1994 Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iv) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 (the "1993 10-K")). ......... Exhibit 99.52 -- 1994 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to the 1993 10-K). ..................................... Exhibit 99.53 -- Executive Family Survivor Protection Plan as amended through December 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(vi) to the 1993 10-K). ........................................... Exhibit 99.54 -- Executives Excess Benefits Plan as amended through December 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(vii) to the 1993 10-K). .......................................................
78
SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED DESCRIPTION PAGE -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Exhibit 99.55 -- Executives Supplemental Pension Plan as amended through Decem- ber 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(viii) to the 1993 10-K). .............................................. Exhibit 99.56 -- Advisory Directors Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(viii) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1989 (the "1989 10-K")). ............ Exhibit 99.57 -- Advisory Directors Plan Trust Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ix) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1988 (the "1988 10-K")). ..................................................... Exhibit 99.58 -- Supplemental Benefit Trust Agreement, as amended through December 9, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xi) to the 1993 10-K). ........................................... Exhibit 99.59 -- Form of Indemnification Letter Agreements entered into with all Directors of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xii) to the 1988 10-K). ........................... Exhibit 99.60 -- Form of Letter Agreement entered into with all holders of stock appreciation rights (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiii) to the 1989 10-K). .......................... Exhibit 99.61 -- Agreement with Mr. A.S. D'Amato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1993 (the "June 30, 1993 10-Q")). ................... Exhibit 99.62 -- Amendment to Agreement with Mr. A.S. D'Amato (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1993). ....... Exhibit 99.63 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. A.S. D'Amato (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(a) to the 1993 10-K). ........... Exhibit 99.64 -- Agreement with Mr. E.R. Shames, President and Chief Operating Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) to the June 30, 1993 10-Q). ......................................... Exhibit 99.65 -- Description of Amendment to Agreement with Mr. E.R. Shames (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(e) to the 1993 10-K). ....................................................... Exhibit 99.66 -- Agreement with Mr. R.J. Ventres, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xvii)(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991). ........................... Exhibit 99.67 -- Description of Amendment to Agreement with Mr. R.J. Ventres (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(g) to the 1993 10-K). ....................................................... Exhibit 99.68 -- Form of salary continuance arrangement with Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ix)(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987). .......................................... Exhibit 99.69 -- Agreement with Mr. J.G. Hettinger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(i) to the 1993 10-K). .....................
79
SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED DESCRIPTION PAGE -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Exhibit 99.70 -- Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xiv)(j) to the 1993 10-K). ........................ Exhibit 99.71 -- Description of Amendment to Agreement with Mr. E.R. Shames (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994 (the "June 30, 1994 10-Q")). ............................ Exhibit 99.72 -- Agreement with Mr. L.O. Doza dated June 2, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) to the June 30, 1994 10-Q). ... Exhibit 99.73 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo dated May 4, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii) to the June 30, 1994 10-Q). .................................................. Exhibit 99.74 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo dated June 20, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iv) to the June 30, 1994 10-Q). .............................................. Exhibit 99.75 -- Supplement to Agreement with Mr. G.J. Waydo dated September 30, 1994. .................................................... Exhibit 99.76 -- Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1994, among Holdings, the Partnership, Purchaser and the Company. ..................................................... Exhibit 99.77 -- Joint Press Release of the Company and KKR dated November 22, 1994. ........................................................
EX-99.3 2 AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER 1 EXHIBIT 99.3 2 AMENDMENT --------- AMENDMENT, dated as of November 15, 1994 (the "Amendment"), among BORDEN ACQUISITION CORP., a New Jersey --------- corporation ("Purchaser"), WHITEHALL ASSOCIATES, L.P., a Delaware --------- limited partnership ("Parent"), and BORDEN, INC., a New Jersey ------ corporation (the "Company") to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, ------- dated as of September 23, 1994 (the "Original Agreement"), among ------------------ Purchaser, Parent and the Company. 1. Amendment to Section 1.1. Section 1.1 of the ------------------------ Original Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the third sentence thereof in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "The 'Exchange Ratio' shall mean the quotient (rounded to the nearest 1/100,000) obtained by dividing (i) $14.25 by (ii) the average of the average of the high and low sales prices of Holdings Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape on each of the ten full consecutive trading days ending immediately prior to the ten business day period ending on the date of expiration of the Offer (the "Valuation Period"); provided that the Exchange Ratio shall not be less than 1.78125 or greater than 2.375." 2. Authorization; Effectiveness. (a) This Amendment ---------------------------- has been duly executed and delivered by each party hereto and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. (b) This Amendment shall become effective upon execution and delivery by the parties hereto. Except as expressly amended hereby, the provisions of the Original Agreement are and shall remain in full force and effect. 3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by ------------- and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof. 4. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in ------------ two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. 3 2 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written. WHITEHALL ASSOCIATES, L.P. By: KKR Associates, a limited partnership, its General Partner By: ------------------------------ Title: General Partner BORDEN ACQUISITION CORP. By: ------------------------------ Name: Clifton S. Robbins Title: President BORDEN, INC. By: ------------------------------ Name: Allan I. Miller Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel EX-99.5 3 CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT 1 EXHIBIT 99.5 2 [LAZARD FRERES & CO] August 2, 1994 Mr. Clifton S. Robbins Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. 9 West 57 Street New York, NY 10019 Attention: Mr. Clifton S. Robbins You have requested information concerning Borden, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with a possible transaction with the Company or its shareholders. We have been asked by the company to review with you the nature and extent of your interest in such possible transaction. You will treat confidentially any information furnished to you by or on behalf of the Company (the "Evaluation Material"; provided, however, that the term "Evaluation Material" does not include, and your confidentiality obligations hereunder do not apply to, information which was or becomes generally available on a non-confidential basis). You will not use the Evaluation Material in any way detrimental to the Company or its shareholders; provided, however, that you may disclose any Evaluation Material to your directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, potential financing sources or affiliates who need to know such information for the purpose of evaluating the transaction (it being understood that they shall be informed by you of the confidential nature of such information and that by receiving such information they are agreeing to be bound by this agreement). In the event that you are requested in any proceeding to disclose any Evaluation Material, you will give the Company prompt notice of such request so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order. If in the absence of a protective order you are nonetheless compelled to disclose Evaluation Material, you may disclose such information without liability hereunder; provided, however, that you give the Company written notice of the information to be disclosed as far in advance of its disclosure as is practicable and, upon the Company's request and at the Company's expense, use your best efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to such information. 3 You hereby acknowledge that you are aware of the restrictions imposed by the United States securities laws on any person who has received from an issuer material, non-public information from purchasing or selling securities of such issuer or from communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to purchase or sell such securities in reliance upon such information. For a period of two years from the date hereof you and your affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) will not (and you and they will not assist or, encourage others to), directly or indirectly, unless specifically requested in writing in advance by the Company's Board of directors: (i) acquire or agree, offer, seek or propose to acquire (or request permission to do so), ownership (including, but not limited to, beneficial ownership as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of any of the Company's assets or businesses or any securities issued by the Company, or any rights or options to acquire such ownership (including from a third party), or (ii) seek or propose to influence or control the Company's management or the Company's policies (or request permission to do so), or (iii) enter into any discussions, negotiations, arrangements or understanding with any third party with respect to any of the foregoing (or request permission to do so). If at any time during such period you are approached by any third party (other than unsolicited presentation by financial advisors seeking business and not retained by you) concerning your or their participation in a transaction involving the Company's assets or businesses or securities issued by the Company, you will promptly inform the Company of the nature of such contact and the parties thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the terms of the above subparagraph (i) shall be null and void if a third party not affiliated with the Company (or you) shall acquire, or there shall be publicly announced by any such person commencement of a tender offer seeking to acquire, more than 15% of the voting securities of the Company then outstanding, or the Company and any such person shall enter into an agreement pursuant to which such person would acquire all or substantially all of the outstanding stock or assets of the Company, and (b) the terms of the first sentence of this paragraph shall not be applicable to the purchase and -2- 4 sale of any securities of the Company by independent third-party managers of any of your pension or other related employee benefit plans who have not received any of the Evaluation Material and who are acting as passive investors in the Company and shall not be applicable to ordinary brokerage or trading transactions by your financial advisors acting as a securities dealer or purchases by or for an institutional investor solely for investment purposes aggregating less than 5% of the Company's outstanding voting securities or 10% of any issue of the Company's outstanding nonvoting securities. You shall not make any disclosure concerning the subject matter of the prior paragraphs, including that you are having or have had discussions with the Company, and the Company will not make disclosure of such discussions which identifies you or your affiliates as parties thereto, except in either case as expressly provided in this agreement; provided that you or the Company may make such disclosure if either has received the written opinion of counsel (which opinion shall be provided to the other party reasonably in advance of such disclosure) that such disclosure must be made in order not to commit a violation of law and, if the action which is to be disclosed was in violation of the prior paragraph, such disclosure expressly states such violation. For two years from the date hereof, (i) you agree not to initiate contact (except for those contacts made in the ordinary course of business) with any officer or employee of the Company regarding its business, operations, prospects or finances, except with the prior consent of the Company and (ii) you will not directly solicit (which shall not include executives brought to your attention with that person's knowledge) for hire any person known to you to be employed by the Company in an executive capacity. Upon the Company's request you will promptly redeliver to the Company all copies of the Evaluation Material and will destroy all memoranda, notes and other writings prepared by you or your directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates based on the Evaluation Material. You understand that neither the Company nor any of its representatives or advisors makes any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any Evaluation Material which may be furnished to you. You agree that neither the Company nor its representatives or advisors shall have any liability to you or any of your representatives resulting from the use of the Evaluation Material. -3- 5 You agree that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this agreement by you or your directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates, and that in addition to all other remedies the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief as a remedy for any such breach, and you further agree to waive and to use your best efforts to cause your directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates to waive, any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to its conflict of laws principles or rules. If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please so indicate by signing and returning one copy of this agreement which will constitute an agreement between you and the Company with respect to the matters set forth herein. Very truly yours, /s/ Lazard Freres & Co. -------------------------------- Lazard Freres & Co. (acting on behalf of the Company) Confirmed and Agreed to: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. By: /s/ Clifton S. Robbins ----------------------------- Name: Clifton S. Robbins Title: -4- EX-99.6 4 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS 1 EXHIBIT 99.6 2 BORDEN, INC. (LOGO) 180 EAST BROAD STREET, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215 November 22, 1994 Dear Borden Shareholder: We are pleased to inform you that, pursuant to the Merger Agreement between Borden and an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., L.P. ("KKR"), an exchange offer has commenced today for all of the outstanding shares of Borden common stock. In the exchange offer, shareholders who tender their Borden shares will receive shares of common stock of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR") valued at $14.25 during the ten-trading-day period ending ten business days prior to expiration of the offer, provided that no more than 2.375 RJR shares and no fewer than 1.78125 RJR shares will be exchanged for each Borden share. Under the Merger Agreement, if the exchange offer is completed, it will be followed, subject to any necessary shareholder approval, by a merger in which non-tendering shareholders will receive the same consideration for each Borden share as was paid in the exchange offer and Borden will become a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of KKR. The exchange offer represents the culmination of your Board's efforts to develop a course of action that provides maximum benefits to Borden's shareholders. As discussed in greater detail in the Schedule 14D-9 that accompanies this letter, the decision to sell Borden now, rather than remain independent, reflects the Board's assessment of the risks and potential benefits of further restructuring efforts against the risks and benefits of the KKR transaction. In January 1994, Borden announced a comprehensive restructuring plan -- the fourth restructuring in less than five years. In adopting the January 1994 restructuring plan, Borden set specific financial goals. As the restructuring was implemented during the first six months of 1994, it became increasingly clear that these goals would not be met. In light of these results, Borden's management recommended a further restructuring, including the sale of Borden's dairy business (its biggest business, which was operating at a loss), the sale of certain of Borden's profitable nonfood businesses, and a cut in the quarterly dividend to $.01 per share. Adoption of this plan would have required a significant charge in the third quarter of 1994, resulting in substantial negative shareholders' equity, and, nonetheless, was projected to produce earnings over the next three years substantially below those contemplated by the January 1994 restructuring plan. As described in the accompanying Schedule 14D-9, the Board weighed management's proposal for a further restructuring against the KKR transaction, which the Board believed were the only realistic alternatives then available to Borden. The Board believed that implementation of another restructuring would hurt Borden's stock price and might not provide the resources needed to make significant investments in its remaining businesses. In the Board's judgment, the KKR exchange offer represents fair value for Borden shares and the best available alternative for Borden shareholders, given the time and resources required for a turnaround pursuant to a further restructuring, and the risks involved in such a restructuring. The Board also considered that Borden had publicly disclosed that it had unsuccessfully tried to sell the Company in late 1993 and that no party other than KKR had subsequently made a proposal to acquire Borden. The $14.25 share price upon which the exchange ratio for the exchange offer is based represents a premium of 22.6 percent over the 3 closing price of Borden shares on the New York Stock Exchange on September 9, 1994, the last trading day prior to the public announcement of an agreement in principle with KKR. THE BOARD, WITH SEVEN MEMBERS VOTING IN FAVOR AND ONE MEMBER (BORDEN'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER) ABSTAINING, HAS DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE CONDITIONAL PURCHASE/STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, INCLUDING THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE MERGER, TAKEN TOGETHER, ARE FAIR TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF BORDEN AND RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER, TENDER THEIR BORDEN SHARES TO THE PURCHASER UNDER THE OFFER AND, IF REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, APPROVE AND ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT. THEREFORE, THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT, THE CONDITIONAL PURCHASE/STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY. CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION AND LAZARD FRERES & CO., BORDEN'S FINANCIAL ADVISORS, HAVE DELIVERED THEIR OPINIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE MERGER BY BORDEN'S SHAREHOLDERS (OTHER THAN KKR AND ITS AFFILIATES) IS FAIR TO SUCH SHAREHOLDERS FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW. THESE OPINIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS AND YOU SHOULD READ THE FULL TEXT OF THESE OPINIONS, WHICH ARE ATTACHED AS EXHIBITS TO THE ACCOMPANYING SCHEDULE 14D-9. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSACTIONS AND THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION, SEE ITEM 4 OF THE ACCOMPANYING SCHEDULE 14D-9. The exchange offer is conditioned upon, among other things, there being validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer a number of Borden shares which, when added to the Borden shares previously acquired by the affiliate of KKR (other than pursuant to the Conditional Purchase/Stock Option Agreement described in the accompanying Schedule 14D-9), represents more than 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock, on a fully diluted basis. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of Borden's Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contains important information regarding the factors considered by the Board in its deliberations and describes in more detail the reasons for the Board's conclusions and certain other information regarding the exchange offer and the merger. Also enclosed is the Offering Circular/Prospectus and related materials, including a letter of transmittal to be used for tendering your Borden shares. These documents set forth in detail the terms and conditions of the exchange offer and the merger and provide instructions on how to tender your Borden shares. Before making any decision regarding the exchange offer, you are urged to read and carefully consider the enclosed material and your individual circumstances. If you have any questions or require assistance in tendering your shares, you may contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc., which is assisting Borden in connection with the exchange offer, at 1-800-322-2885 (toll-free). Please note that the exchange offer is scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, December 20, 1994, unless extended. We thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, /s/ Frank J. Tasco Frank J. Tasco Chairman 2 EX-99.34 5 LETTER FROM JAPONICA TO THE BOARD - 10-18-94 1 EXHIBIT 99.34 2 [JAPONICA PARTNERS LETTERHEAD] VIA FACSIMILE October 18, 1994 Board of Directors Borden, Inc. 277 Park Avenue New York, NY 10172 Dear Board Member: I. Scorched Earth and Irreparable Harm As the Company is currently in the process of accepting proposals to maximize shareholder value, a scorched earth continuation of asset sales raises issues of irreparable harm to Borden and its shareholders. In our October 5th letter, we informed you that we are in the process of preparing a detailed proposal for the Company. We also stated that postponing the sale of assets until the current situation is resolved would allow these assets to be a key ingredient in the rebuilding of Borden and maximizing shareholder wealth, integral parts of our anticipated proposal. The value of our proposal would be materially higher with these assets retained and unimpaired. Our plan does not include a sale of these assets, and we have repeatedly asked you to stop the sales. Establishing arbitrarily short time periods for submitting proposals only lessens the value obtained, especially in a case such as Borden, which some would consider a troubled situation. This has been clearly demonstrated in both the values obtained in the sale of several businesses over the past few months and the Whitehall proposal. Any damage to the Company or shareholders stemming from these actions will be the responsibility of each Board member and its advisors. 3 Borden, Inc. October 18, 1994 Page 2 II. Sale of Wise & Other Snacks Businesses Apparently, the liquidation of Wise and other snacks businesses (with about $450 million in sales) at "fire-sale" valuations of 20% to 30% of revenue, is being accelerated. Reports that these businesses are profitable raise additional questions concerning violations of fiduciary "duty of care" and "duty of loyalty". III. Sale of Dairy Businesses Importantly, the sale of the dairy businesses may have already begun. Howard Dean, Chairman & CEO of Dean Foods, stated yesterday at a New York analyst meeting that several Borden representatives have contacted his Company concerning the sale of Borden's dairy businesses. He also mentioned that Dean is taking away a number of Borden's mid-size dairy customers because of concerns regarding the sale of Borden's dairy businesses. In fact, Mr. Dean said he was told that KKR would announce in two to three weeks its intent to sell Borden's dairy businesses. This is shocking given that, to our knowledge, KKR does not own or control Borden. IV. Board's Position on Asset Sales There has been no credible rationale communicated for the continued liquidation of assets. The excuse that the sale of assets is part of a plan approved in January is hypocritical at best. Since January 1994, shareholders have lost about $5 a share, or over $700 million. You have also stated that your decision to enter a merger agreement with Whitehall resulted in part from the fact that previous restructuring attempts had fallen short of their goals. The excuse that the assets being sold are immaterial is also grossly misleading. In the past few weeks alone, businesses apparently with more than $150 million in sales were liquidated reportedly at 10%-15% of revenues. These included Jays' $100 million (approx.) and Seyfert's $50 million (approx.) in sales businesses. Arguably, Borden and its shareholders lost about $130 million (almost $1.00 per share) considering that these businesses were valued at about 100% of revenues as recently as 1992. In our view, the only factors that could be characterized as immaterial would be the proceeds generated from the sale of these assets. The scorched earth liquidation of assets seems to be causing irreparable harm to the Company, and could be viewed as seeking to discourage a competing offer. 4 Borden, Inc. October 18, 1994 Page 3 V. Board's Necessary Corrective Actions Again, we urge you to stop the sale of assets at fire-sale prices. The Board should immediately make a public announcement of its decision to postpone all asset sales until the current situation is resolved. If you are being advised that the asset sales are consistent with the interest of shareholders, the nature of such advice should be fully disclosed. You should not take comfort from reliance on advice that may be fee motivated or contradictory to your fiduciary duty to maximize shareholder value. As previously requested, the terms of the asset sales, including the roles and fees of advisors, should be immediately disclosed. In your personal interest and in the interest of the shareholders, you should at least insist that every individual involved in the sale of assets state their position with regard to these sales. This should include, but not be limited to the Wachtell Lipton attorneys, the Lazard Freres and First Boston investment bankers, all other advisors involved, and each Board member. In this context, each individual can be held responsible for their decisions and/or actions. Sincerely, /s/ Japonica Partners --------------------- JAPONICA PARTNERS EX-99.35 6 LETTER FROM TASCO TO KAZARIAN - 10-27-94 1 EXHIBIT 99.35 2 [BORDEN LETTERHEAD] October 27, 1994 Mr. Paul Kazarian Managing Partner Japonica Partners 30 Kennedy Plaza Providence, RI 02903 Dear Mr. Kazarian: The Borden Board has reviewed your letter of October 18, 1994. Your continued attempts to interfere with the management of Borden are not helpful to the Company or its shareholders. As we have informed you for many months, we will entertain any proposal you wish to make. You have refused to accept our offer to make information available to you and you have refused to inform us of any proposal or your ability to consummate a proposal. Your refusal to pursue this matter in the customary manner causes us to question the nature of your intentions and your financial ability to provide Borden shareholders with more value than the pending transaction with KKR. Sincerely, /s/ Frank J. Tasco --------------------------- Chairman FJT:lm EX-99.38 7 COMPLAINT FILED IN KOHNSTAMM V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.38 2 Attorney(s): LAW OFFICE OF MILES M. TEPPER Office Address & Tel. No.: 7 Becker Farm Road Attorney(s) for Plaintiff(s) Roseland, New Jersey 07068 (201) 740-1881 - ------------------------------------------------- Plaintiff(s) PAUL L. KOHNSTAMM, on behalf of SUPERIOR COURT himself and all others similarly OF NEW JERSEY situated, ESSEX COUNTY vs. Defendant(s) Docket No. C-257-94 BORDEN, INC., FRANK J. TASCO, ERVIN R. SHAMES, FREDERICK E. HENNIG, WILBERT J. CIVIL ACTION LEMELLE, ROBERT P. LUCIANO, H. BARCLAY MORELY, JOHN E. SEXTON, PATRICIA CARRY SUMMONS STEWART and KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO. The State of New Jersey, to the Above Named Defendant(s): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED in a Civil Action in the Superior Court of New Jersey, instituted by the above named plaintiff(s), and required to serve upon the attorney(s) for the plaintiff(s), whose name and office address appears above, an answer to the annexed complaint within 35 days after the service of the summons and complaint upon you, exclusive of the day of service. If you fail to answer, judgment by default may be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. You shall promptly file your answer and proof of service thereof with the Clerk of the Superior Court, at* 153 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey 07101, in accordance with the rules of civil practice and procedure. If you cannot afford to pay an attorney, call a Legal Services Office. An individual not eligible for free legal assistance may obtain a referral to an attorney by calling a county lawyer referral service. These numbers may be listed in the yellow pages of your phone book. The phone numbers for the county in which this action is pending are: Lawyer Referral Services, ______________, Legal Services Office ______________. /s/ ___________________________ Donald F. Phelan Clerk of the Superior Court Dated: September 22, 1994 Name of defendant to be served: FRANK J. TASCO Address for service: Borden, Inc. 180 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 * For direct filing, add address for County Clerk and strike "in duplicate." For Trenton filing add CN-971, Trenton, N.J. 08625. 