Form S-1 Amendment #5
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2008

Registration No. 333-148486

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 5

to

Form S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Colfax Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   3561   54-1887631

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150

Richmond, VA 23235

(804) 560-4070

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

John A. Young

President and Chief Executive Officer

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150

Richmond, VA 23235

(804) 560-4070

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Michael J. Silver

John B. Beckman

A. Lynne Puckett

Hogan & Hartson LLP

111 South Calvert Street, Suite 1600

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Telephone: (410) 659-2700

Telecopy: (410) 539-6981

 

Rohan S. Weerasinghe

Lisa L. Jacobs

Shearman & Sterling LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York

Telephone: (212) 848-4000

Telecopy: (212) 848-7179

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:    As soon as practicable after the effective date hereof.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  þ

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We and the selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject To Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated May 1, 2008

P R O S P E C T U S

18,750,000 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

This is Colfax Corporation’s initial public offering. The total number of shares of common stock being offered by us and the selling stockholders is 18,750,000. Assuming an initial offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth below, Colfax Corporation is selling 7,825,947 shares of common stock and the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are selling an additional 10,924,053 shares. See “The Offering” on page 6 of this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

We expect the public offering price to be between $15.00 and $17.00 per share. Currently, no public market exists for the shares. After pricing of the offering, we expect that the shares will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CFX.”

Investing in the common stock involves risks that are described in the “ Risk Factors” section beginning on page 11 of this prospectus.

 

 

 

     Per Share      Total     

Public offering price

   $        $     

Underwriting discount

   $        $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Colfax Corporation

   $        $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders(1)

   $        $     

 

 

(1)

   The selling stockholders are Mitchell P. Rales, Steven M. Rales and certain entities controlled by them. We have agreed to reimburse the selling stockholders for the underwriting discount on the shares sold by them. Based on the midpoint of the price range set forth above, we estimate that this amount will be approximately $11.8 million.

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 2,812,500 shares from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus to cover overallotments.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The shares will be ready for delivery on or about                     , 2008.

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

Lehman Brothers

UBS Investment Bank

 

 

Robert W. Baird & Co.

Banc of America Securities LLC

Deutsche Bank Securities

KeyBanc Capital Markets

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2008.


Table of Contents

LOGO


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Prospectus Summary

   1

Risk Factors

   11

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   21

Industry and Market Data

   21

Use of Proceeds

   22

Dividend Policy

   24

Capitalization

   25

Dilution

   26

Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data

   28

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   30

Business

   53

Management

   67

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

   95

Principal and Selling Stockholders

   97

Description of Capital Stock

   100

Shares of Common Stock Eligible for Future Sale

   106

Material U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders

   108

Underwriting

   111

Legal Matters

   116

Experts

   116

Where You Can Find More Information

   116

Index to Financial Statements

   F-1

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors,” our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, before making an investment decision. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to “Colfax,” the “company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Colfax Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Our Business

We are a global supplier of a broad range of fluid handling products, including pumps, fluid handling systems and specialty valves. We believe that we are a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps, which include screw pumps, gear pumps and progressive cavity pumps. We have a global manufacturing footprint, with production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, as well as worldwide sales and distribution channels. Our products serve a variety of applications in five strategic markets: commercial marine, oil and gas, power generation, global navy and general industrial. We design and engineer our products to high quality and reliability standards for use in critical fluid handling applications where performance is paramount. We also offer customized fluid handling solutions to meet individual customer needs based on our in-depth technical knowledge of the applications in which our products are used. Our products are marketed principally under the Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren and Zenith brand names. We believe that our brands are widely known and have a premium position in our industry. Allweiler, Houttuin, Imo and Warren are among the oldest and most recognized brands in the markets in which we participate, with Allweiler dating back to 1860.

We serve a global customer base across multiple markets through a combination of direct sales and marketing associates and third-party distribution channels. Our customer base is highly diversified and includes commercial, industrial, marine and governmental customers such as Alfa Laval, Cummins, General Dynamics, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Siemens, Solar Turbines, Thyssenkrupp, the U.S. Navy and various sovereign navies around the world. We have a large installed base, which, combined with the critical nature of the applications in which our products are used, leads to a tendency for our customers to replace “like for like” products. This tendency leads to significant aftermarket demand for replacement products as well as for spare parts and maintenance service.

We employ a comprehensive set of tools and processes known as the Colfax Business System, or CBS. CBS is a disciplined strategic planning and execution methodology designed to achieve excellence and world- class financial performance in all aspects of our business by focusing on the Voice of the Customer and continuously improving quality, delivery and cost.

We have an experienced management team that has established a focused industrial manufacturing business with strong market positions within the fluid handling industry. We believe we are well positioned to continue to grow by enhancing our product offerings and expanding our customer base in each of our strategic markets. We also have successfully completed and integrated several acquisitions and expect to continue to pursue acquisitions of complementary businesses that will broaden our product portfolio, expand our geographic footprint or enhance our position in our strategic markets.

 

 

1


Table of Contents

Our Market Opportunity

The global fluid handling industry is highly fragmented, with over 10,000 companies competing across numerous markets and sectors of the economy. Because fluid handling products often are used in critical applications, we believe the most successful industry participants are those that have the technical capabilities to meet customer specifications, offer products with reputations for quality and reliability and can provide timely delivery and strong aftermarket support.

We believe there is strong growth potential for our products and services in our strategic markets, which are global in nature and have a need for highly engineered, critical fluid handling solutions. We believe that our global presence positions us to compete successfully in all of our markets throughout the world.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe that the following competitive strengths position us as a premium provider of fluid handling products and will contribute to our future growth:

 

  Ÿ  

Strong Market Positions, Broad Product Portfolio and Leading Brands.    We believe that we are a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps, which include screw pumps, gear pumps and progressive cavity pumps. We offer a broad portfolio of fluid handling products that fulfill critical needs of customers across numerous industries. Our brands are among the oldest and most recognized in the markets in which we participate.

 

  Ÿ  

Strong Application Expertise.    We believe that our reputation for quality and technical expertise positions us as a premium supplier of fluid handling products. With over 140 years of experience, we have significant expertise in designing and manufacturing fluid handling products that are used in critical applications, such as lubricating power generation turbines, transporting crude oil through pipelines and transferring heavy fuel oil in commercial marine vessels.

 

  Ÿ  

Extensive Global Sales, Distribution and Manufacturing Network.    We sell our products through over 300 direct sales and marketing associates and more than 450 authorized distributors in 79 countries. We believe that our global reach within the highly fragmented, worldwide fluid handling industry provides us with an ability to better serve our customers. Our European, North American and Asian manufacturing capabilities provide us with the ability to optimize material sourcing, transportation and production costs and lower foreign currency risk.

 

  Ÿ  

We Use CBS to Continuously Improve Our Business.    CBS is our business system designed to encourage a culture of continuous improvement in all aspects of our operations and strategic planning. Modeled on the Danaher Business System, CBS focuses on conducting root-cause analysis, developing process improvements and implementing sustainable systems. Our approach addresses the entire business, not just manufacturing operations.

 

  Ÿ  

Large Installed Base Generating Aftermarket Sales and Service.    With a product history dating back to 1860, we have a significant installed base across numerous industries. Because of the critical applications in which our products are used and the high quality and reliability of our products, we believe there is a tendency for our customers to replace “like for like” products. This tendency leads to significant aftermarket demand for replacement products as well as spare parts and for repair and maintenance service. In the year ended December 31, 2007, we estimate that approximately 25% of our revenues were derived from aftermarket sales and services.

 

  Ÿ  

Broad and Diverse Customer Base.    Our customer base spans numerous industries and is geographically diverse. Approximately 66% of our sales in 2007 were derived from operations outside of the U.S. In addition, no single customer represented more than 3% of our sales during that period.

 

 

2


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

Management Team with Extensive Industry Experience and Focus on Strategic Development.    We are led by a senior management team with an average of over 20 years of experience in industrial manufacturing. John A. Young, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is one of our founders and played a key role in developing the acquisition strategy that formed our company. Since 1995, as part of this strategy, we have acquired 12 companies and divested businesses that do not fit within our long-term growth strategy.

Our Growth Strategy

We intend to continue to increase our sales, expand our geographic reach, broaden our product offerings and improve our profitability through the following strategies:

 

  Ÿ  

Apply CBS to Drive Profitable Sales Growth and Increase Shareholder Value.    The core element of our management philosophy is CBS, which we implement in each of our businesses. CBS is a strategic planning and execution methodology designed to achieve world-class excellence in all aspects of our business. CBS focuses our organization on continuous improvement and performance goals by empowering our associates to develop innovative strategies to meet customer needs. Rather than a static process, CBS continues to evolve as we benchmark ourselves against best-in-class industrial companies.

 

  Ÿ  

Execute Market Focused Strategies.    We believe that our five strategic markets are attractive due to their ongoing capital expenditure requirements, growth rates and global nature.

 

  Ÿ  

Commercial Marine—We intend to continue to increase our installed base of products and grow our aftermarket sales and service revenues. We also intend to expand our capabilities in the Asia Pacific region by utilizing our Chinese and Indian facilities to offer locally manufactured products, reduce production costs and provide local customer service and support.

 

  Ÿ  

Oil and Gas—We intend to continue our strategy of offering oil and gas customers increased efficiency and lower total cost of ownership by replacing legacy products currently in use with our more efficient products. We also intend to capture the growing need for complex turnkey systems through the development of solutions that can undertake the difficult task of handling varying mixtures of heavy crude oil, natural gas and water at the same time. We intend to continue to target the fast growing oil and gas markets around the world, including Asia and developing nations.

 

  Ÿ  

Power Generation—We intend to use our extensive expertise in power generation applications to continue our growth as a provider of turnkey systems in this market. We also intend to use our global presence to strengthen relationships with large original equipment manufacturers.

 

  Ÿ  

Global Navy—We intend to continue to design, develop and manufacture high value fluid handling systems to meet the needs of evolving naval requirements worldwide. For example, we are currently working with the U.S. Navy to incorporate advanced electronics and controls into our products, and we are also focused on expanding our repair and service capabilities for naval customers.

 

  Ÿ  

General Industrial—We intend to continue to apply our application expertise to supply our customers in diverse industries such as chemicals, pulp and paper processing and commercial construction with a portfolio of products that can solve their most critical fluid handling needs. We also intend to grow our presence in the general industrial market by targeting new applications for our existing products, deploying regionally focused strategies and utilizing our global presence and sales channels to sell our solutions worldwide.

 

 

3


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

Target Fast Growing Regions by Leveraging Our Global Manufacturing, Sales and Distribution Network.    We intend to continue to utilize our strong global presence and worldwide network of distributors to capitalize on growth opportunities by selling regionally developed and marketed products and solutions throughout the world. As our customers have become increasingly global in scope, we have increased our global reach to serve our customers by maintaining a local presence in numerous markets and investing in sales and marketing capabilities worldwide. For example, we have recently expanded our manufacturing capabilities by establishing a plant in China and acquiring an Indian manufacturer of fluid handling products.

 

  Ÿ  

Develop New Products, Applications and Technologies.    We will continue to engineer our key products to meet the needs of new and existing customers and also to improve our existing product offerings to strengthen our market position. We intend to develop technological, or “SMART,” solutions, which incorporate advanced electronics, sensors and controls, through the use of our Voice of the Customer process to solve specific customer needs. We believe our SMART solutions will reduce our customers’ total cost of ownership by providing real-time diagnostic capabilities to minimize downtime, increase operational efficiency and avoid unnecessary costs.

 

  Ÿ  

Grow Our Offerings of Systems and Solutions.    We will continue to provide high value added fluid handling solutions by utilizing our engineering and application expertise and our brand recognition and sales channels to drive incremental revenue. We intend to establish regional system manufacturing capabilities to address our customers’ desire to purchase turnkey modules and their preference for outsourced assembly. Part of our strategy is to continue to seek a greater share of overall project value by providing complete systems and solutions, particularly where we control project design.

 

  Ÿ  

Continue to Pursue Strategic Acquisitions that Complement our Platform.    We believe that the fragmented nature of the fluid handling industry presents substantial consolidation and growth opportunities for companies with access to capital and the management expertise to execute a disciplined acquisition and integration program. We believe that we can identify a number of attractive acquisition candidates in the future and that strategic acquisition growth will give us a competitive advantage over small competitors through greater purchasing power, a larger global sales and distribution network and a broader portfolio of products and services.

 

 

4


Table of Contents

Other Information

Company Information

We were organized as a Delaware corporation in 1998. Our principal executive offices are located at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150, Richmond, Virginia 23235, and our main telephone number at that address is (804) 560-4070. Our corporate website address is www.colfaxcorp.com. The contents of our website are not a part of this prospectus.

Trademarks

We have rights to a variety of trade names, service marks and trademarks for use in our business, including Colfax, Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren and Zenith in the U.S. and, where appropriate, in other countries. This prospectus also includes product names and other trade names and service marks owned by us and other companies. The trade names and service marks of other companies are the property of those other companies.

 

 

5


Table of Contents

The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

7,825,947 shares(1)

 

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders

10,924,053 shares(1)

 

Common stock outstanding after the offering

41,229,588 shares

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $111.3 million based on the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. We intend to use these net proceeds as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

to repay approximately $38.2 million of indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility;

 

  Ÿ  

to pay dividends to existing preferred stockholders that have been declared but unpaid in the amount of approximately $35.1 million;

 

  Ÿ  

to pay a dividend to be declared payable from the proceeds of this offering to preferred stockholders of record immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. This dividend will accrue from January 1, 2008 through the consummation of this offering at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.5% of the original purchase price of our issued and outstanding preferred stock. Assuming a closing date of May 12, 2008 for this offering, the amount of this dividend would be approximately $3.7 million;

 

  Ÿ  

approximately $11.8 million to reimburse the selling stockholders for the underwriting discount incurred on the shares sold by them in this offering; and

 

  Ÿ  

to pay special bonuses of approximately $22.5 million to certain of our executives under previously adopted executive compensation plans.

 

(1)   The total number of shares being offered by us and the selling stockholders is 18,750,000, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option. While the total number of shares being offered will not change, the number of shares shown as being offered by us (7,825,947) and the selling stockholders (10,924,053) is an estimate and may change based on the initial per share offering price. The estimated number of shares of common stock shown as being offered by us and the selling stockholders is based upon an assumed offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The number of shares offered by the selling stockholders represents all of the common stock into which the preferred stock held by them will convert upon consummation of the offering. This number of shares is calculated pursuant to the conversion formula specified in our existing Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The number of shares to be sold by the selling stockholders is determined by dividing $174.8 million (the original issue price of the preferred stock) by the initial per share offering price. The number of shares being offered by us is calculated by subtracting the number of shares offered by the selling stockholders from 18,750,000, the total number of shares being offered.

 

 

6


Table of Contents

Based upon the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, we do not expect to have any proceeds remaining after application of the proceeds in the manner described above. In the event we receive additional proceeds from this offering, we expect to apply such amounts to repay indebtedness outstanding under our existing credit facility. In the event we receive less proceeds in this offering than we have estimated, we expect to reduce the amount used to repay indebtedness.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. See “Use of Proceeds” below.

Affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, which we refer to as Merrill Lynch, UBS Securities LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC, underwriters in this offering, are parties to our credit facility. The affiliates of Merrill Lynch and Banc of America Securities LLC will receive approximately $3.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of the proceeds used to pay a portion of the indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility. See “Underwriting—Other Relationships.” See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Reserved shares

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 937,500 shares offered by this prospectus for sale to some of our directors, officers, employees, distributors, customers, business associates and related persons. See “Underwriting.”

 

Proposed NYSE symbol

“CFX”

 

Risk factors

See “Risk Factors” and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors that you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of the common stock.

The number of shares outstanding after the offering includes 593,659 vested shares of restricted stock that will be granted upon consummation of this offering and excludes up to 6,056,732 remaining shares reserved for issuance under our 2008 omnibus incentive plan. See “Management—Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.” Unless we indicate otherwise, the information in this prospectus:

 

  Ÿ  

reflects a 13,436.22841 - for -1 split of our outstanding common stock that occurred on April 21, 2008;

 

  Ÿ  

assumes the conversion of all of our outstanding preferred stock into common stock upon completion of this offering;

 

  Ÿ  

assumes the application of the net proceeds of this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds”;

 

  Ÿ  

assumes the filing of our restated certificate of incorporation and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws immediately before the completion of this offering;

 

  Ÿ  

assumes that the initial public offering price of the common stock will be $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus; and

 

  Ÿ  

assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their overallotment option to purchase up to an additional 2,812,500 shares from us.

 

 

7


Table of Contents

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Information

The following table sets forth our summary consolidated financial and other information as of the dates for the periods indicated. The financial data for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP.

You should read this information in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes to those consolidated financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts    2007     2006    2005  

Statement of Operations Data:

       

Net sales

   $ 506,305     $ 393,604    $ 345,478  

Cost of sales

     330,714       256,806      222,353  
                       

Gross profit

     175,591       136,798      123,125  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     98,500       80,103      74,594  

Research and development expenses

     4,162       3,336      2,855  

Legacy asbestos (income) expense

     (50,346 )     33,816      18,112  
                       

Operating income

     123,275       19,543      27,564  

Interest expense

     19,246       14,186      9,026  

Provision for income taxes

     39,147       3,866      6,907  
                       

Income from continuing operations

     64,882       1,491      11,631  

Net income

     64,882       94      12,247  

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted(1)

   $ 1.79     $ 0.07    $ (0.09 )

 

Dollars in thousands    As of December 31, 2007
   Actual    As Adjusted(2)

Balance Sheet Data:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 48,093    $ 48,093

Goodwill and intangibles, net

     185,353      185,353

Asbestos insurance asset, including current portion

     305,228      305,228

Total assets

     896,540      896,540

Total current liabilities

     148,374      148,374

Asbestos liability, including current portion

     376,233      376,233

Total debt, including current portion

     206,493      168,367

 

     Year ended December 31,
Dollars in thousands    2007    2006    2005

Other Data:

        

EBITDA(3) (4)

   $ 138,514    $ 29,627    $ 39,610

 

(1) Computed based on income from continuing operations available to holders of common stock.
(2)   As adjusted to give effect to our sale of common stock in this offering at an assumed offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and the receipt and application of the net proceeds thereof as described under “Use of Proceeds.”
(3)   EBITDA includes legacy asbestos (income) expense of $(50,346), $33,816 and $18,112 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and discontinued operations expense (income) of $1,397 and $(616) for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

 

8


Table of Contents
(4)   We are presenting EBITDA because we believe that it provides useful information to investors about us, our business and our financial condition. We define EBITDA as net income before the effects of interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We believe EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the measures used by our board of directors and management to evaluate our business, including in our internal management reporting, budgeting and forecasting processes, in comparing our operating results across our business as well as to those of our competitors and other companies in our industry, as an internal profitability measure, as a component in evaluating our ability and the desirability of making capital expenditures and significant acquisitions, and as an element in determining executive compensation. Further, EBITDA and similar measures are widely used by investors, rating agencies and securities analysts as a key measure to compare companies in our industry and debt-service capabilities.

 

       EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of liquidity derived in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA is calculated before recurring cash charges including interest expense and taxes, and is not adjusted for capital expenditures or other recurring cash requirements of the business, it should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to invest in the growth of the business. There are a number of material limitations to the use of EBITDA as an analytical tool, including the following:

 

  Ÿ  

EBITDA does not reflect our interest expense;

 

  Ÿ  

EBITDA does not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; and

 

  Ÿ  

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash expenses in the period recorded, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect the cash requirements for such replacement.

 

       We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP financial measures and by using EBITDA only supplementally. We believe that consideration of EBITDA, together with a careful review of our GAAP financial measures, is the most informed method of analyzing our company.

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA:

 

     Year ended December 31,
Dollars in thousands    2007    2006    2005

Net income

   $ 64,882    $ 94    $ 12,247

Interest expense

     19,246      14,186      9,026

Provision for income taxes

     39,147      3,866      6,907

Depreciation and amortization

     15,239      11,481      11,430
                    

EBITDA

   $ 138,514    $ 29,627    $ 39,610
                    

 

 

9


Table of Contents

Recent Developments

We estimate that our net sales for the three months ended March 28, 2008 were between $130.0 million and $131.0 million. We estimate that operating income(1) for the three months ended March 28, 2008 was between $14.6 million and $15.0 million. We estimate that orders for the three months ended March 28, 2008 were approximately $180.3 million and that our order backlog as of March 28, 2008 was approximately $353.6 million. Our estimates of the foregoing are based upon our preliminary analysis of anticipated results and actual results may be significantly different. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below for a discussion cautioning against reliance on forward-looking information.

 

 

(1)

 

Our estimated operating income includes approximately $3.4 million in legacy asbestos expense, which is comprised of $3.1 million in legal cost related to litigation against our asbestos insurers and $0.3 million in liability and defense cost related to asbestos claims. Our operating income for the year ended December 31, 2007 included a legacy asbestos gain of approximately $50.3 million, the majority of which was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2007. As a result of this gain, our operating income on an annualized basis for the three months ended March 28, 2008 is lower than our operating income for the year ended December 31, 2007. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Items Affecting Comparability of Reported Results—Legacy Asbestos (Income) Expense.”

 

 

10


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the other information in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could suffer. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment in our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business

The majority of our sales are derived from international operations. We are subject to specific risks associated with international operations.

In the year ended December 31, 2007, we derived approximately 66% of our sales from operations outside of the U.S. with manufacturing facilities in seven countries. Sales from international operations, export sales and the use of manufacturing facilities outside of the U.S. are subject to risks inherent in doing business outside the U.S. These risks include:

 

  Ÿ  

economic instability;

 

  Ÿ  

partial or total expropriation of our international assets;

 

  Ÿ  

trade protection measures, including tariffs or import-export restrictions;

 

  Ÿ  

currency exchange rate fluctuations and restrictions on currency repatriation;

 

  Ÿ  

significant adverse changes in taxation policies or other laws or regulations; and

 

  Ÿ  

the disruption of operations from political disturbances, terrorist activities, insurrection or war.

Significant movements in foreign currency exchange rates may harm our financial results.

We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. In the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately 66% of our sales were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We do not engage to a material extent in hedging activities intended to offset the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. Any significant change in the value of the currencies of the countries in which we do business against the U.S. dollar could affect our ability to sell products competitively and control our cost structure, which, in turn, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

A significant portion of our revenues and income are denominated in Euros and Swedish Kronor. Consequently, depreciation of the Euro or Krona against the U.S. dollar has a negative impact on the income from operations of our European operations. Large fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the Euro, the Krona and the U.S. dollar could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are dependent on the availability of raw materials, as well as parts and components used in our products.

While we manufacture many of the parts and components used in our products, we require substantial amounts of raw materials and purchase some parts and components from suppliers. The availability and prices for raw materials, parts and components may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production by suppliers, changes in exchange rates and prevailing price levels. Any change in the supply of, or price for, these raw materials or parts and components could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. In addition, delays in delivery of components or raw materials by our suppliers could cause delays in our delivery of products to our customers.

 

11


Table of Contents

The markets we serve are highly competitive and some of our competitors may have resources superior to ours. Responding to this competition could reduce our operating margins.

We sell most of our products in highly fragmented and competitive markets. We believe that the principal elements of competition in our markets are:

 

  Ÿ  

the ability to meet customer specifications;

 

  Ÿ  

application expertise and design and engineering capabilities;

 

  Ÿ  

product quality and brand name;

 

  Ÿ  

timeliness of delivery;

 

  Ÿ  

price; and

 

  Ÿ  

quality of aftermarket sales and support.

In order to maintain and enhance our competitive position, we intend to continue our investment in manufacturing quality, marketing, customer service and support and distribution networks. We may not have sufficient resources to continue to make these investments and we may not be able to maintain our competitive position. Our competitors may develop products that are superior to our products, develop methods of more efficiently and effectively providing products and services or adapt more quickly than we do to new technologies or evolving customer requirements. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, marketing and research and development resources than we have. As a result, those competitors may be better able to withstand the effects of periodic economic downturns. In addition, pricing pressures could cause us to lower the prices of some of our products to stay competitive. We may not be able to compete successfully with our existing competitors or with new competitors. If we fail to compete successfully, the failure would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Acquisitions have formed a significant part of our growth strategy in the past and are expected to continue to do so. If we are unable to identify suitable acquisition candidates or integrate the businesses we acquire or realize the intended benefits, our growth strategy may not succeed. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including risks related to integration and undisclosed or underestimated liabilities.

Historically, our business strategy has relied on acquisitions. We expect to derive a significant portion of our growth by acquiring businesses and integrating those businesses into our existing operations. We intend to seek acquisition opportunities both to expand into new markets and to enhance our position in our existing markets. However, our ability to do so will depend on a number of steps, including our ability to:

 

  Ÿ  

identify suitable acquisition candidates;

 

  Ÿ  

negotiate appropriate acquisition terms;

 

  Ÿ  

obtain financing that we may need to complete proposed acquisitions;

 

  Ÿ  

complete the proposed acquisitions; and

 

  Ÿ  

integrate the acquired business into our existing operations.

If we fail to achieve any of these steps, our growth strategy may not be successful.

In addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, technologies, services and products of the acquired company, the potential loss of key employees of the acquired company and the diversion of our management’s attention from other business concerns. This is the case particularly in the fiscal quarters immediately following the completion of an acquisition because the operations of the acquired business are integrated into the acquiring businesses’ operations during this period. We cannot be sure that we will accurately anticipate all of the changing demands that any future acquisition may impose on our management, our operational and management information systems and our financial systems.

 

12


Table of Contents

Once integrated, acquired operations may not achieve levels of revenue, profitability or productivity comparable with those that our existing operations achieve, or may otherwise not perform as we expected.

We may underestimate or fail to discover liabilities relating to a future acquisition during the due diligence investigation and we, as the successor owner, might be responsible for those liabilities. For example, two of our acquired subsidiaries are each one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos. Although our due diligence investigations in connection with these acquisitions uncovered the existence of potential asbestos-related liabilities, the scope of such liabilities were greater than we had originally estimated. Although we seek to minimize the impact of underestimated or potential undiscovered liabilities by structuring acquisitions to minimize liabilities and obtaining indemnities and warranties from the selling party, these methods may not fully protect us from the impact of undiscovered liabilities. Indemnities or warranties are often limited in scope, amount or duration, and may not fully cover the liabilities for which they were intended. The liabilities that are not covered by the limited indemnities or warranties could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We may require additional capital to finance our growth. If the terms on which the additional capital is available are unsatisfactory or if the additional capital is not available at all, we may not be able to pursue our growth strategy.

Our growth strategy will require additional capital investment to complete acquisitions, integrate the completed acquisitions into our existing operations and to expand into new markets.

We intend to pay for future acquisitions using a combination of cash, capital stock, notes and assumption of indebtedness. To the extent that we do not generate sufficient cash internally to provide the capital we require to fund our growth strategy and future operations, we will require additional debt or equity financing. We cannot be sure that this additional financing will be available or, if available, will be on terms acceptable to us. If we fail to obtain sufficient additional capital in the future, that failure will limit our ability to implement our business strategy. In addition, even if future debt financing is available, it may result in (1) increased interest expense, (2) increased term loan payments, (3) increased leverage, and (4) decreased income available to fund further acquisitions and expansion. It may also limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns. If future equity financing is available, it may dilute the equity interests of our existing stockholders.

A material disruption at any of our manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our ability to generate sales and meet customer demand.

If operations at our manufacturing facilities were to be disrupted as a result of significant equipment failures, natural disasters, power outages, fires, explosions, terrorism, adverse weather conditions or other reasons, our financial performance could be adversely affected as a result of our inability to meet customer demand for our products. Interruptions in production could increase our costs and reduce our sales. Any interruption in production capability could require us to make substantial capital expenditures to remedy the situation, which could negatively affect our profitability and financial condition. We maintain property damage insurance which we believe to be adequate to provide for reconstruction of facilities and equipment, as well as business interruption insurance to mitigate losses resulting from any production interruption or shutdown caused by an insured loss. However, any recovery under our insurance policies may not offset the lost sales or increased costs that may be experienced during the disruption of operations, which could adversely affect our financial performance.

Changes in the general economy and the cyclical nature of our markets could harm our operations and financial performance.

Our financial performance depends, in large part, on conditions in the markets we serve and on the general condition of the global economy. Any sustained weakness in demand, downturn or uncertainty in the global economy could reduce our sales and profitability and affect our financial performance. In addition, our

 

13


Table of Contents

products are sold in many industries, some of which are cyclical and may experience periodic downturns. Cyclical weakness in the industries we serve could lead to reduced demand for our products and affect our profitability and financial performance.

The loss of key management could have a material adverse effect on our ability to run our business.

Because our senior management has been key to our growth and success, we may be adversely affected if we lose any member of our senior management. We are highly dependent on our senior management team, including John Young, our President and Chief Executive Officer, as a result of their extensive experience. The loss of key management or the inability to attract, retain and motivate sufficient numbers of qualified management personnel could have a material adverse effect on us and our business.

Available insurance coverage, the number of future asbestos-related claims and the average settlement value of current and future asbestos-related claims of two of our subsidiaries could be different than we have estimated, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operation and cash flow.

Two of our subsidiaries are each one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos. Such components were acquired from third-party suppliers and were not manufactured by any of our subsidiaries nor were the subsidiaries producers or direct suppliers of asbestos. For purposes of our financial statements, we have estimated the future claims exposure and the amount of insurance available based upon certain assumptions with respect to future claims and liability costs. We estimate the liability costs to be incurred in resolving pending and forecasted claims for the next 15 year period.

Our decision to use a 15 year period is based on our belief that this is the extent of our ability to forecast liability costs. We also estimate the amount of insurance proceeds available for such claims based on the current financial strength of the various insurers, our estimate of the likelihood of payment and applicable current law. We reevaluate these estimates regularly. Although we believe our current estimates are reasonable, a change in the time period used for forecasting our liability costs, the actual number of future claims brought against us, the cost of resolving these claims, the likelihood of payment by, and the solvency of, insurers and the amount of remaining insurance available could be substantially different than our estimates, and future revaluation of our liabilities and insurance recoverables could result in material adjustments to these estimates, any of which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. In addition, the company incurs defense costs related to those claims, a portion of which has historically been reimbursed by our insurers. We also incur litigation costs in connection with actions against certain of the subsidiaries’ insurers relating to insurance coverage. While these costs may be significant, we are unable to predict the amount or duration of such costs. Additionally, we may experience delays in receiving reimbursement from insurers, during which time we may be required to pay cash for settlement or legal defense costs. Any increase in the actual number of future claims brought against us, the defense costs of resolving these claims, the cost of pursuing claims against our insurers, the likelihood and timing of payment by, and the solvency of, insurers and the amount of remaining insurance available, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Our international operations are subject to the laws and regulations of the United States and many foreign countries. Failure to comply with these laws may affect our ability to conduct business in certain countries and may affect our financial performance.

We are subject to a variety of laws regarding our international operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and regulations issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Industry and Security and the regulations of various foreign governmental agencies. We cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our international sales and manufacturing operations might be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted. Future regulations could limit the countries in which some of our products may be manufactured or sold, or could restrict our access to, and increase the cost of obtaining, products from foreign sources. In addition, actual or alleged violations of these laws could result in enforcement actions and financial penalties that could result in substantial costs.

 

14


Table of Contents

Our foreign subsidiaries have done and may continue to do business in countries subject to U.S. sanctions and embargoes, including Iran and Syria, and we have limited managerial oversight over those activities. Failure to comply with these sanctions and embargoes may result in enforcement or other regulatory actions.

From time to time, certain of our foreign subsidiaries sell products to companies and entities located in, or controlled by the governments of, certain countries that are or have previously been subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and/or the United Nations, such as Iran and Syria. With the exception of the U.S. sanctions against Cuba, the applicable sanctions and embargoes generally do not prohibit our foreign subsidiaries from selling non-U.S.-origin products and services in those countries. However, Colfax Corporation, its U.S. personnel and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as employees of our foreign subsidiaries who are U.S. citizens, are prohibited from participating in, approving or otherwise facilitating any aspect of the business activities in those countries. These constraints may negatively affect the financial or operating performance of such business activities. We cannot be certain that our attempts to comply with U.S. sanction laws and embargoes will be effective, and as a consequence we may face enforcement or other actions if our compliance efforts are not effective. Actual or alleged violations of these laws could result in substantial fines or other sanctions which could result in substantial costs. In addition, Iran and Syria currently are identified by the State Department as state sponsors of terrorism, and may be subject to increasingly restrictive sanctions. Because certain of our foreign subsidiaries have contact with and transact business in such countries, including sales to enterprises controlled by agencies of the governments of such countries, our reputation may suffer due to our association with these countries, which may have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Further, certain U.S. states and municipalities have recently enacted legislation regarding investments by pension funds and other retirement systems in companies that have business activities or contacts with countries that have been identified as state sponsors of terrorism and similar legislation may be pending in other states. As a result, pension funds and other retirement systems may be subject to reporting requirements with respect to investments in companies such as ours or may be subject to limits or prohibitions with respect to those investments that may have a material adverse effect on the price of our shares.

In addition, we have recently discovered that one of our foreign subsidiaries made a small number of sales of approximately $60,000 in the aggregate to two customers in Cuba which may have been made in violation of regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC. Cuba is also identified by the U.S. State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism. We have submitted an initial notice of voluntarily disclosure to OFAC regarding these transactions. Our inquiry into these transactions is continuing and we will submit a full disclosure report to OFAC as soon as possible. As a result of these sales, we may be subject to fines or other sanctions.

If we fail to comply with export control regulations, we could be subject to substantial fines or other sanctions.

Some of our products manufactured or assembled in the United States are subject to the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, which require that we obtain an export license before we can export such products to specified countries. Additionally, some of our products are subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which restrict the export of certain military or intelligence-related items, technologies and services to non-U.S. persons. Failure to comply with these laws could harm our business by subjecting us to sanctions by the U.S. government, including substantial monetary penalties, denial of export privileges and debarment from U.S. government contracts.

Approximately 44% of our employees are represented by foreign trade unions. If the representation committees responsible for negotiating with these unions on our behalf are unsuccessful at negotiating new and acceptable agreements when the existing agreements with our employees covered by the unions expire, we could experience business disruptions or increased costs.

As of January 31, 2008, we had approximately 2,059 employees worldwide. In certain countries, labor and employment laws are more restrictive than in the U.S. and, in many cases, grant significant job protection to

 

15


Table of Contents

employees, including rights on termination of employment. In Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, by law, some of our employees are represented by trade unions in these jurisdictions, which subjects us to employment arrangements very similar to collective bargaining agreements. If our employees represented by foreign trade unions were to engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown in the future, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations. Such disruption could interfere with our business operations and could lead to decreased productivity, increased labor costs and lost revenue.

Although we have not experienced any recent strikes or work stoppages, we cannot offer any assurance that the representation committees that negotiate with the foreign trade unions on our behalf will be successful in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements or other employment arrangements when the current ones expire. Furthermore, future labor negotiations could result in significant increases in our labor costs.

Our manufacturing business is subject to the possibility of product liability lawsuits, which could harm our business.

In addition to the asbestos-related liability claims described above, as the manufacturer of equipment for use in industrial markets, we face an inherent risk of exposure to other product liability claims. Although we maintain strict quality controls and procedures, we cannot be sure that our products will be free from defects. In addition, some of our products contain components manufactured by third-parties, which may also have defects. We maintain insurance coverage for product liability claims. Our insurance policies have limits, however, that may not be sufficient to cover claims made against us. In addition, this insurance may not continue to be available to us at a reasonable cost. With respect to components manufactured by third-party suppliers, the contractual indemnification that we seek from our third-party suppliers may be limited and thus insufficient to cover claims made against us. If our insurance coverage or contractual indemnification is insufficient to satisfy product liability claims made against us, the claims could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Even claims without merit could harm our reputation, reduce demand for our products, cause us to incur substantial legal costs and distract the attention of our management.

As a manufacturer, we are subject to a variety of environmental and health and safety laws for which compliance could be costly. In addition, if we fail to comply with such laws, we could incur liability that could result in penalties and costs to correct any non-compliance.

Our business is subject to international, federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations, including laws and regulations governing emissions of: regulated air pollutants; discharges of wastewater and storm water; storage and handling of raw materials; generation, storage, transportation and disposal of regulated wastes; and worker safety. These requirements impose on our business certain responsibilities, including the obligation to obtain and maintain various environmental permits. If we were to fail to comply with these requirements or fail to obtain or maintain a required permit, we could be subject to penalties and be required to undertake corrective action measures to achieve compliance. In addition, if our non-compliance with such regulations were to result in a release of hazardous materials to the environment, such as soil or groundwater, we could be required to remediate such contamination, which could be costly. Moreover, noncompliance could subject us to private claims for property damage or personal injury based on exposure to hazardous materials or unsafe working conditions. Changes in applicable requirements or stricter interpretation of existing requirements may result in costly compliance requirements or otherwise subject us to future liabilities.

As the present or former owner or operator of real property, or generator of waste, we could become subject to liability for environmental contamination, regardless of whether we caused such contamination.

Under various federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, and, in some instances, international laws, relating to the protection of the environment, a current or former owner or operator of real property may be liable for the cost to remove or remediate contamination on, under, or released from such property and for any damage to natural resources resulting from such contamination. Similarly, a generator of waste can be

 

16


Table of Contents

held responsible for contamination resulting from the treatment or disposal of such waste at any off-site location (such as a landfill), regardless of whether the generator arranged for the treatment or disposal of the waste in compliance with applicable laws. Costs associated with liability for removal or remediation of contamination or damage to natural resources could be substantial and liability under these laws may attach without regard to whether the responsible party knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of the contaminants. In addition, the liability may be joint and several. Moreover, the presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination at our properties, or properties for which we are deemed responsible, may expose us to liability for property damage or personal injury, or materially adversely affect our ability to sell our real property interests or to borrow using the real property as collateral. We cannot be sure that we will not be subject to environmental liabilities in the future as a result of historic or current operations that have resulted or will result in contamination.

Failure to maintain and protect our trademarks, trade names and technology may affect our operations and financial performance.

The market for many of our products is, in part, dependent upon the goodwill engendered by our trademarks and trade names. Trademark protection is therefore material to a portion of our business. The failure to protect our trademarks and trade names may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. Litigation may be required to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights of others. Any action we take to protect our intellectual property rights could be costly and could absorb significant management time and attention. As a result of any such litigation, we could lose any proprietary rights we have. In addition, it is possible that others will independently develop technology that will compete with our patented or unpatented technology. The development of new technologies by competitors that may compete with our technologies could reduce demand for our products and affect our financial performance.

If we are unable to complete our assessment as to the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or if material weaknesses are identified and reported, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of your investment and make it more difficult for us to raise capital in the future.

As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include in their annual reports on Form 10-K a report of management on the company’s internal controls over financial reporting, including management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting as of the company’s fiscal year end. In addition, the independent registered public accounting firm auditing a public company’s financial statements must also attest to, and report on, the operating effectiveness of the company’s internal controls. While we will expend significant resources in developing the necessary documentation and testing procedures, 2009 will be the first year for which we must complete the assessment and undergo the attestation process required by Section 404 and there is a risk that we may not be able to comply with all of its requirements. If we do not timely complete our assessment or if our internal controls are not designed or operating effectively as required by Section 404, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a qualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls. It is also possible that material weaknesses in our internal controls could be found. If we are unable to remediate any material weaknesses by December 31, 2009, our independent registered public accounting firm would be required to issue an adverse opinion on our internal controls. If our independent registered public accounting firm renders an adverse opinion due to material weaknesses in our internal controls, then investors may lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and make it more difficult for us to raise capital in the future.

 

17


Table of Contents

Risks Related to This Offering

Some of our stockholders may exert significant influence over us.

Currently, two of our directors and principal stockholders, Mitchell P. Rales and Steven M. Rales, together, and through certain entities wholly owned by them, own all of our outstanding preferred stock and a majority of our outstanding common stock, which, on an as-converted basis, represents an aggregate of approximately 89% of our outstanding common stock. This approximate percentage is calculated using an assumed offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The actual number of shares into which the preferred stock will be converted is equal to $174.8 million (the original issue price of the preferred stock) divided by the initial per share offering price. All shares of our preferred stock are expected to be converted into common stock and sold in this offering. Therefore, the combined beneficial ownership of Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales after this offering is anticipated to be reduced to approximately 44% of our outstanding shares. Even after this offering, however, the level of ownership of these stockholders, and the service of Mitchell Rales on our board of directors, will enable them to continue to exert significant influence over all matters involving us, including matters presented to our stockholders for approval, such as election and removal of our directors and change of control transactions. This concentration of ownership and voting power may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company and could prevent stockholders from receiving a premium over the market price if a change in control is proposed. The interests of these persons may not coincide with the interests of the other holders of our common stock with respect to our operations or strategy.

We intend to use a large portion of the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness outstanding under our existing credit facility, pay previously declared and unpaid dividends, pay a dividend expected to be declared prior to consummation of the offering, reimburse the selling stockholders for the underwriting discount on the shares sold by them and pay bonuses to certain executives.

We have broad discretion to determine how to use the net proceeds of this offering, and have elected to apply approximately $38.2 million of the proceeds to repay indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility, approximately $35.1 million of the proceeds to pay previously declared and unpaid dividends to existing preferred stockholders, approximately $3.7 million of the proceeds to pay a dividend expected to be declared payable to preferred stockholders, approximately $11.8 million of the proceeds to reimburse the selling stockholders for the underwriting discount on the shares sold by them and approximately $22.5 million of the proceeds to pay special bonuses to certain of our executives under previously adopted executive compensation plans.

Using a large portion of the net proceeds of this offering in the manner described above means that we will only have available a small portion of the proceeds of the offering for use for other corporate purposes. As a result, we may need to seek additional debt or equity financing to fund operations and future growth. If we are not able to incur additional debt or sell additional equity on favorable terms, we may be unable to fund operations or expand our business, which could adversely affect our financial condition.

Future sales of our shares after this offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, could negatively affect the market price of our stock.

Future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock in the public market following this offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Upon completion of this offering, we expect to have 41,229,588 outstanding shares of our common stock (or 44,042,088 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), which numbers are based upon the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Beginning approximately 180 days after completion of this offering, except for any shares acquired by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, any of these shares may be resold immediately in the public market. We cannot predict the effect that future sales made under Rule 144, Rule 701 or otherwise will have on the market price of our common stock.

 

18


Table of Contents

We have no intention of paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

We currently expect to retain future earnings, if any, to finance operations and our acquisition strategy, and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Therefore, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock unless you sell your common stock for a price greater that the price that you paid for it.

Investors in this offering will experience immediate dilution in net tangible book value per share.

The initial public offering price per share will significantly exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. As a result, investors in this offering will experience immediate dilution of $16.38 in net tangible book value per share based on an initial public offering price of $16.00, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. This dilution occurs in large part because our earlier investors paid substantially less than the initial public offering price when they purchased their shares. Investors in this offering may also experience additional dilution as a result of shares of common stock that may be issued in connection with a future acquisition.

Our common stock has no prior public market, and our stock price could be volatile and could decline after this offering.

Before this offering, our common stock had no public market. We will negotiate the initial public offering price per share with the representatives of the underwriters and, therefore, that price may not be indicative of the market price of our common stock after the offering. We cannot assure you that an active public market for our common stock will develop after this offering, or that if it does develop, it will be sustained. In the absence of a public trading market, you may not be able to liquidate your investment in our common stock. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations after this offering. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

 

  Ÿ  

quarterly variations in our operating results;

 

  Ÿ  

changes in sales or earnings estimates or publication of research reports by analysts;

 

  Ÿ  

speculation in the press or investment community;

 

  Ÿ  

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

 

  Ÿ  

actions by institutional stockholders or other large stockholders;

 

  Ÿ  

product liability, including asbestos, lawsuits against us;

 

  Ÿ  

changes in accounting principles;

 

  Ÿ  

general market conditions; and

 

  Ÿ  

domestic and international, political and economic factors unrelated to our performance that affect our production facilities or our markets.

In particular, we cannot assure you that you will be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price. The stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which would harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

19


Table of Contents

Provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may delay or prevent an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the value of your shares.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that may make it difficult for a third-party to acquire us without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions include prohibiting stockholders from taking action by written consent, prohibiting special meetings of stockholders called by stockholders and prohibiting stockholder nominations and approvals without complying with specific advance notice requirements. In addition, our board of directors has the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which our board of directors could use to effect a rights plan or “poison pill” that could dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer and may have the effect of delaying, discouraging or preventing an acquisition of our company. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. Although Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales, both individually and in the aggregate, hold more than 15% of our outstanding voting stock, this provision of Delaware law does not apply to them.

There may be limitations on our ability to fully utilize our net operating loss and minimum tax credit carryforwards in future periods.

As of December 31, 2007, we had net operating loss (“NOLs”) and minimum tax credit (“MTCs”) carry forwards of approximately $38.7 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The NOLs, if not utilized to offset tax income in future periods, will expire at various dates beginning in 2021 while the MTCs do not expire. If we experience an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as a result of the offering or future changes in ownership, our ability to use our NOLs existing at the time of any such ownership change to offset our taxable income, if any, generated in taxable periods after the ownership change would be subject to an annual limitation summarized below. In the event of an ownership change, the amount of NOLs which we may utilize on an annual basis under Section 382 would generally be equal to the product of the value of our outstanding stock immediately prior to the ownership change (less certain capital contributions during the preceding two years) and the “long term tax exempt rate” (determined monthly and, for ownership changes occurring in the month of April 2008, 4.55%).

Similarly, the amount of any MTCs that may be carried forward to a post ownership change tax year is limited to the amount of tax liability attributed to taxable income that does not exceed the aforementioned Section 382 limitation computation.

 

20


Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (including, in particular, the sections therein labeled “Outlook” and “Asbestos-Related Litigation”) and “Business,” contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and other factors include:

 

  Ÿ  

risks associated with our international operations;

 

  Ÿ  

significant movements in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

  Ÿ  

the competitive environment in our industry;

 

  Ÿ  

our ability to identify and successfully integrate attractive acquisition targets;

 

  Ÿ  

the amount of and our ability to estimate our asbestos-related liabilities;

 

  Ÿ  

the solvency of our insurers and the likelihood of payment for asbestos-related claims;

 

  Ÿ  

our ability to manage and grow our business and execution of our business and growth strategies;

 

  Ÿ  

the level of capital investment and expenditures by our customers in our strategic markets;

 

  Ÿ  

our ability to expand our business in our targeted markets;

 

  Ÿ  

our ability to cross-sell our product portfolio to existing customers;

 

  Ÿ  

our estimates of stock-based compensation expense;

 

  Ÿ  

our financial performance; and

 

  Ÿ  

others risks and factors listed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this prospectus.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

Industry and market data used in this prospectus are based on independent industry publications from sources such as The Freedonia Group, Elsevier, European Industrial Forecasting, the Hydraulic Institute and other publicly available information.

 

21


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive $111.3 million in net proceeds from our sale of the 7,825,947 shares of common stock sold by us in the offering (or approximately $153.3 million if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full). Our estimated net proceeds from the offering represent the amount we expect to receive after the underwriting discount and our payment of the other expenses of the offering payable by us. We estimate that the selling stockholders will receive $174.8 million in proceeds from their sale of 10,924,053 shares of common stock in the offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. For purposes of estimating our net proceeds, we have assumed that the initial public offering price of the common stock will be $16.00, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The total number of shares being offered by us and the selling stockholders is 18,750,000, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option. While the total number of shares being offered will not change, the number of shares shown as being offered by us (7,825,947) and the selling stockholders (10,924,053) is an estimate and may change based on the initial per share offering price. The estimated number of shares of common stock shown as being offered by us and the selling stockholders is based upon an assumed offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The number of shares offered by the selling stockholders represents all of the common stock into which the preferred stock held by them will convert upon consummation of the offering. This number of shares is calculated pursuant to the conversion formula specified in our existing Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The number of shares to be sold by the selling stockholders is determined by dividing $174.8 million (the original issue price of the preferred stock) by the initial per share offering price. The number of shares being offered by us is calculated by subtracting the number of shares offered by the selling stockholders from 18,750,000, the total number of shares being offered. Our outstanding shares of preferred stock were acquired by the selling stockholders in 2003 in exchange for notes payable by us to the selling stockholders that evidenced cash advances they made to us. The aggregate original issue price of the preferred stock was equal to the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest at the time of the exchange.

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

To pay indebtedness outstanding under our existing credit facility in the amount of approximately $38.2 million. As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $205.3 million principal amount, along with accrued interest, outstanding under our credit facility. The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2007 of our indebtedness under the credit facility was 7.4%. Within our credit facility, the revolving line of credit expires on May 30, 2010 and the term loan matures on December 19, 2011.

 

  Ÿ  

To pay approximately $35.1 million in declared but unpaid dividends to existing preferred stockholders. These dividends have been declared but unpaid due to the restrictions on payment of dividends contained in our credit facility.

 

  Ÿ  

To declare a dividend payable from the proceeds of this offering to preferred stockholders of record immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. This dividend will accrue from January 1, 2008 through the consummation of this offering at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.5% of the original purchase price of our issued and outstanding preferred stock. Assuming a closing date of May 12, 2008 for this offering, the amount of this dividend would be approximately $3.7 million. Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales, and certain entities controlled entirely by them, currently own all of our outstanding preferred stock.

 

  Ÿ  

To reimburse the selling stockholders approximately $11.8 million for the underwriting discount on the shares sold by them in this offering, which will be recognized as an expense in the quarter in which it is paid.

 

22


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

To pay approximately $22.5 million in satisfaction of amounts due, as a result of this offering, to participants in our 2001 Employee Appreciation Rights Plan and our 2006 Executive Stock Rights Plan, which are bonus plans for certain current and former executive officers. The payments to be made under these bonus plans to our named executive officers, and our other current and former executive officers as a group, are expected to be approximately as follows:

 

John A. Young

   $ 3,847,310

G. Scott Faison

     1,923,655

Michael K. Dwyer

     1,799,741

Thomas M. O’Brien

     1,721,546

Dr. Michael Matros

     1,304,087

Other Current and Former Executive Officers (as a group)

     11,903,661
      

Total

   $ 22,500,000

The foregoing amounts do not include additional equity awards that will be granted to the above persons pursuant to our 2001 Employee Appreciation Rights Plan. See “Management—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for additional information concerning these plans.

Based upon the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, we do not expect to have any proceeds remaining after application of the proceeds in the manner described above. In the event we receive additional proceeds from this offering, we expect to apply such amounts to repay indebtedness outstanding under our existing credit facility. In the event we receive less proceeds in this offering than we have estimated, we expect to reduce the amount used to repay indebtedness.

Affiliates of Merrill Lynch, UBS Securities LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC, underwriters in this offering, are parties to our credit facility. The affiliates of Merrill Lynch and Banc of America Securities LLC will receive approximately $3.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of the proceeds used to pay a portion of the indebtedness outstanding under the Term B loan under our credit facility. See “Underwriting—Other Relationships.”

 

23


Table of Contents

DIVIDEND POLICY

We intend to retain our earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be determined in the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, the future earnings, operations, capital requirements and general financial condition and prevailing business and economic conditions, as well as statutory restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.

 

24


Table of Contents

CAPITALIZATION

The following table shows, as of December 31, 2007 our capitalization:

 

  Ÿ  

on an actual basis;

 

  Ÿ  

on a pro forma basis to reflect the automatic conversion of all of our outstanding preferred stock into shares of common stock upon completion of this offering based upon an assumed public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus; and

 

  Ÿ  

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to further reflect:

 

  Ÿ  

the sale of 7,825,947 shares of common stock by us in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after the deduction of the estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by us;

 

  Ÿ  

the application of the net proceeds of this offering in the manner described under “Use of Proceeds”;

 

  Ÿ  

the associated adjustments to retained earnings (deficit) to reflect (i) the expense of the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs of approximately $3.4 million and the resulting tax benefit of approximately $1.3 million, resulting from the repayment of indebtedness described under “Use of Proceeds,” (ii) the approximate $22.5 million expense for the payments to current and former executives under previously adopted compensation plans described under “Use of Proceeds” and the resulting tax benefit of approximately $8.6 million, (iii) the approximate $11.8 million expense related to the reimbursement of the selling stockholders for the underwriting discount for which there is no related tax benefit and (iv) the estimated additional preferred stock dividends of approximately $3.7 million to be declared on the effective date of this offering.

The share data in the table below are based on shares outstanding as of December 31, 2007. The number of outstanding shares as of that date excludes up to 6,500,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2008 omnibus incentive plan.

You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     December 31, 2007  
(in thousands, except per share data)    Actual     Pro Forma     Pro Forma,
As Adjusted
 

Total debt, including current portion

   $ 206,493     $ 206,493     $ 168,367  

Shareholders’ equity (deficit):

Preferred stock, undesignated, $0.001 par value per share; 256,785 shares authorized; 174,784.828 shares issued and outstanding actual, 0 shares issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     1       —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized actual, shares authorized pro forma and pro forma as adjusted; 21,885,929 shares issued and outstanding actual, 32,809,982 shares issued and outstanding pro forma and 40,635,929 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted

     22       33       41  

Additional paid-in capital

     201,660       201,650       312,905  

Retained earnings (deficit)

     (109,238 )     (109,238 )     (140,862 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (39,394 )     (39,394 )     (39,394 )
                        

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     53,051       53,051       132,690  
                        

Total capitalization

   $ 259,544     $ 259,544     $ 301,057  
                        

 

25


Table of Contents

DILUTION

Purchasers of the common stock in the offering will suffer an immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share. Dilution is the amount by which the initial public offering price paid by purchasers of shares of our common stock exceeds the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after the offering. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total tangible assets reduced by our total liabilities. Tangible assets equal our total assets less goodwill and intangible assets. Net tangible book value per share represents our net tangible book value divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2007, our net tangible book value was ($132.3) million and our net tangible book value per share was ($6.05).

After giving effect to the sale of 7,825,947 shares of common stock in the offering by us at an initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the assumed conversion of all shares of preferred stock based upon the same assumed initial public offering price and the application of the estimated net proceeds of this offering to us assuming a closing date of this offering of May 12, 2008, our adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2007 would have been ($15.5) million, or ($0.38) per share. This represents an immediate accretion in net tangible book value of $3.66 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $16.38 per share to new investors purchasing shares in the offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

 

     Per Share  

Assumed initial public offering price per share

       $16.00  

Net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2007

   ($ 6.05 )  
          

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2007

     (4.03 )  

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors

     3.66    

Adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

       (0.38 )
          

Dilution per share to new investors

     $ 16.38  
          

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share would increase (decrease) our adjusted net tangible book value after the offering by approximately $17.5 million and dilution per share to new investors by approximately $0.58, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions.

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, the adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering would be $0.60 per share, the increase in net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $4.63 per share and the dilution to new investors would be $15.40 per share.

The following table summarizes as of December 31, 2007, after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 10,924,053 shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering, the number of shares of common stock purchased, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid, or to be paid, by existing stockholders (including the selling stockholders) and by new investors purchasing common stock in this offering. The calculation below is based on an assumed initial public offering price of

 

26


Table of Contents

$16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, before deduction of estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us:

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average Price
Per Share
     Number    Percent     Amount     Percent    

Existing stockholders

           

Existing common stockholders

   21,885,929    42.4 %   $ 26,898,172     5.4 %   $ 1.23

Existing preferred stockholders

   10,924,053    21.2       174,784,828 (1)   34.8       16.00

New investors

   18,750,000    36.4       300,000,000     59.8       16.00
                           

Total

   51,559,982    100 %   $ 501,683,000     100 %  
                           

 

(1)   The preferred stock was acquired by the selling stockholders in 2003 in exchange for notes payable by us to the selling stockholders that evidenced cash advances they made to us. The aggregate original issue price of the preferred stock was equal to the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest at the time of the exchange.

The share data in the table above are based on shares outstanding as of December 31, 2007. The number of outstanding shares at that date excludes up to 6,500,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2008 omnibus incentive plan.

Our board of directors has approved a series of grants of equity awards to be made to certain of our director nominees and current and former executive officers upon the effectiveness of this offering. The number of shares of our common stock subject to such grants, as described below, is estimated based upon an assumed initial offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and may change depending on the actual initial public offering price.

Specifically, upon effectiveness of this offering, our non-employee director nominees will receive an aggregate of 37,500 restricted stock units pursuant to our 2008 omnibus incentive plan. These awards will vest in three equal installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. For additional information concerning these awards, see “Management—Board Compensation.” In addition, our board of directors has approved grants of fully-vested restricted stock to current and former employees pursuant to the terms of our 2001 Employee Appreciation Rights Plan. An aggregate of 593,659 shares of restricted stock will be granted pursuant to this plan. For additional information concerning these grants and our 2001 Employee Appreciation Rights Plan, see “Management—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Our board of directors has also approved grants of stock options and performance-based restricted stock units to certain of our executive officers pursuant to our 2008 omnibus incentive plan. Our executive officers will receive an aggregate of 201,172 options to purchase common stock. These stock options will vest in three equal installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. These executive officers will also receive an aggregate of 80,469 restricted stock units which will be earned, if at all, based on our earnings per share growth performance over a three-year period. If earned, the restricted stock units will be subject to an additional two-year vesting period, based on continued service. For additional information concerning these stock option and restricted stock unit grants, see “Management—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid by new investors by $18.75 million and increase (decrease) the percentage of total consideration paid by new investors by approximately 0.4%, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same.

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, the percentage of shares of common stock held by existing stockholders will decrease to approximately 49.7% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering and will increase the number of shares held by new investors to 21,562,500, or 49.0% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering. The remaining 1.3% represents shares underlying vested restricted stock units that will be granted to certain of our current and former executive officers upon the consummation of this offering pursuant to previously adopted executive compensation plans.

 

27


Table of Contents

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following table contains selected historical financial and other data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2007. The financial data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2007 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP.

In reviewing the following information, it should be noted that we acquired the net assets of Zenith Pump (“Zenith”) on June 30, 2004, the net assets of Portland Valve Inc. (“Portland Valve”) on August 6, 2004, Tushaco Pump Private Limited (“Tushaco”) on August 9, 2005, Lubrication Systems Company of Texas (“LSC”) on January 31, 2007, and Fairmount Automation Inc. on November 29, 2007, and we divested our power transmission business on November 30, 2004.

You should read this information in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes to those consolidated financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Year ended December 31,  
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts   2007     2006   2005     2004     2003(1)  

Statement of Operations Data:

         

Net sales

  $ 506,305     $ 393,604   $ 345,478     $ 309,653     $ 266,698  

Cost of sales

    330,714       256,806     222,353       197,907       167,104  
                                     

Gross profit

    175,591       136,798     123,125       111,746       99,594  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    98,500       80,103     74,594       77,434       72,058  

Research and development expenses

    4,162       3,336     2,855       3,175       3,072  

Legacy asbestos (income) expense

    (50,346 )     33,816     18,112       29,412       20,132  
                                     

Operating income

    123,275       19,543     27,564       1,725       4,332  

Interest expense

    19,246       14,186     9,026       6,918       6,941  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

    39,147       3,866     6,907       (6,010 )     8,687  
                                     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    64,882       1,491     11,631       817       (11,296 )

Net income (loss)

    64,882       94     12,247       57,306       (15,678 )

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted(2)

  $ 1.79     $ 0.07   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.62 )   $ (0.52 )
Dollars in thousands   December 31,  
  2007     2006   2005     2004     2003  

Balance Sheet Data:

         

Goodwill and intangibles, net

  $ 185,353     $ 154,231   $ 149,793     $ 152,681     $ 132,395  

Asbestos insurance asset, including current portion

    305,228       297,106     261,941       193,386       158,506  

Total assets

    896,540       797,226     700,574       707,881       700,829  

Asbestos liability, including current portion

    376,233       388,920     338,535       266,668       211,643  

Total debt, including current portion

    206,493       188,720     158,454       125,051       179,938  
    Year ended December 31,  
Dollars in thousands   2007     2006   2005     2004     2003(1)  

Other Data:

         

EBITDA(3) (4)

  $ 138,514     $ 29,627   $ 39,610     $ 68,086     $ 6,815  

 

(1)   Financial data for periods prior to May 30, 2003 are presented on a combined basis. On that date, through a series of capital contributions and exchanges of equity securities by the current shareholders, entities that were previously under common ownership became subsidiaries of Colfax Corporation.
(2)   Computed based upon income from continuing operations available to holders of common stock.

 

28


Table of Contents
(3)   EBITDA includes legacy asbestos (income) expense of $(50,346), $33,816, $18,112, $29,412 and $20,132 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and discontinued operations expense (income) of $1,397, $(616), $(56,489) and $4,382 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
(4)   We are presenting EBITDA because we believe that it provides useful information to investors about us, our business and our financial condition. We define EBITDA as net income before the effects of interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We believe EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the measures used by our board of directors and management to evaluate our business in our internal management reporting, budgeting and forecasting processes, in comparing our operating results across our business as well as to those of our competitors and other companies in our industry, as an internal profitability measure, as a component in evaluating our ability and the desirability of making capital expenditures and significant acquisitions, and as an element in determining executive compensation. Further, EBITDA and similar measures are widely used by investors, rating agencies and securities analysts as a key measure to compare companies in our industry and debt-service capabilities.

EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of operating performance or any other alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity derived in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA is calculated before recurring cash charges including interest expense and taxes and is not adjusted for capital expenditures or other recurring cash requirements of the business, it should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to invest in the growth of the business. There are a number of material limitations to the use of EBITDA as an analytical tool, including the following:

 

  Ÿ  

EBITDA does not reflect our interest expense;

 

  Ÿ  

EBITDA does not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; and

 

  Ÿ  

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash expenses in the period recorded, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect the cash requirements for such replacement.

We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP financial measures and by using EBITDA only supplementally. We believe that consideration of EBITDA, together with a careful review of our GAAP financial measures, is the most informed method of analyzing our company.

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
Dollars in thousands    2007    2006    2005    2004     2003  

Net income (loss)

   $ 64,882    $ 94    $ 12,247    $ 57,306     $ (15,678 )

Interest expense

     19,246      14,186      9,026      6,918       6,941  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     39,147      3,866      6,907      (6,010 )     8,687  

Depreciation and amortization

     15,239      11,481      11,430      9,872       6,865  
                                     

EBITDA

   $ 138,514    $ 29,627    $ 39,610    $ 68,086     $ 6,815  
                                     

 

29


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with “Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data,” “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results referred to in the forward-looking statements, see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a global supplier of a broad range of fluid handling products, including pumps, fluid handling systems and specialty valves. We believe that we are a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps, which include screw pumps, gear pumps and progressive cavity pumps. We have a global manufacturing footprint, with production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, as well as worldwide sales and distribution channels. Our products serve a variety of applications in five strategic markets: commercial marine, oil and gas, power generation, global navy and general industrial. We design and engineer our products to high quality and reliability standards for use in critical fluid handling applications where performance is paramount. We also offer customized fluid handling solutions to meet individual customer needs based on our in-depth technical knowledge of the applications in which our products are used. Our products are marketed principally under the Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren and Zenith brand names. We believe that our brands are widely known and have a premium position in our industry. Allweiler, Houttuin, Imo and Warren are among the oldest and most recognized brands in the markets in which we participate, with Allweiler dating back to 1860.