3 Miles M. Tepper LAW OFFICE OF MILES M. TEPPER 7 Becker Farm Road Roseland, New Jersey 07068 (201) 740-1881 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY CHANCERY DIVISION ESSEX COUNTY - ------------------------------------------X PAUL L. KOHNSTAMM, on behalf of : Docket No. himself and all others similarly : situated, : : C-257-94 Plaintiff, : : Class Action Complaint v. : : BORDEN INC., FRANK J. TASCO, ERVIN R. : SHAMES, FREDERICK E. HENNIG, WILBERT J. : LEMELLE, ROBERT P. LUCIANO, H. BARCLAY : MORLEY, JOHN E. SEXTON, PATRICIA CARRY : STEWART and KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO.,: : Defendants. : - ------------------------------------------X Plaintiff, by his attorneys, alleges upon information and belief (said information and belief being based, in part, upon the investigation conducted by and through his undersigned counsel), except with respect to his ownership of Borden Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") common stock, and his suitability to serve as a class representative, which is alleged upon personal knowledge, as follows: PARTIES 1. Plaintiff is the owner of shares of defendant Borden. He is a resident of the State of New York. 4 2. Defendant Borden is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Borden maintains its principal offices at 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Borden is a producer and distributor of a variety of consumer food products, consumer adhesives and industrial adhesives. 3. Defendant Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts Co. ("KKR") is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal offices located in New York, New York. KKR is a "buyout firm" that owns a substantial interest in, among others, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR"). 4. Defendant Frank J. Tasco is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Borden. 5. Defendant Ervin S. Shames is President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Borden. 6. Defendant Frederick E. Hennig is a Director of Borden. 7. Defendant Wilbert J. Lemelle is a Director of Borden. 8. Defendant Robert P. Luciano is a Director of Borden. -2- 5 9. Defendant H. Barclay Morley is a Director of Borden. 10. Defendant John E. Sexton is a Director of Borden. 11. Defendant Patricia Carry Stewart is a Director of Borden. 12. The foregoing individual directors of Borden (collectively the "Director Defendants"), owe fiduciary duties to Borden and its shareholders. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 13. Plaintiff brings this action on his own behalf and as a class action on behalf of all shareholders of defendant Borden (except defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants) or their successors in interest, who have been or will be adversely affected by the conduct of defendants alleged herein. 14. This action is properly maintainable as a class action for the following reasons: (a) The class of shareholders for whose benefit this action is brought is so numerous that joinder of all class members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were -3- 6 over 141 million shares of defendant Borden's common stock outstanding owned by tens of thousands of shareholders of record. (b) There are questions of law and fact which are common to members of the Class and which predominate over any questions affecting any individual members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: i. Whether one or more of the defendants has engaged in a plan and scheme to enrich themselves at the expense of defendant Borden's public stockholders; ii. Whether the Defendant Directors have breached their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiff and members of the Class, and/or have aided and abetted in such breach, by virtue of their participation and/or acquiescence and by their other conduct complained of herein; iii. Whether defendants have failed to fully disclose the true value of defendant Borden's assets and earning power and the future financial benefits which they expect to derive from Borden's purchase by KKR; iv. Whether the Defendant Directors have wrongfully failed and refused to seek a purchaser of Borden at the highest possible price and, instead, have sought to chill potential -4- 7 offers and allow the valuable assets of defendant Borden to be acquired by defendant KKR at an unfair and inadequate price; v. Whether defendant KKR has induced or aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duty by members of Borden's Board of Directors; vi. Whether plaintiff and the other members of the Class will be irreparably damaged by the transactions complained of herein; and vii. Whether defendants have breached or aided and abetted the breaches of the fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiff and the other members of the Class. 15. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other members of the Class and plaintiff has the same interest as the other members of the Class. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the Class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class. 16. Plaintiff anticipates that there will not be any difficulty in the management of this litigation. -5- 8 17. For the reasons stated herein, a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of this action. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 18. On September 12, 1994, KKR and Borden announced that they had agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR stock owned by that partnership, valued at $14.25 per Borden share, or a total of approximately $2 billion. The transaction is scheduled to close by September 23, 1994 (the "Transaction"). The Transaction has already been approved by the Director Defendants. 19. On Friday, September 9, 1994, Borden stock closed at $11.625 per share. 20. Although the purchase price represents a small premium over the most recent closing price of Borden stock, the Company's stock price recently averaged between $15 and $20 per share. In addition to the fact that the price offered is unfair and inadequate, the Transaction also provides that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR a "lock up" option to purchase from borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 a share payable in RJR Nabisco stock. If the option in exercised, KKR -6- 9 must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51% of Borden common stack in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. In the event any competing transaction is consummated, KKR would be paid certain amounts under the merger agreement. In addition, Defendants have agreed that if a merger agreement with Borden is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will purchase 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Borden at only $11 a share. 21. Further, RJR also announced on September 12, 1994 that it has reached an agreement in principle with KKR to acquire a minority interest in Borden upon KKR's successful acquisition of 100 percent of Borden. RJR will issue to Borden approximately $500 million of newly issued RJR common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20 percent pro forma interest in Borden. 22. The Director Defendants and KKR have agreed that, if the merger is consummated, senior management will remain in place and that their compensation structure will be altered to provide greater incentive compensation awards. -7- 10 Also, a majority of the current directors will remain on the Board. 23. The proposed Transaction is wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public stockholders, the Class members, and represents an attempt by defendants to aggrandize the personal and financial positions and interests of board members at the expense of and to the detriment of the stockholders of the Company. The proposed transaction will deny plaintiff and other Class members their rights to share appropriately in the true value of the Company's assets and future growth in profits and earnings, while usurping the same for the benefit of defendant KKR (and for RJR, of which KKR will continue to own a substantial interest) at an unfair and inadequate price. CLAIM AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 24. Defendants other than KKR, acting in concert, have violated their fiduciary duties owed to the public shareholders of Borden and put their own personal interests and the interests of defendant KKR ahead of the interests of the Borden public shareholders and have used their control positions as officers and directors of Borden for the purpose of reaping personal gain for board members at the expense of Borden's public shareholders. -8- 11 25. The Defendant Directors failed to (1) undertake an adequate evaluation of Borden's worth as a potential merger/acquisition candidate; (2) take adequate steps to enhance Borden's value and/or attractiveness as a merger/acquisition candidate; (3) effectively expose Borden to the marketplace in an effort to create an active and open auction for Borden; or (4) act independently so that the interests of the Company's public shareholders would be protected. Instead, defendants have set a price for the shares of stock that does not reflect the true value of Borden and without an appropriate premium. 26. While the Defendant Directors of Borden should seek out other possible purchasers of the assets of Borden or its stock in a manner designed to obtain the highest possible price for Borden's shareholders, or seek to enhance the value of Borden for all its current shareholders, they have instead resolved to wrongfully allow KKR to obtain the valuable assets of Borden at a bargain price, which, under the circumstances here, disproportionately benefits KKR. 27. These tactics pursued by the defendants are, and will continue to be, wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public shareholders, and are an attempt by certain defendants to aggrandize their personal positions, interests and finances at the expense of and to the detriment of the Borden public stockholders. These maneuvers by the defendants will deny -9- 12 members of the Class their right to share appropriately in the true value of Borden's valuable assets, future earnings and profitable businesses to the same extent as they would as Borden's shareholders. 28. In contemplating, planning and/or effecting the foregoing specified acts and in pursuing and structuring the Transaction, defendants are not acting in good faith toward plaintiff and the Class, and have breached, and are breaching, their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the Class. 29. Because the Defendant Directors (and those acting in concert with them) dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden and because they are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between the defendants and the public shareholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair to Borden's public shareholders. 30. Defendant KKR has acted and is acting with knowledge or with reckless disregard that the other defendants are in breach of their fiduciary duties to Borden's public shareholders and have participated in such breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors of Borden and thus are liable as aiders and abettors. -10- 13 31. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and courses of conduct, the Defendant Directors have failed to use the required care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations owed to Borden and its public shareholders. 32. As a result of the actions of the defendants, plaintiff and the Class have been and will be damaged in that they will not receive the fair value of Borden's assets and business in exchange for their Hamilton's shares, and have been and will be prevented from obtaining a fair price for their shares of Borden common stock. 33. Unless enjoined by this Court, the Defendant Directors will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the Class, all to the irreparable harm of the Class. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment as follows: (a) Declaring that this action may be maintained as a class action; (b) Declaring that the proposed Transaction is unfair, unjust and inequitable to plaintiff and the other members of the Class; -11- 14 (c) Enjoining preliminarily and permanently the defendants from taking any steps necessary to accomplish or implement the purposed merger of defendant Borden with defendant KKR at a price that is not fair and equitable; (d) Requiring defendants to compensate plaintiff and the members of the Class for all losses and damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions complained of herein, together with prejudgment and post-judgment interest; (e) Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of this action, including reasonable attorneys', accountants', and experts' fees; and (f) Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper. Dated: September 12, 1994 LAW OFFICES OF MILES M. TEPPER By: /s/ _____________________________ Miles M. Tepper 7 Becker Farm Road Roseland, New Jersey 07068 (201) 740-1881 -12- 15 OF COUNSEL: CHARLES PIVEN LAW OFFICES OF CHARLES PIVEN The Legg Mason Tower Suite 2700 111 S. Calvert Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 WOLF HALDENSTEIN ADLER FREEMAN HERZ 270 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10016 (212) 545-4600 Attorneys for Plaintiffs -13- 16 CERTIFICATION The plaintiff hereby certifies that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any court and is likewise not the subject of any pending arbitration proceeding. The plaintiff further certifies that on information and belief there may be one or more actions contemplated against some or all of the same defendants in this or another county within this state regarding the subject matter of this action. Plaintiffs not aware of any other parties who should be joined in this action. Dated: September 12, 1994 /s/ ______________________________ Miles M. Tepper Attorney for Plaintiff EX-99.39 8 COMPLAINT FILED IN HARTMAN V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.39 2 COURT OF COMMON PLEAS FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO - ----------------------------------X : ERICA HARTMAN : Plaintiff, : : -against- : Case No. 94CVH09-6306 : BORDEN, INC., ERVIN SHAMES, and : FRANK TASCO, : c/o 180 E. Broad Street : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT Columbus, Ohio 43215 : WITH JURY DEMAND : Defendants. : : - ----------------------------------X Plaintiff, by her attorneys, alleges upon information and belief, except as to paragraph 1 which is alleged upon knowledge, as follows; THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiff is the owner of shares of the common stock of defendant Borden, Inc. and has been the owner contin-uously of such shares since prior to the wrongs complained of herein. 2. Defendant Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") is a corporation duly existing and organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with its principal offices located in Columbus, Ohio. The Company produces and distributes a variety of consumer food products, including pastas and 3 sauces, snack food items, dairy products such as fluid milk and other products. The Company also manufactures and distributes its products. 3. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of the Company's common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 4. Defendant Ervin Shames ("Shames") is and at all times relevant hereto has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 5. Defendant Frank Tasco ("Tasco") is and at all times relevant hereto has been Chairman of the Board of the Company. 6. The defendants referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 are collectively referred to herein as the "Individual Defendants." 7. By reason of the above Individual Defendants' positions with the Company as officers and/or directors, said individuals are in a fiduciary relationship with plaintiff and the other public stockholders of Borden, and owe plaintiff and the other members of the class the highest obligations of good faith, fair dealing, due care, loyalty and full, candid and adequate disclosure. -2- 4 CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 8. Plaintiff brings this action on her own behalf and as a class action on behalf of herself and all Borden securities holders or their successors in interest, similarly situated (the "Class"). Excluded from the class are defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants. 9. This action is properly maintainable as a class action. 10. The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of Borden common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. There are questions of law and fact which are common to the class and which predominate over questions affecting any individual class members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: (a) whether defendants have engaged in conduct constituting unfair dealing to the detriment of the class; (b) whether the proposed merger is grossly unfair to the class; -3- 5 (c) whether defendants are engaging in self-dealing to benefit themselves; (d) whether plaintiff and the other members of the class would be irreparably damaged were the transactions complained of herein consummated; and (e) whether defendants have breached, or aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary and common law duties owed by them to plaintiff and the other members of the class. 12. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other members of the class and plaintiff has the same interests as the other members of the class. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. 13. Plaintiff anticipates that there will be no difficulty in the management of this litigation. 14. Defendants have acted on grounds generally applicable to the class with respect to the matters complained of herein, thereby making appropriate the relief sought herein with respect to the class as a whole. -4- 6 CLAIM FOR RELIEF 15. According to news reports on September 12, 1994, Kohlberg Kravitz Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and defendant Borden have agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. common stock valued at $14.25 per Borden share. 16. Plaintiff seeks to enjoin the consummation of the imminent agreement between KKR and Borden whereby KKR would swap RJR Nabisco Holding stock for all of the outstanding Borden common stock. Pursuant to the proposed terms of the transaction, KKR will also receive a warrant to buy an additional 10% of Borden's shares. If the merger is not closed by September 23, 1994, KKR will buy $19.9% of Borden's outstanding shares. 17. The consideration proposed to be paid to class members is unconscionable and unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things: (a) the intrinsic value of Borden's common stock is materially in excess of the amount to be received by Borden stockholders in the transaction giving due consideration to that Company's strategic value, the recent market price of the Company's stock and Borden's brand name recognition; -5- 7 (b) the consideration agreed upon did not result from an appropriate consideration of the value of Borden as there was no opportunity to accurately ascertain Borden's value through open bidding or a market check. 18. The Individual Defendants have thus far failed to announce any active auction or open bidding procedures best calculated to maximize shareholder value. 19. Borden's shareholders will, if the transaction is consummated be deprived of the opportunity for substantial gains which the Company may realize. 20. In announcing the transaction, the defendants have failed to disclose among other things the full extent of the growth and value potential of Borden and the expected increase in its profitability. 21. The defendants have not, in accordance with their fiduciary duties: (a) acted independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected; (b) adequately ensured that no conflicts of interest exist or if such conflicts exist to ensure that all conflicts would be resolved in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders; and -6- 8 (c) taken all appropriate steps to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness as a merger acquisition, restructuring or recapitalization candidate. 22. Because the Individual Defendants dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's assets, businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between them and the public stockholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair for them to pursue any proposed transaction wherein they will reap disproportionate benefits to the exclusion of other means of maximizing stockholder value. 23. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the defendants have failed to exercise ordinary care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations toward plaintiff and the other Borden public stockholders. 24. As a result of the actions of defendants, plaintiff and the other members of the Class have been and will be damaged in that they have not and will not receive their fair proportion of the value of Borden's assets and businesses and will be prevented from obtaining appropriate consideration for their shares of Borden's common stock. -7- 9 25. Unless enjoined by this Court, the defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the other members of the Class, and may consummate the proposed transaction which will exclude the Class from its fair proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and businesses, and/or benefit them in the unfair manner complained of herein, all to the irreparable harm of the Class, as aforesaid. 26. Plaintiff and the Class have no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment, as follows: A. Declaring this to be a proper class action; B. Ordering defendants to carry out their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the other members of the Class, including those of due care and candor; C. Rescinding any transactions effected by the defendants in an unfair manner and for an unfair price and in the event such transaction is consummated prior to trial, awarding rescissory damages; D. Enjoining the complained of transaction or any related transactions; -8- 10 E. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to pay to plaintiff and the Class all damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions alleged herein; F. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to plaintiff and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by them as a result of the transaction complained of and pending such accounting to hold such profits in a constructive trust for the benefit of plaintiff and the other members of the class; G. Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of the action, including allowance for plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees; and H. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper in the premises. Dated: September 12, 1994 MICHAEL J. HARDESTY, L.P.A. By: /s/ _____________________________ Michael J. Hardesty (0009771) 1335 Dublin Road Suite 200A Dublin, OH 43215 (614) 481-3587 -9- 11 OF COUNSEL: Stanley R. Wolfe Berger & Montague, P.C. 1622 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-6365 Strauss & Troy By: /s/ _____________________________ Richard S. Wayne (0022390) 2100 PNC Center 201 E. Fifth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 629-9472 -10- EX-99.40 9 COMPLAINT FILED IN JAROSLAWICZ V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.40 2 COURT OF COMMON PLEAS FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO __________________________________ : DAVID JAROSLAWICZ and GEORGE B. : ALLEN, ISRAEL BOLLAG, and : VIVIAN BOLLAG, : Case No. 94CVH09-6654 : ______________ : Plaintiffs, : : -against- : : BORDEN, INC., ERVIN SHAMES, : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FRANK TASCO, FREDERICK E. HENNIG : (Jury Trial Demanded) WILBERT J. LEMELLE, ROBERT P. : LUCIANO, H. BARCLAY MORLEY, : JOHN E. SEXTON, and PATRICIA : CARRY STEWART, : 180 East Broad Street : Columbus, Ohio 43215 : : Defendants. : __________________________________: Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, allege upon information and belief, except as to paragraph 1 which is alleged upon knowledge, as follows: THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiffs are the owners of shares of the common stock of defendant Borden, Inc. and have been the owners continuously of such shares since prior to the wrongs complained of herein. 2. Defendant Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") in a corporation duly existing and organized under the 3 laws of the State of New Jersey, with its principal offices located in Columbus, Ohio. The Company manufactures, produces and distributes a variety of consumer food products, including pastas and sauces, snack food items, dairy products such as fluid milk and other products. 3. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of the Company's common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 4. Defendant Ervin Shames ("Shames) is and at all times relevant hereto has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 5. Defendant Frank Tasco ("Tasco") is and at all times relevant hereto has been Chairman of the Board of the Company. 6. Defendants Frederick E. Hennig, Wilbert I. Lemelle, Robert P. Luciano, M. Barclay Morley, John E. Sexton, and Patricia Carry Stewart are and at all times relevant hereto have been members of the Board of the Company. 7. The Defendants referred to in paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 are collectively referred to herein as the "Individual Defendants." -2- 4 8. By reason of the above Individual Defendants' positions with the Company as officers and/or directors, said individuals are in a fiduciary relationship with Plaintiffs and the other public stockholders of Borden, and owe Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class the highest obligations of good faith, fair dealing, due care, loyalty and full, candid and adequate disclosers. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 9. Plaintiffs bring this action on their own behalf and as a class action on behalf of themselves and all Borden securities holders or their successors in interest, similarly situated (the "Class"). Excluded from the Class are Defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the Defendants. 10. This action is properly maintainable as a class action. 11. The Class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. 12. There are questions of law and fact which are common to the Class and which predominate over questions affecting any individual Class members. The common questions includes, inter alia, the following: -3- 5 (a) whether Defendants have engaged in conduct constituting unfair dealing to the detriment of the Class; (b) whether the merger is grossly unfair to the Class; (c) whether Defendants are engaging in self-dealing to benefit themselves; (d) whether Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class would be irreparably damaged were the transactions complained of herein consummated; and (e) whether Defendants have breached, or aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class. 13. Plaintiffs are committed to prosecuting this action and have retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of Plaintiffs are typical of the claims of the other members of the Class and Plaintiffs have the same interests as the other members of the Class. Accordingly, Plaintiffs are adequate representatives of the Class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class. 14. Plaintiffs anticipate that there will be no difficulty in the management of this litigation. -4- 6 15. Defendants have acted on grounds generally applicable to the Class with respect to the matters complained of herein, thereby making appropriate the relief sought herein with respect to the class as a whole. CLAIM FOR RELIEF 16. According to news reports on September 12, 1994, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and Defendant Borden have agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. common stock valued at $14.25 per Borden share. 17. Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the consummation of the imminent agreement between KKR and Borden whereby KKR would swap RJR Nabisco Holding stock for all of the outstanding Borden common stock. Pursuant to the proposed terms of the transaction, KKR will also receive a warrant to buy an additional 10% of Borden's shares. If the merger is not closed by September 23, 1994, KKR will buy 19.9% of Borden's outstanding shares. 18. The consideration proposed to be paid to Class members is unconscionable and unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things: -5- 7 (a) the intrinsic value of Borden's common stock is materially in excess of the amount to be received by Borden stockholders in the transaction giving due consideration to the Company's strategic value, the recent market price of the Company's stock (which has been as high as $38.375 per share), and Borden's brand name recognition; (b) the consideration agreed upon did not result from an appropriate consideration of the value of Borden as there was no opportunity to accurately ascertain Borden's value through open bidding or a market check; (c) many analysts believe that KKR has been, for some time, trying without success to sell its excess RJR Nabisco stock; consequently KKR is getting the better of the bargain because it is unloading its poorly performing and relatively undesirable RJR Nabisco stock in exchange for far more desirable Borden stock, 19. The Individual Defendants have thus far failed to announce any active auction or open bidding procedures best calculated to maximize shareholder value. 20. Some analysts believe that certain subdivisions of Borden could be sold for a greater value than the entire consideration that KKR is paying to purchase Borden in its entirety. -6- 8 21. On September 13, 1994, the New York Times reported that "most agreed that Borden was being bought at a firesale price," and that KKR "believes that Borden, at its current price, is incredibly cheap, as well as a good way for Kohlberg, Kravis to reduce its disappointing investment in RJR Nabisco." The report further stated that "[a]lmost all Borden holders will be selling at a loss if this deal goes through." 22. Borden shareholders will, if the transaction is consummated, be deprived of the opportunity for substantial gains which the Company may realize. 23. In announcing the transaction, the Defendants have failed to disclose among other things the full extent of the growth and value potential of Borden and the expected increase in its profitability. 24. The Defendants have not, in accordance with their fiduciary duties: (a) acted independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected; (b) adequately ensured that no conflicts of interest exist or if such conflicts exist to ensure that all conflicts would be resolved in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders; and -7- 9 (c) taken all appropriate steps, including conducting an active auction, to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness as a merger acquisition, restructuring or recapitalization candidate. 25. Because the Individual Defendants dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's assets, businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between them and the public stockholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair for them to pursue any proposed transaction wherein they will reap disproportionate benefits to the exclusion of other means of maximizing stockholder value. 26. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the Defendants have failed to exercise ordinary care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations toward Plaintiffs and the other Borden public stockholders. 27. As a result of the actions of Defendants, Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class have been and will be damaged in that they have not and will not receive their fair proportion of the value of Borden's assets and -8- 10 businesses and will be prevented from obtaining appropriate consideration for their shares of Borden's common stock. 