We believe that one of our most significant competitive advantages comes through a comprehensive set of tools and processes we employ that we refer to as the Colfax Business System (“CBS”). CBS is a disciplined strategic planning and execution methodology designed to achieve excellence and world-class financial performance in all aspects of our business by focusing on the Voice of the Customer and continuously improving quality, delivery and cost.

Key Factors and Risks Affecting Our Reported Results

Our growth and financial performance are driven by many factors, principally our ability to serve increasingly global markets, fluctuations in the relationship of foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar, our estimates concerning the availability of insurance proceeds to cover asbestos litigation expenses and liabilities, the amounts of asbestos litigation expenses and liabilities, the general economic conditions within our five strategic markets, our ability to pass through cost increases through pricing, the impact of sales mix and our ability to continue to grow through acquisitions. These key factors have impacted our results of operations in the past and are likely to affect them in the future.

Global Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately 66% of our sales were derived from operations outside of the U.S. As measured by sales, we manufacture most of our products outside of the United States. We sell our products through over 300 direct sales and marketing associates and more than 450 authorized distributors in 79 countries. Accordingly, we are affected by levels of industrial activity and economic and political factors in countries throughout the world. Our ability to grow and our financial performance will be affected by our ability to address a variety of challenges and opportunities that are a consequence of our global operations, including efficiently utilizing our global sales, manufacturing and distribution capabilities, the expansion of market opportunities in Asia, successfully completing global strategic acquisitions and engineering innovative new product applications for end users in a variety of geographic markets. However, we believe that our geographic, end market and product diversification limits the impact that any one country or economy could have on our consolidated results.

 

30


Table of Contents

Foreign Currency Fluctuations

A significant portion of our sales, approximately 66% for the year ended December 31, 2007, is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, especially the Euro and the Swedish Krona. Because much of our manufacturing and employee costs are outside the U.S., a significant portion of our costs are also denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Changes in the relationship of these currencies to the U.S. dollar may impact our profitability. In some markets, sales are denominated in currencies other than the local currency for that business, which may result in both margin fluctuations and transaction gains and losses.

Asbestos Liabilities and Related Insurance Assets

Two of our subsidiaries are each one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim

personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos. See “—Asbestos-Related Litigation” for further information. Our financial results have been, and will likely in the future be, affected by our actual and estimated asbestos liabilities and the availability of insurance to cover these liabilities and related defense costs. Assessing asbestos liabilities and insurance assets requires judgments concerning matters such as the uncertainty of litigation, anticipated outcome of settlements, the number and cost of pending and future claims and the outcome of legal action against our insurance carriers and their continued solvency.

We have projected our subsidiaries’ future asbestos-related liability costs with regard to pending and future unasserted claims, and we record this liability on our balance sheet as a long term and short term liability. We also record an asset representing projected insurance recoveries for asbestos liabilities. See “—Critical Accounting Policies—Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Assets” for a description of the factors used to project the asbestos-related liabilities and insurance coverage recorded on our balance sheet. Our insurance asset is recorded at the amount of insurance recoveries that are deemed probable. For one of our subsidiaries the expected recovery percentage is 87.5% of the liability and defense costs. For the other subsidiary the expected recovery percentage is 67% of the liability and defense costs after exhaustion of primary and umbrella layers of insurance. See “—Critical Accounting Policies—Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Assets.”

We record all asbestos-related costs in Legacy asbestos (income) expense which is comprised of changes in the projected asbestos liability, changes in the probable insurance recovery of the projected asbestos-related liability, changes in the probable recovery of asbestos liability and defense costs paid in prior periods, actual defense costs expensed in the period, as well as legal costs related to the actions against two of our subsidiaries’ respective insurers and a former parent company of one of the subsidiaries.

In 2004 the primary insurance carrier of one of our subsidiaries ceased payments alleging that its policies were exhausted. See “—Asbestos-Related Litigation” for further information. As a result, in 2004, the subsidiary began making substantially all of the payments required to cover liability and defense costs for the asbestos-related lawsuits while pursuing a lawsuit against the insurers. We began recording an insurance receivable for any amounts we paid above an estimated asset recovery percentage for a given period. In 2007, certain of the insurance carriers agreed to settle with the subsidiary by reimbursing the subsidiary for amounts the subsidiary paid for liability and defense costs in the past as well as entering into formal agreements detailing the payment of future liability and defense costs in an agreed to allocation for that insurer. See “—Asbestos-Related Litigation.” We have begun applying such reimbursements for past costs toward paying down the receivables and have taken into income amounts reimbursed which were not part of the receivable. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Comparative Cash Flows.”

Economic Conditions in Strategic Markets

Our organic growth and profitability strategy focuses on five strategic markets: commercial marine, oil and gas, power generation, global navy and general industrial. Demand for our products depends on the level of

 

31


Table of Contents

new capital investment and planned maintenance by our customers. The level of capital expenditures depends, in turn, on the general economic conditions within that market. While demand within each of these strategic markets can be cyclical, the diversity of these markets limits the impact of a downturn in any one of these markets on our consolidated results.

Pricing

We believe our customers place a premium on quality, reliability, availability, design and application engineering support. Our highly engineered fluid handling products typically produce higher margins than products with commodity-like qualities. However, we are sensitive to price movements in our raw materials supply base. Our largest material purchases are for components and raw materials consisting of steel, iron, copper and aluminum. Historically, we have been successful in passing raw material price increases on to our customers. While we seek to take actions to manage this risk, including commodity hedging where appropriate, such increased costs may adversely impact earnings. Our 2008 pricing strategy includes passing through raw material price increases to our customers as well as identifying additional price increase opportunities.

Sales and Cost Mix

Our profit margins vary in relation to the relative mix of many factors, including the type of product, the geographic location in which the product is manufactured, the end market for which the product is designed and the percentage of total revenue represented by aftermarket sales and services. Aftermarket business, including spare parts and other value added services, is generally a higher margin business and a significant component of our profitability.

Strategic Acquisitions

We complement our organic growth with strategic acquisitions. Acquisitions significantly affect our reported results and can make period to period comparisons of results difficult. As a consequence, we report our sales growth between periods both from existing and acquired businesses. We intend to continue to pursue acquisitions of complementary businesses that will broaden our product portfolio, expand our geographic footprint or enhance our position within our strategic markets.

Outlook

We believe that we are well positioned to continue to grow organically by enhancing our product offerings and expanding our customer base in each of our strategic markets. During 2007, we experienced strong demand in the majority of our strategic markets, and we expect favorable market conditions to continue throughout 2008 as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

In the commercial marine industry, we expect growth in international trade and high demand for crude oil to continue to create demand for container ships and tankers.

 

  Ÿ  

We expect activity within the global oil and gas market to remain favorable as capacity constraints and increased global demand keep oil and gas prices elevated.

 

  Ÿ  

In the power generation industry, we expect activity in Asia and the Middle East to be robust as economic growth continues to drive significant investment in energy infrastructure projects.

 

  Ÿ  

In the global navy industry, we expect that sovereign nations outside of the U.S. will continue to expand their fleets as they address national security concerns. In the U.S., we expect Congress to continue to appropriate funds for new ship construction for the next generation of naval vessels as older classes are decommissioned. We also expect increased demand for integrated fluid handling

 

32


Table of Contents
 

systems and solutions for both new ship platforms and existing ship classes that reduce operating costs and improve efficiency as the U.S. Navy seeks to man vessels with fewer personnel.

 

  Ÿ  

In the general industrial market, we expect that the continued economic development of regions throughout the world will continue to drive increased capital investment and will benefit local suppliers as well as international exporters of fluid handling equipment.

Our global manufacturing sales and distribution network allows us to target fast growing regions throughout the world. Our greenfield production facility in Wuxi, China that we opened during 2005 became fully operational during 2006. In addition, our Indian business demonstrated strong growth and expanded our presence in the South Asia region. We intend to leverage our investments in India and China to substantially grow our market share in these emerging markets and plan to continue to invest in sales and marketing resources to increase our overall coverage.

We will also continue to target aftermarket opportunities in our strategic markets as we generally are able to generate high margins on aftermarket parts and service. For the year ended December 31, 2007, aftermarket sales and services represented approximately 25% of our revenues.

We also expect to continue to grow as a result of strategic acquisitions. We believe that the extensive experience of our management team in acquiring and effectively integrating acquisition targets should enable us to capitalize on opportunities in the future.

Key Performance Measures

The discussion of our results of operations that follows focuses on some of the key financial measures that we use to evaluate our business. We evaluate growth using several measures described below, including net sales, orders and order backlog. Our sales growth is affected by many factors, particularly the impact of acquisitions, the impact of fluctuating foreign exchange rates and growth in our existing businesses. To facilitate the comparison between reporting periods, we describe the impact of each of these three factors on our sales growth below in tabular format under the heading “Sales and Orders.”

Orders and order backlog are highly indicative of our future revenue and thus a key measure of anticipated performance. Orders consist of orders for products or services from our customers. Order backlog consists of unfilled orders.

Asbestos-Related Litigation

Two of our subsidiaries are each one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos. Such components were acquired from third-party suppliers and were not manufactured by any of our subsidiaries nor were the subsidiaries producers or direct suppliers of asbestos. The manufactured products that are alleged to have contained asbestos generally were provided to meet the specifications of the subsidiaries’ customers, including the U.S. Navy.

In 2003, one of our subsidiaries brought an action in the New Jersey Superior Court, Mercer County, against a large number of its insurers and its former parent to resolve a variety of disputes concerning insurance coverage for the asbestos personal injury claims asserted against it. In 2004, its primary insurance carrier ceased payments alleging that its policies were exhausted. The subsidiary requested proof of exhaustion which the primary carrier refused to provide. Thereafter, most of the subsidiary’s excess and umbrella carriers also refused to provide payments for a variety of reasons, including reliance upon the lack of evidence of exhaustion and other timing and allocation defenses. The insurance companies have not contested coverage. As a result, in 2004, the subsidiary began making substantially all of the payments required to cover liability and defense costs for the

 

33


Table of Contents

asbestos-related lawsuits while pursuing a lawsuit against the insurers. In addition, in this lawsuit, the subsidiary alleges that its former parent is responsible for any coverage that would have been provided by any insurance company that is insolvent.

In 2007, certain of the insurance carriers agreed to settle with the subsidiary by reimbursing the subsidiary for amounts the subsidiary paid for liability and defense costs in the past as well as entering into formal agreements detailing the payment of future liability and defense costs in an agreed to allocation for that insurer. In addition, a number of non-settling insurance carriers have made payments of significant amounts for liability and defense costs paid by the subsidiary in the past and continue to pay a share of liability and defense costs as they are incurred. As a result, the subsidiary’s insurance carriers are once again paying a portion of the subsidiary’s current asbestos-related costs and have reimbursed a significant portion of the costs incurred while coverage was being disputed. We believe that costs will continue to be paid by these insurance carriers. Trial currently is scheduled for September 2008. Although impossible to predict with certainty, we believe that all or substantially all of the insurers that are defendants in the coverage litigation will be ordered to provide coverage in accordance with their policies.

To date, our other subsidiary involved in asbestos litigation has had all of its liability and defense costs, covered in full by its primary and umbrella insurance carrier, subject to approximately $7.5 million in deductibles under its primary policies. The subsidiary has a substantial amount of excess insurance available to it from solvent carriers. The subsidiary is currently in litigation in the Delaware Chancery Court with its primary and umbrella insurer and with a third-party company concerning the availability of insurance under certain policies issued to the then-parent of both the subsidiary and the third-party company. While coverage for the claims is not in dispute, the third-party company is seeking a partition of the insurance policy limits for its sole benefit. We believe that this action is without merit. The subsidiary has also brought an action against all of its insurers in Massachusetts Superior Court. In that action, the subsidiary primarily seeks declaratory relief regarding the excess insurers’ obligations to fund in full the defense and settlement of the asbestos lawsuits following the exhaustion of the underlying umbrella policies.

Seasonality

We experience seasonality in our fluid handling business. As our customers seek to fully-utilize capital spending budgets before the end of the year, our shipments generally peak during the fourth quarter. Also, our European operations typically experience a slowdown during the July and August holiday season.

Results of Operations

Items Affecting Comparability of Reported Results

The comparability of our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is affected by the following significant items:

Acquisitions

Acquisitions significantly affect our reported results and can make period to period comparisons of results difficult. As a consequence, we disclose our sales growth between periods both from existing and acquired businesses.

In August 2005, we acquired Tushaco Pumps Private Limited (“Tushaco”), a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps in India. The acquisition of Tushaco provided us with an established presence to serve the South Asian market. Tushaco’s manufacturing and design experience also enables us to utilize its products as a low cost supplier to our other operations and to optimize our global engineering resources.

 

34


Table of Contents

In January 2007, we completed the acquisition of Lubrication Systems Company of Texas (“LSC”), a manufacturer of fluid handling systems, including oil mist lubrication and oil purification systems. LSC strengthens our presence in the oil and gas end market, particularly in the downstream refinery segment, broadens our overall lubrication portfolio, and presents the opportunity to expand its product application to other markets.

Most recently, in November 2007, we acquired Fairmount Automation, Inc. (“Fairmount”), an original equipment manufacturer of mission critical programmable automation controllers in fluid handling applications primarily for the U.S. Navy. In addition to strengthening our existing position with the U.S. Navy, we intend to leverage Fairmount’s experienced engineering talent and technology expertise to develop a portfolio of fluid handling solutions with diagnostic and prognostic capabilities for industrial applications.

Foreign Currency Fluctuations

A significant portion of our sales, approximately 66% for the year ended December 31, 2007, is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, most notabley the Euro and the Swedish Krona. Because much of our manufacturing and employee costs are outside the U.S., a significant portion of our costs are also denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign exchange rates can impact our results and is quantified, when significant, in our discussion of the results of our operations.

Legacy Asbestos (Income) Expense

Legacy asbestos (income) expense includes all asbestos-related costs and is comprised of changes in the projected asbestos liability, changes in the probable insurance recovery of the projected asbestos-related liability, changes in the probable recovery of asbestos liability and defense costs paid in prior periods, actual defense costs expensed in the period, as well as legal costs related to the actions against two of our subsidiaries’ respective insurers and a former parent company of one of the subsidiaries. See “—Asbestos-Related Litigation” above and “—Critical Accounting Estimates—Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Assets” below for a further discussion of legacy asbestos expenses.

The table below presents legacy asbestos (income) expense for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(Amounts in millions)    2007     2006     2005  

Legacy asbestos (income) expense

   $ (50.3 )   $ 33.8     $ 18.1  

Legacy asbestos (income) expense as a percent of sales

     (9.9 )%     8.6 %     5.2 %

Legacy asbestos (income) expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 decreased $84.1 million from $33.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 period to $(50.3) million in the current period. This decrease resulted primarily from revaluation of the insurance asset and from recording a receivable due from our insurers for past cost paid by us, offset to a small degree by the increased cost of litigation against those insurers, as well as a $8.5 million gain related to cash settlements received from certain insurers related to insurance policies which were not included in our 15 year estimate of asbestos-related liability cost. More specifically, the insurance asset for one of our subsidiaries was increased from 75% to 87.5% of the expected liability based upon a series of court rulings in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County. These court rulings, which occurred in late 2007 as a result of grants of partial summary judgment on two motions, determined that New Jersey law applies and that payments made for asbestos-related liability and defense cost paid below deductibles levels eroded policy limits in certain primary policies. These decisions allowed us to determine that the principles outlined in the case of Carter-Wallace, Inc. v. Admiral Ins. Co., 154 N.J. 312 (N.J. 1998), or Carter-Wallace, would be used to allocate responsibility among the insurers. We increased the insurance asset according to the calculation outlined by these principles.

 

35


Table of Contents

We had historically recorded an insurance receivable for any amounts we paid above an estimated asset recovery percentage for a given period. In early 2008, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County, granted a partial summary judgment ruling that the principles outlined in Carter-Wallace would be used to allocate shares among insurers and directed a Special Allocation Master to determine the specific portion of past and future cost attributable to each of the subsidiaries’ insurance polices. These rulings and the receipt in the fourth quarter of 2007 of approximately $49.4 million of past cost from our insurers, allowed us to determine the probable amount of insurance available for past costs. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2007, the subsidiary recorded an insurance receivable of $44.7 million for all past liability and defense cost for which recovery is probable. See “—Asbestos-Related Litigation” above and “—Critical Accounting Estimates—Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Assets” below for a further discussion of recent developments in asbestos litigation.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, legacy asbestos expense increased $15.7 million to $33.8 million from $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. This increase was due to $7.5 million of increased liability costs and $8.2 million of increased legal costs related to pursuing actions against our asbestos insurers.

Discontinued Operations

On November 30, 2004, the Company sold substantially all assets and operating liabilities related to its Power Transmission business to Altra Holdings, Inc., pursuant to an agreement dated October 25, 2004 for $175.8 million after final purchase price adjustments. As such, the Power Transmission business unit is classified in these financial statements as a discontinued operation.

As a result of the divestiture of the Power Transmission business, a net gain of approximately $49.7 million, inclusive of a $15.6 million write-off in goodwill, was recorded in 2004. A further gain of approximately $0.3 million was recorded in 2005 primarily associated with the sale of retained real estate. In addition, in 2005, income from discontinued operations of approximately $0.4 million was recorded as a result of exiting a cross currency swap related to the divested business. In 2006 a loss of approximately $1.4 million was recorded as a result of settlement of claims made by the purchaser against amounts that were held in escrow.

Other Post-Employment Benefit Settlement

During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, we settled portions of our other post-employment benefits liability that we had retained as part of the sale of the power transmission business in 2004 resulting in gains of $9.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Legacy Legal Expenses

During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, we established reserves to settle legal matters related to divested businesses of $8.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

Cross Currency Swap

During the year ended December 31, 2005 we recorded a $2.1 million gain related to the settlement of a cross currency swap.

Sales and Orders

Our sales growth is affected my many factors including acquisitions, the impact of fluctuating foreign exchange rates and growth in our existing businesses. To facilitate the comparison between reporting periods, we disclose the impact of each of these three factors. Growth due to acquisitions includes incremental sales due to an acquisition during the period; or incremental sales due to reporting a full year’s sales for an acquisition that

 

36


Table of Contents

occurred in the prior year. The impact of foreign currency translation is the difference between sales from existing businesses valued at current year foreign exchange rates and the same sales valued at prior year foreign exchange rates. Sales growth from existing businesses excludes both the impact of acquisitions and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, thus providing a measure of growth due to factors such as price, mix, and volume.

Orders and order backlog are highly indicative of our future revenue and thus a key measure of anticipated performance. Orders consist of orders for products or services from our customers. Order backlog consists of unfilled orders. The components of order growth are presented on the same basis as sales growth.

The following tables present components of our sales and order growth, as well as sales by fluid handling product for the periods indicated:

 

     Sales     Orders     Backlog at
Period End
(Amounts in millions)    $    %     $    %    

Year Ending December 31, 2005

   $ 345.5      $ 370.4      $ 118.3
                

Components of Growth:

            

Existing businesses

     40.7    11.8 %     65.6    17.7 %  

Acquisitions

     4.8    1.4 %     4.4    1.2 %  

Foreign currency translation

     2.6    0.8 %     1.9    0.5 %  
                            

Total growth

     48.1    13.9 %     71.9    19.4 %  
                    

Year Ending December 31, 2006

   $ 393.6      $ 442.3      $ 179.3
                        

Components of Growth:

            

Existing businesses

     53.3    13.5 %     77.7    17.6 %  

Acquisitions

     31.3    8.0 %     27.2    6.1 %  

Foreign currency translation

     28.1    7.1 %     34.3    7.8 %  
                            

Total growth

     112.7    28.6 %     139.2    31.5 %  
                    

Year Ending December 31, 2007

   $ 506.3      $ 581.5      $ 292.8
                        

 

(Amounts in millions)    2007    2006    2005

Net sales by product:

        

Pumps, including aftermarket parts and service

     441.7      360.0      313.2

Systems, including installation service

     48.4      16.1      14.6

Valves

     9.5      11.3      12.8

Other

     6.7      6.2      4.9
                    

Total net sales

   $ 506.3    $ 393.6    $ 345.5
                    

As detailed above, for the year ended December 31, 2007, sales increased by $112.7 million, or 28.6% over the year ended December 31, 2006. Of this growth, sales from existing businesses contributed 13.5%, the acquisition of LSC on January 31, 2007 and Fairmont on November 29, 2007 contributed 8.0% and currency translation accounted for 7.1%. The currency translation amount was due primarily to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro during the year ended December 31, 2007. Sales growth from existing businesses was primarily attributable to increased volume and demand in the commercial marine and oil and gas end markets. By product, pump sales increased $81.7 million, or 22.7% during the year ended December 31, 2007. System sales grew $32.3 million due primarily to the acquisition of LSC.

Orders for the year ended December 31, 2007 of $581.5 million increased $139.2 million, or 31.5%, over the year ended December 31, 2006. Backlog, which consists of unfilled orders, as of December 31, 2007 of

 

37


Table of Contents

$292.8 million increased $113.5 million, or 63.3%, as compared to $179.3 million at December 31, 2006. Order growth from existing businesses was primarily attributable to strong growth in our strategic end markets, most notably the oil and gas, commercial marine and power generation markets.

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2006 of $393.6 million were $48.1 million, or 13.9%, higher than the $345.5 million recorded in the prior year. Of the $48.1 million increase, $40.7 million was from existing businesses attributable to increased volume and demand in the general industrial, commercial marine, power generation and oil and gas end markets, $4.8 million was due to the acquisition of Tushaco on August 9, 2005 and $2.6 million was due to the positive impact of foreign exchange rates. By product, pump sales grew $46.8 million, or 14.9%. System sales grew $1.5 million, or 10.3%.

Orders for the year ended December 31, 2006 of $442.3 million increased $71.9 million, or 19.4%, as compared to $370.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Backlog of $179.3 million at December 31, 2006 increased $61.0 million, or 51.6%, compared to $118.3 million at December 31, 2005. Both increased orders and backlog were attributable primarily to strong growth in our strategic end markets, especially the oil and gas, power generation and commercial marine end-markets.

Gross Profit

The following table presents our gross profit figures for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(Amounts in millions)    2007     2006     2005  

Gross profit

   $ 175.6     $ 136.8     $ 123.1  

Gross profit margin

     34.7 %     34.8 %     35.6 %

Gross profit of $175.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased $38.8 million, or 28.4%, from $136.8 million in 2006. Of the $38.8 million increase, $16.6 million was attributable to growth from existing businesses, $13.2 million was due to the acquisition of LSC on January 31, 2007 and Fairmont on November 29, 2007 and $9.0 million was due to the impact of foreign exchange rates. Gross profit margin was 34.7% for the year ended December 31, 2007 consistent with 34.8% for the year ended December 31, 2006.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, gross profit increased by $13.7 million, or 11.1%, to $136.8 million from $123.1 million in the prior year. Of the $13.7 million increase, $11.1 million was attributable to growth from existing businesses, $1.7 million was due to the acquisition of Tushaco on August 9, 2005 and $0.9 million was due to the impact of foreign exchange rates. Gross profit margin declined from 35.6% to 34.8%, largely as a result of product mix. A significant portion of our growth in the year ended December 31, 2006 was from fluid handling products that are used in commercial marine applications and which have a lower gross profit margin than the average for our other products.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

The following table presents our selling, general and administrative expenses for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(Amounts in millions)    2007     2006     2005  

SG&A expenses

   $ 98.5     $ 80.1     $ 74.6  

SG&A expenses as a percent of sales

     19.5 %     20.4 %     21.6 %

 

38


Table of Contents

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $18.4 million to $98.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $80.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Of the $18.4 million increase, $7.2 million was due to the acquisitions of LSC and Fairmont and $4.8 million was due to the impact of foreign exchange rates. The remaining increase was primarily due to increased variable selling expenses of approximately $8.9 million in 2007 and the recognition of a one-time $9.1 million gain on the settlement of other post-employment benefits during 2006, offset by legacy legal expenses of $8.3 million incurred during 2006.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.5 million to $80.1 million compared to $74.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase was primarily due to $8.4 million of legacy legal expenses incurred during 2006 and a $4.0 million increase in variable selling expenses, especially commissions, driven by higher sales volume. These increases were offset in part by a one-time $9.1 million gain in 2006 on the settlement of the other post-employment benefits liability retained as part of the sale of the power transmission business in 2004. Also contributing to the increase was the recognition of a $2.1 million gain on the settlement of a cross currency swap agreement in 2005. Legacy legal expense relates to reserves established at one of our subsidiaries to settle legal matters related to businesses that were divested prior to our acquisition of the subsidiary. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales decreased since costs that are primarily fixed in nature such as administrative salaries, rent and depreciation grew only marginally, approximately 3.0%, compared to the 13.9% growth in sales. Expansion of our Asian operations, through our Tushaco and Wuxi operations, increased total selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $2.3 million from 2005 to 2006.

Operating Income

The table below presents operating income data for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(Amounts in millions)    2007     2006     2005  

Operating income

   $ 123.3     $ 19.5     $ 27.6  

Operating margin

     24.4 %     5.0 %     8.0 %

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased $103.8 million to $123.3 million from $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. This increase was primarily due to an $84.1 million decrease in legacy asbestos expenses and a $38.8 million increase in gross profit offset in part by an $18.4 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating margin increased from 5.0% for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 24.4% for the year ended December 31, 2007.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, operating income declined approximately $8.1 million to $19.5 million from $27.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. This decline was primarily due to a $15.7 million increase in legacy asbestos expenses and a $5.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses offset in part by a $13.7 million increase in gross profit. Operating margin decreased from 8.0% in 2005 to 5.0% in 2006.

Interest Expense

For a description of our outstanding indebtedness, please refer to “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

Interest expense of $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $5.0 million higher than the year ended December 31, 2006. Approximately $3.3 million of the increase was due to higher debt levels in 2007 due to borrowings incurred to fund the acquisition of LSC. An increase in the weighted average interest rate on our variable rate borrowings from 6.85% in 2006 to 7.42% in 2007 contributed approximately $1.2 million to the increase in interest expense. The remaining increase in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of an interest rate collar.

 

39


Table of Contents

Interest expense of $14.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 was approximately $5.2 million higher than 2005. The increase in interest expense in 2006 was primarily due to higher debt levels during the year, due to borrowings incurred to pre-fund our domestic defined benefit pension obligation of $18.8 million and cash paid for asbestos claims of $32.7 million. An increase in the weighted average interest rate on our variable rate borrowings from 5.68% in 2005 to 6.85% in 2006 contributed approximately $2.0 million to the increase in interest expense, excluding the $0.4 million favorable impact of an increase in the fair value of our $90.0 million notional value interest rate collar. Please see “—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” below for a further discussion of the interest rate collar.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate can be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in the countries with differing statutory rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax law. Notably, under APB 23, we must recognize U.S. deferred income taxes for foreign earnings considered not permanently reinvested in the local jurisdiction in the year that it is considered to be not permanently reinvested. The tax effect of significant unusual items or changes in tax law is reflected in the period in which they occur.

The effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 was 37.6% as compared to an effective tax rate of 72.2% for the year ended December 31, 2006. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state taxes and the inclusion of foreign earnings included in U.S. taxable income offset by deferred tax benefits recognized by our German subsidiary as a result of the German tax rate reduction from approximately 38% to 29.0% to be effective on January 1, 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, our effective income tax rate was 72.2% as compared to an effective tax rate of 37.3% for the year ended December 31, 2005. Our 2006 effective tax rate was significantly higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state taxes and the inclusion of undistributed foreign earnings of a foreign subsidiary that was considered not permanently reinvested as a deferred tax expense in accordance with APB 23. Deferred income taxes for 2005 also included a deferred tax expense for undistributed foreign earnings in accordance with APB 23. However, these amounts were offset by the net reduction of certain valuation allowances and other tax reserves.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Historically, we have financed our capital and working capital requirements through a combination of cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under our credit facility. We expect that our primary ongoing requirements for cash will be for working capital, funding for potential acquisitions, capital expenditures, pension plan funding and asbestos liabilities. If additional funds are needed for strategic acquisitions or other corporate purposes, we believe we could raise additional funds in the form of debt or equity.

Borrowings

Our existing credit facility at December 31, 2007 consists of a $50.0 million revolver, a Term B loan of $176.7 million that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%, or 7.1% at December 31, 2007, and a Term C loan of €19.5 million that bears interest at EURIBOR plus 2.25%, or 7.0% at December 31, 2007.

The $50.0 million revolver contains a $25.0 million letter of credit sub-facility and a Euro sub-facility in which Euro borrowing capacity is limited to $30.0 million. The annual commitment fee on the revolver is 0.5% and the administrative agent receives a fee of $0.2 million per annum. Interest rate margins for the revolver are based on our leverage ratio calculated at each quarter-end. At December 31, 2007, the USD Prime and Swing

 

40


Table of Contents

Line based revolvers bear interest at Prime plus 1.50%, or 8.75%. At December 31, 2007, the USD LIBOR-based revolver bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% and the Euro revolver bears interest at EURIBOR plus 2.00%. There was no outstanding balance on the Euro, USD LIBOR, USD Prime and Swing Line based revolvers at December 31, 2007.

On January 3, 2007, we amended our credit facility to increase the borrowings under the Term B loan by $55.0 million. Approximately $28.5 million of the proceeds were subsequently used to fund the acquisition of LSC, $24.5 million of the proceeds were used to pay down our revolver debt, and the remaining proceeds were used for other general corporate purposes. Additionally, in August 2007, we amended the revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date from May 30, 2008 to May 30, 2010.

The Term B loan, as amended on January 3, 2007, has approximately $0.4 million due on a quarterly basis on the last day of each March, June, September and December beginning with March 31, 2007 and ending September 30, 2011, and one installment of approximately $170.0 million payable on December 19, 2011. The Term C loan, as amended on January 3, 2007, has approximately €0.1 million due on a quarterly basis on the last day of each March, June, September and December beginning with March 31, 2007 and ending September 30, 2011, and one installment of approximately €18.4 million payable on December 19, 2011.

On December 31, 2007, there was $205.3 million outstanding on the Term B and Term C loans, no outstanding balance on the revolving lines of credit, and $18.7 million on the letter of credit sub-facility. The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2007 was 7.4%.

Outstanding borrowings under these credit facilities will be paid in part from the proceeds of this offering. Upon the completion of this offering, we expect to enter into a new credit facility consisting of a $150.0 million revolver and a term loan of $100.0 million, and draw down amounts sufficient to pay any outstanding balance on our existing credit facility after the application of proceeds from this offering. The $150.0 million revolver will contain a $50.0 million letter of credit sub-facility, a $25.0 million Swingline loan sub-facility, and a Euro sub-facility for which Euro borrowing capacity is limited to the loan value of foreign collateral. Both the term loan and the revolver will initially bear interest at either LIBOR plus 2.50% or at the Base Rate (the higher of the Bank of America prime rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%) plus 1.50%. Thereafter, interest rate margins for the credit facility will be calculated based on our consolidated leverage ratio. Each Swingline loan will bear interest at the Base Rate plus the interest rate margin calculated for the credit facility, and borrowings under the Euro sub-facility will bear interest at LIBOR plus the interest rate margin calculated for the credit facility. The term loan and revolver will bear interest, upon our election, at either the Base Rate or LIBOR plus the interest rate margin calculated for the credit facility. The annual commitment fee on the revolver will be 0.5% and the administrative agent will initially receive a fee of $50,000. We expect to have sufficient funds available to meet our ongoing liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months.