28. Unless enjoined by this Court, the Defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class and may consummate the proposed transaction which will exclude the Class from its fair proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and businesses, and/or benefit them in the unfair manner complained of herein, all to the irreparable harm of the Class, as aforesaid. 29. Plaintiffs and the Class have no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand judgment, as follows: A. Declaring this to be a proper class action; B. Ordering Defendants to carry out their fiduciary duties to Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class, including those of due care and candor; C. Rescinding any transactions effected by the Defendants in an unfair manner and for an unfair price and in the event such transaction are consummated prior to trial, awarding rescissory damages; D. Enjoining the complained of transaction or any related transactions; -9- 11 E. Ordering Defendants, jointly and severally, to pay to Plaintiffs and the Class all damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions alleged herein; F. Ordering Defendants, jointly and severally, to account to Plaintiffs and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by them as a result of the transactions complained of and pending such accounting to hold such profits in a constructive trust for the benefit of Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class; G. Awarding Plaintiffs the costs and disbursements of the action, including allowance for Plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees; and H. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper in the premises. Dated: September 22, 1994 MICHAEL J. HARDESTY CO., L.P.A. /s/ ______________________________ Michael J. Hardesty (0009771) 1335 Dublin Road Suite 200A Dublin, OH 43215 (614) 481-3587 12 STRAUSS & TROY /s/ _________________________ Richard S. Wayne (0022390) 2100 PNC Center 201 E. 5th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 621-2120 Attorneys for Plaintiffs OF COUNSEL: SAVETT, FRUTKIN, PODELL & RYAN, P.C. 320 Walnut Street, Suite 508 Philadelphia, PA 19206 (215) 923-5400 ZWERLING, SCHACHTER & ZWERLING Robert S. Schachter 767 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017-2023 LEVIN FISHBEIN SEDRAN & BERMAN 320 Walnut Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 592-1500 -11- EX-99.41 10 COMPLAINT FILED IN LUBIN V. BORDEN . 1 Exhibit 99.41 2 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE 744 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiffs - ----------------------------------x : BARBARA LUBIN, MARTIN H. OLESH, : SUPERIOR COURT OF PAMELA SKULSKY, and MARTIN : NEW JERSEY WEBER, on behalf of themselves : CHANCERY DIVISION and all others similarly : MERCER COUNTY MER-C-000139-94 : DOCKET NO. MER-C-000139-94 situated, : : Plaintiffs, : : -against- : Civil Action : BORDEN, INC., ERVIN SHAMES and : FRANK TASCO, : : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT Defendants. : : - ----------------------------------x Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, allege upon information and belief, except as to paragraphs 1-5 which are alleged upon knowledge, as follows: THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiff Barbara Lubin resides at 8625 Banyan Court, Tamarack, Florida. 2. Plaintiff Martin H. Olesh resides at 7506 191st Street, Flushing, New York. 3 3. Plaintiff Pamela Skulsky resides at 6179 Devon Drive, Columbia, Maryland. 4. Plaintiff Martin Weber resides at 2037 Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. 5. Each plaintiff is the owner of shares of the common stock of defendant Borden, Inc. and has been the owner continuously of such shares since prior to the wrongs complained of herein. 6. Defendant Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") is a corporation duly existing and organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with its principal offices located in Columbus, Ohio. The Company produces and distributes a variety of consumer food products, including pastas and sauces, snack food items, dairy products such as fluid milk and other products. The Company also manufactures and distributes its products. 7. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of the Company's common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 8. Defendant Ervin Shames ("Shames") is, and at all times relevant hereto has been, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. -2- 4 9. Defendant Frank Tasco ("Tasco") is, and at all times relevant hereto has been, Chairman of the Board of the Company. 10. The defendants referred to in paragraphs 8 and 9 are collectively referred to herein as the "Individual Defendants." 11. By reason of the above Individual Defendants' positions with the Company as officers and/or directors, said individuals are in a fiduciary relationship with plaintiffs and the other public stockholders of Borden, and owe plaintiffs and the other members of the class the highest obligations of good faith, fair dealing, due care, loyalty and full, candid and adequate disclosure. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 12. Each plaintiff brings this action pursuant to R. 4:32 et seq. of the New Jersey Court Rules, on his or her own behalf and as a class action on behalf of him or herself and all Borden securities holders or their successors in interest, similarly situated (the "Class"). Excluded from the class are defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants. -3- 5 13. This action is properly maintainable as a class action. 14. The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of Borden common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 15. There are questions of law and fact which are common to the class and which predominate over questions affecting any individual class members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: (a) whether defendants have engaged in conduct constituting unfair dealing to the detriment of the class; (b) whether the proposed merger set forth below is grossly unfair to the class; (c) whether defendants are engaging in self-dealing to benefit themselves; (d) whether plaintiffs and the other members of the class would be irreparably damaged were the transactions complained of herein consummated; and (e) whether defendants have breached, or aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiffs and the other members of the class. -4- 6 16. Each plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of each plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other members of the class and each plaintiff has the same interests as the other members of the class. Accordingly, each plaintiff is an adequate representative of the class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. 17. Plaintiffs anticipate that there will be no difficulty in the management of this litigation. 18. Defendants have acted on grounds generally applicable to the class with respect to the matters complained of herein, thereby making appropriate the relief sought herein with respect to the class as a whole. CLAIM FOR RELIEF 19. According to news reports on September 12, 1994, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and defendant Borden have agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. common stock valued at about $2 billion, based on Borden's approximately 141 million common shares outstanding. -5- 7 20. KKR also said that in connection with its agreement with Borden, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. has agreed in principle that upon KKR's acquisition of 100% of Borden and subject to certain other conditions, RJR Nabisco will issue about $500 million of its newly issued common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20% pro forma interest in Borden. RJR Nabisco will also receive a warrant to purchase an additional 10% interest in Borden as part of its investment. 21. KKR said Borden agreed that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR an option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 a share payable in RJR Nabisco stock. 22. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51%, of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. KKR and Borden agreed that if a merger agreement with Borden is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will purchase 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Borden at $11 a share. -6- 8 23. The exchange offer for Borden will be conditioned on the receipt by KKR of at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock. It is contemplated that following the completion of the exchange offer, KKR will merge a newly formed corporation which it controls into Borden in a merger in which holders of any then-outstanding Borden common stock will receive the same consideration as holders of Borden common stock receive in the exchange offer. 24. Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the consummation of the imminent agreement between KKR and Borden whereby KKR would swap RJR Nabisco Holding stock for all of the outstanding Borden common stock. 25. The consideration proposed to be paid to class members is unconscionable, unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things: (a) the intrinsic value of Borden's common stock is materially in excess of the amount to be received by Borden stockholders in the transaction giving due consideration to the Company's strategic value, the recent market price of the Company's stock and Borden's brand name recognition; (b) the consideration agreed upon did not result from an appropriate consideration of the value of Borden as -7- 9 there was no opportunity to accurately ascertain Borden's value through open bidding or a market check. 26. The Individual Defendants have thus far failed to announce any active auction or open bidding procedures best calculated to maximize shareholder value. 27. Borden's shareholders will, if the transaction is consummated, be deprived of the opportunity for substantial gains which the Company may realize. 28. In announcing the transaction, the defendants have failed to disclose among other things the full extent of the growth and value potential of Borden and the expected increase in its profitability. 29. The defendants have not, in accordance with their fiduciary duties: (a) acted independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected; (b) adequately ensured that no conflicts of interest exist or if such conflicts exist to ensure that all conflicts would be resolved in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders; and -8- 10 (c) taken all appropriate steps to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness as a merger acquisition, restructuring or recapitalization candidate. 30. Because the Individual Defendants dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's assets, businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between them and the public stockholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair for them to pursue any proposed transaction wherein they will reap disproportionate benefits to the exclusion of other means of maximizing stockholder value. 31. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the defendants have failed to exercise ordinary care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations toward plaintiffs and the other Borden public stockholders. 32. As a result of the actions of defendants, plaintiffs and the other members of the Class have been and will be damaged in that they have not and will not receive their fair proportion of the value of Borden's assets and businesses and will be prevented from obtaining appropriate consideration for their shares of Borden's common stock. -9- 11 33. Unless enjoined by this Court, the defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class, and may consummate the proposed transaction which will exclude the Class from its fair proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and businesses, and/or benefit them in the unfair manner complained of herein, all to the irreparable harm of the Class, as aforesaid. 34. Plaintiffs and the Class have no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiffs demand judgment, as follows: A. Declaring this to be a proper class action; B. Ordering defendants to carry out their fiduciary duties to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class, including those of due care and candor; C. Rescinding any transactions effected by the defendants in an unfair manner and for an unfair price and in the event such transaction is consummated prior to trial, awarding rescissory damages; D. Enjoining the complained of transaction or any related transactions; -10- 12 E. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to pay to plaintiffs and the Class all damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions alleged herein; F. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to plaintiffs and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by them as a result of the transaction complained of and pending such accounting to hold such profits in a constructive trust for the benefit of plaintiffs and the other members of the class; G. Awarding plaintiffs the costs and disbursements of the action, including allowance for plaintiffs' reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees; and H. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper in the premises. Dated: September 12, 1994 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ --------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Joseph J. DePalma 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 Telephone: (201) 623-3000 -11- 13 OF COUNSEL: ABBEY & ELLIS BERNSTEIN LIEBHARD & LIFSHITZ 212 East 39th Street 274 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10016 New York, New York 10016 (212) 889-3700 (212) 779-1414 KAUFMAN, MALCHMAN, KIRBY SCHIFFRIN & CRAIG, LTD. & SQUIRE Three Bala Plaza East 919 Third Avenue Suite 500 New York, New York 10022 Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004 (212) 371-6600 (215) 667-7706 -12- 14 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 4:5-1 Pursuant to Rule 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other Court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for a matter entitled, Norman Weiss. et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on this date. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE Attorney for Plaintiff By: /s/ ----------------- Allyn Z. Lite Dated: September 13, 1994 -13- EX-99.42 11 COMPLAINT FILED IN WEISS V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.42 2 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE Allyn Z. Lite, Esq. 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiffs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x NORMAN WEISS, STELLA COHORSKY, : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY ABRAHAM JOSEPH and ROBERT WARING : MERCER COUNTY on behalf of themselves and all : CHANCERY DIVISION others similarly situated, : DOCKET NO. MER-C-0138-94 : Plaintiffs, : Civil Action : -against- : : BORDEN INC., KOHLBERG KRAVIS : ROBERTS & CO., ERVIN R. SHAMES, : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FRANK J. TASCO, H. BARCLAY : MORLEY, JOHN E. SEXTON, : FREDERICK E. HENNING, WILBERT J. : LEMELLE, ROBERT P. LUCIANO, and : PATRICIA CARRY STEWART, : : Defendants. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x Plaintiffs, Norman Weiss who resides at 941 East 28th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11210, Stella Cohorsky who resides at 25 Kirk Street, Avenel, New Jersey 07001, Abraham Joseph who resides at 85 Taylor Street, Apartment 15D, Brooklyn, New York 11211; and Robert Waring who resides at 26 Wooley Lane, Great Neck, New York 11023, by their attorneys, allege upon information and belief, based, in part, upon an investigation conducted by and through the undersigned counsel, except with respect to their ownership of Borden Inc. common stock and 3 their suitability to serve as class representatives, which are alleged upon personal knowledge, as follows: THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiffs Norman Weiss, Stella Cohorsky, Abraham Joseph and Robert Waring are and have been at all relevant times owners of shares of the common stock of Borden Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company"). 2. Defendant Borden is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey with its principal executive offices located at 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Borden is an international food company, with a diversified line of products among snack foods, dairy products, household items and special market foods, including cheese, yogurt, glue, pasta, frozen desserts, arts and crafts supplies, caulking and industrial coatings. Borden had, as of December 31, 1993, approximately 141,358,035 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which shares are held by at least hundreds of shareholders of record and are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. 3. Defendant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") is a corporate buyout firm located in New York, New York. KKR is named as a defendant herein because, as a party to the 4 proposed merger, it is a necessary party to be joined in this action in order to obtain the relief sought. 4. (a) Defendant Ervin R. Shames ("Shames") is and has been at all relevant times the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a director; (b) Defendant Frank J. Tasco ("Tasco") is and has been at all relevant times the Company's Chairman of the Board of Directors; (c) Defendant H. Barclay Morley ("Morley") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (d) Defendant John E. Sexton ("Sexton") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (e) Defendant Frederick E. Henning ("Henning") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (f) Defendant Wilbert J. Lemelle ("Lemelle") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (g) Defendant Robert P. Luciano ("Luciano") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; and (h) Defendant Patricia Carry Stewart ("Stewart") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden. -3- 5 The defendants described in paragraphs 4(a)-(h) above are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "individual defendants" or the "director defendants." 5. By virtue of the individual defendants' positions as officers and/or directors of Borden, said individual defendants are in a fiduciary relationship with the plaintiffs and other public shareholders of Borden and owe plaintiffs and other members of the Class the highest obligation of good faith, fair dealing, loyalty and due care. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 6. Plaintiffs bring this action individually and, pursuant to R. 4:32 of the New Jersey Court Rules as a class action on behalf of all shareholders of Borden, and their successors in interest who are or will be threatened with injury arising from defendants' actions as more fully described below (the "Class"). Excluded from the Class are defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants. 7. This action is properly maintainable as a class action under the laws of the State of New Jersey for the following reasons: (a) The Class, which includes at least hundreds of shareholders of record scattered throughout the United States -4- 6 and foreign countries, is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. (b) there are questions of law and fact common to members of the Class which predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, including, inter alia, the following: (i) whether one or more of the defendants has engaged in a plan and scheme to enrich themselves at the expense of Borden's public shareholders; (ii) whether the defendants have breached their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiffs and members of the Class and/or have aided and abetted in such breach by virtue of their participation and/or acquiescence and by their other conduct complained of herein; (iii) whether defendants have failed to fully disclose the true value of Borden's assets and earning power, as well as the future financial benefits they expect to derive, through the merger with KKR; (iv) whether the defendants have wrongfully failed and refused to seek a purchaser of Borden at the highest possible price and instead have sought to chill potential offers and acquire the valuable assets of Borden for KKR at an unfair and inadequate price; - 5 - 7 (v) whether plaintiffs and the other members of the Class will be irreparably damaged by the transactions complained of herein; (vi) whether defendants have breached, and/or aided and abetted one another in the breach of, the fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class; and (vii) whether defendants are pursuing a scheme and course of business designed to eliminate the public shareholders of Borden in violation of the laws of the State of New Jersey. (c) The claims of plaintiffs are typical of the claims of the other members of the Class, and plaintiffs have no interests that are adverse or antagonistic to the interests of the Class. (d) Plaintiffs are committed to the vigorous prosecution of this action and have retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. Accordingly, plaintiffs are adequate representatives of the Class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class. -6- 8 (e) Plaintiffs anticipate that there will not be any difficulty in the management of this litigation as a class action. 8. For the reasons stated herein, a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of this action. FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS 9. On or about December 22, 1993, Borden announced to the financial news wire services that it was not engaged in any negotiations for a sale or merger of the Company. Borden announced that instead they would restructure and that details would be announced in early January, 1994. 10. On January 5, 1994, Borden announced the details of its restructuring and refocusing plan. The restructuring included $650 million in charges to fourth-quarter 1993 earnings and the sale of the Company's North American snacks, seafood and other units. The units put up for sale represented about $1.25 billion, or 20 percent, of Borden's projected sales of $6.75 billion for 1993. According to defendant Tasco: "The goal of the program is to build shareholder value by focusing on and revitalizing our best businesses." Defendant Shames stated that other key elements of the restructuring plan included the introduction of new consumer-oriented marketing -7- 9 programs to strengthen Borden's core food businesses of pasta, niche grocery and international foods. The restructuring plans also called for a turnaround of Borden's domestic dairy business, largely through volume recovery and cost reduction and retention of nearly all of the non-food businesses as important contributors to current cash flow and earnings. 11. Borden said the plans also called for cost reductions phasing in over two years and reaching an annualized savings rate of $100 million to $125 million by the end of 1995. Savings would be achieved through a combination of divestments and gains in efficiency and productivity. 12. On January 26, 1994, Borden announced that it expects its restructuring, along with increased marketing and cost reductions, to improve its performance in 1994. Defendant Shames stated: "I believe the new restructuring plan that we are implementing will improve Borden's performance and build shareholder value." Shames also stated that Borden projects 1994 earnings at the upper end of the $0.75 to $1.00 per share range of estimates by security analysts who follow Borden closely. The press release also stated that quarterly earnings are expected to strengthen after a marginally profitable first quarter as momentum and cost savings build during the year. 13. On April 25, 1994, Borden released its 1994 first quarter earnings. Defendant Shames stated in the press -8- 10 release disseminated to the investing public that: "The fundamentals of our businesses have improved. Although there is much to be done throughout the North American Foods businesses, Borden is making significant gains in many areas in rebuilding volume and market share. . . . We are making significant progress in our cost saving programs and running above our projection for increased cash flow." 14. On May 16, 1994, Borden announced that it had sold its Borden Foodservice Group to H.J. Heinz Co. for an undisclosed amount. The division had sales of $270 million in 1993 but has been unprofitable in recent years. Borden stated that: "We are moving ahead on schedule with our divestment of businesses." 15. On May 20, 1994, Borden announced the sale of three additional businesses as part of its restructuring program. Shames stated that "[o]ur divestiture program is on track." 16. On July 11, Borden announced that it had sold its Bama Foods business to Welch's. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Shames stated: "We are also making progress in our efforts to sell our salty snacks business." 17. On August 25, 1994, Borden announced that it has finalized an agreement to sell its Jays Foods, Inc. snack -9- 11 business to Special Foods Company. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 18. On September 12, 1994, Borden and KKR shocked the market by announcing that KKR had agreed to acquire Borden in a transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. 19. Under the terms of the agreement, Borden shareholders will receive RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR") stock owned by KKR worth approximately $14.25 per Borden share. The press release announcing the deal stated inter alia: It is contemplated that a definitive merger agreement will be executed within two weeks. The agreement will provide for an exchange offer by KKR in which holders of Borden common stock would have the right to exchange their shares for RJR Nabisco common stock. The exact number of RJR Nabisco shares to be exchanged for each Borden share will be determined by dividing $14.25 by the average of the high and low prices of RJR nabisco stock for a 10-day trading period to be established in the offer, provided that in no event will Borden stockholders receive greater than 2.375 RJR Nabisco shares, nor less than 1.78125 RJR Nabisco shares for each Borden share. The transaction will be taxable to Borden shareholders. 20. The press release also stated: KKR also announced that in connection with its agreement with Borden, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. has agreed in principle that upon KKR's successful acquisition of 100% of Borden and subject to certain other conditions, RJR Nabisco will issue approximately $500 million in newly - 10 - 12 issued RJR Nabisco common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20 percent pro forma interest in Borden. RJR Nabisco also will receive a warrant to purchase an additional 10 percent interest in Borden as part of its investment. "We believe that, after a full consideration of all the risks and opportunities confronting Borden today, this transaction is the best outcome for Borden shareholders," said Frank J. Tasco, Chairman of Borden. "The restructuring pursued since January has resulted in volume and share gains in many of Borden's businesses. Moreover, the earnings trend is also improving, but it is clear that additional investment in our brands and in capital are needed in order to capture the Company's potential. . . ." 21. Also as part of the deal, Borden has agreed that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR an option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 per share payable in RJR Nabisco common stock. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51%, of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. KKR has also agreed that if a merger agreement is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will, subject only to necessary regulatory approvals, purchase 19.9% of the outstanding shares of Borden common stock for $11 per share. -11- 13 22. The proposed merger transaction is wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's shareholders, including plaintiffs and the other Class members, because just as Borden's restructuring efforts, whose cost was borne by Borden shareholders, were bearing fruit and its earnings potential was on an upswing, Borden and KKR are attempting to usurp from Borden's shareholders the benefits of the restructuring. 23. The proposed merger transaction is further wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's shareholders, including plaintiffs and the other Class members, and represents an attempt by the director defendants to aggrandize their personal financial positions and interests and to enrich themselves at the expense of and to the detriment of the Company's shareholders. The proposed transaction denies to plaintiffs and other Class members their right to share proportionately in the true value of the Company's assets and future growth in profits and earnings while usurping the same for the benefit of KKR at an unfair and inadequate price. FIRST COUNT 24. Defendants, acting in concert and aiding and abetting one another, have violated their fiduciary duties owed to the public shareholders of Borden and put their own personal interests and the interests of KKR ahead of the interests of Borden's public shareholders, including plaintiffs and the -12- 14 Class members, and have used their control positions as officers and directors of Borden, all as alleged herein, for the purpose of reaping high personal profits at the expense of the Company's public shareholders. 25. In negotiating the proposed merger/acquisition of Borden by KKR, defendants did not exercise good faith, fair dealing, loyalty and due care by failing, among other things, to: (a) evaluate adequately the Company's worth as a potential merger/acquisition candidate; (b) take sufficient steps to enhance Borden's value and/or attractiveness as a merger/acquisition candidate; (c) expose the Company effectively in the marketplace to create an active and open auction for the Company and its assets; and (d) act independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected throughout the merger/acquisition process. 26. Furthermore, in granting a lock-up option to KKR for 19.9% of Borden's outstanding shares at a price of only $11, rather than the $14.25 to be paid to Borden's shareholders, the defendants failed to achieve an appropriate premium or -13- 15 recognition of the added value of the Company that will result from it being wholly-owned by KKR. 27. In contemplating and implementing a plan to obtain immediate financial rewards for themselves, the director defendants have failed to act in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders by failing, among other things, to: (a) undertake an adequate evaluation of the Company's worth as a potential merger/acquisition candidate; (b) ensure that no conflicts of interest existed; and (c) act independently to ensure that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected. 28. The director defendants have agreed among themselves that they will not solicit any other proposal or initiate discussions with any other persons or entities regarding any offer or proposal for the acquisition of the business of Borden through merger, asset sale, stock sale or otherwise while Borden is still a publicly held company. Thus, the director defendants have resolved to wrongfully obtain the valuable assets of Borden for KKR at a bargain price, which under these circumstances, disproportionately benefits them. By secretly negotiating and implementing the merger/acquisition plan while ignoring other options, the director defendants have -14- 16 violated their fiduciary duties to plaintiffs and other public shareholders of Borden. 