 

41


Table of Contents

Comparative Cash Flows

The table below presents selected cash flow data for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(Amounts in millions)    2007     2006     2005  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 74.5     $ (17.4 )   $ (7.8 )
                        

Purchases of fixed assets

     (13.7 )     (10.2 )     (7.1 )

Net cash paid for acquisitions

     (33.0 )     —         (11.4 )

Other sources, net

     0.2       0.1       0.1  
                        

Net cash used in investing operations

   $ (46.5 )   $ (10.1 )   $ (18.4 )
                        

Proceeds and repayments of borrowings, net

     14.7       26.9       35.6  

Payment of deferred stock issuance costs

     (1.2 )     —         —    

Payments made for loan costs

     (1.4 )     —         (0.4 )

Dividends paid

     —         —         (18.7 )

Redemption of stock

     —         —         (82.0 )

Other uses, net

     (0.4 )     (0.3 )     (0.4 )
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 11.7     $ 26.6     $ (65.9 )
                        

Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period as working capital needs, the timing of payments for items such as pension funding decisions and other items impact reported cash flows. Changes in significant operating cash flow items are discussed below.

 

  Ÿ  

In all periods presented, cash paid for asbestos liabilities (excluding cash received from settlements with our asbestos insurance carriers), including both the disposition of claims and legal expenses related to litigation against our insurers, was a significant cash outflow. Excluding the impact of cash paid for asbestos liabilities, all periods presented above would have had positive cash flow from operations.

 

  Ÿ  

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 net cash (received) paid for asbestos liabilities, net of insurance settlements received, was $(22.5) million, $32.7 million and $21.1 million, respectively. Of these amounts, $16.1 million, $9.0 million and $2.3 million related to litigation costs against our insurers paid in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. During 2007, we received approximately $65.5 million from certain insurers of which $49.4 million represents reimbursement of past costs while $16.1 million represents settlement in full for future costs not yet incurred by the subsidiary.

 

  Ÿ  

Funding requirements of our defined benefit plans, including both pensions and other post-employment benefits, can vary significantly among periods due to changes in the fair value of plan assets and actuarial assumptions. For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, cash contributions for defined benefit plans were $6.7 million, $11.0 million and $23.7 million, respectively.

 

  Ÿ  

Changes in net working capital also affected the operating cash flows for the years presented. We define net working capital as trade receivables plus inventories less accounts payable, excluding the effects of acquisitions and foreign currency translation.

 

  Ÿ  

Net working capital increased $6.3 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to increases in inventories and trade receivables due to growth in sales volume.

 

  Ÿ  

Net working capital increased $13.8 million from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006. Net trade receivables increased primarily due to higher fourth quarter sales volume in 2006.

 

42


Table of Contents
 

Net inventories and accounts payable increased primarily to support the sales backlog at the end of 2006.

 

  Ÿ  

Net working capital as a percentage of sales is a key ratio that we use to measure working capital efficiency. For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, net working capital as a percentage of sales was 17.3%, 20.7% and 20.5%, respectively.

 

  Ÿ  

LSC produced operating cash flows of approximately $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Investing activities consist primarily of purchases of fixed assets and cash paid for acquisitions.

 

  Ÿ  

In all years presented, capital expenditures were invested in new and replacement machinery, equipment and information technology. We expect capital spending of approximately $13.6 million in 2008. We target capital expenditures at approximately 2.0% to 2.5% of revenues.

 

  Ÿ  

In January 2007, we acquired LSC for a purchase price of $29.7 million, net of cash acquired.

 

  Ÿ  

In November 2007, we acquired Fairmont for a purchase price of $3.3 million, net of cash acquired.

 

  Ÿ  

During the year ended December 31, 2005, we acquired Tushaco for $11.4 million, net of cash acquired.

Financing cash flows consist primarily of borrowings and repayments of indebtedness, payment of dividends to shareholders and redemptions of stock.

 

  Ÿ  

On January 3, 2007, we amended the credit facility to increase borrowings under the Term B loan by $55.0 million. Approximately $28.5 million of the proceeds were subsequently used to fund the acquisition of LSC, $24.5 million of the proceeds were used to pay down our revolver debt, and the remaining proceeds were used for other general corporate purposes.

 

  Ÿ  

In November 2007, $10.0 million of cash received from settlements with our asbestos insurers was used to pay down the revolver. In addition, the Term C loan was paid down by €7.0 million.

 

  Ÿ  

During 2007, we have paid deferred stock issuance costs of $1.2 million for costs incurred related to this offering.

 

  Ÿ  

During the year ended December 31, 2005, $100.0 million of proceeds from the 2004 sale of the power transmission business were used towards the $82.0 million redemption of preferred stock and an $18.7 million dividend payment. The remaining cash proceeds of $73.3 million were used to retire domestic senior term debt in the amount of $47.8 million, reduce the amount outstanding on our revolving credit facility by $22.5 million and pay transaction associated fees in the amount of $3.0 million.

 

  Ÿ  

We paid loan costs during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2005 of $1.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Dividends of $12.2 million, $13.7 million and $9.2 million declared on December 31, 2007, May 15, 2007 and December 31, 2005 have not been paid because those payments were restricted by our credit facility.

 

43


Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations

The following table is a summary of contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007 (in millions):

 

Payments Due by Period

   Total    Less Than
One Year
   1-3 Years    3-5 Years    More Than
5 Years
              

Term Loan B

   $ 176.7    $ 1.8    $ 3.6    $ 171.3    $ —  

Term Loan C

     28.6      0.4      0.8      27.4      —  

Interest Payments on Long-Term Debt(1)

     57.6      14.8      29.0      13.8      —  

Capital Leases

     1.2      0.5      0.6      0.1      —  

Operating Leases

     10.0      3.8      4.7      1.5      —  
                                  

Total

   $ 274.1    $ 21.3    $ 38.7    $ 214.1    $ —  
                                  

 

(1)   Variable interest payments are estimated using static rates of 7.13% and 7.02% for the Term B and C loans, respectively.

We have cash funding requirements associated with our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, which are estimated to be approximately $3.2 million for the year ending December 31, 2008. We have no binding purchase obligations as of December 31, 2007.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that provide liquidity, capital resources, market or credit risk support that expose us to any liability that is not reflected in our consolidated financial statements other than outstanding letters of credit of $18.7 million at December 31, 2007 and future operating lease payments of $10.0 million.

Effects of This Offering on Liquidity and Contractual Obligations

We estimate that we will receive approximately $111.3 million in net proceeds from the sale of 7,825,947 shares of common stock, based upon the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. We intend to use approximately $38.2 million of the proceeds we receive from this offering to pay indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility. As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $205.3 million principal amount, along with accrued interest, outstanding under our credit facility. We also intend to use approximately $35.1 million of the proceeds of this offering to pay declared but unpaid dividends to existing preferred stockholders and approximately $3.7 million of the proceeds to pay an additional dividend to be declared payable to existing preferred stockholders. We will also use an estimated $22.5 million of the proceeds of this offering to pay amounts due, as a result of this offering, to participants in our 2001 Employee Appreciation Rights Plan and our 2006 Executive Stock Rights Plan, which are bonus plans for certain current and former executive officers. This estimate is subject to final reevaluation as of the effective date of this offering. See “Management—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for additional information concerning these plans. Based upon the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, we do not expect to have any proceeds remaining after application of the proceeds as described in “Use of Proceeds.” In the event we receive additional proceeds from this offering, we expect to apply such amounts to repay indebtedness under our existing credit facility. In the event we receive less proceeds in this offering than we have estimated, we expect to reduce the amount used to repay indebtedness.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices that could impact our results of operations and financial condition. We address our exposure to these risks through our normal operating and financing activities.

 

44


Table of Contents

Information concerning market risk for the year ended December 31, 2007 is discussed below.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to exposure from changes in interest rates based on our financing activities. Under our credit facility, all of our borrowings at December 31, 2007 are variable rate facilities based on LIBOR or EURIBOR. A hypothetical increase in the interest rate of 1.00% on our variable rate debt during 2007 would have increased our interest cost by approximately $2.2 million. In order to mitigate this risk, on July 1, 2005 we entered into an interest rate collar with an aggregate notional value of $90.0 million whereby we exchanged our LIBOR-based variable rate interest for a ceiling of 4.75% and a floor of approximately 3.40%. The LIBOR-based interest can vary between the ceiling and floor based on market conditions. The fair value of the collar agreement, based on third-party quotes, was approximately $0.1 million and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 respectively. We have not elected hedge accounting for the collar agreement, and therefore movements in the fair value are recognized in income as a component of interest expense. The collar agreement expires on July 1, 2008.

Exchange Rate Risk

We have manufacturing sites throughout the world and sell our products globally. As a result, we are exposed to movements in the exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S. dollar and against the currencies of other countries in which we manufacture and sell products and services. During 2007 approximately 66% of our sales were derived from operations outside the U.S., with approximately 63% generated from our European operations. In particular, we have more sales in European currencies than we have expenses in those currencies. Therefore, when European currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar, operating profits are increased or decreased, respectively. The Euro-denominated Term C loan at December 31, 2007 provides a natural hedge to a portion of our European net asset position. To assist with the matching of revenues and expenses and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, we may periodically enter into derivative instruments such as cross currency swaps or forward contracts. To illustrate the potential impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, income before taxes and discontinued operations for 2007, assuming a 10% increase in average foreign exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar, 2007 income before income taxes would have increased by $4.9 million.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to changes in the prices of raw materials used in our production processes. Commodity futures contracts are periodically used to manage such exposure. As of December 31, 2007, we had copper futures contracts with a notional value of $3.1 million. The fair value of the contract as of December 31, 2007 was a liability of $0.2 million. As of December 31, 2007, we had a nickel futures contract with a notional value of $1.1 million. The fair value of the contract was a liability of $0.2 million, as of December 31, 2007. We have not elected hedge accounting for futures contracts, and therefore movements in the fair value are recorded to cost of sales.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. Our estimates are based upon our historical experience, our evaluation of business and macroeconomic trends, and information from other outside sources as appropriate. Our experience and assumptions form the basis for our judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may vary from what our management anticipates and different assumptions or estimates about the future could change our reported results.

We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical in that they are important to the financial statements and they require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of the

 

45


Table of Contents

financial statements. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Assets

Two of our subsidiaries are each one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos. Such components were acquired from third-party suppliers, and were not manufactured by any of our subsidiaries nor were the subsidiaries producers or direct suppliers of asbestos. The manufactured products that are alleged to have contained asbestos generally were provided to meet the specifications of the subsidiaries’ customers, including the U.S. Navy.

In most instances, the subsidiaries settle asbestos claims for amounts management considers reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each claim. The annual average settlement payment per asbestos claimant has fluctuated during the past several years, and management expects such fluctuations to continue in the future based upon, among other things, the number and type of claims settled in a particular period and the jurisdictions in which such claims arose. To date, the majority of settled claims have been dismissed for no payment.

Claims activity related to asbestos is as follows(1):

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005  

Claims unresolved at the beginning of the period

     50,020       59,217       65,165  

Claims filed(2)

     6,861       5,992       8,540  

Claims resolved(3)

     (19,327 )     (15,189 )     (14,488 )
                        

Claims unresolved at the end of the period

     37,554       50,020       59,217  
                        

Average cost of resolved claims (4)

   $ 5,232     $ 6,194     $ 8,896  

 

(1)   Excludes claims filed by one legal firm that have been “administratively dismissed.”
(2)   Claims filed include all asbestos claims for which notification has been received or a file has been opened.
(3)   Claims resolved include asbestos claims that have been settled or dismissed or that are in the process of being settled or dismissed based upon agreements or understandings in place with counsel for the claimants.
(4)   Average cost of settlement to resolve claims in whole dollars. These amounts exclude claims in Mississippi for which the majority of claims have historically been without merit and have been resolved for no payment. These amounts also exclude any potential insurance recoveries.

We have projected each subsidiary’s future asbestos-related liability costs with regard to pending and future unasserted claims based upon the Nicholson methodology. The Nicholson methodology is the standard approach used by most experts and has been accepted by numerous courts. This methodology is based upon risk equations, exposed population estimates, mortality rates, and other demographic statistics. In applying the Nicholson methodology for each subsidiary we performed: 1) an analysis of the estimated population likely to have been exposed or claim to have been exposed to products manufactured by the subsidiaries based upon national studies undertaken of the population of workers believed to have been exposed to asbestos; 2) the use of epidemiological and demographic studies to estimate the number of potentially exposed people that would be likely to develop asbestos-related diseases in each year; 3) an analysis of the subsidiaries’ recent claims history to estimate likely filing rates for these diseases; and 4) an analysis of the historical asbestos liability costs to develop average values, which vary by disease type, jurisdiction and the nature of claim, to determine an estimate of costs likely to be associated with currently pending and projected asbestos claims. Our projections based upon the Nicholson methodology estimate both claims and the estimated cash outflows related to the resolution of such claims for periods up to and including the endpoint of asbestos studies referred to in item 2) above. It is our policy to record a liability for asbestos-related liability costs for the longest period of time that we can reasonably estimate.

 

46


Table of Contents

Projecting future asbestos-related liability costs is subject to numerous variables that are difficult to predict, including the number of claims that might be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in the claims, funds available in post-bankruptcy trusts, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform. Furthermore, any projections with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens. These trend factors have both positive and negative effects on the dynamics of asbestos litigation in the tort system and the related best estimate of our asbestos liability, and these effects do not move in linear fashion but rather change over multiple year periods. Accordingly our management monitors these trend factors over time and periodically assesses whether an alternative forecast period is appropriate. Taking these factors into account and the inherent uncertainties, we believe that we can reasonably estimate the asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims that will be resolved in the next 15 years and have recorded that liability as our best estimate. While it is reasonably possible that the subsidiaries will incur costs after this period, we do not believe the reasonably possible loss or range of reasonably possible loss is estimable at the current time. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be paid after the next 15 years. Defense costs associated with asbestos-related liabilities as well as costs incurred related to litigation against the subsidiaries’ insurers are expensed as incurred.

We assessed the subsidiaries’ existing insurance arrangements and agreements, determined the applicability of insurance coverage for existing and expected future claims, analyzed publicly available information bearing on the current creditworthiness and solvency of the various insurers and employed such insurance allocation methodologies as we believed appropriate to ascertain the probable insurance recoveries for asbestos liabilities. The analysis took into account self-insurance reserves, policy exclusions, pending litigation, liability caps and gaps in our coverage, allocation agreements, indemnity arrangements with third-parties, existing and potential insolvencies of insurers as well as how legal and defense costs will be covered under the insurance policies. Each subsidiary has separate, substantial primary, excess and umbrella insurance coverage resulting from the independent corporate history of each entity. In our evaluation of the insurance asset, in addition to the criteria listed above, we used differing insurance allocation methodologies for each subsidiary based upon the state law that will or is likely to apply for that subsidiary.

For the one subsidiary, although presently no cost sharing or allocation agreement is in place with our excess insurers, we believe that based upon application of an insurance allocation methodology, which is used in certain states, including Florida and Massachusetts, and in accordance with prevailing law, that recovery is probable from such insurers for approximately 67% of the liability and defense costs after the exhaustion of primary and umbrella layers of insurance. This allocation methodology, known as the “all sums” approach, allows the policyholder to select any policy year triggered by the claim. Under this methodology, each policy provides indemnity for all amounts that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the policy language. We use this allocation methodology because it is the most likely methodology based upon the corporate history of the subsidiary and that of its primary insurer which are domiciled in either Florida or Massachusetts. The primary and umbrella insurer historically has paid all liability and legal defense costs. In 2006, this insurer asserted that certain insurance policies contained deductibles. As a result, we established a reserve of $7.5 million as a reduction of our asbestos insurance asset at December 31, 2007 and as a reduction of our long-term asbestos insurance asset at December 31, 2006, for the probable and reasonably estimable liability we expect related to these deductibles under the primary insurance policies. On April 1, 2008, the subsidiary’s primary and umbrella insurer notified it that one of the policy years representing approximately 7% of that insurer’s primary policy obligations were close to exhaustion. The subsidiary is investigating this claim and is notifying its excess insurers of potential obligations for payment. To the extent the claim of exhaustion for that year is valid, we believe the subsidiary has adequate coverage such that it will not affect the expected recovery percentage.

For the other subsidiary it was determined by court ruling in the fourth quarter of 2007, that the allocation methodology mandated by the New Jersey courts will apply. This allocation methodology, referred to

 

47


Table of Contents

as the Carter-Wallace methodology, was applied in the New Jersey Supreme Court in the case of Carter-Wallace, Inc. v. Admiral Ins. Co., 154 N.J. 312 (N.J. 1998), which provides that the loss is allocated to each insurance policy year based on the proportion of the policyholder’s total triggered coverage that was purchased in that year. Based upon this ruling and upon a series of other favorable rulings regarding interpretation of certain policy provisions related to deductibles, the number of occurrences and the resulting calculation, we increased our expected recovery percentage to 87.5% from 75% of all liability costs recorded after September 28, 2007 and revalued our insurance asset at that date. For the period between December 31, 2005 and September 28, 2007, we had estimated that recovery was probable for 75% of all liability costs paid and 85% of defense costs paid. Prior to December 31, 2005, we had estimated that recovery was probable for two-thirds of all liabilities paid.

For this subsidiary, until June 2004, based upon an interim agreement, the subsidiary’s primary insurers paid at least two-thirds of liability costs and all defense costs. In 2003, the subsidiary brought legal action against a large number of its insurers and its former parent to resolve a variety of disputes concerning insurance for asbestos bodily injury claims asserted against it. Although none of these defendant insurance companies contested coverage, they disputed the timing, reasonableness and allocation of payments. One of the primary insurers and one of the excess insurers stopped or severely reduced payments alleging that its policies were exhausted and the subsidiary began paying various amounts of its liability and defense costs during 2004. We historically had recorded a receivable for any amounts paid above the expected insurance recovery percent for that period which we considered recovery probable. As of December 31, 2007, based upon (i) application of the New Jersey allocation model, (ii) court records indicating the Court was likely to order insurers to reimburse the subsidiary for past costs and (iii) the receipt of $58.0 million in cash from certain insurers during the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded a receivable for all past liability and defense cost for which we believe recovery is probable.

In 2007, certain insurance carriers agreed to settle with this subsidiary by reimbursing the subsidiary for amounts it paid for liability and defense costs as well as entering into formal agreements detailing the payments of future liability and defense costs in an agreed to allocation. In addition, a number of non-settling insurance carriers have paid significant amounts for liability and defense costs paid by the subsidiary in the past and continue to pay a share of costs as they are incurred. The subsidiary received approximately $65.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, of which approximately $49.4 million represents reimbursement of past cost, which reduced our outstanding insurance receivables, and approximately $16.1 million represents settlement in full for future costs not yet incurred by the subsidiary. Of the $16.1 million, approximately $7.6 million relates to insurance policies which are triggered within our 15 year-estimate of asbestos-related liability and as such were recorded as a reduction to the insurance asset, while, approximately $8.5 million relates to insurance policies which were not included in our 15 year estimate of asbestos-related liability cost and, as such, were recorded as income in Legacy asbestos (income) expense. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, the subsidiary received an additional $1.7 million in reimbursement of past cost from an insurer and another $0.9 million from an insurer previously considered insolvent. Presently certain insurers are paying approximately 36.8% of costs for current asbestos-related liability and defense cost.

Based on the analysis referred to above, we have established reserves of $376.2 million and $388.9 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for the probable and reasonably estimatable asbestos-related liabilities we believe the subsidiaries will pay through the next 15 years, and have also established recoverables of $305.2 million and $297.1 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for the insurance recoveries that are deemed probable during the same time period. Net of these recoverables, the subsidiaries’ expected cash outlay on a non-discounted basis for asbestos-related bodily injury claims over the next 15 years was estimated to be $71.0 million and $91.8 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We have recorded the reserves for the asbestos liabilities as “Accrued asbestos liability” and “Long-term asbestos liability” and the related insurance recoveries as “Asbestos insurance asset” and “Long-term asbestos insurance asset” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition we have recorded a receivable for liability and defense costs we had previously paid in the amount of $44.7 million and $41.1 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for which insurance recovery is deemed probable. These amounts are included in “Asbestos insurance receivable” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

48


Table of Contents

The (income) expense related to these liabilities and legal defense was $(65.2) million, $21.8 million and $14.3 million, net of estimated insurance recoveries, for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Legal costs related to the subsidiaries’ action against their asbestos insurers were $14.9 million, $12.0 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. All of these amounts are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in “Legacy asbestos (income) expense.”

Management’s analyses are based on currently known facts and a number of assumptions. However, projecting future events, such as new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of resolving each claim, coverage issues among layers of insurers, the method in which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies, interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships, the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, the amount of remaining insurance available, as well as the numerous uncertainties inherent in asbestos litigation could cause the actual liabilities and insurance recoveries to be higher or lower than those projected or recorded which could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

Retirement Benefits

Pension obligations and other post-retirement benefits are actuarially determined and are affected by several assumptions, including the discount rate, assumed annual rates of return on plan assets, and per capita cost of covered health care benefits. Changes in discount rate and differences from actual results for each assumption will affect the amounts of pension expense and other post-retirement expense recognized in future periods. These assumptions may also have an effect on the amount and timing of future cash contributions.

Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the costs in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired associated with our acquisitions.

We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually on December 31 or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances, such as a decline in sales, earnings, or cash flows, or material adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that the carrying value of an asset might be impaired. Goodwill is considered to be impaired when the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. Estimated fair values for each reporting unit are established based upon the average of actual and projected EBITDA for the next two years (net income before income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization) multiplied by related industry valuation multiples for recent transactions between unrelated parties. The determination of EBITDA is based on our actual results, budgets, and strategic plans. Related industry valuation multiples of EBITDA are obtained by us from investment bankers. This data is gathered from recent change of control transactions involving entities with comparable operations and economic characteristics within our industry. This valuation methodology is consistent with the objective of measuring fair value, and is commonly used by the investment banking community as one estimate of fair value. If valuation based upon EBITDA multiples demonstrates any possibility of impairment, we utilize other valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flows, or multiples of earnings or revenues, to further define estimated fair value. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test would be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The analysis indicated no impairment to be present for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.

However, actual results could differ from our estimates and projections, which would affect the assessment of impairment. As of December 31, 2007, we have goodwill of $169.0 million that is subject to at least annual review of impairment.

 

49


Table of Contents

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. SFAS 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we take into account various factors, including the expected level of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. If actual results differ from the assumptions made in the evaluation of our valuation allowance, we record a change in valuation allowance through income tax expense in the period such determination is made.

The determination of our provision for income tax requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Significant judgment is required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items. We establish reserves when, despite the belief that the tax return positions are fully supportable, we believe that certain positions may be successfully challenged. When facts and circumstances change, the reserves are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenues and costs from product sales when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, product delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, there are no further obligations to customers, and collectibility is probable. Product delivery occurs when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer. Our shipping terms vary based on the contract. If any significant obligations to the customer with respect to such sale remain to be fulfilled following shipment, typically involving obligations relating to installation and acceptance by the buyer, revenue recognition is deferred until such obligations have been fulfilled. Any customer allowances and discounts (primarily volume discounts) are recorded as a reduction in reported revenues at the time of sale because these allowances reflect a reduction in the purchase price for the products purchased. These allowances and discounts are estimated based on historical experience and known trends. Revenue related to service agreements is recognized as revenue over the term of the agreement.

For long-term contracts, revenue is generally recognized based on the percentage-of-completion method calculated on the units of delivery basis or the cost-to-cost basis. The percentage of completion method requires estimates of total expected contract revenue and costs. We follow this method when we can make reasonably dependable estimates of the revenue and cost applicable to various stages of the contract. Revisions in profit estimates are reflected in the period in which the facts that gave rise to the revision become known and have historically been insignificant. Percentage of completion revenue was approximately 2.9%, 3.8% and 2.2% of consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Service revenues are recognized as services are performed.

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. These allowances are based on recent trends of certain customers estimated to be a greater credit risk as well as general trends of the entire pool of customers. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.8 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

The foregoing criteria are used for all classes of customers including original equipment manufacturers, distributors, government contractors and other end users.

 

50


Table of Contents

Stock Based Compensation

Upon effectiveness of this offering, our board of directors will grant shares of restricted stock, stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) pursuant to our 2001 Employee Executive Stock Rights Plan and our 2008 omnibus incentive plan (“the Grants”) to certain current and former executive officers, our non-employee director nominees and certain of our employees. The exact number of shares subject to each Grant will be dependent on the initial public offering price. We will account for the Grants as stock-based compensation under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123R, Share-Based Compensation (SFAS 123R), which requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award, with limited exceptions. That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award—the requisite service period or vesting period. No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. We have equity incentive plans to encourage employees and non-employee directors to remain with us and to more closely align their interests with those of our shareholders.

We will use the initial public offering price as the fair value of the Grants that are shares of restricted stock or RSUs for the purpose of determining stock-based compensation expense for those awards. For all other Grants and for all future issuances, we expect to estimate the fair value of our stock-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The determination of fair value using the Black-Scholes model requires a number of complex and subjective variables. One key input into the model is the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. For the Grants that are not fully vested at the effectiveness of the offering, the fair value of our common stock for this purpose will be the initial public offering price. Other key variables in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include the expected volatility of our common stock price, the expected term of the award and the risk-free interest rate. In addition, under SFAS 123R, we are required to estimate forfeitures of unvested awards when recognizing compensation expense.

We cannot predict with certainty the impact of stock-compensation expense to be recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) at this time because it will depend significantly on the levels of share-based payments we grant in the future. However, based on grants we expect to make at the effective time of this offering as described above, based on an assumed offering price of $16.00 per share, the mid-point of the price range as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, a stock price volatility of 32.35%, an expected option life of six years, a risk-free interest rate of 4.64% and a 0% expected dividend yield, we estimate that we would record stock-based compensation expense of approximately $11.1 million, $2.3 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. This amount is not necessarily reflective of the actual amount that we will record in these years because it does not include the effect of any awards we may grant after the effectiveness of the offering. The actual amount of stock-based compensation expense we record in any fiscal period will be dependent on a number of factors, including the number of shares subject to the stock awards issued, the fair value of our common stock at the time of issuance and the expected volatility of our stock price over time.

Recent Pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48 to create a single model to address accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. The Interpretation applies to all tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109 and requires a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and transition, and significantly expands income tax disclosure requirements. The Interpretation is effective for public reporting companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation No. 48, we recognized an increase in the net liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $6.7 million, which was accounted for as a decrease to the January 1, 2007 opening retained deficit.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures

 

51


Table of Contents

about fair value measurements. This Statement applies to value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards, except for measurements of share-based payments and measurements that are similar to, but not intended to be, fair value and does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 for financial assets and liabilities, and for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for non-financial assets and liabilities. We are currently evaluating the effects of implementing the provisions of this Statement.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The pronouncement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 159.

 

52


Table of Contents

BUSINESS

Our Company

We are a global supplier of a broad range of fluid handling products, including pumps, fluid handling systems and specialty valves. We believe that we are a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps, which include screw pumps, gear pumps and progressive cavity pumps. We have a global manufacturing footprint, with production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, as well as worldwide sales and distribution channels. Our products serve a variety of applications in five strategic markets: commercial marine, oil and gas, power generation, global navy and general industrial. We design and engineer our products to high quality and reliability standards for use in critical fluid handling applications where performance is paramount. We also offer customized fluid handling solutions to meet individual customer needs based on our in-depth technical knowledge of the applications in which our products are used. Our products are marketed principally under the Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren and Zenith brand names. We believe that our brands are widely known and have a premium position in our industry. Allweiler, Houttuin, Imo and Warren are among the oldest and most recognized brands in the markets in which we participate, with Allweiler dating back to 1860.

We serve a global customer base across multiple markets through a combination of direct sales and marketing associates and third-party distribution channels. Our customer base is highly diversified and includes commercial, industrial, marine and governmental customers such as Alfa Laval, Cummins, General Dynamics, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Siemens, Solar Turbines, Thyssenkrupp, the U.S. Navy and various sovereign navies around the world. We have a large installed base, which, combined with the critical nature of the applications in which our products are used, leads to a tendency for our customers to replace “like for like” products. This tendency leads to significant aftermarket demand for replacement parts as well as for spare parts and maintenance service.

We employ a comprehensive set of tools that we refer to as CBS. CBS is a disciplined strategic planning and execution methodology designed to achieve excellence and world-class financial performance in all aspects of our business by focusing on the Voice of the Customer and continuously improving quality, delivery and cost.

We have an experienced management team that has established a focused industrial manufacturing business with strong market positions within the fluid handling industry. We believe we are well positioned to continue to grow by enhancing our product offerings and expanding our customer base in each of our strategic markets. We also have successfully completed and integrated several acquisitions and expect to continue to pursue acquisitions of complementary businesses that will broaden our product portfolio, expand our geographic footprint or enhance our position in our strategic markets.

Our History

Our business began with an initial investment by our founders in 1995 with the intention to acquire, manage and create a world-class industrial manufacturing company. We sought to acquire businesses with leading market positions and brands that exhibit strong cash flow generation potential. With our management expertise and the introduction of CBS into our acquired businesses, we pursue growth and improvements in operating margins.

In August 1997, we acquired Imo and Warren, manufacturers of screw pumps and specialty centrifugal pumps. The Imo Pump brand name dates back to 1931, when Bengt Ingestrom, an entrepreneur, and Carl Montelius, the inventor of the 3-screw pump, established Imo Pump. Their last names formed the acronym Imo. Warren was founded in 1897 and is among the oldest pump manufacturers in the U.S. Our acquisition of Imo and Warren formed the foundation of what is now Colfax Corporation.

 

53


Table of Contents

In April 1998, we acquired Allweiler AG (“Allweiler”), the largest European manufacturer of screw pumps and a leader in specialty centrifugal and progressive cavity pumps in Europe. The Allweiler brand name dates to 1860 and is a leading brand name for screw pumps in Europe. The Allweiler acquisition included Houttuin, a Dutch manufacturer of 2-screw pumps.

Since the acquisition of Allweiler, we have completed additional acquisitions that have broadened our fluid handling product portfolio and geographic footprint. In June 2004, we acquired the assets of Zenith, a leading manufacturer of precision metering pumps for the general industrial market.

In August 2004, we acquired the net assets of Portland Valve, a manufacturer of specialty valves used primarily for naval applications.

In August 2005, we acquired Tushaco, a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps in India. The acquisition of Tushaco provided us with an established presence to serve the South Asian market. Tushaco’s manufacturing and design experience also enables us to utilize its products as a low cost supplier to our other operations and to optimize our global engineering resources.

In January 2007, we acquired LSC, a manufacturer of fluid handling systems. LSC designs, manufactures, installs and maintains oil mist lubrication and oil purification systems in refineries, petrochemical plants and other processing facilities.

In November 2007, we acquired Fairmount, an original equipment manufacturer of mission critical programmable automation controllers in fluid handling applications primarily for the U.S. Navy. In addition to strengthening our existing position with the Navy, we intend to leverage Fairmount’s experienced engineering talent and technology expertise to develop a portfolio of fluid handling solutions with diagnostic and prognostic capabilities for use in industrial applications.

In addition to our acquisitions, in 2005 we opened a greenfield production facility in Wuxi, China to manufacture and assemble complete products and systems for our customers in China and other Asian markets and to supply low cost components and parts for our existing operations.

Our Industry

Based on industry data supplied by The Freedonia Group, Elsevier, European Industrial Forecasting and the Hydraulic Institute, we estimate the worldwide fluid handling market, which we define as industrial pumps, valves, and gaskets and seals, to have been $119 billion in 2006. Within this market, we primarily compete in the estimated $3.5 billion global rotary positive displacement pump market, a sub-section of the estimated $11 billion positive displacement pump market. We are also a competitor in the estimated $18 billion centrifugal pump market and the estimated $57 billion valve market.