29. The strategy and tactics pursued by the defendants are and will continue to be wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public shareholders, serve no legitimate business purpose of Borden and are essentially designed to aggrandize the personal positions, interests and finances of the director defendants at the expense of and to the detriment of the Company's public shareholders. The defendants' course of action will deny plaintiffs and other Class members their right to share in the true value of Borden's valuable assets, future earnings and profitable businesses to the same extent that they would as Borden shareholders. 30. In contemplating, devising and executing the aforementioned course of conduct and in pursuing and structuring the proposed merger/acquisition transaction, the director defendants have not acted in good faith toward plaintiffs and other members of the Class and have breached, and are continuing to breach, their fiduciary duties to plaintiffs and the Class. 31. Since the director defendants, and those acting under their direction and control, dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and because they are in possession of private corporate information concerning -15- 17 Borden's businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between the defendants and the public shareholders of Borden which makes defendants' course of action and the contemplated transaction inherently unfair to Borden's public shareholders. The proposed transaction will ensure that the director defendants will disproportionately benefit from the value of Borden's assets and its future financial prospects in contravention of the director defendants' fiduciary duties to maximize the value of Borden's shares. 32. Defendants have acted and are acting with knowledge that the individual defendants, and each of them, have breached and are breaching their fiduciary duties to Borden's public shareholders and have, nevertheless, intentionally, recklessly or negligently induced, and/or aided and abetted one another, in such breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors of Borden. 33. By virtue of the foregoing acts, practices and course of action, the director defendants have failed to exercise due care and diligence in compliance with their fiduciary obligations toward Borden and its public shareholders. 34. The acts and course of conduct complained of hereinabove were willful, malicious and oppressive in that the defendants, and each of them, knew that their actions, as - 16 - 18 enumerated herein, involve improper and illegal practices, violations of law and other acts completely foreign to the duties of officers and directors to carry out corporate affairs in a fair, just, honest and equitable manner. By reason of the foregoing, plaintiffs and the Class are entitled to punitive damages. 35. By virtue of the foregoing actions of the defendants, plaintiffs and the Class have been, are and will be damaged in that they will not receive the fair value of Borden's assets and business in exchange for their Borden stock and have been, are and will be prevented from obtaining a fair price for their shares of the Company's stock. 36. Unless enjoined by this Court, the defendants will continue in their harmful course of conduct and the director defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiffs and to the Class and will exclude plaintiffs and the Class from receiving fair value for their proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and business, all to the irreparable harm of plaintiffs and the Class. 37. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and the members of the Class, demands judgment as follows: -17- 19 A. Declaring that this lawsuit is properly maintainable as a class action and certifying plaintiffs as representatives of the Class; B. Declaring that the defendants have committed a gross abuse of trust and have breached (or aided and abetted such breach of) their fiduciary and other duties owed to plaintiffs and the members of the Class; C. Declaring that the proposed transaction of merger/acquisition of Borden by KKR is a legal nullity; D. Preliminarily and permanently enjoining the defendants and their counsel, agents, employees and all persons acting under, in concert with or for them from taking any steps necessary to accomplish or implement the proposed merger of Borden with KKR at a price that is not fair and equitable; E. In the event that the transaction is consummated, rescinding it and setting it aside; F. Imposing a voting trust upon the shares of Borden owned or controlled by defendants to restrain their ability to use their voting control of the Company to effect the transaction; G. Awarding to plaintiffs and the Class compensatory and punitive damages against the director defendants, jointly -18- 20 and severally, in an amount to be determined at trial, together with prejudgment interest, at the maximum rate allowable by law, from the date of the wrongs to the date of judgment herein; H. Awarding plaintiffs the costs and disbursements of this action, including reasonable attorneys', accountants' and experts' fees; and I. Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. DATED: September 12, 1994 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ --------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 STULL, STULL & BRODY 6 East 45th Street New York, New York 10017 (212) 687-7230 LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH H. WEISS 319 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10016 (212) 532-4171 MILBERG WEISS BERSHAD HYNES & LERACH One Pennsylvania Plaza New York, New York 10119 (212) 594-5300 -19- 21 ROBERT D. ALLISON & ASSOCIATES Robert D. Allison, Esq. 122 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 427-4500 Attorneys for Plaintiffs -20- 22 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO R. 4:5-1 Pursuant to R. 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for a matter entitled, Barbara Lilbin, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this court on this date. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ----------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Dated: September 13, 1994 -21- EX-99.43 12 COMPLAINT FILED IN STEPAK V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.43 2 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE 744 Broad Street, Suit 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiff _______________________________________________x : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY BERNARD STEPAK, on behalf of himself : CHANCERY DIVISION and all others similarly situated, : MERCER COUNTY : DOCKET NO. Plaintiff, : : : v. : : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT BORDEN INC., FRANK J. TASCO, ERVIN : R. SHAMES, FREDERICK E. HENNIG, : WILBERT J. LEMELLE, ROBERT P. : LUCIANO, H. BARCLAY MORLEY, JOHN : E. SEXTON, PATRICIA CARRY STEWART : and KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO., : : Defendants. : _______________________________________________x Plaintiff, by his attorneys, alleges upon information and belief (said information and belief being based, in part, upon the investigation conducted by and through his undersigned counsel), except with respect to his ownership of Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") common stock, and his suitability to serve as a class representative which are alleged upon personal knowledge, as follows: 3 PARTIES 1. Plaintiff, who resides at 76 W. 33rd Street, Bayonne, New Jersey, is the owner of shares of defendant Borden. 2. Defendant Borden is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Borden maintains its principal offices at 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Borden is a producer and distributor of a variety of consumer food products, consumer adhesive and industrial adhesives. 3. Defendant Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts Co. ("KKR") is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal offices located in New York, New York. KKR is a "buy-out firm" that owns a substantial interest in, among others, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR"). 4. Defendant Frank J. Tasco is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Borden. 5. Defendant Ervin S. Shames is President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Borden. 6. Defendant Frederick E. Hennig is a Director of Borden. -2- 4 7. Defendant Wilbert J. Lemelle is a Director of Borden. 8. Defendant Robert P. Luciano is a Director of Borden. 9. Defendant H. Barclay Morley is a Director of Borden. 10. Defendant John E. Sexton is a Director of Borden. 11. Defendant Patricia Carry Stewart is a Director of Borden. 12. The foregoing individual directors of Borden (collectively the "Director Defendants") owe fiduciary duties to Borden and its shareholders. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 13. Plaintiff brings this action upon Rule 4:32 of the New Jersey Court Rules on his own behalf and as a class action on behalf of all shareholders of defendant Borden (except defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants) or their successors in interest, who have been or -3- 5 will be adversely affected by the conduct of defendants alleged herein. 14. This action is properly maintainable as a class action for the following reasons: (a) The class of shareholders for whose benefit this action is brought is so numerous that joinder of all class members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were over 141 million shares of defendant Borden's common stock outstanding owned by tens of thousands of shareholders of record. (b) There are questions of law and fact which are common to members of the Class and which predominate over any questions affecting any individual members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: i. Whether one or more of the defendants has engaged in a plan and scheme to enrich themselves at the expense of defendant Borden's public stockholders; ii. Whether the Defendant Directors have breached their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiff and members of the Class, and/or have aided and abetted in such breach, by virtue of their participation and/or acquiescence and by their other conduct complained of herein; -4- 6 iii. Whether defendants have failed to fully disclose the true value of defendant Borden's assets and earning power and the future financial benefits which they expect to derive from Borden's purchase by KKR; iv. Whether the Defendant Directors have wrongfully failed and refused to seek a purchaser of Borden at the highest possible price and, instead, have sought to chill potential offers and allow the valuable assets of defendant Borden to be acquired by defendant KKR at an unfair and inadequate price; v. Whether defendant KKR has induced or aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duty by members of Borden's Board of Directors; vi. Whether plaintiff and the other members of the Class will be irreparably damaged by the transactions complained of herein; and vii. Whether defendants have breached or aided and abetted the breaches of the fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiff and the other members of the Class. 15. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of plaintiff are typical of -5- 7 the claims of the other members of the Class and plaintiff has the same interest as the other members of the Class. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the Class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class. 16. Plaintiff anticipates that there will not be any difficulty in the management of this litigation. 17. For the reasons stated herein, a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of this action. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 18. On September 12, 1994, KKR and Borden announced that they had agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR stock owned by that partnership, valued at $14.25 per Borden share, or a total of approximately $2 billion. The transaction is scheduled to close by September 23, 1994 (the "Transaction"). The Transaction has already been approved by the Director Defendants. 19. On Friday, September 9, 1994, Borden stock closed at $11.625 per share. -6- 8 20. Although the purchase represents a small premium over the most recent closing price of Borden stock, the Company's stock price recently averaged between $15 and $20 per share. In addition to the fact that the price offered is unfair and inadequate, the Transaction also provides that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR a "lock up" option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 a share payable in RJR Nabisco stock. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51% of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. In the event any competing transaction is consummated, KKR would be paid certain amounts under the merger agreement. In addition, Defendants have agreed that if a merger agreement with Borden is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will purchase 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Borden at only $11 a share. 21. Further, RJR also announced on September 12, 1994 that it has reached an agreement in principle with KKR to acquire a minority interest in Borden upon KKR's successful acquisition of 100 percent of Borden. RJR will issue to Borden -7- 9 approximately $500 million of newly issued RJR common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20 percent pro forma interest in Borden. 22. The Director Defendants and KKR have agreed that, if the merger is consummated, senior management will remain in place and that their compensation structure will be altered to provide greater incentive compensation awards. Also, a majority of the current directors will remain on the Board. 23. The proposed Transaction is wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public stockholders, the Class members, and represents an attempt by defendants to aggrandize the personal and financial positions and interests of board members at the expense of and to the detriment of the stockholders of the Company. The proposed transaction will deny plaintiff and other Class members their rights to share appropriately in the true value of the Company's assets and future growth in profits and earnings, while usurping the same for the benefit of defendant KKR (and for RJR, of which KKR will continue to own a substantial interest) at an unfair and inadequate price. CLAIM AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 24. Defendants other than KKR, acting in concert, have violated their fiduciary duties owed to the public -8- 10 shareholders of Borden and put their own personal interests and the interests of defendant KKR ahead of the interests of the Borden public shareholders and have used their control positions as officers and directors of Borden for the purpose of reaping personal gain for board members at the expense of Borden's public shareholders. 25. The Defendant Directors failed to (1) undertake an adequate evaluation of Borden's worth as a potential merger/acquisition candidate; (2) take adequate steps to enhance Borden's value and/or attractiveness as a merger/acquisition candidate; (3) effectively expose Borden to the marketplace in an effort to create an active and open auction for Borden; or (4) act independently so that the interest of the Company's public shareholders would be protected. Instead, defendants have set a price for the shares of stock that does not reflect the true value of Borden and without an appropriate premium. 26. While the Defendant Directors of Borden should seek out other possible purchasers of the assets of Borden or its stock in a manner designed to obtain the highest possible price for Borden's shareholders, to seek to enhance the value of Borden for all its current shareholders, they have instead resolved to wrongfully allow KKR to obtain the valuable assets of Borden at a bargain price, which under the circumstances here, disproportionately benefits KKR. -9- 11 27. These tactics pursued by the defendants are, and will continue to be, wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public shareholders, and are an attempt by certain defendants to aggrandize their personal positions, interests and finances at the expense of and to the detriment of the Borden public stockholders. These maneuvers by the defendants will deny members of the Class their right to share appropriately in the true value of Borden's valuable assets, future earnings and profitable businesses to the same extent as they would as Borden's shareholders. 28. In contemplating, planning and/or effecting the foregoing specified acts and in pursuing and structuring the Transaction, defendants are not acting in good faith toward plaintiff and the Class, and have breached, and are breaching, their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the Class. 29. Because the Defendant Directors (and those acting in concert with them) dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden and because they are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between the defendants and the public shareholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair to Borden's public shareholders. -10- 12 30. Defendant KKR has acted and is acting with knowledge or with reckless disregard that the other defendants are in breach of their fiduciary duties to Borden's public shareholders and have participated in such breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors of Borden and thus are liable as aiders and abettors. 31. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the Defendant Directors have failed to use the required care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations owed to Borden and its public shareholders. 32. As a result of the actions of the defendants, plaintiff and the Class have been and will be damaged in that they will not receive the fair value of Borden's assets and business in exchange for their RJR shares, and have been and will be prevented from obtaining a fair price for their shares of Borden common stock. 33. Unless enjoined by the Court, the Defendant Directors will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the Class, all to the irreparable harm of the Class. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment as follows: -11- 13 WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment as follows: (a) Declaring that this action may be maintained as a class action; (b) Declaring that the proposed Transaction is unfair, unjust and inequitable to plaintiff and the other members of the Class; (c) Enjoining preliminarily and permanently the defendants from taking any steps necessary to accomplish or implement the proposed merger of defendant Borden with defendant KKR at a price that is not fair and equitable; (d) Requiring defendants to compensate plaintiff and the members of the Class for all losses and damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions complained of herein, together with prejudgment and post-judgment interest; (e) Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of this action, including reasonable attorneys', accountants', and experts' fees; and -12- 14 (f) Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper. Dated: September 16, 1994 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ___________________________ Allyn Z. Lite 744 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 OF COUNSEL: MICHAEL J. BONI SETH I. GROSSMAN HAROLD E. KOHN JOSEPH C. KOHN KOHN, NAST & GRAF, P.C. 1101 Market Street Suite 2400 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 (215) 238-1700 Attorney for Plaintiffs -13- 15 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO R. 4:5-1 Pursuant to R. 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for the matters entitled, Barbara Lubin, et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Norman Weiss, et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994 and Jerry Krim, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 14, 1994. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ________________________ Allyn Z. Lite Dated: September 16, 1994 -14- EX-99.44 13 COMPLAINT FILED IN STROUGO V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.44 2 WILENTZ, GOLDMAN & SPITZER Warren W. Wilentz, Esq. Georgia Haglund, Esq. 90 Woodbridge Center Drive Woodbridge, NJ 07095 Tel. (908) 636-8000 Attorneys for Plaintiffs (Additional attorneys on signature page) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x ROBERT STROUGO, THOMAS : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY TASSONE, MOISE KATZ, CHARLES : : CHANCERY DIVISION MILLER and WILLIAM STEINER on : ________ COUNTY behalf of themselves and all : others similarly situated, : DOCKET No. _________ : Plaintiffs, : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT : -against- : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED : BORDEN, INC., FREDERICK E. : HENNIG, WILBERT J. LEMELLE, : ROBERT P. LUCIANO, H. BARCLAY : MORLEY, JOHN E. SEXTON, ERVIN : R. SHAMES, PATRICIA CARRY : STEWART, and FRANK J. TASCO : : Defenants. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, allege upon personal knowledge as to themselves and their own acts, and upon information and belief based, in part, upon the investigation conducted by counsel which included, among other things, a review of the public financial filings of Borden, Inc. ("Borden") with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), news releases, and other publicly published materials as follows: 3 SUMMARY OF THE ACTION 1. Plaintiffs bring this action, pursuant to R 4:32 of the New Jersey Rules Governing Civil Practice, individually and on behalf of a class of persons, other than defendants and persons in privity with them, who own the common stock of Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company"), to enjoin defendants from breaching their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of Borden to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and RJR Nabisco Inc. ("RJR") in exchange for shares of the common stock of RJR at a value of $14.25 worth of RJR stock for every one share of Borden (the "Transaction" or "Offer"). Plaintiff alleges that, in light of the facts set forth below, Borden's Board of Directors (the "Board"), all of whom have been named as defendants in this action ("Individual Defendants", defined below), have breached and are continuing to breach their fiduciary duties to the stockholders of Borden which require defendants to take all reasonable steps to assure the maximization of stockholder value. PARTIES 2. Plaintiffs Robert Strougo, Thomas Tassone, Moise Katz, Charles Miller and William Steiner are and were at all relevant times shareholders of defendant Borden. -2- 4 3. Borden is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with its principal place of business located at 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Borden is primarily engaged in the production and sale of various processed goods including, among other things, dairy and pasta products. 4. Defendant Frederick E. Hennig ("Hennig") has been a Director since 1990. He is a member of the committee on Officers' Compensation and of the Executive, Audit and Nominating Committees of the Borden Board of Directors. The Audit Committee met three times in 1993. The Executive Committee did not meet in 1993. The Nominating Committee, created in November 1993, met in February 1994 to review and propose nominees for election as directors. The Committee on Officers' Compensation met seven times in 1993. 5. Defendant Wilbert J. Lemelle ("Lemelle") has been a Director since 1987. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Executive and Nominating Committees and of the Committee on Officers' Compensation of the Borden Board. 6. Defendant Robert P. Luciano ("Luciano") has been a Director since 1989. He is Chairman of the Nominating Committee and a member of the Audit and Executive Committees and of the Committee on Officers' Compensation of the Borden Board. -3- 5 7. Defendant H. Barclay Morley ("Morley") has been a Director since 1992. He is Chairman of the Committee on Officers' Compensation and a member of the Executive, Nominating and Pension Committees of the Borden Board. The Pension Committee met three times in 1993. 8. Defendant John E. Sexton ("Sexton") was elected to the Board in 1994. 9. Defendant Ervin R. Shames ("Shames") has been Chief Executive Officer and a Director since 1993. He is a member of the Executive and Pension committees of the Borden Board. 10. Defendant Patricia Carry Stewart ("Stewart") has been a Director since 1976. She is Chair of the Pension Committee and a member of the Executive, Audit and Nominating Committees of the Borden Board. 11. Defendant Frank J. Tasco has been a Director since 1988 and the Chairman of the Board since December 9, 1993. He is Chairman of the Executive Committee and a member of the Pension Committee of the Borden Board. In addition to his compensation as a Director, he is to be paid $100,000 per quarter to serve as Chairman of the Board. 12. The individuals named in paragraphs 4 through 11 are hereinafter referred to as the "Individual Defendants." -4- 6 Each Director who is not currently an employee of the Company is paid a retainer of $28,000 per annum and a per meeting fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board or of any Committee thereof. In addition, non-employee Committee Chairmen are paid an additional annual retainer of $1,000. 13. By reason of their positions and because of their ability to control the business and corporate affairs of Borden at all relevant times, the Individual Defendants owed and owe Borden's shareholders fiduciary obligations of fidelity, trust, loyalty, and due care, and were and are required to use their utmost ability to control and supervise Borden in a fair, informed, just and equitable manner and to act in furtherance of the best interests of Borden and its shareholders. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 14. Plaintiffs bring this action on their own behalf and as a class action, pursuant to R 4:32 of the New Jersey Rules Governing Civil Practice, on behalf of all shareholders of Borden (except the defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants) who are or will be threatened with injury arising from defendants' actions as more fully described herein (the "Class"). -5- 7 15. This action is properly maintainable as a class action. 16. The Class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. As of June 30, 1994, Borden had approximately 141,424,181 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 41,000 shareholders of record, who are located throughout the United States. Borden's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). 17. There are questions of law and fact common to the Class that predominate over questions affecting only individual Class members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: (a) Whether the Individual Defendants have breached their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiffs and to the other members of the Class; (b) Whether the conduct of the Individual Defendants has prevented and is preventing plaintiffs and the Class from receiving the maximum value per share that could be received in a corporate transaction free from the restraints imposed by the Individual Defendants; and (c) Whether plaintiffs and the other members of the class will suffer irreparable harm if the wrongful acts alleged in this complaint are not enjoined. -6- 8 18. Plaintiffs are committed to prosecuting this action and have retained competent counsel experienced in shareholder litigation of this nature. Plaintiffs' claims are typical of the claims of other members of the Class and plaintiffs have the same interests as the other members of the Class. Plaintiffs and their counsel will fairly and adequately represent the interests of the Class. 19. Plaintiffs do not anticipate any unusual difficulties in the management of this action as a class action. 20. A class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy. CLAIM FOR RELIEF 21. In the very recent past, Borden, a well known manufacturer of dairy and other food products, has experienced a significant decline in its profitability. Borden's recent difficulties have been tied to several primary factors, including, mismanagement, the incurrence of excessive debt to finance numerous acquisitions, and several recent restructurings. 22. Over the past several years, Borden, under the stewardship of its former chief executives, Romeo J. Ventres -7- 9 ("Ventres") and Anthony S. D'Amato ("D'Amato"), has suffered an abysmal decline in its financial performance. In fact, the Company's proxy statement dated April 8, 1994 (the "1994 Proxy") includes a comparison of Borden's performance, as measured by cumulative total shareholder return on its common stock, with the S&P 500 and the S&F Food and Chemical Indexes that highlights Borden's decline:
1991 1992 1993 Borden, Inc. 120.7 110.2 68.3] S&P 500 Stock Index 166.1 178.7 196.7 S&P Food Index 214.2 214.2 196.0 S&P Chemical 143.0 156.6 175.2
23. Thus, as indicated by the foregoing, while Borden has experienced significant performance declines, the performance of market and companies in the two primary industries in which Borden derives revenues and profits have significantly improved. A large measure of Borden's dismal performance can be traced to Messrs. Ventres' and D'Amato's ill fated campaign to acquire nonsynergistic companies without proper due diligence and without consideration of the effect on Borden of incurring excessive debt to complete such acquisitions. Between 1986 and 1991, the Company spent almost $2 -8- 10 billion on 91 different acquisitions. As noted in a recent Wall Street Journal article: Once prominent, Borden is seemingly invisible these days, with little advertising and marketing and a hodgepodge of small products. Sales and profits in every major division are declining. It has shed thousands of workers, slashed its dividend by 75% and, since 1989, taken $1.5 billion in restructuring charges -- a huge sum for a company with $7.14 billion in 1992 sales. In the third quarter, the company posted its ninth consecutive quarterly decline in operating earnings. Borden's stock, which peaked in 1991 at $38.75, closed [on January 17, 1994] at $15. 24. As detailed in the article, Borden reeled from acquisition to acquisition, pressing senior managers to move quickly, often spending "as little as two weeks conducting due diligence before agreeing to acquisitions", according to one former Borden executive. As Han Kim, a twenty-year Borden veteran notes, "we were hurriedly buying companies for the sake of buying companies." 25. For example, in 1987, Borden acquired Laura Scudder's snack-food line for $100 million; however, unbeknownst to Borden (due to inadequate due diligence), Laura Scudder faced significant union difficulties which led to Borden's closing of all Laura Scudder plants in California, roughly one year after the acquisition. -9- 11 26. In December of 1993, D'Amato, resigned his position with Borden and a new management team led by Ervin R. Shames was brought in to re-energize the Company, oversee a new restructuring plan and/or aid in the sale of the Company. Although significant damage has already been visited on Borden, its many franchise brand names and products, including the Bravo and Wise snack food product lines and Borden dairy products continue to retain sig- nificant value. In an effort to turn around Borden's dismal slide, new manage- ment has taken substantial restructuring charges which have further driven down Borden's stock price. 27. On or about August 30, 1994, Moody's Investors Service Inc. ("Moody's") lowered the long-term debt and commercial paper ratings of Borden to Baa3 from Baa2 and to Prime-3 from Prime-2, respectively, and kept these ratings on review for further possible downgrade. "The downgrade is based on Borden's weaker than anticipated operating performance and the expectation that bondholder protection measurements will remain weak. . . .", according to Moody's. 28. Borden's stock, which traded as high as $29.125 in 1993 and at $19.875 only a year ago, has continued to sag in 1994, recently falling below $12 per share to its nine year low. -10- 12 29. Having taken significant restructuring charges, and terminated former managers, Borden is now in a position to develop the full value of its many well known brands and clearly has been trading at a discount that does not reflect the full value of its assets. Indeed, as recently as September 13, 1994, the Wall Street Journal reported that Borden's managers were still "hoping for time to turn around the company." 30. On September 12, 1994, prior to the NYSE opening, the Dow Jones Newswire reported that Borden had agreed to a KKR offer to swap RJR stock owned by KKR for all of Borden's outstanding common stock, valued at approximately $14.25 per Borden share, a premium of 22.6% (Borden stock had closed at $11.625 on Friday, September 9, 1994). The exact number of RJR Nabisco shares to be exchanged for each Borden share will be determined by dividing $14.25 by the average of the high and low prices of RJR Nabisco stock for a 10-day trading period to be established in the Offer, provided that in no event will Borden stockholders receive greater than 2.375 RJR shares, nor less than 1.78125 RJR shares for each Borden share. 31. In connection with its agreement with Borden, RJR has agreed in principle that upon KKR's acquisition of 100% of Borden and subject to certain other conditions, RJR will issue about $500 million of its newly issued common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing -11- 13 a 20% pro forma interest in Borden. RJR also will receive a warrant to purchase an additional 10% interest in Borden as part of its investment. 32. KKR announced that Borden has agreed that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR an option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 a share payable in RJR Nabisco stock. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51% of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. KKR will not obtain any economic gain from the option in the event any competing transaction consummated, but would be paid certain amounts under the merger agreement in such circumstances. 33. Commenting on the proposed merger, the Dow Jones Newswire reported Borden Chairman Tasco as stating: We believe that, after a full consideration of all the risks and opportunities confronting Borden today, this transaction is the best outcome for Borden shareholders. The restructuring pursued since January has resulted in volume and share gains in many of Borden's businesses. Moreover, the earnings trend is also improving, but it is clear that additional investment in our brands and in capital are -12- 14 needed in order to capture the company's potential. Therefore, after exploration of a full range of alternatives, the board has concluded that KKR's proposal presents the best opportunity for Borden's shareholders, customers and associates. (Emphasis added). 34. Thus, despite Borden's direct acknowledgment that the Company had turned the corner and had begun to show positive signs of recovery as a result of the change in management and the most recent restructuring, defendants are attempting to sell the Company, at an unfair price in order to preserve their management positions with the commensurate salary and perquisites enuring to their benefit, while curtailing the right of Borden shareholders' to participate in the long-awaited turnaround in the Company's fortunes. Contrary to Borden's assertion that this is "the best outcome for shareholders", according to an article in the September 13, 1994 New York Times, "most [analysts] agreed that Borden was being bought at a fire-sale price." Moreover, the article continues, "[a]lmost all Borden holders will be selling at a loss if this deal goes through." Yet perhaps even worse, Borden shareholders will be receiving shares of a company (RJR) that they did not decide to purchase and one with significant problems and declining value. 35. As of December 1993, Borden has been seeking a buyer for the Company or some form of capital infusion to fully realize its potential. Consequently, the Board has fiduciary -13- 15 duties to shop the Company to the highest bidder and to maximize shareholder value and may not blindly accept the first offer to come along that would allow management to retain their positions with the Company. 36. The Individual Defendants' fiduciary obligations require them to: (a) undertake an appropriate evaluation of alternatives designed to maximize value for Borden's public stockholders; including separate sales of Borden's dairy and/or other businesses; (b) act independently, by, among other things, appointing a disinterested committee so that the interests of Borden's public stockholders would be protected, or alternatively, appointing a shareholder committee to review all bona fide offers; (c) take all appropriate steps to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness as a merger or acquisition candidate; (d) cooperate with all persons having a bona fide interest in proposing any transaction that would maximize shareholder value; -14- 16 (e) take all steps to create an active market for Borden in order to maximize shareholder value in a free and unfettered auction; and (f) adequately ensure that no conflicts of interest exist between the Individual Defendants' own interests and their fiduciary obligation to the public stockholders or, if such conflicts exist, to ensure that all such conflicts are resolved in favor of Borden's public shareholders. 37. In failing to perform the acts set forth in paragraph 36, defendants are not acting in good faith to the Class, and have breached and are breaching their fiduciary duties to the Class. 38. Defendants, in violation of their fiduciary obligations, have failed to act in a manner designed to maximize stockholder value Borden's public stockholders. 39. The Offer by KKR will deny Class members the opportunity to share proportionately in the true value of Borden's assets, profitable business, and future growth in profits and earnings. 40. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the Individual Defendants have been grossly negligent in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations toward plaintiffs and the other Borden public shareholders. -15- 17 41. Unless enjoined by this Court, the Individual Defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class, all to the irreparable harm of the Class, as described above. 42. Plaintiffs and the other members of the Class have no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiffs demand judgment, as follows: (a) declaring this to be a proper class action with plaintiffs as the representatives of the Class; (b) declaring that the defendants and each of them have committed a gross abuse of trust and have breached their fiduciary duties to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class; (c) directing the Individual Defendants to discharge their fiduciary duties to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class by announcing their intentions to: (1) act independently on a fully informed basis in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders; (2) undertake an appropriate evaluation of alternatives designed to maximize value for Borden's public -16- 18 stockholders; including separate sales of Borden's dairy and/or other businesses; (3) take all appropriate steps to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness of a merger or acquisition candidate; (4) cooperate with all persons having a bona fide interest in proposing any transaction that would maximize shareholder value; (5) take all steps to create an active auction for Borden in order to maximize shareholder value; and (6) adequately ensure that no conflicts of interest exist between defendants' own interests and their fiduciary obligation to maximize shareholder value or, if such conflicts exist, to ensure that all such conflicts are resolved in favor of Borden's public shareholders; (d) preliminarily and permanently enjoining defendants and all persons acting under, in concert with, or for them, from breaching their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the Class; (e) ordering defendants to permit a stockholders' committee comprised of Class members and their representatives to ensure a fair procedure, adequate procedural safe-guards, -17- 19 and independent input by plaintiffs and the Class in connection with any transaction for the assets and/or common stock of Borden; (f) awarding plaintiffs and the Class compensatory damages; (g) awarding plaintiffs the costs and disbursements of the action, including a reasonable allowance for attorneys' and experts' fees; and (h) granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper in the premises. Dated: September 13, 1994 Respectfully submitted, WILENTZ, GOLDMAN & SPITZER By: /s/ _____________________________ Warren W. Wilentz, Esq. Georgia Haglund, Esq. 90 Woodbridge Canter Drive Woodbridge, NJ 07095 (908) 636-8000 Liaison Counsel for Plaintiff -18- 20 OF COUNSEL: WECHSLER SKIRNICK HARWOOD HALEBIAN & FEFFER Stuart D. Wechsler, Esq. Andrew D. Friedman, Esq. 555 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 Tel. (212) 935-7400 Attorneys for Robert Strougo GARWIN, BRONZAFT, GERSTEIN & FISHER Scott W. Fisher, Esq. Jerald M. Stein, Esq. 1501 Broadway, Suite 1416 New York, NY 10036 Tel. (212) 398-0055 Fax: (212) 764-6620 Attorneys for Thomas Tassone ARNOLD A. GERSHON, P.C. Arnold A. Gershon, Esq. 295 Madison Avenue Room 807 New York, New York 10017 (212) 684-3033 Attorney for Moise Katz ELWOOD S. SIMON & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Elwood S. Simon, Esq. Bloomfield Center, Suite 315 1533 N. Woodward Avenue Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304 (810) 646-9730 Attorneys for Charles Miller -19- 21 LAW OFFICES OF ZACHARY A. STARR Zachary A. Starr, Esq. 275 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10016 (212) 806-5535 Attorneys for William Steiner -20- 22 RULE 4:5-1 CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that upon information and belief there may be other actions now pending against Borden Inc. and the Individual Defendants for similar relief. However, plaintiffs are not parties to any other actions. Moreover, I am unaware of any arbitration proceeding and no such other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated by plaintiffs; and there are no other parties who, to the best of my knowledge, should be joined in this action at this time. I hereby certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment. _____________________________ GEORGIA HAGLUND, ESQ. DATED: September 13, 1994 -21-
EX-99.45 14 COMPLAINT FILED IN KRIM V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.45 2 GOLDSTEIN, TILL LITE Allyn Z. Lite, Esq. Amy M. Riel, Esq. 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiff - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x JERRY KRIM, on behalf of himself : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY and all others similarly situated, : CHANCERY DIVISION : MERCER COUNTY Plaintiff, : DOCKET NO. : v. : : BORDEN INC., FRANK J. TASCO, ERVIN : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT R. SHAMES, FREDERICK E. HENNIG, : WILBERT J. LEMELLE, ROBERT P. : LUCIANO, H. BARCLAY MORLEY, JOHN : E. SEXTON, PATRICIA CARRY STEWART : and KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO., : : Defendants. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x Plaintiff, by his attorneys, alleges upon information and belief (said information and belief being based, in part, upon the investigation conducted by and through his undersigned counsel), except with respect to his ownership of Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") common stock, and his suitability to, serve as a class representative which are alleged upon personal knowledge, as follows: 3 PARTIES 1. Plaintiff, Jerry Krim, who resides at 4623 North Carlin Spring Road, Arlington, Virginia 22203, is the owner of shares of defendant Borden and has been the owner continuously of such shares since prior to the wrongs complained of herein. He is a resident of the State of Virginia. 2. Defendant Borden is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Borden maintains its principal offices at 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Borden is a producer and distributer of a variety of consumer food products, consumer adhesives and industrial adhesives. 3. Defendant Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts Co. ("KKR") is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal offices located in New York, New York. KKR is a "buyout firm" that owns a substantial interest in, among others, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR"). 4. Defendant Frank J. Tasco is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Borden. 5. Defendant Ervin S. Shames is and at all relevant times hereto has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Borden. -2- 4 6. Defendant Frederick E. Hennig is and at all relevant times hereto has been a Director of Borden. 7. Defendant Wilbert J. Lemelle is and at all relevant times hereto has been a Director of Borden. 8. Defendant Robert P. Luciano is and at all relevant times hereto has been a Director of Borden. 9. Defendant H. Barclay Morley is and at all relevant times hereto has been a Director of Borden. 10. Defendant John E. Sexton is and at all relevant times hereto has been a Director of Borden. 11. Defendant Patricia Carry Stewart is and at all relevant times hereto has been a Director of Borden. 12. The foregoing individual directors of Borden (collectively the "Director Defendants") owe the fiduciary duties of good faith, fair dealing, loyalty and full, candid and adequate disclosure to Borden and its shareholders. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 13. Plaintiff brings this action on his own behalf and as a class action on behalf of all shareholders of defendant Borden (except defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation or other entity related to or affiliated -3- 5 with any of the defendants) or their successors in interest, who have been or will be adversely affected by the conduct of defendants alleged herein. 14. This action is properly maintainable as a class action for the following reasons: (a) The class of shareholders for whose benefit this action is brought is so numerous that joinder of all class members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were over 141 million shares of defendant Borden's common stock outstanding owned by tens of thousands of shareholders of record. (b) There are questions of law and fact which are common to members of the Class and which predominate over any questions affecting any individual members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: i. Whether one or more of the defendants has engaged in a plan and scheme to enrich themselves at the expense of defendant Borden's public stockholders; ii. Whether the Defendant Directors have breached their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiff and members of the Class, and/or have aided and abetted in such breach, by virtue of their participation and/or acquiescence and by their other conduct complained of herein; -4- 6 iii. Whether defendants have failed to fully disclose the true value of defendant Borden's assets and earning power and the future financial benefits which they expect to derive from Borden's purchase by KKR; iv. Whether the Defendant Directors have wrongfully failed and refused to seek a purchaser of Borden at the highest possible price and, instead, have sought to chill potential offers and allow the valuable assets of defendant Borden to be acquired by defendant KKR at an unfair and inadequate price; v. Whether defendant KKR has induced or aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duty by members of Borden's Board of Directors; vi. Whether plaintiff and the other members of the Class will be irreparably damaged by the transactions complained of herein; and vii. Whether defendants have breached or aided and abetted the breaches of the fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiff and the other members of the Class. 15. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of plaintiff are typical -5- 7 of the claims of the other members of the Class and plaintiff has the same interest as the other members of the Class. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the Class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class. 16. Plaintiff anticipates that there will not be any difficulty in the management of this litigation. 17. For the reasons stated herein, a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of this action. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 18. On September 12, 1994, KKR and Borden announced that they had agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR stock owned by that partnership, valued at $14.25 per Borden share, or a total of approximately $2 billion. The transaction is scheduled to close by September 23, 1994 (the "Transaction"). The Transaction has already been approved by the Director Defendants. 19. On Friday, September 9, 1994, Borden stock closed at $11.625 per share. -6- 8 20. Although the purchase price represents a small premium over the most recent closing price of Borden stock, the Company's stock price recently averaged between $15 and $20 per share. In addition to the fact that the price offered is unfair and inadequate, the Transaction also provides that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR a "lock up" option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 a share payable in RJR Nabisco stock. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51% of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. In the event any competing transaction is consummated, KKR would be paid certain amounts under the merger agreement. In addition, Defendants have agreed that if a merger agreement with Borden is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will purchase 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Borden at only $11 a share. 21. Further, RJR also announced on September 12, 1994 that it has reached an agreement in principle with KKR to acquire a minority interest in Borden upon KKR's successful acquisition of 100 percent of Borden. RJR will issue to Borden -7- 9 approximately $500 million of newly issued RJR common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20 percent pro forma interest in Borden. 22. The Director Defendants and KKR have agreed that, if the merger is consummated, senior management will remain in place and that their compensation structure will be altered to provide greater incentive compensation awards. Also, a majority of the current directors will remain on the Board. 23. The proposed Transaction is wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public stockholders, the Class members, and represents an attempt by defendants to aggrandize the personal and financial positions and interests of board members at the expense of and to the detriment of the stockholders of the Company. The proposed transaction will deny plaintiff and other Class members their rights to share appropriately in the true value of the Company's assets and future growth in profits and earnings, while usurping the same for the benefit of defendant KKR (and for RJR, of which KKR will continue to own a substantial interest) at an unfair and inadequate price. CLAIM AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 24. Defendants other than KKR, acting in concert, have violated their fiduciary duties owed to the public -8- 10 shareholders of Borden and put their own personal interests and the interests of defendant KKR ahead of the interests of the Borden public shareholders and have used their control positions as officers and directors of Borden for the purpose of reaping personal gain for board members at the expense of Borden's public shareholders. 25. The Defendant Directors failed to (1) undertake an adequate evaluation of Borden's worth as a potential merger/acquisition candidate; (2) take adequate steps to enhance Borden's value and/or attractiveness as a merger/acquisition candidate; (3) effectively expose Borden to the marketplace in an effort to create an active and open auction for Borden; or (4) act independently so that the interest of the Company's public shareholders would be protected. Instead, defendants have set a price for the shares of stock that does not reflect the true value of Borden and without an appropriate premium. 26. While the Defendant Directors of Borden should seek out other possible purchasers of the assets of Borden or its stock in a manner designed to obtain the highest possible price for Borden's shareholders, or seek to enhance the value of Borden for all its current shareholders, they have instead resolved to wrongfully allow KKR to obtain the valuable assets of Borden at a bargain price, which under the circumstances here, disproportionately benefits KKR. -9- 11 27. These tactics pursued by the defendants are, and will continue to be, wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public shareholders, and are an attempt by certain defendants to aggrandize their personal positions, interests and finances at the expense of and to the detriment of the Borden public stockholders. These maneuvers by the defendants will deny members of the Class their right to share appropriately in the true value of Borden's valuable assets, future earnings and profitable businesses to the same extent as they would as Borden's shareholders. 28. In contemplating, planning and/or effecting the foregoing specified acts and in pursuing and structuring the Transaction, defendants are not acting in good faith toward plaintiff and the Class, and have breached, and are breaching, their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the Class. 29. Because the Defendant Directors (and those acting in concert with them) dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden and because they are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between the defendants and the public shareholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair to Borden's public shareholders. -10- 12 30. Defendant KKR has acted and is acting with knowledge or with reckless disregard that the other defendants are in breach of their fiduciary duties to Borden's public shareholders and have participated in such breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors of Borden and thus are liable as aiders and abettors. 31. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the Defendant Directors have failed to use the required care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations owed to Borden and its public shareholders. 32. As a result of the actions of the defendants, plaintiff and the Class have been and will be damaged in that they will not receive the fair value of Borden's assets and business in exchange for their RJR shares, and have been and will be prevented from obtaining a fair price for their shares of Borden common stock. 33. Unless enjoined by the Court, the Defendant Directors will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the Class, all to the irreparable harm of the Class. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law. -11- 13 WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment as follows: (a) Declaring that this action may be maintained as a class action; (b) Declaring that the proposed Transaction is unfair, unjust and inequitable to plaintiff and the other members of the Class; (c) Enjoining preliminarily and permanently the defendants from taking any steps necessary to accomplish or implement the proposed merger of defendant Borden with defendant KKR at a price that is not fair and equitable; (d) Requiring defendants to compensate plaintiff and the members of the Class for all losses and damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions complained of herein, together with prejudgment and post-judgment interest; (e) Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of this action, including reasonable attorneys', accountants', and experts' fees; and -12- 14 (f) Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper. Dated: September 13, 1994 GOLDSTEIN, TILL & LITE By: /s/ ------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite 744 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 OF COUNSEL: HARVEY GREENFIELD LAW FIRM OF HARVEY GREENFIELD 300 Park Avenue 19th Floor New York, New York 10022 (212) 832-8880 Attorney for Plaintiffs -13- 15 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO R. 4:5-1 Pursuant to R. 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for the matters entitled, Barbara Lubin, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994 and Norman Weiss, et al. v. Borden, Inc. et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ --------------------------- AMY M. RIEL Dated: September 14, 1994 EX-99.46 15 COMPLAINT FILED IN PETERSON V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.46 2 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE 744 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiffs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x JAMES PETERSON and SIDNEY : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY GLICK, on behalf of themselves : CHANCERY DIVISION and all others similarly : MERCER COUNTY situated, : DOCKET NO. : Plaintiffs, : : Civil Action vs. : : BORDEN, INC., ERVIN SHAMES and : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FRANK TASCO, : : Defendants. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, allege upon information and belief, except as to paragraphs 1-3 which are alleged upon knowledge, as follows: THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiff James Peterson resides at 3212 Beverly Road, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080. 2. Plaintiff Sidney Glick resides at 1047 Neilson Street, Far Rockaway, New York 11691. 3. Each plaintiff is the owner of shares of the common stock of defendant Borden, Inc. and has been the owner 3 continuously of such shares since prior to the wrongs complained of herein. 4. Defendant Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") is a corporation duly existing and organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with its principal offices located in Columbus, Ohio. The Company produces and distributes a variety of consumer food products, including pastas and sauces, snack food items, dairy products such as fluid milk and other products. The Company also manufactures and distributes its products. 5. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of the Company's common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 6. Defendant Ervin Shames ("Shames") is, and at all times relevant hereto has been, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 7. Defendant Frank Tasco ("Tasco") is, and at all times relevant hereto has been, Chairman of the Board of the Company. 8. The defendants referred to in paragraphs 8 and 9 are collectively referred to herein as the "Individual Defendants." -2- 4 9. By reason of the above Individual Defendants' positions with the Company as officers and/or directors, said individuals are in a fiduciary relationship with plaintiffs and the other public stockholders of Borden, and owe plaintiffs and the other members of the class the highest obligations of good faith, fair dealing, due care, loyalty and full, candid and adequate disclosure. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 10. Each plaintiff brings this action pursuant to R. 4:32 et seq. of the New Jersey Court Rules, on his or her own behalf and as a class action on behalf of him or herself and all Borden securities holders or their successors in interest, similarly situated (the "Class"). Excluded from the class are defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants. 11. This action is properly maintainable as a class action. 12. The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of Borden common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. -3- 5 13. There are questions of law and fact which are common to the class and which predominate over questions affecting any individual class members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: (a) whether defendants have engaged in conduct constituting unfair dealing to the detriment of the class; (b) whether the proposed merger set forth below is grossly unfair to the class; (c) whether defendants are engaging in self-dealing to benefit themselves; (d) whether plaintiffs and the other members of the class would be irreparably damaged were the transactions complained of herein consummated; and (e) whether defendants have breached, or aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiffs and the other members of the class. 14. Each plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of each plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other members of -4- 6 the class and each plaintiff has the same interests as the other members of the class. Accordingly, each plaintiff is an adequate representative of the class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. 15. Plaintiffs anticipate that there will be no difficulty in the management of this litigation. 16. Defendants have acted on grounds generally applicable to the class with respect to the matters complained of herein, thereby making appropriate the relief sought herein with respect to the class as a whole. CLAIM FOR RELIEF 17. According to news reports on September 12, 1994, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and defendant Borden have agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. common stock valued at about $2 billion, based on Borden's approximately 141 million common shares outstanding. 18. KKR also said that in connection with its agreement with Borden, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. has agreed in principle that upon KKR's acquisition of 100% of Borden and subject to certain other conditions, RJR Nabisco will issue about $500 million of its newly issued common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20% -5- 7 pro forma interest in Borden. RJR Nabisco will also receive a warrant to purchase an additional 10% interest in Borden as part of its investment. 19. KKR said Borden agreed that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR an option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 a share payable in RJR Nabisco stock. 20. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden Common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51%, of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. KKR and Borden agreed that if a merger agreement with Borden is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will purchase 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Borden at $11 a share. 21. The exchange offer for Borden will be conditioned on the receipt by KKR of at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock. It is contemplated that following the completion of the exchange offer, KKR will merge a newly formed corporation which it controls into Borden in a merger in which holders of any then-outstanding Borden common stock will -6- 8 receive the same consideration as holders of Borden common stock receive in the exchange offer. 22. Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the consummation of the imminent agreement between KKR and Borden whereby KKR would swap RJR Nabisco Holding stock for all of the outstanding Borden common stock. 23. The consideration proposed to be paid to class members is unconscionable, unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things: (a) the intrinsic value of Borden's common stock is materially in excess of the amount to be received by Borden stockholders in the transaction giving due consideration to the Company's strategic value, the recent market price of the Company's stock and Borden's brand name recognition; (b) the consideration agreed upon did not result from an appropriate consideration of the value of Borden as there was no opportunity to accurately ascertain Borden's value through open bidding or a market check. 24. The Individual Defendants have thus far failed to announce any active auction or open bidding procedures best calculated to maximize shareholder value. -7- 9 25. Borden's shareholders will, if the transaction is consummated, be deprived of the opportunity for substantial gains which the Company may realize. 26. In announcing the transaction, the defendants have failed to disclose among other things the full extent of the growth and value potential of Borden and the expected increase in its profitability. 27. The defendants have not, in accordance with their fiduciary duties: (a) acted independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected; (b) adequately ensured that no conflicts of interest exist or if such conflicts exist to ensure that all conflicts would be resolved in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders; and (c) taken all appropriate steps to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness as a merger acquisition, restructuring or recapitalization candidate. 28. Because the Individual Defendants dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's assets, businesses and future prospects, there exists -8- 10 an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between them and the public stockholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair for them to pursue any proposed transaction wherein they will reap disproportionate benefits to the exclusion of other means of maximizing stockholder value. 29. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the defendants have failed to exercise ordinary care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations toward plaintiffs and the other Borden public stockholders. 30. As a result of the actions of defendants, plaintiffs and the other members of the Class have been and will be damaged in that they have not and will not receive their fair proportion of the value of Borden's assets and businesses and will be prevented from obtaining appropriate consideration for their shares of Borden's common stock. 31. Unless enjoined by this Court, the defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class, and may consummate the proposed transaction which will exclude the Class from its fair proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and businesses, and/or benefit them in the unfair manner complained of herein, all to the irreparable harm of the Class, as aforesaid. -9- 11 32. Plaintiffs and the Class have no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiffs demand judgment, as follows: A. Declaring this to be a proper class action; B. Ordering defendants to carry out their fiduciary duties to plaintiffs and the other members of the Class, including those of due care and candor; C. Rescinding any transactions effected by the defendants in an unfair manner and for an unfair price and in the event such transaction is consummated prior to trial, awarding rescissory damages; D. Enjoining the complained of transaction or any related transactions; E. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to pay to plaintiffs and the Class all damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions alleged herein; F. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to plaintiffs and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by them as a result of the transaction complained of and pending such accounting to hold such profits -10- 12 in a constructive trust for the benefit of plaintiffs and the other members of the class; G. Awarding plaintiffs the costs and disbursements of the action, including allowance for plaintiffs' reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees; and H. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper in the premises. Dated: September 16, 1994 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ----------------------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Joseph J. DePalma 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 Telephone: (201) 623-3000 OF COUNSEL: SIROTA & SIROTA 747 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 (212) 759-5555 LAW OFFICES OF CURTIS V. TRINKO 310 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor New York, New York 10017 (212) 490-9550 -11- 13 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 4:5-1 Pursuant to R. 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for the matters entitled, Barbara Lubin, et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Norman Weiss, et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Jerry Krim, et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 14, 1994 and Bernard Stepak v. Borden, Inc., et al., filed with this Court this date. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ---------------------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Dated: September 16, 1994 -12- EX-99.47 16 COMPLAINT FILED IN MARCUS V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.47 2 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE Allyn Z. Lite (AL 6774) 744 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiff - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x DANIEL MARCUS on behalf of : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEWJERSEY himself and all others similarly : CHANCERY DIVISION situated, : MERCER COUNTY : DOCKET NO. MER-C-000149-94 Plaintiff, : : Civil Action v. : : BORDEN, INC., ERVIN SHAMES and : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FRANK TASCO, : : Defendants. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x Plaintiff, by his attorneys, alleges upon information and belief, except as to paragraph 1 which is alleged upon knowledge, as follows: THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiff, who resides at 367 McKinley Boulevard, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, is the owner of shares of the common stock of defendant Borden, Inc. and has been the owner continuously of such shares since prior to the wrongs complained of herein. 2. Defendant Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") is a corporation duly existing and organized under the 3 laws of the State of New Jersey, with its principal offices located in Columbus, Ohio. The Company produces and distributes a variety of consumer food products, including pastas and sauces, snack food items, dairy products such as fluid milk and other products. The Company also manufactures and distributes its products. 3. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of the Company's common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 4. Defendant Ervin Shames ("Shames") is and at all times relevant hereto has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 5. Defendant Frank Tasco ("Tasco") is and at all times relevant hereto has been Chairman of the Board of the Company. 6. The defendants referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 are collectively referred to herein as the "Individual Defendants." 7. By reason of the above Individual Defendants' positions with the Company as officers and/or directors, said individuals are in a fiduciary relationship with plaintiffs and the other public stockholders of Borden, and owe plaintiffs and the other members of the class the highest obligations of good -2- 4 faith, fair dealing, due care, loyalty and full, candid and adequate disclosure. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 8. Plaintiff brings this action on his own behalf and as a class action on behalf of himself and all Borden securities holders or their successors in interest, similarly situated (the "Class"). Excluded from the class are defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants. 9. This action is properly maintainable as a class action. 10. The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of Borden common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 11. There are questions of law and fact which are common to the class and which predominate over questions affecting any individual class members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: (a) whether defendants have engaged in conduct constituting unfair dealing to the detriment of the class; -3- 5 (b) whether the merger is grossly unfair to the class; (c) whether defendants are engaging in self-dealing to benefit themselves; (d) whether plaintiffs and the other members of the class would be irreparably damaged were the transactions complained of herein consummated; and (e) whether defendants have breached, or aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiffs and the other members of the class. 12. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other members of the class and plaintiff has the same interests as the other members of the class. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. 13. Plaintiff anticipates that there will be no difficulty in the management of this litigation. 14. Defendants have acted on grounds generally applicable to the class with respect to the matters complained -4- 6 of herein, thereby making appropriate the relief sought herein with respect to the class as a whole. CLAIM FOR RELIEF 15. According to news reports on September 12, 1994, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and defendant Borden have agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. common stock valued at $14.25 per Borden share. 16. Plaintiff seeks to enjoin the consummation of the imminent agreement between KKR and Borden whereby KKR would swap RJR Nabisco Holding stock for all of the outstanding Borden common stock. Pursuant to the proposed terms of the transaction, KKR will also receive a warrant to buy an additional 10% of Borden's shares. If the merger is not closed by September 23, 1994, KKR will buy 28 million shares of Borden's outstanding shares, also as a stock swap for RJR Nabisco Holding stock. Further, under the terms of the agreement, KKR would receive from Borden, a $20 million advisory fee, plus up to $15 million in expenses, if the transaction falls through for any reason. If the transaction is cancelled because a higher bidder successfully takes over Borden, the payment would grow by $30 million to a total of $65 million. In addition, KKR's purchase of $28 million shares of Borden would proceed. -5- 7 Therefore, the winning bidder for Borden would end up owning more than $300 million of RJR stock when it bought Borden and its payment for the company would grow by the same amount. A potential buyer with no desire to have such a large investment in RJR might thus be deterred from bidding. 17. The consideration proposed to be paid to class members is unconscionable and unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things: (a) the intrinsic value of Borden's common stock is materially in excess of the amount to be received by Borden stockholders in the transaction giving due consideration to the Company's strategic value, the recent market price of the Company's stock and Borden's brand name recognition; (b) the consideration agreed upon did not result from an appropriate consideration of the value of Borden as there was no opportunity to accurately ascertain Borden's value through open bidding or a market check. 18. The director defendants have thus far failed to announce any active auction or open bidding procedures best calculated to maximize shareholder value. 19. Borden's shareholders will, if the transaction is consummated, be deprived of the opportunity for substantial gains which the Company may realize. -6- 8 20. In announcing the transaction, the defendants have failed to disclose among other things the full extent of the growth and value potential of Borden and the expected increase in its profitability. 21. The defendants have not, in accordance with their fiduciary duties: (a) acted independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected; (b) adequately ensured that no conflicts of interest exist or if such conflicts exist to ensure that all conflicts would be resolved in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders; and (c) taken all appropriate steps to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness as a merger acquisition, restructuring or recapitalization candidate. 22. Because the individual defendants dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's assets, businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between them and the public stockholders of Borden which makes -7- 9 it inherently unfair for them to pursue any proposed transaction wherein they will reap disproportionate benefits to the exclusion of other means of maximizing stockholder value. 23. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the defendants have failed to exercise ordinary care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations toward plaintiff and the other Borden public stockholders. 24. As a result of the actions of defendants, plaintiff and the other members of the Class have been and will be damaged in that they have not and will not receive their fair proportion of the value of Borden's assets and businesses and will be prevented from obtaining appropriate consideration for their shares of Borden's common stock. 25. Unless enjoined by this Court, the defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the other members of the Class, and may consummate the proposed transaction which will exclude the Class from its fair proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and businesses, and/or benefit them in the unfair manner complained of herein, all to the irreparable harm of the Class, as aforesaid. 26. Plaintiff and the Class have no adequate remedy at law. -8- 10 WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment, as follows: A. Declaring this to be a proper class action; B. Ordering defendants to carry out their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the other members of the Class, including those of due care and candor; C. Rescinding any transactions effected by the defendants in an unfair manner and for an unfair price and in the event such transaction is consummated prior to trial, awarding rescissory damages; D. Enjoining the complained of transaction or any related transactions; E. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to pay to plaintiff and the Class all damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions alleged herein; F. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to plaintiff and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by them as a result of the transaction complained of and pending such accounting to hold such profits in a constructive trust for the benefit of plaintiff and the other members of the class; -9- 11 G. Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of the action, including allowance for plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees; and H. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper in the premises. Dated: September 22, 1994 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ----------------------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite 744 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 Telephone: (201) 623-3000 OF COUNSEL: THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES V. BASHIAN James V. Bashian, Esq. 500 Fifth Avenue Suite 2800 New York, New York 10110 (212) 921-4110 -10- 12 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 4:5-1 Pursuant to R. 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for the matters entitled, Barbara Lubin, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Norman Weiss, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Jerry Krim, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 14, 1994; Bernard Stepak v. Borden Inc., et al., filed with this Court on September 16, 1994; and James Peterson and Sidney Glick v. Borden, Inc., filed with this Court on September 16, 1994. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ --------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Dated: September 22, 1994 -11- EX-99.48 17 COMPLAINT FILED IN DWYER V. BORDEN 1 Exhibit 99.48 2 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE 744 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiffs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x KATHLEEN DWYER, on behalf of : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY herself and all others : CHANCERY DIVISION similarly situated, : MERCER COUNTY : DOCKET NO. MER-C-0152-94 Plaintiffs, : : v. : Civil Action : BORDEN, INC., ERVIN SHAMES and : FRANK TASCO, : : CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT Defendants. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x Plaintiff, by her attorneys, alleges upon information and belief, except as to paragraphs 1 which is alleged upon knowledge, as follows: THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiff Kathleen Dwyer resides at 12860 Northants Circle, Carmel, Indiana 46032. 2. Plaintiff is the owner of shares of the common stock of defendant Borden, Inc. and has been the owner continuously of such shares since prior to the wrongs complained of herein. 3 3. Defendant Borden, Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company") is a corporation duly existing and organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with its principal offices located in Columbus, Ohio. The Company produces and distributes a variety of consumer food products, including pastas and sauces, snack food items, dairy products such as fluid milk and other products. The Company also manufactures and distributes its products. 4. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of the Company's common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 5. Defendant Ervin Shames ("Shames") is, and at all times relevant hereto has been, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 6. Defendant Frank Tasco ("Tasco") is, and at all times relevant hereto has been, Chairman of the Board of the Company. 7. The defendants referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 are collectively referred to herein as the "Individual Defendants." 8. By reason of the above Individual Defendants' positions with the Company as officers and/or directors, said individuals are in a fiduciary relationship with plaintiff and -2- 4 the other public stockholders of Borden, and owe plaintiff and the other members of the class the highest obligations of good faith, fair dealing, due care, loyalty and full, candid and adequate disclosure. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 9. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to R. 4:32 et seq. of the New Jersey Court Rules, on her own behalf and as a class action on behalf of herself and all Borden securities holders or their successors in interest, similarly situated (the "Class"). Excluded from the class are defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants. 10. This action is properly maintainable as a class action. 11. The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. As of April 22, 1994, there were approximately 141 million shares of Borden common stock outstanding held by over 40,000 shareholders of record. 12. There are questions of law and fact which are common to the class and which predominate over questions affecting any individual class members. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: -3- 5 (a) whether defendants have engaged in conduct constituting unfair dealing to the detriment of the class; (b) whether the proposed merger set forth below is grossly unfair to the class; (c) whether defendants are engaging in self-dealing to benefit themselves; (d) whether plaintiffs and the other members of the class would be irreparably damaged were the transactions complained of herein consummated; and (e). whether defendants have breached, or aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiffs and the other members of the class. 13. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other members of the class and plaintiff has the same interests as the other members of the class. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. 14. Plaintiff anticipates that there will be no difficulty in the management of this litigation. -4- 6 15. Defendants have acted on grounds generally applicable to the class with respect to the matters complained of herein, thereby making appropriate the relief sought herein with respect to the class as a whole. CLAIM FOR RELIEF 16. According to news reports on September 12, 1994, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and defendant Borden have agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. common stock valued at about $2 billion, based on Borden's approximately 141 million common shares outstanding. 17. KKR also said that in connection with its agreement with Borden, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. has agreed in principle that upon KKR's acquisition of 100% of Borden and subject to certain other conditions, RJR Nabisco will issue about $500 million of its newly issued common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20% pro forma interest in Borden. RJR Nabisco will also receive a warrant to purchase an additional 10% interest in Borden as part of its investment. 18. KKR said Borden agreed that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant -5- 7 KKR an option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 a share payable in RJR Nabisco stock. 19. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51%, of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. KKR and Borden agreed that if a merger agreement with Borden is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will purchase 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Borden at $11 a share. 20. The exchange offer for Borden will be conditioned on the receipt by KKR of at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock. It is contemplated that following the completion of the exchange offer, KKR will merge a newly formed corporation which it controls into Borden in a merger in which holders of any then-outstanding Borden common stock will receive the same consideration as holders of Borden common stock receive in the exchange offer. 21. Plaintiff seeks to enjoin the consummation of the imminent agreement between KKR and Borden whereby KKR would -6- 8 swap RJR Nabisco Holding stock for all of the outstanding Borden common stock. 22. The consideration proposed to be paid to class members is unconscionable, unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things: (a) the intrinsic value of Borden's common stock is materially in excess of the amount to be received by Borden stockholders in the transaction giving due consideration to the Company's strategic value, the recent market price of the Company's stock and Borden's brand name recognition; (b) the consideration agreed upon did not result from an appropriate consideration of the value of Borden as there was no opportunity to accurately ascertain Borden's value through open bidding or a market check. 23. The Individual Defendants have thus far failed to announce any active auction or open bidding procedures best calculated to maximize shareholder value. 24. Borden's shareholders will, if the transaction is consummated, be deprived of the opportunity for substantial gains which the Company may realize. 25. In announcing the transaction, the defendants have failed to disclose among other things the full extent of -7- 9 the growth and value potential of Borden and the expected increase in its profitability. 26. The defendants have not, in accordance with their fiduciary duties: (a) acted independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected; (b) adequately ensured that no conflicts of interest exist or if such conflicts exist to ensure that all conflicts would be resolved in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders; and (c) taken all appropriate steps to enhance Borden's value and attractiveness as a merger acquisition, restructuring or recapitalization candidate. 27. Because the Individual Defendants dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's assets, businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between them and the public stockholders of Borden which makes it inherently unfair for them to pursue any proposed transaction wherein they will reap disproportionate benefits to the exclusion of other means of maximizing stockholder value. -8- 10 28. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of conduct, the defendants have failed to exercise ordinary care and diligence in the exercise of their fiduciary obligations toward plaintiff and the other Borden public stockholders. 29. As a result of the actions of defendants, plaintiff and the other members of the Class have been and will be damaged in that they have not and will not receive their fair proportion of the value of Borden's assets and businesses and will be prevented from obtaining appropriate consideration for their shares of Borden's common stock. 30. Unless enjoined by this Court, the defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the other members of the Class, and may consummate the proposed transaction which will exclude the Class from its fair proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and businesses, and/or benefit them in the unfair manner complained of herein, all to the irreparable harm of the Class, as aforesaid. 31. Plaintiff and the Class have no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment, as follows: A. Declaring this to be a proper class action; -9- 11 B. Ordering defendants to carry out their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the other members of the Class, including those of due care and candor; C. Rescinding any transactions effected by the defendants in an unfair manner and for an unfair price and in the event such transaction is consummated prior to trial, awarding rescissory damages; D. Enjoining the complained of transaction or any related transactions; E. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to pay to plaintiffs and the Class all damages suffered and to be suffered by them as a result of the acts and transactions alleged herein; F. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to plaintiff and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by them as a result of the transaction complained of and pending such accounting to hold such profits in a constructive trust for the benefit of plaintiff and the other members of the class; G. Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of the action, including allowance for plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees; and -10- 12 H. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper in the premises. Dated: September 23, 1994 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ---------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Joseph J. DePalma 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 Telephone: (201) 623-3000 OF COUNSEL: DAVID B. KAHN & ASSOCIATES David B. Kahn, Esq. Mark E. King, Esq. Suite 100 One Northfield Plaza Northfield, Illinois 60093 DAVIS MINER BARNHILL & GALLAND, P.C. Charles Barnhill, Esq. Paul Strauss, Esq. 14 W. Erie Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 -11- 13 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 4:5-1 Pursuant to R. 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for the matters entitled, Barbara Lubin, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Norman Weiss, et al. v. Borden, Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Jerry Krim, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 14, 1994; Bernard Stepak v. Borden Inc., et al., filed with this Court on September 16, 1994; James Peterson and Sidney Glick v. Borden, Inc., filed with this Court on September 16, 1994; and Daniel Marcus v. Borden Inc., et al., filed with this Court on September 22, 1994. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By:/s/ --------------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Dated: September 23, 1994 EX-99.49 18 COMPLAINT FILED IN SHINGALA V. HARPER 1 Exhibit 99.49 2 IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY ARUN J. SHINGALA, custodian for ) Sunil Arun Shingala, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) CHARLES M. HARPER, LAWRENCE R. ) RICCIARDI, JOHN T. CHAIM, JR., JOHN L. ) C.A. NO. 13739 CLANDEMIN, H. JOHN GREENIAUS, JAMES W. ) JOHNSTON, HENRY R. KRAVIS, JOHN G. ) MEDLIN, JR., PAUL C. RAETHER, ROSANNE ) L. RIDGWAY, CLIFTON S. ROBBINS, ) GEORGE R. ROBERTS, JAMES W. GREENE, ) SCOTT M. STUART, MICHAEL T. ) TOKARE, and BORDEN, INC. ) ) Defendants, ) ) and ) ) RJR HOLDINGS CORP., ) ) Nominal Defendant. ) SHAREHOLDER'S DERIVATIVE COMPLAINT Plaintiff, by his attorneys, complains of defendants on information and belief, except as to paragraph 2, which is alleged upon personal knowledge, as follows: 1. This action is brought derivatively on behalf of RJR Holdings, Inc. ("RJR" or the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, for breach of fiduciary duty and corporate waste. 3 THE PARTIES 2. Plaintiff has held RJR stock continuously at all times relevant to this Complaint, and continues to hold such stock. 3. (a) Defendant Charles M. Harper is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and has held that position since May 1993. In 1993 Harper earned approximately $3 million from RJR. (b) Defendant Lawrence R. Ricciardi is President, General Counsel and a Director. In 1993 he earned approximately $1,000,000 from RJR. (c) Defendant H. John Greeniaus is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nabisco Foods Group and a Director. He earned approximately $1.2 million in 1993 from RJR. (d) Defendant James W. Johnston is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and a Director of RJR. He earned approximately $1,000,000 in 1993 from RJR. (e) Defendant James H. Greene is a general Partner of Kohlberg, Kravis and Roberts & Co. ("KKR") and affiliated companies and a Director of RJR. -2- 4 (f) Defendant Henry Kravis is a general partner of KKR and affiliated companies and a Director of RJR. (g) Defendant Paul E. Raether is a general partner of KKR and a Director of RJR. (h) Defendant Clifton S. Robbins is an executive of KKR and a limited partner of KKR affiliate, and a Director of RJR. (i) Defendant George R. Roberts is a general partner of KKR and a KKR affiliate, and a Director of RJR. (j) Defendant Scott M. Stuart is an executive of KKR and a limited partner of a KKR affiliate, and a Director of RJR. (k) Defendant Michael T. Tokare is a general partner of KKR, a KKR affiliate and a Director of RJR. (l) Defendants John T. Chain Jr., John L. Clandenin, John W. Medlin Jr., Rosanne L. Ridgway, are Directors of RJR. 4. Defendant KKR, a partnership, owns $56,766,236 shares of RJR common stock or 48.9% of the outstanding common stock of RJR and exercises effective control over RJR. As a result of a going private transaction in 1933, KKR acquired RJR. -3- 5 5. Defendant RJR is a Delaware corporation with offices at 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. The Company, through wholly-owned RJR Nabisco Inc., operates substantial tobacco and food businesses, including the sale of cigarettes such as Winston, Salem, Camel, Vantage and foods products such as Oreo Cookies, Wheat Thins, and Ritz Crackers, among others. 