We believe that there are over 10,000 companies competing in the worldwide fluid handling industry. The fluid handling industry’s customer base is broadly diversified across many sectors of the economy, and we believe customers place a premium on quality, reliability, availability and design and application engineering support. Because products in the fluid handling industry often are used as components in critical applications, we believe the most successful industry participants are those that have the technical capabilities to meet customer specifications, offer products with reputations for quality and reliability and can provide timely delivery and strong aftermarket support.

 

54


Table of Contents

We currently serve markets that have a need for highly engineered, critical fluid handling solutions and are global in scope. Our strategic markets include:

 

Strategic Markets

  

Applications

Commercial Marine

   Fuel oil transfer; oil transport; water and wastewater handling

Oil and Gas

   Crude oil gathering; pipeline services; unloading and loading; rotating equipment lubrication; lube oil purification

Power Generation

   Fuel unloading, transfer, burner and injection; rotating equipment lubrication

Global Navy

   Fuel oil transfer; oil transport; water and wastewater handling; firefighting; fluid control

General Industrial

   Machinery lubrication; hydraulic elevators; chemical processing; pulp and paper processing; food and beverage processing

Our Competitive Strengths

Strong Market Positions, Broad Product Portfolio and Leading Brands.    We believe that we are a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps, which include screw pumps, gear pumps and progressive cavity pumps. We offer a broad portfolio of fluid handling products that fulfill critical needs of customers across numerous industries. Our brands are among the oldest and most recognized in the markets in which we participate.

Strong Application Expertise.    We believe that our reputation for quality and technical expertise positions us as a premium supplier of fluid handling products. With over 140 years of experience, we have significant expertise in designing and manufacturing fluid handling products that are used in critical applications, such as lubricating power generation turbines, transporting crude oil through pipelines and transferring heavy fuel oil in commercial marine vessels.

Extensive Global Sales, Distribution and Manufacturing Network.    We sell our products through over 300 direct sales and marketing associates and more than 450 authorized distributors in 79 countries. We believe that our global reach within the highly fragmented, worldwide fluid handling industry provides us with an ability to better serve our customers. Our European, North American and Asian manufacturing capabilities provide us with the ability to optimize material sourcing, transportation and production costs and lower foreign currency risk.

We Use CBS to Continuously Improve Our Business.    CBS is our business system designed to encourage a culture of continuous improvement in all aspects of our operations and strategic planning. Modeled on the Danaher Business System, CBS focuses on conducting root-cause analysis, developing process improvements and implementing sustainable systems. Our approach addresses the entire business, not just manufacturing operations.

Large Installed Base Generating Aftermarket Sales and Service.    With a history dating back to 1860, we have a significant installed base across numerous industries. Because of the critical applications in which our products are used and the high quality and reliability of our products, we believe there is a tendency to replace “like for like” products. This tendency leads to significant aftermarket demand for replacement products as well as for spare parts and for repair and maintenance service. In the year ended December 31, 2007, we estimate that approximately 25% of our revenues were derived from aftermarket sales and services.

Broad and Diverse Customer Base.    Our customer base spans numerous industries and is geographically diverse. Approximately 66% of our sales in 2007 were derived from operations outside of the U.S. In addition, no single customer represented more than 3% of our sales during this period.

 

55


Table of Contents

Management Team with Extensive Industry Experience and Focus on Strategic Development.    We are led by a senior management team with an average of over 20 years of experience in industrial manufacturing. John A. Young, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is one of our founders and played a key role in developing the acquisition strategy that has formed our company. Since 1995, as part of this strategy, we have acquired 12 companies and divested businesses that do not fit within our long-term growth strategy. We believe that we have extensive experience in acquiring and effectively integrating attractive acquisition targets.

Our Growth Strategy

We intend to continue to increase our sales, expand our geographic reach, broaden our product offerings and improve our profitability through the following strategies:

 

  Ÿ  

Apply CBS to Drive Profitable Sales Growth and Increase Shareholder Value.    The core element of our management philosophy is CBS, which we implement in each of our businesses. CBS is a strategic planning and execution methodology designed to achieve world-class excellence in all aspects of our business. CBS focuses our organization on continuous improvement and performance goals by empowering our associates to develop innovative strategies to meet customer needs. Rather than a static process, CBS continues to evolve as we benchmark ourselves against best-in-class industrial companies.

 

      Beyond the traditional application of cost control, overhead rationalization, global process optimization, and implementation of lean manufacturing techniques, we utilize CBS to identify strategic opportunities to enhance future sales growth. The foremost principle of CBS is the Voice of the Customer, which drives our activities to continuously improve customer service, product quality, delivery and cost. The Voice of the Customer is instrumental in the development of new products, services and solutions by utilizing a formal interview process with the end users of our products to identify “pain points” or customer needs. By engaging end users in the discussion, rather than solely relying on salespeople or channel partners for anecdotal input, we see the real issues and opportunities. We then prioritize these opportunities with the intention of implementing novel or breakthrough ideas that uniquely solve end-user needs. By continuing to apply the methodology of CBS to our existing businesses as well as to future acquisitions, we believe that we will be able to continue to introduce innovative new products and solutions, improve operating margins and increase the asset utilization of our businesses, and in doing so create profitable sales growth, generate excess cash flow to fund future acquisitions and increase shareholder value.

 

  Ÿ  

Execute Market Focused Strategies.    We have aligned our marketing and sales organization into market focused teams designed to coordinate global activity around five strategic markets: commercial marine, oil and gas, power generation, global navy and general industrial. These markets have a need for highly engineered, critical fluid handling solutions and are attractive due to their ongoing capital expenditure requirements, growth rates and global nature. We intend to use our application expertise, highly engineered and specialized products, broad product portfolio and recognized product brands to generate high margin incremental revenue.

Commercial Marine—We provide complete fluid handling packages to shipbuilders throughout the world primarily for use in engine room applications. Our products are widely recognized for their superior reliability and lower total cost of ownership. The increased rate of commercial marine vessel construction in recent years has expanded our large installed base of fluid handling products and has generated increased aftermarket revenues. In addition to supplying our products for new vessels, we intend to continue to grow our aftermarket sales and services by optimizing our channels to improve market coverage. We also intend to expand our global reach by utilizing our Chinese and Indian operations to offer locally manufactured products, to reduce production costs and to provide local customer service and support for the Asia Pacific region, an area where the majority of the commercial marine vessels are constructed.

 

56


Table of Contents

Oil and Gas—We provide a broad portfolio of fluid handling products for many oil and gas applications around the world. In particular, we have a strong presence in oil field tank farms, pipelines and refineries and also in Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) installations. We intend to continue to execute our strategy in the global crude oil transport market by targeting applications where our products can replace less efficient fluid handling alternatives. For example, through a Voice of the Customer driven process, we identified an opportunity to lower maintenance and energy costs and increase up time by replacing reciprocating pumps in pipeline applications with our 3-screw product. We also intend to leverage our position as a leading supplier of 2-screw pumps to develop complex turnkey systems to capture the growing need for fluid handling solutions that can undertake the difficult task of handling varying mixtures of heavy crude oil, natural gas and water at the same time. Additionally, we expect to continue to extend LSC’s presence within the refinery market through increased market coverage and intend to broaden LSC’s core lubrication offerings for new applications. We are also adding resources to the fast growing oil and gas markets around the world, including Asia and developing nations.

Power GenerationWe provide fluid handling products used in critical lubrication and fuel injection services for fossil fuel, hydro and nuclear power plants around the world. We believe that we have in-depth knowledge of fuel injection and lubrication applications, strong product brand names and a reputation for reliability in the power generation industry. Within this market we intend to continue our growth as a provider of turnkey systems by utilizing our expertise in power generation applications to develop innovative solutions. For example, in 2006 we were contracted by an international power generation equipment supplier to design, build and install a €2.2 million lube oil skid system for a nuclear power plant in Finland. We were chosen to provide the turnkey solution for this project as a result of our engineering capabilities and technical expertise. We also intend to leverage our global presence to strengthen our relationships with large original equipment manufacturers of power generation equipment to establish us as a critical supplier.

Global Navy—For over 90 years we have supplied our specialty centrifugal and screw pumps to sovereign navies around the world, including the U.S. Navy and most of the major navies in Europe. With the acquisitions of Portland Valve and Fairmount, we have broadened our offering to include specialty valves and advanced control systems, respectively. We intend to continue to design, manufacture and sell high value fluid handling systems in order to meet the evolving requirements and standards of the navies around the world. For example, we recently received a $27.0 million contract to design a proprietary automated fire suppression system for the next-generation U.S. Navy destroyer. We also received a $16.5 million order to supply SMART valves designed as an integrated system solution with intelligence and diagnostic capabilities for the new destroyer platform. Our engineers are also working with the U.S. Navy to incorporate electronics and advanced control algorithms into our products. We are also focused on expanding our repair and service capabilities as work is outsourced to private shipyards. As part of this strategy, we have established a waterfront repair and service facility in San Diego, California to complement our Portland, Maine facility in order to provide more responsive aftermarket support to the U.S. Navy.

General Industrial—We provide fluid handling solutions for a broad array of general industrial applications, including machinery lubrication, commercial construction, chemical processing, pulp and paper processing and food and beverage processing, among others. We intend to continue to apply our application and engineering expertise to supply our customers with a portfolio of products that can solve their most critical fluid handling needs. We also intend to grow our presence in the general industrial market by targeting new applications for our existing products, deploying regionally focused strategies and leveraging our global presence and sales channels to sell our solutions worldwide.

 

57


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

Target Fast Growing Regions by Leveraging Our Global Manufacturing, Sales and Distribution Network.    We intend to continue to leverage our strong global presence and worldwide network of distributors to capitalize on growth opportunities by selling regionally developed and marketed products and solutions throughout the world. As our customers have become increasingly global in scope, we have likewise increased our global reach to serve our customers by maintaining a local presence in numerous markets and investing in sales, marketing and manufacturing capabilities globally. Because we believe that the Asia Pacific market, in particular China, provides an attractive opportunity for future growth, in 2005, we opened a greenfield production facility in Wuxi, China to manufacture parts and assemble products primarily for shipyards and ship owners in China and other Asian countries. In addition, our acquisition of Tushaco established our presence in the fast growing Indian market.

 

      To further enhance our focus on serving our customers, we have developed the Colfax Sales Office (“CSO”), a web-based selection, configuration, quotation, order entry and aftermarket tool to streamline the quote-to-order process. As of December 31, 2007, we have installed CSO in our Imo operations in North America and our Allweiler operations in Bottrop, Germany. We intend to install CSO across all of our operations. We believe that CSO, when fully installed, will significantly increase the speed of supplying quotes to our customers and will reduce our selling costs and increase our manufacturing efficiency. This is expected to be accomplished by eliminating many manual front-end processes and establishing an integrated, automated platform across brands to capture sales that otherwise would be lost due to increased response times.

 

  Ÿ  

Develop New Products, Applications and Technologies.    We will continue to engineer our key products to meet the needs of new and existing customers and also to improve our existing product offerings to strengthen our market position. We intend to develop technological, or “SMART,” solutions, which incorporate advanced electronics, sensors and controls, through the use of our Voice of the Customer process to solve specific customer needs. We believe our SMART solutions will reduce our customers’ total cost of ownership by providing real-time diagnostic capabilities to minimize downtime, increase operational efficiency and avoid unnecessary costs. For example, through a Voice of the Customer process, we identified an opportunity to assist shipowners in meeting stricter environmental standards by developing an integrated fluid handling system with sensors designed to proactively alert the ship engineer of a leak. This solution helps our customers avoid incurring large fines during routine port inspections. With the recent acquisition of Fairmount, we also intend to leverage their portfolio of advanced controls into our broader industrial offerings to develop innovative SMART fluid handling solutions.

 

      To further align our product innovation efforts across our operations, we have established a global engineering center of excellence located at our office in Mumbai, India, which will collaborate with our global operations to design new products, modify existing solutions, identify opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs and increase the efficiency of our existing product lines. We also believe that we will be able to reallocate select engineering functions to our engineering center thereby freeing resources to spend time on higher value work.

 

  Ÿ  

Grow Our Offerings of Systems and Solutions.    We will continue to provide high value added fluid handling solutions by utilizing our engineering and application expertise and our brand recognition and sales channels to drive incremental revenue. We intend to establish regional system manufacturing capabilities to address our customers’ desire to purchase turnkey modules and their preference for outsourced assembly. For example, our position as a leading supplier of 2-screw pumps, combined with our engineering and application expertise, recently provided us the ability to design, build, install and commission three system packages to transport heavy crude oil for a Middle Eastern customer. By offering complete turnkey systems, we not only captured a greater share of the overall project value, but also demonstrated our technical capabilities which led to a follow-on order in 2007.

 

58


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

Continue to Pursue Strategic Acquisitions that Complement our Platform.    We believe that the fragmented nature of the fluid handling industry presents substantial consolidation and growth opportunities for companies with access to capital and the management expertise to execute a disciplined acquisition and integration program. We have successfully applied this strategy since our inception and plan to continue to seek companies that:

 

  Ÿ  

enhance our position in our five strategic markets;

 

  Ÿ  

have recognized, leading brands and strong industry positions;

 

  Ÿ  

present opportunities to expand our product lines and services;

 

  Ÿ  

have a reputation for high quality products;

 

  Ÿ  

will broaden our global manufacturing footprint;

 

  Ÿ  

complement or augment our existing worldwide sales and distribution networks; or

 

  Ÿ  

present opportunities to provide operational synergies and improve the combined business operations by implementing CBS.

We believe that we can identify a number of attractive acquisition candidates in the future and that strategic acquisition growth will give us the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage relative to smaller operators through greater purchasing power, a larger international sales and distribution network and a broader portfolio of products and services.

Our Products

We design, manufacture and distribute fluid handling products that transfer or control liquids in a variety of applications. We market our products principally under the Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren and Zenith brands and also sell replacement parts and perform repair services for our manufactured products.

Our primary products include:

 

Fluid Handling Products

  

Principal Brands

  

Principal End Uses

Pumps

   Allweiler, Houttuin, Imo, Warren, Tushaco and Zenith    Commercial marine, oil and gas, machinery lubrication, power generation, global navy and commercial construction

Fluid Handling Systems

   Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC and Warren    Commercial marine, oil and gas, power generation and global navy

Specialty Valves

   Portland Valve    Global navy

 

59


Table of Contents

Pumps

At the most basic level, pumps are used to transfer liquids. For such transfer to occur, pumps require energy by a driver such as an electric motor. With their broad application across numerous industry segments, pumps can be classified by specific standards, technology, type or design. Within this broad product segment, we focus on rotary positive displacement and specialty centrifugal pumps. Rotary positive displacement and specialty centrifugal pumps operate differently, but both are designed to effectively transport specific liquid mediums. Rotary pumps generally are used on liquids that have oil-like characteristics, while centrifugal pumps generally are used on water-like liquids; however, special designs provide numerous common opportunities.

Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps—We believe we are a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps with a broad product portfolio and globally recognized brands. Rotary positive displacement pumps consist of a casing containing screws, gears, vanes or similar components that are actuated by the relative rotation of that component to the casing, which results in the physical movement of the liquid from the inlet to the discharge at a constant rate. The U.S. Hydraulic Institute accredits 11 basic types of rotary positive displacement pumps, of which we manufacture five (3-Screw, 2-Screw, Progressive Cavity, Gear and Peristaltic). The following table summarizes the range of our rotary positive displacement pump products.

 

Product

   Max Flow
(GPM)
   Max
Pressure
(PSI)
  

Fluids

Handled

  

Major Markets

Served

  

Product

Features

3-Screw

   5,300    4,500   

•     Viscous oils

•     Viscous chemicals

  

•     Oil & Gas

•     Power Generation

•     Commercial Marine

•     Global Navy

  

•     High efficiency

•     Quiet operation

•     High pressure capability

2-Screw

   12,000    1,500   

•     Viscous oils

•     Corrosive fluids

•     Fibrous liquids

  

•     Oil & Gas

•     Commercial Marine

•     Power Generation

  

•     Large capacity

•     High efficiency

•     Contaminant handling

Progressive

Cavity

   3,750    1,500   

•     Sewage sludge

•     Viscous liquids

  

•     General Industrial

  

•     Broad fluid type transfer

•     Solids content handling

Gear

   1,500    300   

•     Polymer fiber

•     Adhesives

•     Diesel fuel

  

•     General Industrial

  

•     Multiple applications

•     High speed

•     Precision pumping

Peristaltic

   350    230   

•     Viscous fluids

•     Corrosive liquids

  

•     General Industrial

  

•     Sealless design (no leaks)

•     Easy to maintain

•     Simple design

 

60


Table of Contents

Specialty Centrifugal Pumps—Centrifugal pumps use the kinetic energy imparted by rotating an impeller inside a configured casing to create pressure. While traditionally used to transport large quantities of thin liquids, our centrifugal pumps use specialty designs and materials to offer customers high quality, reliability and customized solutions for a wide range of viscosities and applications. We position our specialty centrifugal pumps for applications where customers clearly recognize our brand value or in markets where centrifugal and rotary pumps are complimentary. The table below sets forth the range of our primary specialty centrifugal products.

 

Fluids

Handled

   Max
Flow

(GPM)
   Max
Pressure
(PSI)
  

Major

Markets Served

  

Product

Features

Water

   10,500    150   

•     Commercial Marine

•     Global Navy

  

•     Extended operation

•     Sealless design (no leaks)

•     Ability to package with rotary pumps

Lube Oil

   7,000    150   

•     Commercial Marine

•     Power Generation

  

•     Application specific design

•     Easy installation

•     Extended operation

Thermal Oil

   5,500    240   

•     General Industrial

  

•     ATEX certified

•     ISO 2858 compliant

•     Flexible design

Aggressive

Liquids

   150,000    240   

•     General Industrial

  

•     Custom configuration

•     Sealless design (no leaks)

•     ATEX certified

•     ISO 2858 compliant

Fluid Handling Systems

We manufacture complete fluid handling systems used primarily in the oil and gas, power generation, commercial marine and global navy markets. We offer turnkey systems and support, including design, manufacture, installation, commission and service. Our systems include:

 

  Ÿ  

oil mist lubrication systems, which are used in rotating equipment in oil refineries and other process industries;

 

  Ÿ  

custom designed packages used in crude oil pipeline applications;

 

  Ÿ  

lubrication and fuel forwarding systems used in power generation turbines; and

 

  Ÿ  

complete packages for commercial marine engine rooms.

Through the acquisition of Fairmount, we are able to integrate advanced programmable logic controls with our specialty valves to create SMART fluid handling systems for naval application. We are currently working together on several contracts for the U.S. Navy next-generation destroyer, including a $27.0 million contract to design a proprietary automated fire suppression system and a $16.5 million contract to supply SMART valves.

Specialty Valves

Our specialty valves are used primarily in naval applications. Our valve business has specialized machining, welding and fabrication capabilities that enable it to serve as a prime contractor to the U.S. Navy. In addition to designing and manufacturing valves, we also offer repair and retrofit services for products manufactured by other valve suppliers through our aftermarket support centers located in Portland, Maine and San Diego, California.

 

61


Table of Contents

Manufacturing

We manufacture and assemble our products at more than 16 locations worldwide, including in Europe, North America and Asia. This global manufacturing reach enables us to serve our customers wherever they choose to do business. Each of our manufacturing sites offers machining, fabrication and assembly capabilities that gives us the flexibility to source some of our products from multiple facilities. We believe that this flexibility enables us to minimize the impact of a manufacturing disruption if one of our facilities was to be damaged as a result of a natural disaster or otherwise. Our manufacturing facilities also benefit from the use of shared technology and collaboration across production lines, enabling us to increase operational efficiencies through the use of common suppliers and the duplication of production processes.

Twelve of our manufacturing facilities are certified as compliant with ISO 9001:2001 manufacturing standards, which are international quality standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization. ISO 9001:2001 refers to a quality management system which demonstrates the ability to consistently provide products that meet customer and applicable regulatory requirements and aim to enhance customer satisfaction. We believe that these certifications are recognitions of our commitment to and efforts in implementing and maintaining a quality management system in the design, manufacturing and sales of our fluid handling products.

Customers

Our business is geographically diversified, with 47% of net sales for 2007 derived from customers in Europe, 29% from customers in North and South America, 16% from customers in Asia and 8% from customers in other areas. Our customer base is highly diversified and includes commercial, industrial and government customers. Our business is not dependent on any single customer or a few customers, the loss of which would have a material adverse effect on the respective market, or on us as a whole. In 2007, no single customer represented more than 3% of sales.

Direct Sales

We provide our products directly to customers in each of the markets we serve through our approximately 100 direct field sales associates in 12 countries. A significant percentage of our direct sales associates have technical backgrounds, including degrees in engineering. In 2007, direct sales represented approximately 70% of our overall sales.

Indirect Sales

In addition to our direct sales force, we provide products to our customers through over 100 independent representatives that cover over 30 countries. We have established and maintain long-term relationships with distributors and original equipment manufacturers in key markets. Approximately 30% of our sales in 2007 were to distributors, while 27% of our sales in the same period were through original equipment manufacturers.

We believe that our worldwide presence enables us to provide timely and responsive support and service to our customers, many of whom operate internationally, and to capitalize on growth opportunities in both developed and emerging areas around the world.

Competition

Our products and services are marketed on a worldwide basis. We believe that the principal elements of competition in our markets are:

 

  Ÿ  

the ability to meet customer specifications;

 

62


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

application expertise and design and engineering capabilities;

 

  Ÿ  

product quality and brand name;

 

  Ÿ  

timeliness of delivery;

 

  Ÿ  

price; and

 

  Ÿ  

quality of aftermarket sales and support.

The markets we serve are highly fragmented and competitive. Because we compete in selected niches of the fluid handling industry, there is not any single company that competes directly with us across all of our markets. As a result, we have many different competitors in each of our strategic markets. In the commercial marine market, we compete primarily with Naniwa Pump Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Shinko Industries, Ltd., Shin Shin Machinery Group Co., Ltd. and Taiko Kikai Industries Co., Ltd. In the oil and gas market, we compete primarily with Joh. Heinr. Bornemann GmbH, Leistritz Pumpen GmbH, Netzsch Mohnopumpen GmbH and Robbins & Myers, Inc. In the power generation market, we compete primarily with Buffalo Pumps (a subsidiary of Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation), KSB Group and Sulzer Ltd. In the global navy market, we compete primarily with Buffalo Pumps, Carver Pump Company, Curtiss-Wright Corporation and Tyco International, Inc.

Research and Development

We closely integrate research and development with marketing, manufacturing and product engineering in meeting the needs of our customers. Our business product engineering teams work to continuously enhance our existing products and develop new product applications for our growing base of customers that require custom solutions. We believe these capabilities provide a significant competitive advantage in the development of high quality fluid handling systems. Our product engineering teams focus on:

 

  Ÿ  

lowering the cost of manufacturing our existing products;

 

  Ÿ  

redesigning existing product lines to increase their efficiency or enhance their performance; and

 

  Ÿ  

developing new product applications.

With the acquisition of Fairmount, we have significantly expanded our engineering capabilities with the addition of 24 system and electrical engineers. We intend to combine our new capabilities for design of proprietary programmable automation controllers with our fluid handling application expertise to build a portfolio of SMART solutions for use in our end markets.

In addition to our existing 180-person engineering team and research and development capabilities, we have also established an engineering center of excellence located at our Mumbai, India office to align our product innovation efforts across our global operations. We anticipate hiring additional local engineers who will collaborate with global business operations to design new products or modify existing solutions based on Voice of the Customer feedback. We also expect to increase our capacity of specialized engineering capabilities by reallocating certain engineering functions to our Indian engineering center, thereby freeing resources for higher value work.

We have approximately 77 employees in research and development. Expenditures for research and development for the years ended December 31, 2007, December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were $4.2 million, $3.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property. As of December 31, 2007, we owned

 

63


Table of Contents

approximately 65 active U.S. and foreign patents and had approximately eight patent applications pending across all of our product lines. Although we highlight recent additions to our patent portfolio as part of our marketing efforts, we do not consider any one patent or trademark or any group thereof essential to our business as a whole or to any of our business operations. We also rely on proprietary product knowledge and manufacturing processes in our operations.

Our products are marketed under various trade names and registered U.S. and foreign trademarks. We have rights to a number of trade names, service marks and trademarks, including Colfax, Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren and Zenith. We have rights to these names and marks in the United States and, where we believe appropriate, in foreign markets in which we operate or compete.

Although we are involved in disputes concerning intellectual property ownership rights from time to time, we have no knowledge of or any present infringement or any present claims of ownership of patents or trademarks that would materially affect our business. We intend to continue to pursue registration and protection of all of our intellectual property rights. We also intend to continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property and proprietary rights against infringement or other threats to the greatest extent possible under applicable law.

Raw Materials and Backlog

We obtain raw materials, component parts and supplies from a variety of sources, generally from more than one supplier. Our principal raw materials are metals, plastics, castings, motors and bearings. Our suppliers and sources of raw materials are based in both the United States and other countries, and we believe that our sources of raw materials are adequate for our needs for the foreseeable future. The loss of any one supplier would not have a material adverse effect on our business or result of operations.

Manufacturing turnaround time is generally sufficiently short so as to permit us to manufacture to order for most of our products, which helps to limit inventory costs. Therefore, backlog generally is a function of requested customer delivery dates and may range from two months to several years based on the actual requested dates.

Properties

We have 16 principal production facilities in seven countries. We have seven in the United States, one in China, one in France, three in Germany, one in the Netherlands, one in Sweden and two in India. The following table lists our primary facilities as of December 31, 2007, indicating the location, square footage, whether the facilities are owned or leased, and principal use.

 

Location

   Sq. Footage    Owned/Leased    Principal Use

Richmond, Virginia

   10,200    Leased    Corporate Headquarters

Hamilton, New Jersey

   2,200    Leased    Subsidiary Headquarters

Columbia, Kentucky

   75,000    Owned    Production

Warren, Massachusetts

   147,000    Owned    Production

Monroe, North Carolina

   170,000    Owned    Production

Sanford, North Carolina

   32,000    Owned    Production

Aberdeen, North Carolina

   20,000    Owned    Production

Houston, Texas

   25,000    Leased    Production

Portland, Maine

   61,000    Leased    Production

Tours, France

   33,000    Leased    Production

Bottrop, Germany

   55,000    Owned    Production

Gottmadingen, Germany

   38,000    Leased    Production

Radolfzell, Germany

   350,000    Owned    Production

Utrecht, Netherlands

   50,000    Owned    Production

Stockholm, Sweden

   130,000    Owned    Production

Daman, India

   32,000    Owned    Production

Vapi, India

   16,000    Leased    Production

Wuxi, China

   60,000    Leased    Production

 

64


Table of Contents

Associates

The following table indicates our worldwide associate base as of the periods indicated:

 

     January 31,
2008
   December 31,
        2007    2006    2005

United States

   702    701    548    492

Europe

   1,093    1,096    1,034    1,039

Asia

   264    262    216    173
                   

Total

   2,059    2,059    1,798    1,704
                   

There are approximately 42 associates in the United States covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers-Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA). The contract with the union expires December 7, 2008 and provides for wage increases ranging from 3% to a maximum of 3.5% per year. In addition, in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, by law, some of our associates are represented by trade unions in these jurisdictions, which subjects us to arrangements very similar to collective bargaining agreements. To date, we have not experienced any work stoppages or strikes that have had a material adverse impact on operations. We consider our relations with our associates to be good.

Government Contracts

Sales to U.S. government defense agencies constituted approximately 6% of our revenue in 2007, with the majority of the U.S. government revenue being generated by our Warren brand. We are subject to business and cost accounting regulations associated with our U.S. government defense contracts. Violations can result in civil, criminal or administrative proceedings involving fines, compensatory and treble damages, restitution, forfeitures, and suspension or debarment from U.S. government defense contracts.

Legal Proceedings

Two of our subsidiaries are each one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos. Such components were acquired from third-party suppliers, and were not manufactured by any of our subsidiaries nor were the subsidiaries producers or direct suppliers of asbestos. The manufactured products that are alleged to have contained asbestos generally were provided to meet the specifications of the subsidiaries’ customers, including the U.S. Navy. Of the approximately 37,500 pending claims, approximately 15,400 of such claims have been brought in various state courts in Mississippi; approximately 4,200 of such claims have been brought in the Supreme Court of New York County, New York; approximately 400 of such claims have been brought in the Superior Court, Middlesex County, New Jersey; and approximately 1,900 claims have been filed in state courts in Michigan and the U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. The remaining pending claims have been filed in state and federal courts in Alabama, California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington.

One of our subsidiaries is a defendant in a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia alleging breach of contract arising from the sale of a steam turbine delivered by our former Delaval Turbine Division and claiming damages in excess of $6.0 million (Canadian). In 2002, the plaintiff amended its complaint to add claims for negligence. We believe that there are legal and factual defenses to the claim and intend to defend the action vigorously. A trial date has been set for November 2008.

On June 3, 1997, one of our subsidiaries was served with a complaint in a case brought in the Superior Court of New Jersey which alleges damages in excess of $10.0 million incurred as a result of losses under a

 

65


Table of Contents

government contract bid transferred in connection with the sale of our former Electro-Optical Systems business. The Electro-Optical Systems business was sold in a transaction that closed on June 2, 1995. The sales contract provided certain representations and warranties as to the status of the business at the time of sale. The complaint alleges that the subsidiary failed to provide notice of a “reasonably anticipated loss” under a bid that was pending at the time of the transfer of the business and therefore a representation was breached. In the third quarter of 2004 this case was tried and the jury rendered a verdict of $2.1 million for the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have argued that they are entitled to a refund of their attorney’s fees and costs of trial as a matter of law and contract. The subsidiary believes it is not obligated to pay these costs. In November 2006 the Court entered an Amended Final Judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in the amount of $8.9 million, including prejudgment interest. This amount is recorded in “Other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The judgment is secured by a letter of credit under our existing credit facility. Both the subsidiary and the plaintiff appealed. On January 28, 2008, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court affirmed the total award and ordered a new trial on certain portions of the plaintiffs’ claim. The subsidiary petitioned for reconsideration of the decision which was denied on February 28, 2008. The subsidiary intends to seek certification from the Supreme Court of New Jersey for appeal. The subsidiary believes that there are legal and factual defenses to the claims and intends to continue to defend the action vigorously.

We were a defendant in an action brought by the landlord of one of our subsidiaries for rent. In March 2006, a jury found in part for the landlord, awarding the landlord $1.6 million for rent and $1.2 million in attorney’s fees. On April 2, 2008 the Court of Appeals for the 5th District of Texas at Dallas affirmed the trial court’s judgment. The Company is reviewing the decision to determine the appropriateness of an appeal to the Supreme Court of Texas.

In addition to the litigation and matters noted above, we and our subsidiaries are from time to time subject to, and are presently involved in, litigation or other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of business. These matters primarily involve claims for damages arising out of the use of the subsidiaries’ products, some of which include claims for punitive as well as compensatory damages. None of these legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. With respect to these proceedings and the litigation and claims described in the preceding paragraphs, our management believes that we will either prevail, have adequate insurance coverage or have established appropriate reserves to cover potential liabilities. Any costs that management estimates may be paid related to these proceedings or claims are accrued when the liability is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. There can be no assurance, however, as to the ultimate outcome of any of these matters, and if all or substantially all of these legal proceedings were to be determined adversely to us, there could be a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

We are self-insured for a portion of our product liability and certain other liability exposures. Depending on the nature of the liability claim, we are responsible for up to $0.2 million per occurrence under the retention program for worker’s compensation and $0.5 million per occurrence under the retention program for product liability with a $4.0 million aggregate with respect to domestic liability and $3.0 million with respect to foreign liability. We also have a $0.1 million per occurrence stop-loss limit under our group medical plan.