6. Defendant Borden is a New Jersey corporation engaging in the sale of various food products and chemicals. It sells its products nationally to food stores and uses of chemical products. 7. The director defendants ("Director Defendants") owe RJR the highest duties of good faith and loyalty. KKR as owner of a near majority of RJR shares, as designee of 7 KKR representatives on the RJR Board and the designee of the 4 officer director members of the Board, have effective control of the RJR Board. KKR therefore owes RJR the same fiduciary duties as do the Director Defendants. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS 8. On September 12, 1994, it was jointly announced by KKR and Borden, Inc. ("Borden") that KKR had agreed in principle to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Borden by a KKR partnership in exchange for RJR common -4- 6 stock owned by KKR, to be valued at $14.25 par Borden share (the "Exchange Office"). In the announcement, KKR and Borden stated that the purchase price represented a premium of 22.8% over the $11.625 closing price of Borden common stock on September 9, 1994. 9. The number of RJR shares to be received by holders of Borden common shares will be determined by dividing $14.25 by the average of the high and the low prices of RJR Nabisco stock for a 10 day trading period to be set, but in no event will holders of Borden common shares receive greater than 2.375 RJR shares or less than 1.78125 RJR shares per Borden share. 10. KKR further reported that, in connection with its agreement to acquire Borden, RJR had also agreed in principle that, upon KKR's acquisition of 100% of Borden RJR will issue about $500 million of its newly issued common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20% pro forma interest in Borden. RJR will also receive a warrant to purchase an additional 10% interest in Borden as part of its investment. RJR will receive an undetermined number of seats on Borden's Board. It was also announced that RJR and KKR had agreed that if Borden should agree to sell any of its food business assets in the future, RJR may use its Borden shares a payment for those businesses. -5- 7 11. It was also reported that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR an option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock, for $11 per share, so that if KKR purchases Borden shares in the Exchange Offer, it will obtain at least 51% of Borden's common stock. KKR would then effect a merger of Borden into a KKR subsidiary on the same terms as the Exchange Officer. 12. It is expected that the total consideration to be paid in the Exchange Offer for 100% of Borden common shares is approximately $2 billion, and that it will cost RJR approximately $500,000,000 to acquire its 20% stake in Borden. It is expected that after the acquisition, KKR will retain a $2 billion stake in RJR, and continue to control its activities. After giving effect to the Exchange Offer, KKR's ownership of RJR shares would drop to approximately 20%. However it would effectively be approximately 30% due to the anticipated ownership by Borden of $500 million of RJR shares and the control of 80% of Borden shares by KKR. 13. Borden is a company in serious financial difficulty. It has been on a downward spiral since 1991, ending in the forced resignation of its chief Executive, Anthony D'Amato. After his departure, Borden took a write-off of $486 million, resulting in a loss from continuing operations of $57 -6- 8 million. Its debt has been downgraded to BBB from A+ in 1991, and its stock, prior to the announcement of the Exchange Offer, had fallen to near its 10 year low. Standard & Poors had placed Borden's long term debt and commercial paper under review for further downgrade. Indeed, Borden has had great difficulty in obtaining additional financing and has had to pay interest rates equivalent to a junk bond rate to obtain credit. 14. In an attempt to revitalize itself, Borden has tried to sell off some of its food product lines to decrease its huge debt and then to reinvigorate the remaining food businesses. These asset sales had not been particularly successful. 15. The sale of assets had previously raised only $165 million. For instance, its food service line was sold for $70 million to H.J. Heins, yielding a purchase price equivalent to only 31% of revenues. Generally, prime food company assets sell for a $1.00 per $1.00 of revenues. It has been reported that unless further assets are sold Borden will have no free cash flow in 1994. 16. Turn around efforts on the remaining food businesses have not been successful. While Borden has attempted to increase the sales volume of its remaining food products, it has done so primarily by price cutting and special incentives, which, have slightly increased market share, but -7- 9 have resulted in a decline of margins and an evaporation of operating profits in these products lines. Furthermore, Borden has failed to control its costs. While sales are projected to decline due to product line sales, costs have remained flat. The company is so overextended that it has only approximately $0.85 in current assets per dollar in current liabilities. 17. Additionally, it is in intense competition with other food business competitors which have historically been far better at developing new products which yield good market share at healthy operating margins and which competitors have also been better at obtaining supermarket shelf space. In short Borden is at this juncture a tale of woe. An acquiror who obtains Borden runs tremendous risks with respect to its investment. VIOLATIONS ALLEGED 18. The Exchange Offer and the RJR purchase of Borden shares are solely to benefit KKR. KKR is in the corporate acquisition business and takes very significant risks acquiring companies with the expectation that they, or their assets may ultimately be sold at a profit. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer it is expected to obtain majority control of Borden and to then acquire the balance of Borden shares by a merger. -8- 10 19. Pursuant to the transactions, RJR will obtain only a 20% stake in Borden. RJR is not an investment company and is not in the business of investing in companies by acquiring minority stock interests, especially one as troubled as Borden. The $500 million acquisition of Borden shares serves no legitimate business purpose of RJR, but benefits KKR, as it effectively cuts KKR's cost of acquisition of Borden by approximately 25%. Due to KKR's domination and effective control of the RJR Board, RJR has been required to participate in the transaction, where it has no legitimate interest to do so. 20. RJR will pay the same per share price for the acquisition of its minority interest in Borden as KKR will pay to acquire the entire company. The purchase of a 20% minority interest that includes a premium paid to obtain control constitutes a waste of RJR's assets and benefits only KKR, which will sell the minority Borden interest at an inflated price. Further, the Borden shares acquired by RJR will be impossible to sell on the open market, and it is highly likely that no one will have any interest in purchasing them in a private transaction. Although RJR will be given the option to acquire Borden assets if they are sold and use its Borden shares to do so, it may be forced to do so as that route may be the only effective method of ridding itself of the Borden shares. -9- 11 21. Although RJR will acquire a warrant to purchase an additional 10% of Borden's common stock, this warrant does not provide RJR with anywhere near the additional value necessary to compensate it for the unreasonable risks that it is being forced to take. 22. Given Borden's deplorable financial condition, the minority investment by RJR in Borden does not benefit its business, but that of KKR. Clearly, RJR will have no effective way of divesting itself of its Borden investment, except by the purchase of the very troubled Borden food lines. 23. The investment by RJR in Borden, makes it less likely that RJR will be in position to restructure itself to divide its tobacco and food operations, which has been under consideration. Thus RJR is being forced to forego this strategic option to its detriment, in favor of an investment which benefits only KKR. 24. The foregoing scheme constitutes a breach of fiduciary duty of loyalty by the Director Defendants since they are acting primarily for the benefit of KKR to the detriment of RJR. KKR has also breached its fiduciary duties owed to RJR by proffering this scheme to use RJR's assets to fund its merchant banking operations. As a result of the scheme, RJR will be damaged financially and competitively, will pay excessive amounts for the securities acquired in the transaction. The -10- 12 scheme constitutes a gross waste of RJR's assets for the benefit of KKR. DEMAND FUTILITY 25. Plaintiff has not demanded that RJR's Board of Directors institute an action against the directors to recover for the wrongs alleged above. Such demand would be futile, and is therefore excused, for at least the following reasons) (a) A majority of RJR's Board of Directors is composed of directors that are outright KKR designees or officers of RJR who were selected by KKR and cannot be asked to sue themselves. Accordingly, RJR's Board cannot be expected to take any action to redress the wrongs alleged. (b) RJR's directors lack the independence necessary to decide whether or not RJR should take action to redress the wrongs alleged. The RJR Board is controlled and dominated by KKR. (c) The wrongs alleged above constitute breaches of fiduciary and/or corporate waste. Accordingly, these transactions cannot be the product of reasoned business judgment. -11- 13 (d) A majority of the RJR Board owes loyalty to KKR and will not take any legal action against KKR. 26. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE plaintiff demands relief as follows: A. That the Court enjoin RJR's purchase of Borden shares; B. That the Court require defendants to account to RJR for losses RJR has and will sustain as a result of the wrongs alleged herein; C. That the Court award RJR damages against the defendants for all losses it has sustained as a result of the wrongs alleged herein; D. That the Court award plaintiff the costs and expenses of this action, including reasonable attorneys', experts' and accountants' fees; -12- 14 E. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. Dated: Wilmington, Delaware September 13, 1994 ROSENTHAL, MONNAIT, GROSS & GODDESS, P.A. By: /s/ ______________________________ First Federal Plaza, Suite 214 P.O. Box 1070 Wilmington, DE 19899-1070 (302) 656-4433 Attorneys for Plaintiff OF COUNSEL: WOLF POPPER ROSS WOLF & JONES 845 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 -13- EX-99.50 19 COMPLAINT FILED IN PITTMAN V. BORDEN 1 EXHIBIT 99.50 2 GOLDSTEIN, TILL & LITE Allyn Z. Lite, Esq. Amy M. Riel, Esq. 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 Attorneys for Plaintiff - ---------------------------------------------X : : : PITTMAN NEUROSURGICAL P.A. Defined : SUPERIOR COURT OF Benefit Plan U.T.D. 9/1/77, R. CLINTON : NEW JERSEY PITTMAN, TRUSTEE, on behalf of itself : MERCER COUNTY and all others similarly situated, : CHANCERY DIVISION : Plaintiff: : : CIVIL ACTION NO: C-158-94 against : : : : BORDEN INC., KOHLBERG KRAVIS : ROBERTS & CO., ERVIN R. SHAMES, : CLASS ACTION FRANK J. TASCO, H. BARCLAY MORLEY, : COMPLAINT JOHN E. SEXTON, FREDERICK E. HENN- : ING, WILBERT J. LEMELLE, ROBERT P. : LUCIANO, and PATRICIA CARRY STEWART, : : Defendants. : : - ---------------------------------------------X Plaintiff alleges upon information and belief based, in part, upon an investigation conducted by and through the undersigned counsel, except with respect to its ownership of Borden Inc. common stock and its suitability to serve as class representative, which are alleged upon personal knowledge, as follows: 3 THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiff is and has been at all relevant times the owner of shares of the common stock of Borden Inc. ("Borden" or the "Company"). 2. Defendant Borden is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey with its principal executive offices located at 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. Borden is an international food company, with a diversified line of products among snack foods, dairy products, household items and special market foods, including cheese, yogurt, glue, pasta, frozen desserts, arts and crafts supplies, caulking and industrial coatings. Borden had, as of December 31, 1993, approximately 141,358,035 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which shares are held by at least hundreds of shareholders of record and are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. 3. Defendant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") is a corporate buyout firm located in New York, New York. KKR is named as a defendant herein because, as a party to the proposed merger, it is a necessary party to be joined in this action in order to obtain the relief sought -2- 4 4. (a) Defendant Ervin R. Shames ("Shames") is and has been at all relevant times the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a director; (b) Defendant Frank J. Tasco ("Tasco") is and has been at all relevant times the Company's Chairman of the Board of Directors; (c) Defendant H. Barclay Morley ("Morley") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (d) Defendant John E. Sexton ("Sexton") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (e) Defendant Frederick E. Henning ("Henning") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (f) Defendant Wilbert J. Lemelle ("Lemelle") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; (g) Defendant Robert P. Luciano ("Luciano") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden; and (h) Defendant Patricia Carry Stewart ("Stewart") is and has been at all relevant times a director of Borden. The defendants described in paragraphs 4(a)-(h) above are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "individual defendants" or the "director defendants." -3- 5 5. By virtue of the individual defendants' positions as officers and/or directors of Borden, said individual defendants are in a fiduciary relationship with plaintiff and other public shareholders of Borden and owe plaintiff and other members of the Class the highest obligation of good faith, fair dealing, loyalty and due care. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS 6. Plaintiff brings this action individually and pursuant to R. 4:32 of the New Jersey Court Rules as a class action on behalf of all shareholders of Borden, and their successors in interest who are or will be threatened with injury arising from defendants' actions as more fully described below (the "Class"). Excluded from the Class are defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants. 7. This action is properly maintainable as a class action under the laws of the State of New Jersey for the following reasons: (a) The Class, which includes at least hundreds of shareholders of record scattered throughout the United States and foreign countries, is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable. -4- 6 (b) There are questions of law and fact common to members of the Class which predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, including, inter alia, the following: (i) whether one or more of the defendants has engaged in a plan and scheme to enrich themselves at the expense of Borden's public shareholders; (ii) whether the defendants have breached their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiff and members of the Class and/or have aided and abetted in such breach by virtue of their participation and/or acquiescence and by their other conduct complained of herein; (iii) whether defendants have failed to fully disclose the true value of Borden's assets and earning power, as well as the future financial benefits they expect to derive, through the merger with KKR; (iv) whether the defendants have wrongfully failed and refused to seek a purchaser of Borden at the highest possible price and instead have sought to chill potential offers and acquire the valuable assets of Borden for KKR at an unfair and inadequate price; -5- 7 (v) whether plaintiff and the other members of the Class will be irreparably damaged by the transactions complained of herein; (vi) whether defendants have breached, and/or aided and abetted one another in the breach of, the fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiff and the other members of the Class; and (vii) whether defendants are pursuing a scheme and course of business designed to eliminate the public shareholders of Borden in violation of the laws of the State of New Jersey. (c) The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other members of the Class, and plaintiff has no interests that are adverse or antagonistic to the interests of the Class. (d) Plaintiff is committed to the vigorous prosecution of this action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the Class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class. (e) Plaintiff anticipates that there will not be any difficulty in the management of this litigation as a class action. -6- 8 8. For the reasons stated herein, a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of this action. FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS 9. On or about December 22, 1993, Borden announced to the financial news wire services that it was not engaged in any negotiations for a sale or merger of the Company. Borden announced that instead they would restructure and that details would be announced in early January, 1994. 10. On January 5, 1994, Borden announced the details of its restructuring and refocusing plan. The restructuring included $650 million in charges to fourth-quarter 1993 earnings and the sale of the Company's North American snacks, seafood and other units. The units put up for sale represented about $1.25 billion, or 20 percent, of Borden's projected sales of $6.75 million for 1993. According to defendant Tasco: "The goal of the program is to build shareholder value by focusing on and revitalizing our best businesses." Defendant Shames stated that other key elements of the restructuring plan included the introduction of new consumer-oriented marketing programs to strengthen Borden's core food businesses of pasta, niche grocery and international foods. The restructuring plans -7- 9 also called for a turnaround of Borden's domestic dairy business, largely through volume recovery and cost reduction and retention of nearly all of the non-food businesses as important contributors to current cash flow and earnings. 11. Borden said the plans also called for cost reductions phasing in over two years and reaching an annualized savings rate of $100 million to $125 million by the end of 1995. Savings would be achieved through a combination of divestments and gains in efficiency and productivity. 12. On January 26, 1994, Borden announced that it expects its restructuring, along with increased marketing and cost reductions, to improve its performance in 1994. Defendant Shames stated: "I believe the new restructuring plan that we are implementing will improve Borden's performance and build shareholder value." Shames also stated that Borden projects 1994 earnings at the upper end of the $0.75 to $1.00 per share range of estimates by security analysts who follow Borden closely. The press release also stated that quarterly earnings are expected to strengthen after a marginally profitable first quarter as momentum and cost savings build during the year. 13. On April 25, 1994, Borden released its 1994 first quarter earnings. Defendant Shames stated in the press release disseminated to the investing public that: "The fundamentals of our businesses have improved. Although there is -8- 10 much to be done throughout the North American Foods businesses, Borden is making significant gains in many areas in rebuilding volume and market share.... We are making significant progress in our cost saving programs and running above our projection for increased cash flow." 14. On May 16, 1994, Borden announced that it had sold its Borden Foodservice Group to H.J. Heinz Co. for an undisclosed amount. The division had sales of $270 million in 1993 but has been unprofitable in recent years. Borden stated that: "We are moving ahead on schedule with our divestment of businesses." 15. On May 20, 1994, Borden announced the sale of three additional businesses as part of its restructuring program. Shames stated that "[o]ur divestiture program is on track." 16. On July 11, borden announced that it had sold its Bama Foods business to Welch's. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Shames stated: "We are also making progress in our efforts to sell our salty snacks business." 17. On August 25, 1994, Borden announced that it has finalized an agreement to sell its Jays Foods, Inc. snack Business to Special Foods Company. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. -9- 11 18. On September 12, 1994, Borden and KKR shocked the market by announcing that KKR had agreed to acquire Borden in a transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. 19. Under the terms of the agreement, Borden shareholders will receive RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR") stock owned by KKR worth approximately $14.25 per Borden share. The press release announcing the deal stated inter alia: It is contemplated that a definitive merger agreement will be executed within two weeks. The agreement will provide for an exchange offer by KKR in which holders of Borden common stock would have the right to exchange their shares for RJR Nabisco common stock. The exact number of RJR Nabisco shares to be exchanged for each Borden share will be determined by dividing $14.25 by the average of the high and low prices of RJR nabisco stock for a 10-day trading period to be established in the offer, provided that in no event will Borden stockholders receive greater than 2.375 RJR Nabisco shares, nor less than 1.78125 RJR Nabisco shares for each Borden share. The transaction will be taxable to Borden shareholders. -10- 12 20. The press release also stated: KKR also announced that in connection with its agreement with Borden, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. has agreed in principle that upon KKR's successful acquisition of 100% of Borden and subject to certain other conditions, RJR Nabisco will issue approximately $500 million in newly issued RJR Nabisco common shares for newly issued Borden shares priced at $14.25 each, representing a 20 percent pro forma interest in Borden. RJR Nabisco also will receive a warrant to purchase an- additional 10 percent interest in Borden as part of its investment. "We believe that, after a full consideration of all the risks and opportunities confronting Borden today, this transaction is the best outcome for Borden shareholders, said Frank J. Tasco, Chairman of Borden. The restructuring pursued since January has resulted in volume and share gains in many of Borden's businesses. -11- 13 Moreover, the earnings trend is also improving, but it is clear that additional investment in our brands and in capital are needed in order to capture the Company's potential...." 21. Also as part of the deal, Borden has agreed that at the time a definitive merger agreement is entered into, Borden will grant KKR an option to purchase from Borden up to 19.9% of the outstanding Borden common stock for $11 per share payable in RJR Nabisco common stock. If the option is exercised, KKR must purchase at least 41% of the outstanding Borden common stock in the exchange offer if it acquires any shares in the exchange offer. If KKR acquires at least 41%, but less than 51%, of Borden common stock in the exchange offer, the option must be exercised by KKR, to the extent necessary for KKR to own at least 51% of the outstanding Borden common stock. KKR has also agreed that if a merger agreement is not entered into by September 23, 1994, KKR will, subject only to necessary regulatory approvals, purchase 19.9% of the outstanding shares of Borden common stock for $11 per share. 22. The proposed merger transaction is wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's shareholders, including plaintiffs and the other Class members, because just as Borden's restructuring efforts, whose cost was borne by Borden shareholders, were bearing fruit and its earnings potential was on an upswing, Borden and KKR are -12- 14 attempting to usurp from Borden's shareholders the benefits of the restructuring. 23. The proposed merger transaction is further wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's shareholders, including plaintiffs and the other Class members, and represents an attempt by the director defendants to aggrandize their personal financial positions and interests and to enrich themselves at the expense of and to the detriment of the Company's shareholders. The proposed transaction denies to plaintiffs and other Class members their right to share proportionately in the true value of the Company's assets and future growth in profits and earnings while usurping the same for the benefit of KKR at an unfair and inadequate price. -13- 15 FIRST COUNT 24. Defendants, acting in concert and aiding and abetting one another, have violated their fiduciary duties owed to the public shareholders of Borden and put their own personal interests and the interests of KKR ahead of the interests of Borden's public shareholders, including plaintiffs and the Class members, and have used their control positions as officers and directors of Borden, and as alleged herein, for the purpose of reaping high personal profits at the expense of the Company's public shareholders. 25. In negotiating the proposed merger/acquisition of Borden by KKR, defendants did not exercise good faith, fair dealing, loyalty and due care by failing, among other things, to: (a) evaluate adequately the Company's worth as a potential merger/acquisition candidate; (b) take sufficient steps to enhance Borden's value and/or attractiveness as a merger/acquisition candidate; (c) expose the Company effectively in the marketplace to create an active and open auction for the Company and its assets; and -14- 16 (d) act independently so that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected throughout the merger/acquisition process. 26. Furthermore, in granting a lock-up option to KKR for 19.9% of Borden's outstanding shares at a price of only $11, rather than the $14.25 to be paid to Borden's shareholders, the defendants failed to achieve an appropriate premium or recognition of the added value of the Company that will result from it being wholly-owned by KKR. 27. On September 24, 1994, Borden agreed to meet with Paul Kazarian, head of the investment group Japonica Partners to discuss a rival proposal. Following the meeting, Kazarian expressed an intention to make a cash offer for Borden's shares in the range of $16-$18 for a majority stake in the Company. As part of his evaluation process, Kazarian requested but was denied access to certain due diligence materials regarding Borden. 28. On September 23, 1994 the Wall Street Journal published an article entitled "Don't Let KKR Milk Borden" wherein corporate law professor John Pound discussed Kazarian's offer as follows: "The Kazarian offer looks better if it pans out. Mr. Kazarian has apparently -15- 17 offered to give investors cash for their shares, not stock in another company. Moreover, he is proposing a partial, not a full buyout. That would allow shareholders to retain their shares and profit from a turnaround that may ultimately result. One can quibble about the price and about the degree of control accorded to Mr. Kazarian, but the concept is far sounder than the KKR one." 29. Despite the fact that Kazarian's offer is in the greater interest of the Borden shareholders, the director defendants continue to favor and endorse KKR's offer. 30. In contemplating and implementing a plan to obtain immediate financial rewards for themselves, the director defendants have failed to act in the best interests of Borden's public shareholders by failing, among other things, to: (a) undertake an adequate evaluation of the Company's worth as a potential merger/acquisition candidate; (b) ensure that no conflicts of interest existed; and (c) act independently to ensure that the interests of Borden's public shareholders would be protected. -16- 18 31. The director defendants have agreed among themselves that they will not solicit any other proposal or initiate discussions with any other persons or entities regarding any offer or proposal for the acquisition of the business of Borden through merger, asset sale, stock sale or otherwise while Borden is still a publicly held company. Thus, the director defendants have resolved to wrongfully obtain the valuable assets of Borden for KKR at a bargain price, which under these circumstances, disproportionately benefits them. By secretly negotiating and implementing the merger/acquisition plan while ignoring other options, the director defendants have violated their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and other public shareholders of Borden. 32. The strategy and tactics pursued by the defendants are and will continue to be wrongful, unfair and harmful to Borden's public shareholders, serve no legitimate business purpose of Borden and are essentially designed to aggrandize the personal positions, interests and finances of the director defendants at the expense of and to the detriment of the Company's public shareholders. The defendants' course of action will deny plaintiff and other Class members their right to share in the true value of Borden's valuable assets, future earnings and profitable businesses to the same extent that they would as Borden shareholders. -17- 19 33. In contemplating, devising and executing the aforementioned course of conduct and in pursuing and structuring the proposed merger/acquisition transaction, the director defendants have not acted in good faith toward plaintiff and other members of the Class and have breached, and are continuing to breach, their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the Class. 34. Since the director defendants, and those acting under their direction and control, dominate and control the business and corporate affairs of Borden, and because they are in possession of private corporate information concerning Borden's businesses and future prospects, there exists an imbalance and disparity of knowledge and economic power between the defendants and the public shareholders of Borden which makes defendants' course of action and the contemplated transaction inherently unfair to Borden's public shareholders. The proposed transaction will ensure that the director defendants will disproportionately benefit from the value of Borden's assets and its future financial prospects in contravention of the director defendants' fiduciary duties to maximize the value of Borden's shares. 35. Defendants have acted and are acting with knowledge that the individual defendants, and each of them, have breached and are breaching their fiduciary duties to -18- 20 Borden's public shareholders and have, nevertheless, intentionally, recklessly or negligently induced, and/or aided and abetted one another, in such breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors of Borden. 