 

66


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers, Directors and Key Employees

The following table sets forth information with respect to our current executive officers, directors, key employees and those who will become executive officers and directors upon consummation of the offering. With the exception of Mitchell P. Rales and Steven M. Rales, who are brothers, there are no family relationships among any of the individuals listed below.

 

Name

   Age   

Position

John A. Young

   42    President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

G. Scott Faison

   46    Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas M. O’Brien

   57    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Michael K. Dwyer

   50    Senior Vice President, General Manager—Asia Pacific

Steven W. Weidenmuller

   44    Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Joseph B. Niemann

   46    Senior Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Planning

William E. Roller

   45    Senior Vice President, General Manager—Americas

Mario E. DiDomenico

   57    Senior Vice President, General Manager—Engineered Products

Dr. Michael Matros

   42    Senior Vice President, General Manager—Allweiler

Mitchell P. Rales

   51    Chairman of the Board of Directors

Steven M. Rales(1)

   57    Director

Patrick W. Allender

   61    Director Nominee

C. Scott Brannan

   49    Director Nominee

Joseph O. Bunting III

   47    Director Nominee and Vice President

Thomas S. Gayner

   47    Director Nominee

Clay Kiefaber

   52    Director Nominee

Rajiv Vinnakota

   36    Director Nominee

 

(1)   Steven M. Rales has submitted his resignation as a director effective immediately prior to the effective time of the registration statement.

Each officer serves at the pleasure of the board and is subject to removal by the board with or without cause.

John A. Young is the President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of our company. Prior to becoming President in 2000, Mr. Young was Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of our company since its founding in 1995.

G. Scott Faison became the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in January of 2005. He has served as Corporate Controller and Assistant Treasurer since joining us in November 1997.

Thomas M. O’Brien has served as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since January 1998. Mr. O’Brien served as Assistant General Counsel at Imo from 1995-1998. He has been a member of the legal department at Imo since 1985.

Michael K. Dwyer joined our company in 1998 as Vice President, Colfax Business System and Global Sourcing. In 2004, Mr. Dwyer became Senior Vice President, General Manager—Asia Pacific.

Steven W. Weidenmuller joined us in 2002 as Senior Vice President, Human Resources. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Weidenmuller was Vice President of Human Resources of Tropicana International, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., the leading producer of juice in the world, where he was employed from 1997 to 2002.

Joseph B. Niemann joined us in 2006 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Niemann was Vice President, Marketing & eBusiness of Emerson Climate Technologies, a subsidiary of Emerson Electric Company, where he was employed from 1990 to 2005.

 

67


Table of Contents

William E. Roller has served as our Senior Vice President, General Manager—Americas since June 1999. Subsequently, Mr. Roller added to his responsibilities the role of General Manager of both Zenith and LSC following the acquisitions of those businesses.

Mario E. DiDomenico joined our company in 1998 with the acquisition of Imo. Since that time he has served as the Manager of Operations for Warren Pump, Vice President—2 Screw Pumps and subsequently as Senior Vice President, General Manager—Engineered Products. He has been with Imo Industries in increasingly responsible manufacturing roles since 1990.

Dr. Michael Matros joined Allweiler in 1996 as a project manager in Research and Development. From 1996 until 2006, Dr. Matros has held several positions at Allweiler with increasing responsibilities, including Director of Research and Development and the Plant Manager of our Allweiler facility in Radolfzell, Germany. In April 2006, Dr. Matros was appointed to his current position as Senior Vice President, General Manager—Allweiler. In November 2006, Dr. Matros was appointed as a member of the management board at our German subsidiary, Allweiler AG.

Mitchell P. Rales has served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Danaher Corporation since 1990. For more than the past five years, Mitchell Rales has been a principal in a number of private business entities with interests in manufacturing companies and publicly traded securities.

Steven M. Rales has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Danaher Corporation since 1984. Steven M. Rales has submitted his resignation as a director effective immediately prior to the effective time of the registration statement. For more than the past five years, Steven Rales has been a principal in a number of private business entities with interests in manufacturing companies and publicly traded securities.

Patrick W. Allender is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Danaher Corporation, where he served from 1987 until 2006. Mr. Allender is a director of the Brady Corporation where he is a member of the audit and compensation committees.

C. Scott Brannan is a partner of Aronson & Company. Prior to joining Aronson & Company in 2003, Mr. Brannan served as Director of International Finance of our company for one year. Mr. Brannan is a certified public accountant.

Joseph O. Bunting, III has served as Vice President of our company since 1997. Mr. Bunting has submitted his resignation as Vice President effective upon consummation of this offering. For more than the past five years, Mr. Bunting has been an officer, member or director in a number of private business entities with interests in manufacturing companies and publicly traded securities and which are affiliated with Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales.

Thomas S. Gayner is Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Markel Corporation. Since 1990, Mr. Gayner has served as President of Markel Gayner Asset Management, Inc. Mr. Gayner served as a director of Markel Corporation from 1998 to 2003. Mr. Gayner currently serves on the board of directors of The Washington Post Company. Mr. Gayner also serves on the board of directors of The Davis Funds in New York City.

Clay Kiefaber served as Group President of Masco Corporation from 2006 to 2007. Prior to serving as Group President, Mr. Kiefaber was Group Vice President of Masco Builder Cabinet Group and President of Merillat Industries, both companies of which are subsidiaries of Masco Corporation. Mr. Kiefaber joined Merillat Industries in 1989.

Rajiv Vinnakota has been the Managing Director and President of The SEED Foundation, a non-profit educational organization, since 1997. Prior to co-founding SEED, Mr. Vinnakota was an associate at Mercer Management Consulting.

Board Composition

Upon completion of this offering, we will have an authorized board of directors consisting of eight members, a majority of whom will be independent. Our board of directors has determined that each of Patrick Allender, C. Scott Brannan, Thomas Gayner, Clay Kiefaber and Rajiv Vinnakota meets the definition of “independent director” under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors.

 

68


Table of Contents

Board Committees

Upon completion of this offering, our board of directors will have a standing audit committee, a standing compensation committee and a standing nominating and corporate governance committee, the principal functions of which are detailed below.

Our board may establish other committees from time to time to facilitate the management of the business and affairs of our company.

Audit Committee

The audit committee will be responsible, among its other duties and responsibilities, for overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes, the audits of our financial statements, the qualifications of our independent registered public accounting firm, and the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee will review and assess the qualitative aspects of our financial reporting, our processes to manage business and financial risks, and our compliance with significant applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirements. The audit committee will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. The members of our audit committee are expected to be C. Scott Brannan, who will serve as chair of the committee, Patrick Allender and Thomas Gayner. Our board of directors has determined that C. Scott Brannan will qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined under the SEC rules implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our audit committee will be independent within the meaning of the independent director guidelines of the New York Stock Exchange and each member of our audit committee will be independent under the requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act.

Compensation Committee

The compensation committee will be responsible, among its other duties and responsibilities, for approving the compensation and benefits of our chief executive officer and other executive officers, monitoring compensation arrangements applicable to our chief executive officer and other executive officers in light of their performance, effectiveness and other relevant considerations and adopting and administering our equity incentive plans. To date, the compensation of our executive officers has primarily been determined by our full board of directors. For a discussion of the role of Mr. Young, our chief executive officer, and the limited role of compensation consultants in compensation decisions during our last fiscal year, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.

The members of our compensation committee are expected to be Clay Kiefaber, who will serve as chair of the committee, Thomas Gayner and Rajiv Vinnakota.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for recommending candidates for election to the board of directors. The committee also will be responsible, among its other duties and responsibilities, for making recommendations to the board of directors or otherwise acting with respect to corporate governance policies and practices, including board size and membership qualifications, new director orientation, committee structure and membership, succession planning for our chief executive officer and other key executive officers, and communications with stockholders. The members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are expected to be Patrick Allender, who will serve as chair of the committee, C. Scott Brannan and Rajiv Vinnakota.

We believe that the composition of each of these three standing committees will satisfy the requirements for independence under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the applicable SEC rules and regulations.

 

69


Table of Contents

Board Compensation

To date, none of our directors have received compensation for their services as a director of our company.

Upon effectiveness of this offering, our board of directors has approved the following compensation to be paid to our non-employee directors, other than our non-executive chairman of the board, for their service on the board of directors:

 

  Ÿ  

an initial equity award of $100,000 in restricted stock units, to be awarded upon the effectiveness of this offering, which award will vest in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the date of grant and which award will be deferred in full until termination of each director’s service on the board;

 

  Ÿ  

an annual cash retainer of $35,000;

 

  Ÿ  

an annual equity award of $60,000 in restricted stock units, to be awarded in connection with our annual shareholders meeting, which award will vest in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the date of grant;

 

  Ÿ  

the chairman of the audit committee will be entitled to an annual retainer of $15,000, and the chairmen of each other committee of the board, including the compensation committee and governance committee, will be entitled to receive an annual retainer of $10,000;

Our non-executive chairman of the board will be entitled to receive an annual cash retainer of $1 and will not receive any other cash fees or the initial or annual equity awards described above. In addition, each of the directors will be entitled to reimbursement of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with board service, including travel expenses.

The board of directors has also approved a share ownership policy for our directors upon the consummation of this offering. As approved, each director will be required to have economic ownership of our common stock (including shares issued upon exercise of stock options and shares underlying restricted stock units) equal to five times the annual cash retainer within five years of joining the board of directors. If the initial and annual restricted stock unit grants are retained, each director will be in compliance with this requirement after the first annual grant of restricted stock units is made in connection with our 2009 annual shareholders meeting.

In addition, the board of directors has adopted a Director Deferred Compensation Plan which permits non-employee directors to receive, at their discretion, deferred stock units, or DSUs, in lieu of their annual cash retainers and meeting fees. A director who elects to receive DSUs receives a number of units determined by dividing the cash fees earned during, and deferred for, the quarter by the closing price of our common stock on the date of the grant, which is the last trading day of the quarter. A non-employee director also may convert restricted stock unit grants to DSUs under the plan. DSUs granted to our directors convert to shares of our common stock after termination of service from the board of directors, based upon a schedule elected by the director in advance. In the event that a director elects to receive DSUs, the director will receive dividend equivalent rights on such DSUs to the extent dividends are issued on our common stock. Dividend equivalents are deemed reinvested in additional DSUs (or fractions thereof).

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The following discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements of our named executive officers for 2007 (as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table below) should be read together with the compensation tables and related disclosures set forth below. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from the currently planned programs summarized in this discussion.

 

70


Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

To date, our executive compensation philosophy has been to offer our executive officers, including our named executive officers, compensation that is competitive and that meets our goals of attracting, keeping, incentivizing and rewarding highly skilled management so that we can achieve our financial and strategic objectives and continue to grow our company.

Utilizing this philosophy, our executive compensation program has been designed to:

 

  Ÿ  

be competitive and flexible to reflect the industry in which we operate;

 

  Ÿ  

continually focus on, and reward our executives for, achievement of company financial and strategic objectives, both over the short and longer-term; and

 

  Ÿ  

consistently apply our compensation program to each of our named executive officers, including our CEO, Mr. Young, as well as all of our management, in all of our locations (although our specific programs may vary slightly between the United States and our other international locations, as required by local law or practice).

Setting of Executive Compensation

Other than as set forth below under “Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Base Salary,” to date the compensation awarded to our named executive officers has been determined solely by the full board of directors, including Mitchell Rales, Steven Rales and Mr. Young, based upon their collective experience and reasoned business judgment, with recommendations from our CEO, Mr. Young, for each of the named executive officers other than himself.

Other than the philosophy and compensation objectives discussed above, which have been informally followed by the board, the board has not formally adopted any policies with respect to long-term versus currently-paid compensation, cash versus non-cash compensation, or any other compensation policies. In addition, the board has historically looked at each compensation element individually such that decisions regarding one element have not affected decisions regarding other elements. This is because each element of our compensation program has a different purpose:

 

  Ÿ  

base salaries—must be competitive in order to attract and keep our executive talent;

 

  Ÿ  

annual bonus plan—designed to reward our executive officers for annual improvements in key areas of company operational and financial performance; and

 

  Ÿ  

long-term cash incentive plans—designed to reward our executive officers for growing our company over the longer-term and positioning it for a liquidity event, either through a sale or pursuant to an initial public offering.

It is currently anticipated that, upon completion of this offering, our newly-formed compensation committee will review our executive compensation program and, as it deems necessary, modify or expand our program to arrive at what we believe to be fair and competitive compensation for our executive officers, including the named executive officers, as a public company.

Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

As discussed above, prior to this offering, the elements of our executive compensation program have been base salary, an annual cash bonus, and long-term cash incentives. In addition, as part of our transition from a private to a public company, we recently entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Young, Faison, Dwyer and O’Brien, as discussed under “—Changes to Our Compensation Program in Connection with This Offering.”

Base Salary.    As noted above, one of our guiding compensation objectives is to be flexible in order to reflect the competitive environment we encounter in recruiting and retaining senior management. Base salaries are reviewed annually with this objective in mind.

 

71


Table of Contents

Named Executive Officers, Other Than Mr. Young.    The annual base salary increases, if any, awarded to our named executive officers in fiscal 2007, as well as all of our associates generally, are determined from a “merit pool” recommended by Mr. Young and approved by the board. Each year, Mr. Young develops a “merit pool,” or aggregate percentage increase in base salary amounts for Colfax associates generally, that is recommended to the board. Mr. Young bases his recommendation on his subjective review of publicly available compensation compilation and survey data comprised of average percentages by which base salaries paid to employees of industrial and other companies in the U.S., as well as the other geographic locations where we have associates, are expected to increase. The component companies which form the basis for this compilation data are not disclosed as part of this survey information and thus are not known to Mr. Young, the board or Colfax. The survey data reviewed by Mr. Young indicated that average base salaries were to increase by 4% for 2007. Thus, based on the board’s review of this information and Mr. Young’s recommendation, the board approved a merit pool of 4.0% for fiscal 2007.

Once the merit pool was determined, Mr. Young further recommended to the board the base salaries for each named executive officer, other than himself. Mr. Young makes these recommendations based upon his subjective judgment and business experience. These base salaries recommended by Mr. Young, and approved by the board, are set forth in the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table below.

Mr. Young.    In determining Mr. Young’s base salary increase for fiscal 2007, the board performed a more comprehensive review of CEO base salaries. In order to provide the board with survey data specific to compensation paid to CEOs, we retained Watson Wyatt Worldwide to develop a survey of comparable industrial public companies, with similar revenue and products to Colfax, using publicly available compensation information from public company proxy statements. The peer group of companies included in the Watson Wyatt survey consisted of Gardner Denver, Inc., IDEX Corporation, Graco Inc., Robbins & Myers, Inc., Altra and The Gorman Rupp Company. In reviewing this survey information, the board determined to increase Mr. Young’s base salary to $375,000.

Annual Cash Bonus.    For 2007, each of our named executive officers was entitled to participate in our 2007 Management Incentive Plan, or our annual cash bonus plan. As stated above, we believe the annual cash bonus plan incentivizes our named executive officers to achieve annual improvements in what we view as key company financial and operational metrics, thus resulting in continued growth for Colfax from year to year.

Financial and Operational Targets.    Consistent with prior years, a substantial percentage of the funding for the 2007 annual bonus plan was determined by the achievement of financial performance targets based on the board-approved corporate budget for the year. For each named executive officer other than Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros, the achievement of financial performance targets represented 70% of the funding for the annual bonus, and the financial performance targets consisted of sales, EBITDA (as adjusted to remove the impact of legacy asbestos income and expense as well as discontinued operations) and working capital turns (each as adjusted to negate the effects of foreign currency exchange rates). The board chose these metrics, as it has in recent years, as we believe these are the three performance metrics which most influence and support our growth and, as a result, shareholder value.

For each of Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros, the achievement of financial performance targets represented 75% of the funding of his annual bonus. The financial performance targets applicable to Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros included each of the performance metrics discussed above which are applicable to our “corporate” named executive officers; however, the board believed that the financial metrics for Mr. Dwyer’s and Dr. Matros’ potential annual bonus should be based primarily on the business unit that each oversees, and not the company as a whole. Thus, 65% of each of Mr. Dwyer’s and Dr. Matros’ potential bonus was based on the achievement of sales, EBITDA (as adjusted) and working capital turns with respect to their respective business units (which, for Mr. Dwyer only, was adjusted to negate the effects of foreign currency exchange rates due to the fact that Mr. Dwyer’s business unit includes more than one currency type). The additional 10% of each of Mr. Dwyer’s and Dr. Matros’ potential bonus was based on achievement of the company-wide sales target for the year.

 

72


Table of Contents

The remaining 30% (or 25%, in the case of Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros) of the annual bonus plan was based on board-approved personal objectives for each named executive officer, as discussed below.

The following table outlines the annual bonus plan goal structure and respective weighting for each of the named executive officers, other than Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros, during 2007:

 

Measure

   Weighting  

Sales

   17.5 %

EBITDA (as adjusted)

   35.0 %

Working capital turns

   17.5 %

Personal objectives

   30.0 %

The following table outlines the annual bonus plan goal structure and respective weighting for Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros during fiscal 2007:

 

Measure

   Weighting  

Sales—business unit

   15.0 %

EBITDA (as adjusted)—business unit

   35.0 %

Working capital turns—business unit

   15.0 %

Sales—Colfax consolidated

   10.0 %

Personal objectives

   25.0 %

The board placed a greater emphasis on EBITDA (as adjusted) as compared to the other performance metrics as we believe profitability is the primary driver of our growth. With respect to the financial and operational performance metrics, the annual bonus plan is strictly formulaic in nature, and neither the board nor any executive officer exercised any discretion with respect to the targets, or the resulting payments, in fiscal 2007.

The “target goal” relating to each financial or operations performance metric, including the business units specific to Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros, represented our internal budget amount for 2007. The board then set “threshold goals” and “maximum goals” based upon their collective experience and business judgment, balancing our interests with the purpose of the program: to reward the named executive officers for improvements in each of the key metrics, including rewarding each of Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros for improvements in the metrics for the respective business unit he oversees. To determine the actual bonus paid to each named executive officer, the actual financial performance is multiplied by each named executive officer’s target bonus (as set forth in footnote 1 to the Summary Compensation Table below) and the corresponding weighting for the measure. The 2007 financial performance goals for each of the named executive officers, other than Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros (other than with respect to the 10% of each of Mr. Dwyer’s and Dr. Matros’ potential bonus based on the company-wide sales target) are set forth below:

 

  Measure

(weighting)

   Target
Goal
   Threshold
Goal
   Threshold
Payment
    Maximum
Goal
   Maximum
Payment
 

Sales (17.5%)(1)

     $467.7 million    $440.4 million    65 %   $514.5 million    250 %

EBITDA (as adjusted) (35.0%)

   $ 74.9 million    $66.2 million    65 %   $89.9 million    250 %

Working Capital Turns (17.5%)

     4.64                4.27               20 %   5.10                200 %

 

(1)   For both Mr. Dwyer’s and Dr. Matros’ 2007 annual bonus, company-wide sales represented 10% of the potential bonus.

We are not disclosing the specific sales, EBITDA (as adjusted) and working capital turns targets applicable to the business units overseen by Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros as they are highly confidential to our business and we do not currently intend to disclose such information either as projections or as actual results upon completion of this offering. We believe that doing so would be competitively harmful to us, as it would provide our competitors with strategic information specific to our regional operations, thus providing our

 

73


Table of Contents

competitors in these regions insight into our plans and projections for the region. The actual achievement of the financial performance targets for fiscal 2007 for Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros was as follows:

 

Mr. Dwyer

 

Dr. Matros

Ÿ 94% of the sales target;

 

Ÿ 101% of the sales target;

Ÿ 200% of the EBITDA (as adjusted) target; and

 

Ÿ 118% of the EBITDA (as adjusted) target; and

Ÿ 111% of working capital turns target.

 

Ÿ 98% of working capital turns target.

For each of the named executive officers other than Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros, actual results for 2007 were as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

$474.8 million in sales (102% of target);

 

  Ÿ  

$83.9 million in EBITDA (as adjusted) (112% of target); and

 

  Ÿ  

4.81 in working capital turns (104% of target).

Individual Performance Objectives.    As stated above, 30% of each named executive officer’s annual bonus (or 25%, with respect to Mr. Dwyer and Dr. Matros) is determined by achievement of board-approved individual performance objectives. The board includes individual performance objectives as part of the annual bonus plan to ensure that more targeted, non-financial company objectives over which the executive has primary control are part of the individual’s total annual bonus for the year. We do not view these individual performance objectives as material to an understanding of this portion of our annual bonus plan as there are several individual objectives established for each named executive officer and, individually, no one factor materially affects the total potential amount of the bonus award.

The actual bonus award paid to each named executive officer pursuant to the 2007 annual bonus plan is disclosed in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table below.

Long-Term Incentives.    In each of 2001 and 2006, our board of directors implemented long-term cash incentive plans as a direct means to motivate our senior management, or those most responsible for the overall growth and direction of our company, with the purpose of growing and increasing the value of our company and positioning it for an initial public offering or other liquidity event, such as a sale of our company. Each of the named executive officers, other than Dr. Matros, participates in the Colfax Corporation 2001 Employee Appreciation Rights Plan (the “2001 Plan”). Each of the named executive officers participates in the 2006 Executive Stock Rights Plan (the “2006 Plan”). Initially, our board of directors approved the 2001 Plan as we were starting to grow as a company. Accordingly, the 2001 Plan was designed to allow our senior management to share in the growth of our company and to attract new executive talent to our company. More recently, our board approved the 2006 Plan as a means of re-emphasizing this upside potential.

Generally, each of these plans provides the named executive officers with the opportunity to receive a certain percentage, in cash (or, with respect to the 2001 Plan only, in equity, in the sole discretion of the board of directors), of the increase in value of our company from the date of grant of the award until the date of the liquidity event. The board of directors has determined that this offering will qualify as a liquidity event under both the 2001 Plan and the 2006 Plan. As a result, each of the named executive officers will receive payouts under the plans, as applicable, in conjunction with this offering and thereafter the plans will terminate.

For the 2001 Plan, the percentage interest of participation for each participating named executive officer was determined solely in the discretion of the board of directors, based on their reasoned business judgment. For the 2006 Plan, while the board determined the percentage interest for each named executive officer based on its discretion, the board also took into account, in their subjective judgment, the level of the officer’s responsibility

 

74


Table of Contents

with the company, his term of service with the company and his contributions to date. The 2001 Plan rights fully vested on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the participating named executive officer’s continued employment and thus each such named executive officer is fully vested in his percentage interest under the 2001 Plan. The 2006 Plan rights vest if a liquidity event occurs prior to the 10 year expiration of the term of the plan. As stated above, the board has determined that this offering will constitute a liquidity event pursuant to the plans and thus each named executive officer will vest in his rights.

For further discussion of each of these plans, including the estimated payouts pursuant to this offering, see “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

Changes to Our Compensation Program in Connection With This Offering

Adoption of 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan.    The board of directors and shareholders unanimously approved the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan on April 21, 2008.

The board of directors adopted the new incentive plan because it believes that the new plan will more appropriately facilitate implementation of our future compensation programs as a public company. Prior to this offering, we have not adopted any comprehensive equity or cash award plans and we believe such a plan will be necessary for us to compensate our executives and associates generally as a public company. This is due, in part, to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as we discuss below. Thus, the plan was approved by the board with a view to providing the newly established compensation committee with maximum flexibility to structure an executive compensation program that provides a wide range of potential incentive awards to our named executive officers, and associates generally, on a going-forward basis, and to preserve to the maximum extent possible our deductibility of performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m).

For example, pursuant to the plan, the compensation committee has the discretion to determine the portion of each named executive officer’s total compensation that will consist of awards under the plan, the mix of short-term and long-term incentives represented by the awards, the allocation of the awards between equity and cash-based incentives, the forms of the equity awards, and the service-based requirements or performance goals that the officer will have to satisfy to receive the awards. The compensation philosophy and objectives adopted by the committee will likely determine the structure of the future awards granted by the committee pursuant to the plan.

Upon the effectiveness of this offering, the board of directors has approved the grant of stock options and performance-based restricted stock units under the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan to each of the named executive officers with an aggregate value as follows:

 

     Aggregate Value ($)

Mr. Young

   900,000

Mr. Faison

   275,000

Mr. Dwyer

   200,000

Mr. O’Brien

   200,000

Dr. Matros

   200,000

The value of each officer’s award, as set forth above, was determined by the board in its collective experience and business judgment and does not represent the fair value of the awards, which will be determined in accordance with SFAS 123(R). The board approved these grants in recognition of each officer’s dedication and efforts in completing this offering, as well as to incentivize each officer to continue their efforts in our early stages as a public company. As discussed below, each officer’s equity award will be granted 50% in stock options and 50% in performance-based restricted stock units. The board chose to divide this initial equity grant equally between options and performance-based restricted stock units as it desired to emphasize both retention and increased performance among the executives, as discussed below. In addition, the board believes that stock options are inherently performance-based as the options will only increase in value if the price of our common stock increases in the future.

 

75


Table of Contents

As stated above, the equity awards will be effective on the effective date of this offering. Each executive will receive 50% of his award in the form of stock options and 50% of the award in the form of performance-based restricted stock units in accordance with a formula approved by the board of directors which is based on the initial public offering price per share. For stock options, the actual number of stock options to be granted to each executive will be determined by dividing 50% of the value above (for example, for Mr. Young, $450,000) by 40% of the initial public offering price per share. Forty percent approximates the value of the award based on the Black Scholes option-pricing model. While this formula determines the number of options that will be subject to the executive’s option grant, in each case the exercise price for the stock option will equal 100% of the initial public offering price. For restricted stock, the actual number of shares of restricted stock to be granted to each executive will be determined by dividing 50% of the value above (for example, for Mr. Young, $450,000) by the initial public offering price per share. Thus, based on $16.00 per share initial public offering price, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, Mr. Young’s equity awards would be determined as follows: an option to purchase 70,313 shares ($450,000 divided by 6.4 (which is equal to 40% of the assumed initial public offering price) with an exercise price of $16.00, and 28,125 restricted stock units ($450,000 divided by $16.00).

To reinforce retention objectives, the options will vest in equal installments over a three year period, based on continued service. The performance-based restricted stock units will be earned, if at all, based on our earnings per share growth over a three-year period. The board chose earnings per share as the performance metric due to its belief that earnings per share growth represents a strong indicator of growth in shareholder value, particularly as a newly-public company. In addition, any performance shares earned upon conclusion of the three-year performance period will be subject to an additional two-year service based vesting period, to further reinforce our retention emphasis.

For a more detailed discussion of the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan, see “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” below.

Execution of Employment Agreements.    We recently entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Young, Faison, Dwyer and O’Brien. The employment agreements are substantially the same, other than each officer’s title (which will remain the same as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table below), base salary amounts and annual incentive plan participation. The material terms of the employment agreements are summarized under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” below.

The terms of each employment agreement were specifically negotiated between the board of directors and each executive. We determined to enter into these employment agreements at this time, in anticipation of this offering, as we desire to keep our senior management team intact due to the fact that this team has been instrumental in our ability to consummate this offering and we believe they are well-suited to continue to manage and grow the company in the future. We also desired to provide these executives with some certainty of employment and benefits at this significant stage of the company’s growth.

With respect to the benefits payable to each executive upon a change in control of Colfax, the benefits are only paid upon a “double trigger,” meaning a change in control event must occur and the executive must either be terminated without cause by Colfax (or its successor) or the executive must resign for good reason. In entering into these arrangements, we wanted to have the continued dedication of these executive officers, notwithstanding the possibility of a change in control, and to retain such officer in our employ after any such transaction. We believe that, should the possibility of a change in control arise, Colfax should be able to receive and rely upon our officers’ advice as to the best interests of the Company and without the concern that such officer might be distracted by the personal uncertainties and risks created by a potential change in control. In the event, however, that such officer is actually terminated within a certain period of time following the change in control, which such termination may be out of their control (i.e., by the successor company or management), we believe that the officers should be compensated for their efforts in positioning Colfax for the acquisition event.

 

76


Table of Contents

Effect of Accounting and Tax Treatment on Compensation Decisions

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a limit on the amount of compensation that we may deduct in any one year with respect to certain “covered employees,” unless certain specific and detailed criteria are satisfied. Performance-based compensation, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, is fully deductible if the programs are approved by stockholders and meet other requirements. We believe that future grants of awards under our new 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan will qualify as performance-based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m), thus permitting us to receive a federal income tax deduction in connection with such awards. However, as part of our current compensation objectives, we seek to maintain flexibility in compensating our executives, as discussed above and, as a result, the board has not adopted a policy requiring that all compensation be deductible. Our newly formed compensation committee will assess the impact of Section 162(m) on our compensation practices and determine what further action, if any, is appropriate.

Compensation Tables and Disclosures

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year    Salary
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(1)
   Change in Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)(2)
   All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
   Total ($)

John A. Young

   2007    375,000     326,250    736    59,307    761,293

President and Chief Executive Officer

                

G. Scott Faison

   2007    214,000     121,552    590    33,158    369,300

Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

                

Michael K. Dwyer

   2007    219,500     139,602    575    92,236    451,913

Senior Vice President, General Manager—Asia Pacific

                

Thomas M. O’Brien

   2007    247,000     140,296    22,213    37,169    446,678

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

                

Dr. Michael Matros

   2007    272,477 (4)   138,283    624    28,276    439,660

Senior Vice President, General Manager—Allweiler

                

 

(1)   Amounts represent the payouts pursuant to our 2007 Management Incentive Bonus Plan. For a discussion of the performance metrics on which this plan is based, including the weighting for each performance metric and the actual percentage achievement of the financial performance targets, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above. To determine the actual bonus paid to each named executive officer, the actual financial performance was multiplied by each named executive officer’s 2007 target bonus and the corresponding weighting for the measure. For fiscal 2007, each named executive officer’s target bonus, expressed as a percentage of base salary, was as follows:

 

Ÿ Mr. Young:

   60 %  

Ÿ Mr. Faison:

   40 %  

Ÿ Mr. Dwyer:

   40 %  

Ÿ Mr. O’Brien:

   40 %  

Ÿ Dr. Matros:

   35 %  

 

77


Table of Contents
       For Dr. Matros, amount represents €93,888 or $138,283 in U.S. dollars, calculated based on the conversion rate in effect on December 31, 2007.

 

(2)   Amounts represent solely the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the officer’s accumulated benefit under the respective pension benefit plan from the pension plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2007. For Dr. Matros, amount represents €424 or $624 in U.S. dollars calculated based on the conversion rate in effect on December 31, 2007.
(3)   Amounts set forth in this column consist of the following:

 

Name

  Supplemental
Long-Term
Disability
Premiums ($)
  Company
Car ($)(a)
  Company
401(k)/Deferred
Compensation
Plan Match and
Contribution ($)(b)
  Annual
Physical
($)
  Overseas
Housing
($)(c)(d)
  Tax
Equalization
Payments
($)(d)
    Tax
Preparation
Services
($)(d)
  Accident
Insurance ($)
 

Mr. Young

  1,808   15,600   36,699   5,200   —     —       —     —    

Mr. Faison

  2,270   12,000   18,888   —     —     —       —     —    

Mr. Dwyer

  2,707   12,000   18,599   —     19,650   36,600 (e)   2,680   —    

Mr. O’Brien

  3,429   12,000   21,740   —     —     —       —     —    

Dr. Matros

  —     17,639   10,310   —     —     —       —     327 (f)

 

  (a)   For each named executive officer other than Dr. Matros, amounts represent a cash car allowance provided to each officer. For Dr. Matros, amount represents the annual cost of a car lease, including insurance, maintenance and gas in the amount of €11,976 or $17,639 in U.S. dollars, calculated based on the conversion rate in effect on December 31, 2007.
  (b)   For each named executive officer other than Dr. Matros, amounts represent the aggregate company match and company contribution made by Colfax during 2007 to such officer’s 401(k) plan account and Excess Benefit Plan (nonqualified deferred compensation) account. See the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table and accompanying narrative below for additional information on the Excess Benefit Plan. For Dr. Matros, amount represents the contribution made by Allweiler AG during 2007 pursuant to a Joint Support Fund Agreement between Allweiler AG and Dr. Matros. The “joint support fund” is similar to a U.S. defined contribution, or 401(k), plan. The aggregate amount required to be contributed to Dr. Matros’ account by Allweiler AG during 2007 was €7,000, or $10,310 in U.S. dollars, calculated based on the conversion rate in effect on December 31, 2007.
  (c)   Amounts represent the aggregate housing lease payments made by Colfax on behalf of Mr. Dwyer in connection with his overseas service.
  (d)   Amounts represent payments made to or on the behalf of Mr. Dwyer by Colfax in connection with his overseas service.
  (e)   Amount represents estimate as of January 4, 2008. Actual amount will not be known until filing of Mr. Dwyer’s tax return for fiscal 2007.
  (f)   Amounts represent €222, or $327 in U.S. dollars, calculated based on the conversion rate in effect on December 31, 2007. For additional information on this benefit, see “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table—Dr. Matros’ Service Contract” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
(4)   This amount represents amounts paid in 2007 based on an annual base salary of €185,000, or $272,477 in U.S. dollars, calculated on the conversion rate in effect as of December 31, 2007.

 

78


Table of Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information with respect to grants of plan-based awards to our named executive officers during 2007:

 

Name

   Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
   Threshold
($)
   Target
($)
   Maximum
($)

John A. Young

   92,250    225,000    474,750

G. Scott Faison

   35,096    85,600    180,616

Michael Dwyer

   39,510    87,800    191,404

Thomas M. O’Brien

   40,508    98,800    208,468

Dr. Michael Matros

   42,541    94,535    206,086

 

(1)   Amounts represent the possible payouts under our 2007 Management Incentive Bonus Plan. For a discussion of the performance metrics and actual results and payouts under the plan for fiscal 2007, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table above, respectively.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Employment Agreements

As discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, we recently entered into an employment agreement with each of Messrs. Young, Faison, Dwyer and O’Brien. The employment agreements are substantially the same, other than each officer’s title (which is as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above), base salary amounts and annual incentive plan participation. The material terms of each officer’s employment agreement are set forth below.

The initial term of each employment agreement ends December 31, 2009, with automatic two-year term extensions thereafter, unless the board of directors or the executive provides written notice to terminate the automatic extension provision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event we do not consummate our initial public offering by December 31, 2008, the employment agreements will terminate. In addition, in the event we undergo a “change in control” (as described below) during any two-year term of the employment agreement, the agreements will be automatically extended to the second anniversary of the change in control event.

Pursuant to the agreements, Messrs. Young, Faison, Dwyer and O’Brien are entitled to a base salary of no less than $440,600, $247,000, $240,280 and $268,880, respectively, with such salaries to be reviewed at least annually by the compensation committee of the board. Effective upon the consummation of this offering, the base salaries of each of Messrs. Young and Faison will increase to $565,500 and $282,000, respectively. Each officer’s base salary may not be reduced below the amount previously in effect without the written agreement of the executive. In addition, each of Messrs. Young, Faison, Dwyer and O’Brien is entitled to participate in our annual cash incentive program in a target amount equal to 75%, 50%, 45% and 45%, respectively, of his base salary then in effect.

In the event the executive’s employment is terminated by Colfax without “cause” or resigns for “good reason” (each term as described below), each executive is entitled to the following severance payments or benefits:

 

  Ÿ  

a lump sum payment equal to one times (x) the executive’s base salary in effect and (y) his target annual incentive compensation for the year of termination (or, if greater, the average of the two highest actual annual incentive payments made to the executive during the last three years);

 

79


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

a lump sum payment equal to the executive’s pro rata annual incentive compensation for the year of termination; and

 

  Ÿ  

continuation of health care coverage for the executive and his family for one year after termination.

In the event the executive terminates employment without “cause” or for “good reason” within three months prior to a “change in control event” (as described below), or two years after a “change in control”, each executive is entitled to the following severance payments or benefits:

 

  Ÿ  

a lump sum payment equal to two times (x) the executive’s base salary in effect and (y) his target annual incentive compensation for the year of termination (or, if greater, the average of the two highest actual incentive payments made to the executive during the last three years);

 

  Ÿ  

continuation of health care coverage for the executive and his family for two years after termination; and

 

  Ÿ  

all equity awards will immediately vest, with any performance objectives applicable to performance-based equity awards deemed to have been met at the greater of (i) the target level at the date of termination, and (ii) actual performance at the date of termination.

In each case described above, the executive’s right to the severance payments and benefits is conditioned on the executive’s execution of a waiver and release agreement in favor of Colfax. In addition, each employment agreement contains standard confidentiality covenants, non-disparagement covenants, non-competition covenants (for a period of one year following a termination of employment or, if the termination of employment occurs three months prior to a change in control event or two years after a change in control, two years) and non-solicitation covenants (for a period of two years following a termination of employment or, if the termination of employment occurs three months prior to a change in control event or two years after a change in control, three years).

In the event that any payment or benefit to the executives pursuant to the employment agreements or otherwise constitute excess parachute payments under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code such that they would trigger the excise tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, such payments are to be reduced so that the excise tax provisions are not triggered, but only upon determination by the executive that the after-tax value of the termination benefits calculated with the restriction described above exceed the value of those calculated without such restriction.

Each agreement further provides that, in the event it is determined that the willful actions of the executive have resulted in a material misstatement or omission in any report or statement filed by Colfax with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or material fraud against Colfax, Colfax is entitled to recover all or any portion of any award or payment made to the executive.

For purposes of the employment agreements, the following terms generally have the following meanings:

 

  Ÿ  

cause” means conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, willful commission of any act of theft, fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against Colfax or its subsidiaries or willful and continued failure of the executive to substantially perform his duties;

 

  Ÿ  

change in control” means:

 

  Ÿ  

a transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the voting power of the common stock of Colfax then outstanding;

 

  Ÿ  

during any two-year consecutive period, individuals who at the beginning of the period constitute the board of directors (together with any new directors approved by at least two-thirds of the directors at the beginning of the period or subsequently approved) cease to constitute a majority of the board of directors of Colfax;

 

80


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Colfax or certain acquisitions of the assets or stock by Colfax of another entity in which there is a change in control of Colfax; and

 

  Ÿ  

a liquidation or dissolution of Colfax;

 

  Ÿ  

change in control event” means the earlier to occur of a “change in control” or the execution of an agreement by Colfax providing for a change in control; and

 

  Ÿ  

good reason” means:

 

  Ÿ  

the assignment of duties to the executive which are materially inconsistent with his position with Colfax;

 

  Ÿ  

a reduction in the executive’s base salary, or the setting or payment of the executive’s target annual incentive compensation, in each case in an amount materially less than as required under the employment agreement;

 

  Ÿ  

the requirement for the executive to relocate his principal place of business at least 35 miles from his current place of business;

 

  Ÿ  

Colfax’s failure to obtain agreement from any successor to fully assume its obligations to the executive under the terms of the agreement; and

 

  Ÿ  

any other failure by Colfax to perform its material obligations under, or breach of Colfax of any material provision of, the employment agreement.

Mr. Dwyer’s Letter Agreement

Pursuant to a letter dated December 28, 2007 (which modified and superseded a letter agreement dated April 29, 2005), we executed a letter of understanding with Mr. Dwyer with respect to his salary and benefits while serving overseas as Senior Vice President, General Manager—Asia Pacific, as requested by the company. The employment period covered by the letter agreement is for one year, until December 31, 2008, unless terminated sooner in our discretion.

Pursuant to the letter agreement, Mr. Dwyer’s base salary for fiscal 2007 was $219,500, which salary was to be reviewed annually. In addition, during the period of his overseas assignment, Mr. Dwyer is entitled to receive the following benefits:

 

  Ÿ  

reasonable reimbursement for business transportation expenses;

 

  Ÿ  

company-provided housing in Hong Kong, paid directly to the landlord;

 

  Ÿ  

participation in the Colfax tax equalization program and tax preparation assistance; and

 

  Ÿ  

up to three trips annually to and from the U.S. for Mr. Dwyer and/or his family.

Mr. Dwyer’s letter agreement will remain in effect along with his employment agreement until December 31, 2008. Thereafter, Mr. Dwyer and Colfax will be subject only to the employment agreement.

Dr. Matros’ Service Contract

Pursuant to a service contract and resolution of the advisory board of Allweiler AG effective November 14, 2006, Dr. Matros was appointed as a member of the management board of Allweiler AG, the German subsidiary of Colfax. Dr. Matros’ appointment is for a term of three years, until December 31, 2009, with an automatic extension for one year, until December 31, 2010 unless Dr. Matros receives notice no later than October 31, 2009 that his appointment has been revoked.

 

81


Table of Contents

Under the service contract, Dr. Matros is entitled to an initial annual salary of €185,000, which is equal to $272,477 U.S. Dollars, calculated on the conversion rate in effect as of December 31, 2007. In addition, Dr. Matros is entitled to receive a performance-related annual bonus. For fiscal 2007, the service contract provided that his annual target bonus was 35% of his annual salary. Dr. Matros’ base salary and target bonus are to be reviewed annually.

Consistent with what we believe to be customary practice for German companies and executives, the service contract further provides that Dr. Matros is entitled to a company car for business and personal use; however, Dr. Matros is required to bear the cost of any tax associated with such personal use. In addition, Dr. Matros is entitled to a medical exam once every two years, with Allweiler required to pay the difference between the actual cost of the exam and any insurance policy maintained by Dr. Matros. Dr. Matros did not take advantage of this benefit in fiscal 2007.

The service contract further provides for limited payments and benefits upon certain termination events. In addition, Allweiler is required to maintain an accident insurance policy for the benefit of Dr. Matros providing for coverage in the event of his death or disability. For a discussion of these provisions, and a quantification of the estimated payments to be made to Dr. Matros upon such events, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Our board of directors unanimously approved the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan on April 21, 2008 (referred to as the “new equity plan”). The stockholders approved the plan on April 21, 2008.

The granting of awards under the new equity plan will generally be within the discretion of the compensation committee of our board of directors. For a discussion of the awards to be made under the new equity plan to each of the named executive officers in connection with the effectiveness of this offering, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Adoption of 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan” above. Other than with respect to these awards, it is not possible as of the date of this prospectus to determine the nature or amount of the awards that may be subject to future grants to our officers, employees and other participants in the new equity plan. The new equity plan is not the exclusive means of providing incentive compensation to executives and other employees eligible to participate in the new equity plan, and we reserve the right to pay incentive compensation to them under another plan or without regard to any plan in appropriate circumstances.

Purpose and Eligibility.    The purpose of the new equity plan is to enhance our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified officers, employees, non-employee directors and other persons to serve us and our affiliates and to expend maximum effort to improve our business results and earnings, by providing to such officers, employees, non-employee directors and other persons with an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in our operations and future success through ownership of our common stock.

Awards may be granted under the plan to officers, directors, including non-employee directors, other employees, advisors, consultants or other service providers of ours or our subsidiaries or other affiliates, and to any other individuals who are approved by the board of directors as eligible to participate in the plan. Only our employees or employees of our subsidiaries are eligible to receive incentive stock options.

Effective Date and Term.    The new equity plan was effective as of the date of board approval, or April 21, 2008, and will expire at the close of a ten-year term unless earlier terminated by our board of directors.

Administration, Amendment and Termination.    Our board of directors will have the power and authority to administer the new equity plan. In accordance with the terms of the plan, the board of directors will delegate this power and authority to the compensation committee. The compensation committee will have the

 

82


Table of Contents

authority to interpret the terms and intent of the new equity plan, determine eligibility and terms of awards for participants and make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the new equity plan. To the extent permitted by law, the board or compensation committee may delegate authority under the plan to a member of the board of directors.

The compensation committee may amend, suspend or terminate the new equity plan at any time with respect to any shares of common stock as to which awards have not been made. No such action may amend the new equity plan without the approval of stockholders if the amendment is required to be submitted for stockholder approval by applicable law, rule or regulation, including rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

Awards

Awards under the new equity plan may be made in the form of:

 

  Ÿ  

stock options, which may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options;

 

  Ÿ  

stock appreciation rights;

 

  Ÿ  

restricted stock;

 

  Ÿ  

restricted stock units;

 

  Ÿ  

dividend equivalent rights;

 

  Ÿ  

performance shares;

 

  Ÿ  

performance units;

 

  Ÿ  

other stock-based awards, including unrestricted shares; or

 

  Ÿ  

any combination of the foregoing.

Any of the foregoing awards may be made subject to attainment of performance goals over a performance period of one or more years.

An “incentive stock option” is an option that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a “non-qualified stock option” is an option that does not meet those requirements. A “stock appreciation right,” or “SAR,” is a right to receive upon exercise, in the form of common stock, cash or a combination thereof, the excess of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the exercise date over the grant price of such SAR. “Restricted stock” is an award of common stock on which are imposed restrictions over restricted periods that subject the shares to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as defined in Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code. “Restricted stock units” are awards that represent a conditional right to receive shares of common stock in the future and that may be made subject to the same types of restrictions and risk of forfeiture as restricted stock. “Dividend equivalent rights” are awards entitling the recipient to receive credits, which may be paid currently in cash or common stock or which may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares, that are based on cash distributions that would have been paid on the shares specified in the rights if the shares had been issued to and held by the recipient. “Performance shares” are awards of common stock, the value for which at the time the common stock is payable is determined by the extent to which the applicable performance criteria have been met. “Performance units” are similar to performance shares except that the award is a performance-based right to receive shares of common stock in the future, subject to one or more other restrictions. “Unrestricted shares” are awards of shares of common stock that are free of restrictions other than those imposed under federal or state securities laws.

Shares Subject to New Equity Plan.    Subject to adjustment as described below, the number of shares of our common stock that will be available for issuance under the new equity plan will be the number of shares that is the lesser of (i) 6,500,000 shares of our common stock, or (ii) the number of shares of our common stock which, when added to the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding following consummation of this offering, will equal 10% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Shares issued under the new equity plan may be authorized as unissued shares or treasury shares.

 

83


Table of Contents

Any shares covered by an award, or portion of an award, granted under the new equity plan that are forfeited or canceled, expire or settle in cash will be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the new equity plan.

If any stock option is exercised by tendering shares to us, or if we withhold shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with such an exercise, as full or partial payment in connection with the exercise of a stock option under the new equity plan, only the number of shares issued net of the shares tendered will be deemed issued for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the new equity plan. Shares issued under the new equity plan through the settlement, assumption or substitution of outstanding awards or obligations to grant future awards resulting from the acquisition of another entity will not reduce the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the new equity plan. In the case of a SAR, only the actual number of shares issued upon exercise of the SAR will be deemed issued for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares available for issuance.

The new equity plan has a number of additional limitations on the shares reserved for issuance or amount of awards that may be granted. A maximum of 750,000 shares may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options. From and after the transition period set forth in Treasury regulations promulgated under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), no participant may be awarded options or SARs for more than 750,000 shares in any calendar year. A maximum of 750,000 shares of awards other than options or SARs may be awarded to any participant in any calendar year. The foregoing limitations are subject to adjustment as described below.

Terms and Conditions of Awards

Terms and Conditions of Options.    An option granted under the new equity plan will be exercisable only to the extent that it is vested on the date of exercise. No option may be exercisable more than ten years from the option grant date. The compensation committee may include in the option agreement the period during which an option may be exercised following termination of employment or service.

The exercise price per share under each option granted under the new equity plan may not be less than 100%, or 110% in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder, of the fair market value of the common stock on the option grant date. For so long as the common stock remains listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the fair market value of the common stock will be the closing price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the option grant date. If there is no closing price reported on the option grant date, the fair market value will be deemed equal to the closing price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the last preceding date on which sales of the common stock were reported. If the shares of common stock are listed on more than one established stock exchange, the fair market value will be the closing price of a share of common stock reported on the exchange selected by the board of directors. If the common stock is not at the time listed or admitted to trading on a stock exchange, fair market value will be the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked prices or between the high and low sale prices of the common stock. If the common stock is not listed on any stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, fair market value will be as determined in good faith by the board of directors in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Except upon the occurrence of a merger or other transaction described below, no amendment or modification may be made to an outstanding option which reduces the option price, either by lowering the option price or by canceling the outstanding option and granting a replacement option with a lower option price.

Payment of the option price for shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an option may be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to us or, to the extent permitted by law and at the discretion of the compensation committee, through a broker-assisted cashless exercise, the tender to us of shares of common stock or by a combination of cash payment, cashless exercise, or tender of shares or any other method that is approved by the compensation committee.

Each option will become vested and exercisable at such times and under such conditions as the compensation committee may approve consistent with the terms of the new equity plan.

 

84


Table of Contents

In the case of incentive stock options, the aggregate fair market value of the common stock determined on the option grant date with respect to which such options are exercisable for the first time during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.

Incentive stock options are non-transferable during the optionee’s lifetime. Awards of non-qualified stock options are generally non-transferable, except for transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The compensation committee may, in its discretion, determine that an award of non-qualified stock options also may be transferred to family members by gift or other transfers deemed not to be for value.

The compensation committee may impose restrictions on any shares of common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an option as it deems advisable, including minimum holding period requirements or restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which the shares of common stock are then listed or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to the shares of common stock.

Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights.    SARs may be granted in conjunction with all or a part of any option or other award granted under the new equity plan, or without regard to any option or other award. The compensation committee will determine at the SAR grant date or thereafter the time or times at which and the circumstances under which an SAR may be exercised in whole or in part, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which an SAR will cease to be exercisable, the method of exercise, the method of settlement, the form of consideration payable in settlement, whether or not an SAR will be in tandem or in combination with any other grant, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. Exercisability of SARs may be subject to future service requirements, to the achievement of one or more of the performance objectives that are described below under “—Corporate Performance Objectives” or to such other terms and conditions as the compensation committee, in its sole discretion, may impose.

Upon exercise of an SAR, the holder will be entitled to receive, in the specified form of consideration, the excess of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the exercise date over the grant price of such SAR, as determined by the compensation committee. The grant price of an SAR may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the grant date. Except upon the occurrence of a merger or other transaction described below, no amendment or modification may be made to an outstanding SAR which would be considered a repricing under the rules of the stock exchange under which the stock is listed without the consent of the shareholders.

Awards of SARs are generally nontransferable, except for transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.    Subject to the provisions of the new equity plan, the compensation committee will determine the terms and conditions of each award of restricted stock and restricted stock units, including the restricted period for all or a portion of the award, the restrictions applicable to the award and the purchase price, if any, for the common stock subject to the award. Unless otherwise determined by the compensation committee, to the extent permitted or required by law as determined by the compensation committee, holders of shares of restricted stock will have the right during the restricted period to exercise full voting rights with respect to those shares and the right to receive any dividends declared or paid with respect to the shares. Awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units may be subject to satisfaction of individual performance objectives or one or more of the performance objectives that are described below under “—Corporate Performance Objectives.”

The restrictions and the restricted period may differ with respect to each participant. An award will be subject to forfeiture if events specified by the compensation committee occur before the lapse of the restrictions.

Awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units are generally nontransferable during the restricted period or before satisfaction of any other restrictions applicable to the awards.

 

85


Table of Contents

Terms and Conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights.    The compensation committee is authorized to grant dividend equivalents to a participant in connection with an award under the new equity plan, or without regard to any other award. Dividend equivalents will entitle the participant to receive cash or common stock equal in value to dividends paid, or other periodic payments made, with respect to a specified number of shares of common stock. Dividend equivalents may be paid or distributed when accrued or will be deemed to have been reinvested in additional common stock or in awards under the new equity plan, and will be subject to such risks of forfeiture as the compensation committee may specify. Dividend equivalents are generally nontransferable, except for transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Terms and Conditions of Performance Units and Performance Shares.    The compensation committee may award performance shares and performance units in such amounts and upon such terms as the compensation committee may determine. Each performance share will have an initial value that is equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. Each performance unit will have an initial value set by the compensation committee. The compensation committee may set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value or number of performance units or performance shares that will be paid out to a participant. The compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, pay earned performance units or performance shares in the form of cash or in shares of common stock equal to the value of the earned performance units or performance shares. Any shares of common stock issued based upon performance units or performance shares may be granted subject to any restrictions that the compensation committee deems appropriate.

Terms and Conditions of Other Stock-Based Awards.    The compensation committee may also grant other types of equity-based or equity-related awards, including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares, in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the compensation committee may determine. Any such awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of common stock to participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of the shares of common stock. Any other stock-based awards granted by the compensation committee may be subject to performance goals established by the compensation committee in its discretion.

Effect of Corporate Transactions

Adjustment of Shares Subject to New Equity Plan.    In the event of any increase or decrease in the number of outstanding shares of our stock, or in the event such shares are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of ours on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, the compensation committee will adjust, among other award terms, the number and kind of shares or property that may be delivered in connection with awards and the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any award in such manner as the compensation committee determines to be necessary to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants.

Effect of Corporate Transactions.    Subject to the exceptions described below, upon the occurrence of a “corporate transaction,” as defined in the new equity plan, all outstanding shares of restricted stock and all stock units will become immediately vested, and the shares of stock subject to outstanding stock units will be delivered immediately before the occurrence of the corporate transaction. In addition, either of the following two actions will be taken:

 

  Ÿ  

15 days before the scheduled completion of the corporate transaction, all options and stock appreciation rights will become immediately exercisable and will remain exercisable for a period of 15 days, or

 

  Ÿ  

instead of providing for accelerated vesting in awards under the new equity plan in connection with the corporate transaction, the compensation committee may provide that awards, whether or not exercisable, will be terminated and the holders of awards will receive a cash payment, or the delivery

 

86


Table of Contents
 

of shares of stock, other securities or a combination of cash, stock and securities equivalent to such cash payment, equal to the value of the award.

These actions will not apply to any corporate transaction to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with the corporate transaction for the assumption or continuation of the outstanding awards, or for the substitution of such outstanding awards for similar awards relating to the stock of the successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary of the successor entity, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares of stock that would be delivered and the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any such award. If an award is assumed or substituted in connection with a corporate transaction and the holder is terminated without cause within a year following a change in control, the award will fully vest and may be exercised in full, to the extent applicable, beginning on the date of such termination and for the one-year period immediately following such termination or for such longer period as the compensation committee shall determine.

A “corporate transaction” means:

 

  Ÿ  

the dissolution or liquidation of our company or a merger, consolidation, or reorganization of our company with one or more other entities in which we are not the surviving entity;

 

  Ÿ  

a sale of substantially all of our assets to another person or entity; or

 

  Ÿ  

any transaction which results in any person or entity, other than persons who are stockholders or affiliates immediately prior to the transaction, owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock.

If we are the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of our company with one or more other entities that does not constitute a corporate transaction, any option or stock appreciation right outstanding under the new equity plan will apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of our stock subject to the option or stock appreciation right would have been entitled immediately following the transaction, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the exercise price. In such an event, stock units will be adjusted so as to apply to the securities that a holder of the number of shares of our stock subject to the stock units would have been entitled to receive immediately following the transaction.

The compensation committee may provide in any agreement under the new equity plan for different provisions to apply to an award under the plan than those described above.

Corporate Performance Objectives. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits public companies to an annual deduction for federal income tax purposes of $1,000,000 for compensation paid to their chief executive officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers determined at the end of each year. Performance-based compensation is excluded from this limitation. The new equity plan is designed to permit the compensation committee to grant awards that qualify as performance-based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m) at such time as the new equity plan becomes subject to Section 162(m).

Section 162(m) requires that, to qualify as performance-based, the compensation must be paid solely on account of the attainment of one or more pre-established, objective performance goals. In the case of compensation attributable to new equity plan awards other than options, the performance goal requirement is deemed satisfied if the vesting of such awards is subject to the achievement of performance goals based on objective business criteria. To establish performance objectives for these awards, the compensation committee will exclusively use business criteria specified in the new equity plan. The performance objectives may be stated either on an absolute or relative basis and may be based on one or more of such business criteria. The business criteria are:

 

  Ÿ  

net earnings or net income;

 

  Ÿ  

operating earnings;

 

  Ÿ  

pre-tax earnings;

 

87


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

earnings per share;

 

  Ÿ  

share price, including growth measures and total stockholder return;

 

  Ÿ  

earnings before interest and taxes;

 

  Ÿ  

earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

 

  Ÿ  

sales or revenue growth, whether in general, by type of product or service, or by type of customer;

 

  Ÿ  

gross or operating margins;

 

  Ÿ  

return measures, including return on assets, capital, investment, equity, sales or revenue;

 

  Ÿ  

cash flow, including operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on equity and cash flow return on investment;

 

  Ÿ  

productivity ratios;

 

  Ÿ  

expense targets;

 

  Ÿ  

market share;

 

  Ÿ  

financial ratios as provided in credit agreements of Colfax Corporation and its subsidiaries;

 

  Ÿ  

working capital targets;

 

  Ÿ  

completion of acquisitions of businesses or companies;

 

  Ÿ  

completion of divestitures and asset sales; and

 

  Ÿ  

any combination of any of the foregoing business criteria.

The business criteria may be used to measure the performance of our company, any subsidiary or affiliate of our company as a whole or any business unit of our company, any subsidiary or affiliate of our company or any combination thereof, as the compensation committee deems appropriate. The compensation committee also may compare the performance measures listed above against the performance of a group of comparative companies, or a published or special index that the compensation committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. We may use the share price performance measure as compared to various stock market indices. The compensation committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any award based on the achievement of performance goals pursuant to the performance measures listed above.

Pension Benefits

Named Executive Officers, other than Dr. Matros

Each of our named executive officers, other than Dr. Matros, participated in the Retirement Plan for Salaried U.S. Employees of Imo Industries, Inc. and Affiliates. This plan was acquired by us in connection with our acquisition of Imo Industries in August 1997 and was subsequently frozen to new participants and benefit accruals in January 1999. At such time, active employees participating in the plan received a benefit enhancement equal to 20% of their respective “base” benefits (as discussed below) as of January 31, 1999. Our board of directors determined to cease participation in the plan because it was determined that our enhanced defined contribution plan, or 401(k) plan, was more aligned with the company’s strategy.

In order to participate in the pension plan, the participating named executive officers were required to be at least 21 years of age or have one year of service with Imo Industries (or its affiliates). Normal retirement age under the plan is age 65. Pursuant to the plan, each officer’s accrued monthly pension benefit is based on the sum of the “base” and “excess” compensation for each year of service under the plan, as follows:

 

Base

  

Excess

1.15% of Final Average Salary    0.65% of Final Average Salary above the Covered Compensation Limit

 

88


Table of Contents

“Final Average Salary” is defined under the plan to mean the average of the highest five consecutive salaries over the prior 10 year period, with “salary” to be comprised of base salary, bonuses and any overtime pay, subject to annual limitations imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Covered Compensation Limit is determined by the IRS based on an average of Social Security taxable wage bases for certain years. For 1999 (the year in which the plan was frozen) and prior years, the Covered Compensation limit was $72,600 or less.

There is no provision in the plan for early retirement with unreduced benefits. The plan does provide for early retirement with reduced benefits subject to the executive’s attainment of age 55 and completion of ten years of service. Only Mr. O’Brien is eligible for early retirement under the plan. His early retirement benefits, if he were to elect to retire early, are to be calculated based on the “rule of 75” formula within the pension plan. Pursuant to this formula, participants with age plus years of service totaling at least 75 may retire early with the reduction in benefits split equally between the “base” and “excess” portions of the benefit formula. Thus, for each full year below age 65, there would be a reduction in the “base” benefit of 3% and the “excess” benefit would be reduced based on the applicable early retirement factor. The “early retirement factor,” which is a specific percentage based on the age at which a participant starts to receive benefit payments, reduces the monthly benefit to account for the additional years during which the participant will receive payments.

The normal form of benefits payment pursuant to the pension plan is a single life annuity (or, if married, an actuarially equivalent 50% joint and survivor annuity, which entitles the surviving spouse to continue receiving 50% of the monthly benefit after the participant’s death). The plan also provides for the participating named executive officer to select a single life annuity, a 66 2/3%, 75% or 100% joint and survivor annuity, a 5-, 10-, or 15-year period certain and life annuity (which provides reduced monthly payments for the participant’s life with a guarantee of at least 5, 10 or 15 years of payments, as applicable), or a Social Security adjustment annuity with respect to certain early retirement benefits (which provides increased monthly benefit payments before the participant’s Social Security benefits begin and reduced payments thereafter). No lump sum option is available unless the total value of the accumulated benefit is less than $5,000.

Dr. Matros

Dr. Matros is entitled to participate in a pension plan provided by Allweiler AG. In order to participate in the plan, employees of Allweiler AG must be employed for a qualifying period of 10 years. The pension amount available to each participant under the plan is based on the participant’s years of service and his or her “allowable income.” For purposes of the plan, “allowable income” generally means the monthly average of the participant’s base salary during the last year of service to Allweiler AG. Bonus payments are not included in “allowable income” unless such payments, during the last three years of service of the participant, represented more than 50% of the compensation paid to the participant during the last year of service, in which case “allowable income” means base salary plus 50% of the bonus payments during the last three years of service to Allweiler AG.

The normal monthly pension formula under the plan is 0.17% of the allowable retirement income multiplied by the allowable years of service for each participant. However, for executives such as Dr. Matros, the amount of the monthly pension benefit under the plan is 0.6% of the allowable retirement income, but not exceeding the contribution ceiling under the German statutory pension insurance, multiplied by the allowable years of service, with a minimum of €255.65 per month.

The normal retirement age under the German pension plan is age 63. Early retirement is permissible under the plan; provided, however, that the monthly pension amount is to be reduced by 0.5% for each month remaining until the participant attained age 63, up to a maximum reduction of 12%. All pension amounts under the plan are paid monthly.

Disability pension are permissible under the plan in the event a participant becomes “totally occupationally disabled,” as such term is defined under Section 43 of the German Social Security Code VI. Disability pensions are only granted upon application in writing by the participant. Upon death of a participant,

 

89


Table of Contents

his or her spouse is generally entitled to receive a pension amount equal to 60% of the pension that the participant would have received at the time of death or that the participant would have received upon disability. In addition, the participant’s children, generally under the age of 18, are entitled to receive a pension amount equal to 20% (or 30%, if no spousal pension is paid) of the pension that the participant would have received at the time of death or that the participant would have received upon disability; provided, however, the aggregate spousal and children pensions cannot exceed the participant’s aggregate pension on which they are based.

 

Name

 

Plan Name(1)

  Number of Years Credited
Service(#)(2)
  Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit
($)(3)
  Payments During Last Fiscal
Year($)

John A. Young

  Retirement Plan for Salaried U.S. Employees of IMO Industries, Inc. and Affiliates   1   12,780  

G. Scott Faison

  Retirement Plan for Salaried U.S. Employees of IMO Industries, Inc. and Affiliates   1   10,475  

Michael Dwyer

  Retirement Plan for Salaried U.S. Employees of IMO Industries, Inc. and Affiliates   1   10,395  

Thomas M. O’Brien

  Retirement Plan for Salaried U.S. Employees of IMO Industries, Inc. and Affiliates   14   301,664  

Dr. Michael Matros

  Allweiler AG Company Pension Plan   11   38,412  

 

(1)   The Retirement Plan for Salaried U.S. Employees of Imo Industries, Inc. and Affiliates was frozen to new participants or benefit accruals in January 1999.
(2)   Represents the number of years of credited service for each applicable named executive officer under the applicable plan, computed as of the same pension plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to our 2007 financial statements. The number of years of credited service represents each officer’s actual years of credited service.
(3)   Amounts represent the actuarial present value of each named executive officer’s accumulated benefit under the applicable plan, computed as of the date used for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to our 2007 financial statements and assuming the normal retirement age as set forth in the plan, or age 65 (for each officer other than Dr. Matros) and 63 (for Dr. Matros), respectively. For a discussion of the assumptions used to determine the accumulated present value, see Note 11 to our 2007 audited financial statements.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

In 2005, we established the Colfax Corporation Excess Benefit Plan to provide certain senior-level employees, including each of the named executive officers other than Dr. Matros, with an opportunity to defer a stated percentage of their base compensation or their annual bonus compensation without regard to the compensation limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for our 401(k) plan. We established the Excess Benefit Plan to allow our senior-level executives to contribute toward retirement on a tax-effective basis in a manner that is consistent with other Colfax employees who are not limited by the Internal Revenue Code limits. The plan is “unfunded,” meaning there is no asset segregated for the exclusive benefit of the named executive officers.