36. By virtue of the foregoing acts, practices and course of action, the director defendants have failed to exercise due care and diligence in compliance with their fiduciary obligations toward Borden and its public shareholders. 37. The acts and course of conduct complained of hereinabove were willful, malicious and oppressive in that the defendants, and each of them, knew that their actions, as enumerated herein, involve improper and illegal practices, violations of law and other acts completely foreign to the duties of officers and directors to carry out corporate affairs in a fair, just, honest and equitable manner. By reason of the foregoing, plaintiff and the Class are entitled to punitive damages. 38. By virtue of the foregoing actions of the defendants, plaintiff and the Class have been, are and will be damaged in that they will not receive the fair value of Borden's assets and business in exchange for their Borden stock and have been, are and will be prevented from obtaining a fair price for their shares of the Company's stock. -19- 21 39. Unless enjoined by this Court, the defendants will continue in their harmful course of conduct and the director defendants will continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiff and to the Class and will exclude plaintiff and the Class from receiving fair value for their proportionate share of Borden's valuable assets and business, all to the irreparable harm of plaintiff and the Class. 40. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law. WHEREFORE, plaintiff, on behalf of itself and the members of the Class, demands judgment as follows: A. Declaring that this lawsuit is properly maintainable as a class action and certifying plaintiff as representatives of the Class; B. Declaring that the defendants have committed a gross abuse of trust and have breached (or aided and abetted such breach of) their fiduciary and other duties owed to plaintiff and the members of the Class; C. Declaring that the proposed transaction of merger/acquisition of Borden by KKR is a legal nullity; D. Preliminarily and permanently enjoining the defendants and their counsel, agents, employees and all persons -20- 22 acting under, in concert with or for them from taking any steps necessary to accomplish or implement the proposed merger of Borden with KKR at a price that is not fair and equitable; E. In the event that the transaction is consummated, rescinding it and setting it aside; F Imposing a voting trust upon the shares of Borden owned or controlled by defendants to restrain their ability to use their voting control of the Company to effect the transaction; G. Awarding to plaintiff and the Class compensatory and punitive damages against the director defendants, jointly and severally, in an amount to be determined at trial, together with prejudgment interest, at the maximum rate allowable by law, from the date of the wrongs to the date of judgment herein; H. Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of this action, including reasonable attorneys', accountants' and experts' fees; and -21- 23 I. Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. Dated: September 29, 1994 GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ ------------------------ Allyn Z. Lite Amy M. Riel 744 Broad Street, Suite 800 Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 623-3000 GILMAN AND PASTOR Kenneth G. Gilman David Pastor One Boston Place 28th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Tel. 617/589-3750 Fax 617/589-3749 -22- 24 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 4:5-1 Pursuant to R. 4:5-1, it is hereby stated that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any other court or pending in any arbitration proceeding to the best of my knowledge and belief, except for the matters entitled, Barbara Lubin, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Norman Weiss, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 13, 1994; Jerry Krim, et al. v. Borden Inc., et al., filed in this Court on September 14, 1994; Bernard Stepak vs. Borden Inc., et al., filed with this Court on September 16, 1994; James Peterson and Sidney Glick vs. Borden, Inc., filed with this Court on September 16, 1994; Daniel Marcus vs. Borden Inc., et al., filed with this Court on September 22, 1994 and Dwyer vs. Borden, Inc., filed with this Court on September 23, 1994. Also to the best of my belief, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, at the present time I know of no other party that should be joined in the within action. GOLDSTEIN TILL & LITE By: /s/ Allyn Z. Lite ----------------------- Allyn Z. Lite Dated: September 29, 1994 -23- EX-99.75 20 SUPPLEMENT TO AGREEMENT W. MR. G.J. WAYDO 9/30/94 1 EXHIBIT 99.75 2 [BORDEN, INC. LETTERHEAD] September 30, 1994 Mr. George J. Waydo 2703 Fairfax Drive Upper Arlington, OH 43220 Dear George: This letter will supersede our letter agreement of June 20, 1994 and amend and supplement your earlier agreements with Borden, Inc. dated December 23, 1993 (herein, "Separation Agreement") and May 4, 1994 (herein, "Supplemental Agreement"). 1. Your employment under paragraph 2 of the Separation Agreement is extended through September 30, 1994 so that you may assist in the sale of our Humpty-Dumpty snack unit. 2. The date in paragraph 5 of your Supplemental Agreement is changed from August 15, 1994 to September 30, 1994. 3. The amount in paragraph 2 of the Supplemental Agreement is decreased to 80,690. 4. The amount in paragraph 3 of the Supplemental Agreement is decreased to $2,144.24. 5. The amount in paragraph 4 of the Supplemental Agreement is increased to $130,690 and the time period for measuring your accomplishments under that paragraph shall be extended through October 31, 1994. George, I believe this represents our understanding. Please indicate your agreement by signing below. BORDEN, INC. By: /s/ ALLAN L. MILLER ------------------- Agreed: /s/ GEORGE J. WAYDO - ------------------- George J. Waydo EX-99.76 21 INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT 1 EXHIBIT 99.76 2 INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT ------------------------- INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated as of October 4, 1994 (this "Agreement"), among RJR NABISCO HOLDINGS CORP., a Delaware --------- corporation ("Holdings"), WHITEHALL ASSOCIATES, L.P., a Delaware -------- limited partnership ("Whitehall Associates"), BORDEN ACQUISITION -------------------- CORP., a New Jersey corporation ("BAC"), and BORDEN, INC., a New --- Jersey corporation ("Borden"). ------ W I T N E S S E T H: - - - - - - - - - - WHEREAS, Holdings and Whitehall Associates are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 15, 1990 (the "1990 Registration Rights Agreement") and Holdings, ---------------------------------- Whitehall Associates and KKR Partners II, L.P. ("KKR Partners"), ------------ an affiliate of the general partner of Whitehall Associates, are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 9, 1989 (the "1989 Registration Rights Agreement" and together ---------------------------------- with the 1990 Registration Rights Agreement, the "Registration ------------ Rights Agreements"), pursuant to which, among other things, ----------------- Holdings has agreed to use its best efforts to effect from time to time registrations of certain of its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); -------------- WHEREAS, Whitehall Associates, BAC and Borden are parties to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 23, 1994 (as amended, the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which, ---------------- subject to the terms and conditions thereof, BAC has agreed to commence an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") for shares of -------------- Borden's outstanding common stock, par value $.625 per share ("Borden Shares"), in which holders of Borden Shares would, upon ------------- consummation of such Exchange Offer or the merger of BAC with and into Borden (the "Merger") pursuant thereto (the Exchange Offer, ------ the Merger and the option given to BAC to acquire additional Borden Shares being herein collectively referred to as the "Transactions"), receive shares of common stock, par value $.01 ------------ per share ("Holdings Shares"), of Holdings; --------------- WHEREAS, pursuant to requests by Whitehall Associates and KKR Partners under the Registration Rights Agreements, Holdings has filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S- ---------- 4 (including the Offering Circular/Prospectus (as defined below) and as amended, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments, and/or supplemented from time to time, the "Registration Statement") in order to register the Holdings ---------------------- Shares under the Securities Act for purposes of the Exchange Offer and the Merger; 3 2 WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of Form S-4, information concerning each party hereto will be included or incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement and the Offering Circular/Prospectus filed as a part thereof (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time, the "Offering Circular/ ------------------ Prospectus") and, in order to facilitate the registration of the ---------- Holdings Shares pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreements, Holdings has agreed to enter into this Agreement; WHEREAS, following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, Whitehall Associates and BAC will, in accordance with the Merger Agreement, commence the Exchange Offer and file with the Commission a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which Schedule 14D-1 will include as an exhibit ------------ thereto and incorporate by reference the Registration Statement and the Offering Circular/Prospectus; and WHEREAS, the parties hereto acknowledge that the information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement has been furnished (i) in the case of information relating to Whitehall Associates and BAC and the Transactions, by Whitehall Associates and BAC, (ii) in the case of information relating to Borden, by Borden and (iii) in the case of information relating to Holdings, by Holdings, and the parties hereto desire to set forth their agreement with respect to indemnification of each other for such information in a manner consistent with the source of such information; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows: Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, ----------- the term "Indemnified Party" means, as to a particular party or ----------------- parties hereto, each other party hereto, each affiliate of such other party and their respective directors and officers or general and limited partners (including any director, officer, affiliate, employee, agent and controlling person of any of the foregoing) and each other person, if any, who controls such other party within the meaning of the Securities Act. Section 2. Indemnification. (a) Whitehall Associates --------------- and BAC, jointly and severally, shall, and each of them hereby agrees to, indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, each Indemnified Party against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable expenses of investigation) to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon: 4 3 (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact; or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, contained in or omitted from the Whitehall/BAC Information (as hereinafter defined) included or incorporated by reference, or required to be included or incorporated by reference, in the Registration Statement (it being understood that whether information is required to be included or incorporated by reference or whether there has been an omission shall be determined without reference to any other information in the Registration Statement that is not Whitehall/BAC information) and Whitehall Associates and BAC, jointly and severally, will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any party hereto or any Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Holdings Shares under the Registration Statement. "Whitehall/BAC Information" means the information which ------------------------- is included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and is referred to under the caption "Whitehall/BAC Information" on Schedule A hereto, as such Schedule may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 4 hereof (the "Schedule"). -------- (b) Borden shall, and it hereby agrees to, indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, each Indemnified Party against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable expenses of investigation) to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact; or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, 5 4 contained in or omitted from the Borden Information (as hereinafter defined) included or incorporated by reference, or required to be included or incorporated by reference, in the Registration Statement (it being understood that whether information is required to be included or incorporated by reference or whether there has been an omission shall be determined without reference to any other information in the Registration Statement that is not Borden Information) and Borden will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any party hereto or any Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Holdings Shares under the Registration Statement. "Borden Information" means the information which is ------------------ included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and is referred to under the caption "Borden Information" on the Schedule. (c) Holdings shall, and it hereby agrees to, indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, each Indemnified Party against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable expenses of investigation) to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact; or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, contained in or omitted from the Holdings Information (as hereinafter defined) included or incorporated by reference, or required or to be included or incorporated by reference, in the Registration Statement (it being understood that whether information is required to be included or incorporated by reference or whether there has been an omission shall be determined without reference to any other information in the Registration Statement that is not Holdings Information) and Holdings will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with 6 5 investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any party hereto or any Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Holdings Shares under the Registration Statement. "Holdings Information" means the information which is -------------------- included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and is referred to under the caption "Holdings Information" on the Schedule. (d) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to the Section 1(a), (b) or (c), such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action; provided that the -------- failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under Section 1(a), (b) or (c), as the case may be, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, unless in such Indemnified Party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such Indemnified Party and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party will consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof, the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. (e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 1 shall for any reason be unavailable (including, without limitation, as a result of an inability to allocate responsibility for a material omission in accordance herewith to any party hereto) to or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable expenses of investigation) to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, common law or otherwise (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof), then 7 6 each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or expenses (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof), in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by such indemnifying party on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other from the offering and exchange of the Holdings Shares and the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or expenses (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits of a party hereunder shall be determined by reference to the benefits received by each of them from the offering of the Holdings Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Exchange Offer. The relative fault of a party hereunder shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information referred to in Section 1(a), (b) or (c), as the case may be, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. Each party hereto agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 1(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnifying party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or expenses (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 1(e), any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. (f) Indemnification and contribution similar to that specified in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 1 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by each party hereto with respect to any required registration or other qualification of the Holdings Shares for purposes of the Exchange Offer and the Merger under any federal or state law or regulation or governmental authority other than the Securities Act. (g) The obligations of the parties under this Section 1 shall be in addition to any liability which any party may otherwise have to any other party. Section 3. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall ------------------- be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and, with respect to the provisions of Section 1 shall 8 7 inure to the benefit of the persons or entities benefitting from the provisions thereof who are intended to be third-party beneficiaries thereof. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. Section 4. Amendments and Waivers. The parties hereto ---------------------- acknowledge that the registration statement as originally filed may be amended by one or more pre-effective or post-effective amendments thereto. Subject to Section 5, the parties hereto agree to amend the Schedule to reflect the scope of the information for which each is providing indemnification hereunder in a manner consistent with the intention of the parties set forth in the fifth recital hereto. This Agreement may be otherwise amended and any party may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to take any action herein required to be performed by it, only if such party shall have obtained the written consent to such amendment, action or omission to act of each of the other parties hereto. Section 5. Cooperation; SEC Discussions. Each party ---------------------------- hereto (a) agrees to cooperate with and provide assistance to the other parties in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, (b) will be provided the opportunity to review each filing before it is made and (c) will be afforded the opportunity to receive and participate, to the extent reasonably practicable, in oral and written communications with the staff of the Commission in connection therewith. Each party shall be deemed to have consented to any information included in or omitted from a particular caption designated as its information on the Schedule unless, prior to the filing of the Registration Statement (or a particular amendment or supplement thereto), such party objects to the inclusion or omission of such information in writing (or orally if promptly confirmed in writing). Information to the inclusion or omission of which a party has timely objected in writing (the "Excluded Information") -------------------- shall not be Whitehall/BAC Information, Borden Information or Holdings Information, as the case may be, for purposes of Section 1 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(b), Excluded Information shall not include information incorporated by reference or derived (without material modification) from documents otherwise filed by the objecting party with the Commission. Section 6. Rights Under Other Agreements. Except with ----------------------------- respect to rights to indemnification, each party agrees that nothing herein will limit or otherwise modify or affect any of its rights, duties or obligations under (a) in the case of Holdings, Whitehall Associates and the Purchaser, the Registration Rights Agreements or (b) in the case of Whitehall Associates, the Purchaser and Borden, the Merger Agreement. 9 8 Section 7. Notices. All notices and other ------- communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be by first class mail, telex, telecopier or hand delivery: If to Holdings: 1301 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10019 Attention: Lawrence R. Ricciardi, Esq. with a copy to: Davis Polk & Wardwell 450 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 Attention: David W. Ferguson, Esq. If to BAC or Whitehall Associates: c/o Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. 9 West 57th St., Suite 4200 New York, New York 10019 Attention: Clifton S. Robbins with a copy to: Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 425 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 Attention: David J. Sorkin, Esq. If to Borden: 180 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Attention: Frank J. Tasco with a copy to: Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz 51 West 52nd Street New York, New York 10019 Attention: Andrew R. Brownstein, Esq. All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been given or made (1) when delivered by hand, (2) five business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or (3) when telecopied, receipt acknowledged. Section 8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be ------------- governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein. The parties to this Agreement hereby agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York 10 9 in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Section 9. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive -------------------- headings used herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of terms contained herein. Section 10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be ------------ executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Section 11. Severability. In the event that any one ------------ or more of the provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality or enforceability of any such provision, paragraph, word, clause, phrase or sentence in every other respect and of the remaining provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences hereof shall not be in any way impaired, it being intended that all rights, powers and privileges of the parties hereto shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. [Signatures appear on following page.] 11 10 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written. RJR NABISCO HOLDINGS CORP. By: -------------------------- Name: Title: WHITEHALL ASSOCIATES, L.P. By: KKR Associates, a limited partnership, its General Partner By: ------------------------------ Name: Title: BORDEN ACQUISITION CORP. By: ------------------------------ Name: Title: BORDEN, INC. By: ------------------------------- Name: Title: 12 Schedule A ---------- (Dated as of November 8, 1994) Whitehall/BAC Information ------------------------- (a) The inside and outside front and back cover pages of the Offering Circular/Prospectus. (b) The information in the Offering Circular/Prospectus under the captions: "Available Information" (insofar as it relates to Whitehall Associates or BAC); "Summary--The Purchaser and the Common Stock Partnerships" and "--The Exchange Offer, the Merger and Related Transactions"; "Certain Significant Considerations--Information Concerning the Transactions" (other than the second paragraph under "--Possible Loss of Stock Exchange Listing of Borden Common Stock"); "The Exchange Offer" (other than the third paragraph under "--Certain Regulatory Approvals and Legal Matters--Antitrust" and "--Pending Litigation"); "Description of Merger Agreement and Conditional Purchase/Option Agreement"; "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" (insofar as such information relates to KKR Associates); "The Purchaser and the Common Stock Partnerships"; and "Comparison of Rights of Holders of Borden and Holdings Common Stock". (c) The last paragraph of Item 20 in Part II of the Registration Statement. (d) Exhibits 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4 and 99.5 of the Registration Statement, and Item 21 in Part II of the Registration Statement with respect to such Exhibits. Borden Information ------------------ (a) The information in the Offering Circular/Prospectus under the captions: "Available Information" (insofar as it relates to Borden); "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference thereby (insofar as it lists documents filed by Borden, documents subsequently filed by Borden and where Borden documents may be obtained); "Summary--Borden, Inc.," "--Comparative Market Prices and Dividends" and "--Comparison of Certain Historical Per Share Data" (insofar as the information relates to per share data of Borden) and "--Borden, Inc. Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data"; "Certain Significant Considerations--Information Concerning the Transactions" (solely with respect to the second paragraph under "--Possible Loss of Stock Exchange Listing of Borden Common Stock"); "The Exchange Offer" (solely with respect to the third paragraph under "--Certain 13 2 Regulatory Approvals and Legal Matters--Antitrust" and "--Pending Litigation--Litigation Against Borden"); "Borden, Inc."; "Borden, Inc. Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data"; "Description of Borden Capital Stock and Rights"; and "Experts" (insofar as it relates to Borden's financial statements and auditors). (b) Exhibit 23.2 of the Registration Statement, and Item 21 in Part II of the Registration Statement with respect to such Exhibit. Holdings Information -------------------- (a) The information in the Offering Circular/Prospectus under the captions: "Available Information" (insofar as it relates to Holdings); "Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference" and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference thereby (insofar as it lists documents filed by Holdings, documents subsequently filed by Holdings and where Holdings documents may be obtained); "Summary--RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp.", "--Comparative Market Prices and Dividends" (insofar as the information relates to market prices and dividends of Holdings), "--Comparison of Certain Historical and Per Share Data (insofar as the information relates to per share data of Holdings), "--RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data" and "--RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. Summary Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data"; "Certain Significant Considerations--Information Concerning Holdings"; "The Exchange Offer--Pending Litigation--Litigation Against Holdings"; "RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp."; "RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data"; "RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. Selected Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data"; "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" (other than information relating to KKR Associates); "Description of Holdings Capital Stock"; "Legal Matters"; and "Experts" (insofar as it relates to Holdings' financial statements and auditors). (b) Item 20 (other than the last paragraph thereof) in Part II of the Registration Statement. (c) The Exhibits of the Registration Statement (other than Exhibits 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 10.50, 23.2, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4 and 99.5), and Item 21 in Part II of the Registration Statement relating to such Exhibits (other than Exhibits 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 10.50, 23.2, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4 and 99.5). (d) Item 22 in Part II of the Registration Statement, and the Signature Pages of the Registration Statement. EX-99.77 22 PRESS RELEASE 1 EXHIBIT 99.77 2 Contact: For Borden: For KKR: Nick Iammartino Ruth Pachman/Dawn Dover Borden Josh Pekarsky (614) 225-4485 Kekst and Company (212) 593-2655 For Immediate Release KKR Commences Exchange Offer for Borden NEW YORK, NY, and COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 22, 1994 -- Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Borden, Inc. (NYSE: BN) announced today that KKR's affiliate, Borden Acquisition Corp., has commenced its previously announced exchange offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of Borden. In the exchange offer, each share of Borden common stock will be exchanged for a number of shares of common stock of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RN) owned by a KKR partnership having a value of approximately $14.25, based on the average of the average of the high and low sales prices of the RJR Nabisco common stock for each of the ten consecutive trading days ending immediately prior to the ten business day period ending on the expiration date of the exchange offer. On September 23, 1994, Borden, Borden Acquisition and Whitehall Associates, L.P., a KKR-affiliated partnership, signed a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition of Borden by Borden Acquisition. Also on that date, Borden granted to Borden Acquisition an option to acquire 28,138,000 Borden shares at a price of $11.00 per share, payable in shares of RJR Nabisco common stock. The offer is conditioned upon, among other things, there being validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer a number of Borden shares which, when added to any Borden shares previously acquired by Borden Acquisition or its affiliates (other than pursuant to Borden Acquisition's option), represents more than 41% of the Borden shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis. The offer is also subject to certain other conditions. If at least 41%, but not more than 50%, of the Borden shares are acquired in the offer, the option must be exercised to the extent necessary so that KKR would own more than 50% of the Borden shares. The exchange offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, December 20, 1994 unless extended. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is the dealer manager for the offer and D.F. King & Co., Inc. is the information agent. 3 The announcement is neither an offer to exchange nor a solicitation of an offer to exchange any securities. The Exchange Offer is being made solely by the Offering Circular/Prospectus dated November 22, 1994 and the related Letter of Transmittal. The Exchange Offer is not being made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) holders of securities in any jurisdiction in which making of the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Exchange Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to be made on behalf of the Purchaser by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. # # #
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