The Excess Benefit Plan allows the named executive officers to defer up to 50% of their base salaries and up to 50% of their bonus compensation. These deferral limits are the same as that of other employees who

 

90


Table of Contents

participate in our qualified 401(k) plan. In addition, we match up to 3% of all excess deferrals by the named executive officers and provide a 3% company contribution, each of which are the same percentage match and contribution, respectively, as provided under the 401(k) plan. Each of the participating named executive officers is fully vested in his deferral account, including company match contributions.

Deferrals under the Excess Benefit Plan may be invested in 13 different equity and fixed income reference investment funds which are selected periodically by the plan trustee to best match the funds offered in the qualified 401(k) plan. Each participating named executive officer can allocate his deferrals among these fund investment options and may change his election at any time by making a change of election with the plan administrator. Colfax invests its match and contribution amounts in the same investment options in the same amounts and allocations as the reference funds selected by the officer.

Simultaneously with the officer’s election to participate in the Excess Benefit Plan, the executive must elect the time of payment of his account balance upon termination of service. Because each of the named executive officers are likely “key employees” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, the executive is generally permitted to choose either (i) the last day of the month in which the six-month anniversary of termination occurs, or (ii) the later of January 31 of any of the five calendar years following the year of termination and the last day of the month in which the six-month anniversary of termination occurs. If no election is made, the benefit will be paid in a lump sum on the last day of the month which occurs six months after the executive’s termination date.

In addition, at the time of electing his timing of payment, the executive must also elect the form of payment of his account balance. The executive may select a lump sum payment or annual installments over a period of two to ten years. If no form of payment election is made, the form of payment will be a lump sum. The named executive officer may elect to change his timing or form of payment, provided, generally, that (i) the election may not take effect until 12 months after the election, (ii) the election may not be made less than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment under the current election and (iii) the first payment with respect to the subsequent election is deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made.

Upon death or disability, the executive (or his beneficiary) is to be paid a lump sum payment equal to the executive’s account balance within 60 days after the year of death or the last day of the month in which the six-month anniversary of the executive’s disability occurs, respectively.

Notwithstanding the above, in the event the executive’s account balance at the time of his termination is less than $10,000, payment of the account balance upon termination will be made in a lump sum on or before the later of (i) December 31 of the calendar year of termination, or (ii) the date 2.5 months after the executive’s termination from service.

 

Name

  Executive
Contributions in Last
FY($)(1)
  Registrant
Contributions in Last
FY($)(2)
  Aggregate Earnings
in Last FY($)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions($)
  Aggregate Balance
at Last
FYE($)(3)

John A. Young

  21,199   23,199   4,698   —     90,563

G. Scott Faison

  5,388   5,388   374   —     18,357

Michael Dwyer

  2,650   5,099   503   —     14,150

Thomas M. O’Brien

  1,240   8,240   23   —     17,695

Dr. Michael Matros

  —     —     —     —     —  

 

(1)   With respect to each applicable named executive officer, amounts represent deferred salary that are reported in the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table above.
(2)   All amounts reported in this column for each applicable named executive officer are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table above.
(3)   With respect to each applicable named applicable executive officer’s aggregate balance, the following amounts are reported in the Summary Compensation Table above: $44,398, Mr. Young; $10,776, Mr. Faison; $7,749, Mr. Dwyer; and $9,480, Mr. O’Brien.

 

91


Table of Contents

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

2001 and 2006 Plans.     For a general description of our 2001 Plan and 2006 Plan, including why our board of directors implemented such plans and the determination of each executive’s “percentage interest”, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Long-Term Cash Incentives” above.

2001 Plan.    Pursuant to the 2001 Plan, upon the consummation of this offering, each named executive officer, other than Dr. Matros, is entitled to receive a bonus payment, in cash or equity as determined by the board, equal to (i) the “net enterprise value” of Colfax as of the date of this offering, multiplied by (ii) the executive’s percentage interest.

In accordance with the terms of the 2001 Plan, the board has determined that the bonuses to be paid to each participating named executive officer upon the consummation of this offering will be paid both in shares of restricted stock and in cash.

The number of shares of restricted stock to be received by each participating named executive officer, assuming an initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, upon the consummation of this offering is estimated to be as follows:

 

Mr. Young

   77,446

Mr. Faison

   38,723

Mr. Dwyer

   30,979

Mr. O’Brien

   46,468

The cash amount payable to each participating named executive officer under the plan, assuming an initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, upon the consummation of this offering is estimated to be as follows:

 

Mr. Young

   $ 1,239,136

Mr. Faison

   $ 619,568

Mr. Dwyer

   $ 495,654

Mr. O’Brien

   $ 743,481

The 2001 Plan will terminate as a consequence of this offering.

2006 Plan.    Pursuant to the 2006 Plan, upon the consummation of this offering, each named executive officer will be entitled to receive a cash bonus payment equal to (i) the “stock appreciation pool” as of the date of the realization event, multiplied by (ii) the executive’s percentage interest. The “stock appreciation pool” is generally defined as the increase in the estimated or actual value of the common equity held by Colfax stockholders as of the offering, over the initial estimated value attributable to the common equity held by Colfax stockholders as of the date of grant, as determined in the sole discretion of the board of directors.

Pursuant to the 2006 Plan, the amount payable to each named executive officer under the plan, assuming an initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, upon the consummation of this offering is estimated to be as follows:

 

Mr. Young

   $ 2,608,174

Mr. Faison

   $ 1,304,087

Mr. Dwyer

   $ 1,304,087

Mr. O’Brien

   $ 978,065

Dr. Matros

   $ 1,304,087

 

92


Table of Contents

The 2006 Plan will terminate as a consequence of this offering.

For purposes of the estimated cash and restricted stock payable to each named executive officer set forth above, we have assumed the consummation of this offering on May 12, 2008 and an enterprise value of Colfax as of the consummation of the offering equal to $788,000,000 (based on the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). The amounts are based solely on these assumptions and actual amounts payable to each named executive officer pursuant to the 2001 Plan and 2006 Plan upon this offering may differ.

Dr. Matros’ Service Contract.

As discussed above, pursuant to a resolution of the advisory board of Allweiler AG and his service contract with Allweiler AG, our German subsidiary, Dr. Matros is entitled to limited payments and benefits from Allweiler AG upon the events described below. We agreed to provide each of these benefits to Dr. Matros as we believe they are customary for German executives and consistent with local standards.

In addition to the payments and benefits described below, Dr. Matros is entitled to the accumulated balance under the Allweiler AG pension plan upon retirement, death and, in certain situations, disability, as more fully described in the Pension Benefits Table and accompanying narrative above.

The service contract contains customary confidentiality, invention assignment and noncompetition (effective during the term of the contract) provisions.

Accident Insurance Policy.    During the term of the service contract, Allweiler is required to maintain an accident insurance policy in favor of Dr. Matros, payable upon his death or disability, as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

in the event of death: a lump sum payment equal to his annual base salary then in effect, up to a maximum insurance amount of €300,000; and

 

  Ÿ  

in the event of disability: a lump sum payment equal to two times his annual base salary then in effect, up to a maximum insurance amount of €600,000.

Death.    In the event of Dr. Matros’ death during the term of the service contract, his dependent children, if any, are entitled to continued payment of his base salary in effect as of the start of the service contract (€185,000, or $272,477 in U.S. dollars, based on the conversion rate in effect as of December 31, 2007) for the month of death and the three following months. Any claim the children have to Dr. Matros’ pension during this time will be suspended and resumed upon completion of the payment period.

Disability.    In the event Dr. Matros is temporarily prevented from carrying out his duties due to sickness or other reasons beyond his control, he is entitled to continued receipt of his base salary in effect as of the start of the service contract (€185,000, or $272,477 in U.S. dollars, based on the conversion rate in effect as of December 31, 2007) for the earlier to occur of six months or the termination of the service contract. The service contract provides that the contract will be terminated three months after it is determined that Dr. Matros has become permanently incapable of performing his duties under the contract. In addition, in the event of sickness or other disability, Dr. Matros will be entitled to a pro rata portion of his annual cash bonus if his inability to work continues for at least three months.

Severance Payment.    In the event Allweiler AG does not renew the appointment of Dr. Matros to the management board of Allweiler AG after the end of his three-year term or after the one-year automatic extension, or in the event Allweiler terminates Dr. Matros’ appointment other than for cause (as defined under German law, indicated below), he is entitled to receive a lump sum severance payment equal to six months of his base salary then in effect plus, for each full year of service completed since November 14, 2006 (the date of his appointment), an additional one month of base salary, up to an additional 12 months of salary. This severance payment is in addition to the aggregate compensation otherwise owed to Dr. Matros under the initial three-year

 

93


Table of Contents

term of the service contract (i.e., continued payment of base salary and annual target bonus through December 31, 2009). Dr. Matros is not entitled to the above severance payment if:

 

  Ÿ  

his termination is due to cause, as set forth in Section 84(3) sentence 1 and 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act, or Section 626(1) of the German Civil Code (BGB);

 

  Ÿ  

we offer Dr. Matros a renewed appointment to the management board of Allweiler and Dr. Matros does not accept such offer;

 

  Ÿ  

Dr. Matros’ voluntary resigns or terminates the service contract; or

 

  Ÿ  

the service contract terminates, according to its terms, at the end of the month after Dr. Matros turns 65.

Estimate of Payments to Dr. Matros.    The table below sets forth the estimated payments and benefits to Dr. Matros upon the events described above. For purposes of these estimates, we have assumed the following:

 

  Ÿ  

the event occurred on December 31, 2007;

 

  Ÿ  

Dr. Matros’ base salary in effect as of December 31, 2007, or $272,477, with a monthly base salary rate of $22,706 per month;

 

  Ÿ  

in the event of death, continued payment of Dr. Matros’ base salary for three months (since the triggering event occurred at the end of December 2007);

 

  Ÿ  

in the event of disability/sickness, continued payment of Dr. Matros’ base salary for six months and no pro rata annual bonus payment since the full 2007 annual bonus payment (as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table above) would be paid; and

 

  Ÿ  

in the event of termination of the service contract without cause or non-renewal of the service contract, in addition to the severance payment described above, continued payment of Dr. Matros’ base salary and target bonus (35% of base salary) through December 31, 2009 (i.e., two years of continued base salary and bonus).

 

     Cash Payment ($)    Accident Insurance ($)    Total ($)

Disability/Sickness

   136,236    544,954    681,190

Death

   68,118    272,477    340,595

Severance Payment and Salary/Bonus Continuation

   894,630    —      894,630

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Upon completion of this offering, we do not anticipate that any members of our compensation committee will serve as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

Historically, our full board performed the functions of a compensation committee. During fiscal 2007, John Young, a director and our President and Chief Executive Officer, served as a member of our board of directors. In addition, Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales, two of our directors and principal stockholders had certain relationships with us during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for a description of these relationships.

 

94


Table of Contents

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

Upon completion of this offering, we intend to adopt a related person transactions policy pursuant to which our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders, including their immediate family members, will not be permitted to enter into a related person transaction with us without the consent of our audit committee, another independent committee of our board of directors or the full board. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, principal stockholder or any of such persons’ immediate family members, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000, will be required to be presented to our audit committee for review, consideration and approval. All of our directors, executive officers and employees will be required to report to our audit committee any such related person transaction. In approving or rejecting the proposed agreement, our audit committee will take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the proposed related person transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances, the extent of the person’s interest in the transaction and, if applicable, the impact on a director’s independence. Under the policy, if we should discover related person transactions that have not been approved, the audit committee will be notified and will determine the appropriate action, including ratification, rescission or amendment of the transaction. A copy of our related person transactions policy will be available on our website at www.colfaxcorp.com.

Related Person Transactions

Set forth below is a summary of certain transactions since January 1, 2004 among us, our directors, our executive officers, beneficial owners of more than 5% of either class of our common stock or our preferred stock outstanding before completion of the offering and some of the entities with which the foregoing persons are affiliated or associated in which the amount involved exceeds or will exceed $120,000.

Management Fee

We pay a quarterly management fee of $250,000 to Colfax Towers, Inc., an entity that is wholly owned by Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales. Joseph Bunting, currently a Vice President and a director nominee, serves as an officer of Colfax Towers. Payment of this management fee is be discontinued following this offering.

Preferred Stock Redemption

In April 2005, in connection with the sale of our power transmission business, we redeemed shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock from each of Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales for an aggregate price of $82,000,000.

Registration Rights Agreement

We have entered into a registration rights agreement, dated May 30, 2003, with two of our directors and principal stockholders, Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales, pursuant to which they are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of certain of their shares following this offering under the Securities Act. For a description of these rights, see “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Stockholders’ Agreement

We have entered into an amended and restated stockholders’ agreement with a number of our stockholders, including John Young, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales, two of our directors and principal stockholders and certain of our other principal stockholders and certain

 

95


Table of Contents

entities associated with our principal stockholders. The agreement sets forth certain agreements regarding the composition of our board, restrictions on the transfer of shares of our stock prior to this offering, repurchase rights and drag-along rights, among other requirements. The agreement terminates by its terms upon the completion of this offering.

Underwriting Discount Reimbursement

We have agreed to reimburse the selling stockholders, Mitchell and Steven Rales and certain entities wholly owned by them, for the underwriting discount on the shares sold by them. The amount of this reimbursement is expected to be approximately $11.8 million, based on the number of shares to be sold by the selling stockholders calculated using the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus. This is a one-time payment that will occur following the consummation of this offering. For a description of the selling stockholder holdings being sold, see “Principal and Selling Stockholders.”

Preferred Stock Dividends

The holders of our preferred stock, Mitchell Rales, Steven Rales and certain entities wholly controlled by them, are entitled to receive dividends in preference to any dividend on the common stock at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum, when and if declared by the board of directors. Dividends of $14.4 million were declared on December 31, 2004 and paid on February 4, 2005. Dividends of $4.4 million were declared on April 8, 2005 and paid on April 11, 2005. Dividends of $12.2 million, $13.7 million and $9.2 million were declared on December 31, 2007, May 15, 2007 and December 31, 2005, but have not been paid due to restrictions on the payment of dividends in our existing credit facility. These declared but unpaid dividends will be paid out of the proceeds of this offering.

In addition, we intend to declare an additional dividend payable from the proceeds of this offering to our preferred stockholders. This dividend will accrue from January 1, 2008 through the consummation of this offering. Assuming a closing date of May 12, 2008 for this offering, the amount of this dividend would be approximately $3.7 million.

Other Transactions

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. For a description of these agreements, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Capital Stock—Limitation of Liability and Indemnification.”

 

96


Table of Contents

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

Beneficial Ownership of Our Capital Stock

The following table indicates information as of April 15, 2008 regarding the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by:

 

  Ÿ  

each person, or group of persons, who is known to beneficially own more than 5% of any class of our capital stock;

 

  Ÿ  

each of our directors and director nominees;

 

  Ÿ  

each of the named executive officers; and

 

  Ÿ  

all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

The percentages shown are based on 32,809,982 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2008 and 41,229,588 shares of common stock outstanding after the offering, including 10,924,053 shares issuable upon conversion of our outstanding preferred stock, 7,825,947 shares that are being offered for sale by us in this offering and 593,659 shares underlying vested shares of restricted stock that will be granted to certain of our current and former executive officers upon the consummation of this offering pursuant to previously adopted executive compensation plans. The amounts shown assume conversion of our outstanding preferred stock and reflect the 13,436.22841 - for-1 split of our outstanding common stock. We have also assumed for the purposes of this table an initial offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The selling stockholders are offering all of the shares of common stock into which the preferred stock will convert. The number of shares offered by them will equal $174.8 million (the original issue price of the preferred stock) divided by the initial offering price. The number of shares offered by us is calculated by subtracting the number of shares offered by the selling stockholders from 18,750,000, the total number of shares being offered in this offering.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the SEC rules, which generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to each person who possesses, either solely or shared with others, the power to vote or dispose of those securities. The rules also treat as outstanding all shares of capital stock that a person would receive upon exercise of stock options or warrants held by that person that are immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the determination date, which in our case is April 15, 2008. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding those options for the purpose of computing the number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.

 

97


Table of Contents

Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer, or beneficial owner of more than 5% of the shares of our common or preferred stock, as the case may be. Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each person listed on the table is c/o Colfax Corporation, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150, Richmond, Virginia 23235.

 

          Number of
Shares Being
Offered
  Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
After Offering
  Percentage of Shares
Beneficially Owned
 

Beneficial Owner

  Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned

Before Offering
        Before
Offering
    After
Offering
    With Exercise of
the Overallotment
Option
 

Patrick W. Allender

  200,226 (1)   —     200,226   * %   * %   * %

C. Scott Brannan

  —       —     —     —       —       —    

Joseph O. Bunting III

  200,804     —     200,804   *     *     *  

Thomas S. Gayner

  —       —     —     —       —       —    

Clay Kiefaber

  —       —     —     —       —       —    

Mitchell P. Rales

  19,783,974 (2)   10,638,364   9,145,610   59.0     22.2     20.8  

Steven M. Rales

  19,783,974 (3)   10,638,364   9,145,610   59.0     22.2     20.8  

Rajiv Vinnakota

  —       —     —     —       —       —    

John A. Young

  378,645 (4)   —     378,645   1.1     *     *  

G. Scott Faison

  38,723 (5)   —     38,723   *     *     *  

Thomas M. O’Brien

  46,468 (6)   —     46,468   *     *     *  

Michael Dwyer

  30,979 (7)   —     30,979   *     *     *  

Dr. Michael Matros

  —       —     —     —       —       —    

Capital Yield Corporation

  19,388 (8)   —     19,388   *     *     *  

Colfax Capital Corporation

  8,185,301 (9)   8,185,301   —     24.5     —       —    

Janalia Corporation

  2,167,374 (10)   2,167,374   —     6.4     —       —    

All executive officers and directors as a group
(17 persons)

  30,276,438     10,924,053   19,352,385   90.6     46.9     43.9  
 *   Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

 

(1)   Includes 199,259 shares owned by the John W. Allender Trust, of which Patrick Allender is trustee. Mr. Allender disclaims beneficial ownership all shares held by the John W. Allender Trust except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(2)

 

Includes (i) 9,126,222 shares held directly by Mitchell Rales, (ii) 19,388 shares held by Capital Yield Corporation, of which Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales are the sole stockholders, (iii) 285,689 shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock held directly by Mitchell Rales and (iv) 10,352,675 shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock held by Colfax Capital Corporation and Janalia Corporation, of which Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales are the sole stockholders. Mitchell Rales disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares that are owned by Steven Rales. The business address of Mitchell Rales, and of Capital Yield Corporation, Colfax Capital Corporation and Janalia Corporation is 12th Floor 2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

(3)

 

Includes (i) 9,126,222 shares held directly by Steven Rales, (ii) 19,388 shares held by Capital Yield Corporation, of which Steven Rales and Mitchell Rales are the sole stockholders, (iii) 285,689 shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock held directly by Steven Rales and (iv) 10,352,675 shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock held by Colfax Capital Corporation and Janalia Corporation, of which Steven Rales and Mitchell Rales are the sole stockholders. Steven Rales disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares that are owned by Mitchell Rales. The business address of Steven Rales, and of Capital Yield Corporation, Colfax Capital Corporation and Janalia Corporation is 12th Floor 2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

(4)  

Includes 77,446 shares deemed beneficially owned as a result of restricted stock expected to be received upon consummation of this offering under previously granted awards. This amount is based upon an

 

98


Table of Contents
 

assumed initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Management – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

(5)   Includes 38,723 shares deemed beneficially owned as a result of restricted stock expected to be received upon consummation of this offering under previously granted awards. This amount is based upon an assumed initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Management – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

(6)

 

Includes 46,468 shares deemed beneficially owned as a result of restricted stock expected to be received upon consummation of this offering under previously granted awards. This amount is based upon an assumed initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Management – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

(7)   Includes 30,979 shares deemed beneficially owned as a result of restricted stock expected to be received upon consummation of this offering under previously granted awards. These amounts are based upon an assumed initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Management – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”
(8)   Joseph O. Bunting III, who will serve as a director of our company upon consummation of this offering, serves as an officer of Capital Yield Corporation. Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales are each deemed to be the beneficial owner of all of the shares held by Capital Yield Corporation.
(9)   The number of shares of common stock attributed to Colfax Capital Corporation are issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock held by this entity. Joseph O. Bunting III, who will serve as a director of our company upon consummation of this offering, serves as an officer of Colfax Capital Corporation. Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales are each deemed to be the beneficial owner of all of the shares held by Colfax Capital Corporation.
(10)   The number of shares of common stock attributed to Janalia Corporation are issuable upon the conversion of the preferred stock held by this entity. Joseph O. Bunting III, who will serve as a director of our company upon consummation of this offering, serves as an officer of Janalia Corporation. Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales are each deemed to be the beneficial owner of all of the shares held by Janalia Corporation.

 

99


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws are summaries and are qualified by reference to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws that will become effective upon completion of this offering. Copies of these documents have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The descriptions of the common stock and preferred stock reflect changes to our capital structure that will occur upon the closing of this offering.

Upon the completion of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $ 0.001 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $ 0.001 par value per share. Immediately after the completion of the offering, 41,229,588 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding.

Common Stock

The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share held on all matters submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Each stockholder may exercise its vote either in person or by proxy. Stockholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors, which means that, subject to any rights as may be granted to the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any, the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock are able to elect all of the directors to be elected by holders of shares of common stock and the holders of the remaining shares of common stock will not be able to elect any director. Subject to any preferences to which holders of shares of preferred stock, if any, may be entitled, the holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event that we liquidate, dissolve or wind up, the holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets which are legally available for distribution to stockholders, subject to the prior rights on liquidation of creditors and to preferences, if any, to which holders of shares of preferred stock, if any, may be entitled. The holders of outstanding shares of common stock do not have any preemptive, subscription, redemption or sinking fund rights. The outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares to be issued in the offering will, upon issuance and sale as contemplated hereby, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

Currently, there are 174,784.828 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. Upon the consummation of this offering, all outstanding shares of our preferred stock will convert into shares of common stock. Following this offering, our certificate of incorporation will be amended and restated to delete all references to such shares of preferred stock.

Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series and containing the rights, privileges and limitations, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion privileges, redemption rights, liquidation rights or sinking fund rights, as may from time to time be determined by our Board of Directors. Preferred stock may be issued in the future in connection with acquisitions, financings or other matters as the Board of Directors deems to be appropriate. In the event that any shares of preferred stock shall be issued, a Certificate of Designation, setting forth the series of the preferred stock and the relative rights, privileges and limitations with respect thereto, is required to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The effect of having preferred stock authorized is that our Board of Directors alone, within the bounds of and subject to the federal securities laws and the Delaware Law, may be able to authorize the issuance of preferred stock, which may adversely affect the voting and other rights of holders of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company. As of the date of this Prospectus, our Board of Directors has not authorized any series of preferred stock, and there are no plans, arrangements or understandings for the issuance of any shares of preferred stock.

 

100


Table of Contents

Registration Rights Agreement

Under our registration rights agreement, two of our directors and principal stockholders, Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales, have registration rights with respect to 29,195,885 shares of common stock beneficially held by them, including 10,924,053 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of preferred stock beneficially held by them, assuming an initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. All shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of preferred stock are expected to be sold in this offering by the selling stockholders. These registration rights are as follows:

Demand Registration Rights.    At any time during the period beginning six months after the consummation of this offering and ending five years thereafter, holders of at least 30% of the registrable shares can request that we file up to two registration statements registering all or a portion of their registrable shares, provided that the net offering price for such registration is at least $5,000,000. We are not required to effect a demand registration if we have effected a prior demand registration within the 180-day period preceding a new demand registration request, or if at the time of any demand registration request we have an effective shelf registration statement pursuant to which the demanding holders may effect the disposition of their registrable shares. Under specified circumstances, we have the right to defer filing of a requested registration statement for a period of not more than 90 days, with aggregate deferrals not to exceed 120 days in any 12-month period without our first obtaining prior written approval of a majority of the holders of registrable shares. These registration rights are subject to additional conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters to limit the number of shares included in any such registration under certain circumstances.

“Piggy-Back” Registration Rights.    After completion of this offering, whenever we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of common stock for our own account or for the account of any holder or holders of common stock, the holders of registrable shares are entitled to notice of the registration and have the right to include their registrable shares in such registration. These registration rights are subject to additional conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters to limit the number of shares having registration rights to be included in the registration under certain circumstances.

Form S-3 Registration Rights.    If we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, the holders of registrable shares have the right to demand that we file up to two registration statements, including shelf registration statements, for the requesting holders on Form S-3 so long as the aggregate offering price of securities to be sold under the registration statement on Form S-3 is at least $750,000. We may amend any shelf registration to permit the requested disposition within 20 business days after a Form S-3 registration request is made, and such amendment will satisfy our obligations to the requesting holder. We are not required to effect a Form S-3 registration if we have effected a prior demand registration or Form S-3 registration within the 180-day period preceding a new Form S-3 registration request. Under specified circumstances, we have the right to defer filing of a requested registration statement for a period of not more than 90 days, with aggregate deferrals not to exceed 120 days in any 12-month period without our first obtaining prior written approval of a majority of the holders of registrable shares. These registration rights are subject to additional conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters to limit the number of shares having registration rights to be included in the registration under certain circumstances.

Expenses of Registration.    We will pay all fees and expenses relating to all demand registrations, piggy-back registrations and Form S-3 registrations, other than: (i) underwriting discounts and fees, (ii) brokerage and sales commissions, (iii) transfer and documentary stamp taxes, and (iv) all fees and expenses of any counsel to holders.

Registrable Shares of Common Stock.    The registration rights described above apply only to shares of common stock held by our principal stockholders on May 30, 2003 or upon the conversion of shares of preferred

 

101


Table of Contents

stock held by them as of May 30, 2003. Shares cease to be registrable shares upon their sale pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act or their sale under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. Moreover, as to each holder, such holder’s registrable shares will no longer be considered registrable shares under the registration rights agreement if they cease to be outstanding or are otherwise transferred or disposed of without restriction or any required registration under the Securities Act.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law and Selected Charter and Bylaw Provisions

Delaware Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which, with specified exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

 

  Ÿ  

before that time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

 

Ÿ

 

at or after that time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:

 

  Ÿ  

any merger or consolidation of the corporation with the interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

subject to specified exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

  Ÿ  

any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as:

 

  Ÿ  

any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation; and

 

  Ÿ  

any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or

 

102


Table of Contents

controlling or controlled by that entity or person. Because Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales acquired their shares from us prior to this offering, Section 203 is currently inapplicable to any business combination or transaction with them or their affiliates.

The application of Section 203 may make it difficult and expensive for a third-party to pursue a takeover attempt we do not approve, even if a change in control would be beneficial to the interests of our stockholders.

Charter and Bylaw Provisions

Majority Voting Provisions for Director Elections

Under our bylaws, election of directors will be by a majority of votes cast, or a plurality in the event that, as of the tenth day proceeding the day notice of the meeting at which directors are to be elected has been mailed to stockholders, the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected. A director who fails to achieve a majority of votes cast in an uncontested election will be required to offer irrevocably to resign from the board of directors, and the remaining directors will determine whether to accept the resignation. Vacancies created by resignations or otherwise may be filled by vote of the remaining directors.

Number of Directors; Removal; Filling Vacancies

Our bylaws provide that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors comprising the entire board will be fixed from time to time by action of not less than a majority of the directors then in office. The number may not be less than three or more than nine, unless approved by action of not less than two-thirds of the directors then in office. In addition, the bylaws provide that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors or vacancies on the board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal of directors or any other cause may be filled only by the board (and not by the stockholders unless there are no directors then in office), provided that a quorum is then in office and present, or by a majority of the directors then in office, if less than a quorum is then in office, or by the sole remaining director. Accordingly, the board could prevent any stockholder from enlarging the board and filling the new directorships with that stockholder’s own nominees.

Limitation on Special Meeting; No Stockholder Action by Written Consent

The certificate and the bylaws provide that (subject to the rights, if any, of holders of any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding) (i) only the chairman of the board or a majority of the board of directors will be able to call a special meeting of stockholders; (ii) the business permitted to be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board; and (iii) stockholder action may be taken only at a duly called and convened annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent. These provisions, taken together, prevent stockholders from forcing consideration by the stockholders of stockholder proposals over the opposition of the board, except at an annual meeting.

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as director, or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders.

This procedure provides that, subject to the rights of any holders of preferred stock, only persons who are nominated by or at the direction of the board, any committee appointed by the board, or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to our secretary prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for election as directors. The procedure provides that at an annual meeting only that business may be

 

103


Table of Contents

conducted as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the board, any committee appointed by the board, or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to our secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. Under the procedure, to be timely, notice of stockholder nominations or proposals to be made at an annual or special meeting generally must be received by the secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (although under certain circumstances the notice period may differ). A stockholder’s notice proposing to nominate a person for election as director must contain specific information about the nominating stockholder and the proposed nominee. A stockholder’s notice relating to the conduct of business other than the nomination of directors must contain specific information about the business and about the proposing stockholder. If the chairman of the board or other officer presiding at a meeting determines that a person was not nominated, or other business was not brought before the meeting, in accordance with the procedure, the person will not be eligible for election as a director, or the business will not be conducted at the meeting, as the case may be.

By requiring advance notice of nominations by stockholders, this procedure affords our board an opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the board, to inform stockholders about his qualifications. By requiring advance notice of other proposed business, the procedure also provides a more orderly procedure for conducting annual meetings of stockholders and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the board, provides the board with an opportunity to inform stockholders, prior to the meetings, of any business proposed to be conducted at the meetings, together with any recommendations as to the board’s position regarding action to be taken with respect to the business, so that stockholders can better decide whether to attend the meeting or to grant a proxy regarding the disposition of the business.

Although the bylaws do not give the board any power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals for action, the foregoing provisions may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, if the proper advance notice procedures are not followed, without regard to whether consideration of the nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us or our stockholders.

Limitation of Liability of Directors

Our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws will provide that we will indemnify officers and directors against losses that they may incur in investigations and legal proceedings resulting from their services provided to us, which may include services in connection with takeover defense measures. These provisions may have the effect of preventing changes in our management. See “—Limitation of Liability and Indemnification.”

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions permitted under Delaware law relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate a director’s personal liability for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as:

 

  Ÿ  

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty;

 

  Ÿ  

acts or omissions which involve a lack of good faith, intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

 

  Ÿ  

payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law; or

 

  Ÿ  

any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

 

104


Table of Contents

These provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder’s rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions will not alter a director’s liability under federal securities laws.

Our bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by Delaware law. We may limit the extent of this indemnification by individual contracts with our directors and executive officers. Furthermore, we may decline to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding initiated by any director or executive officer or any proceeding by any director or executive officer against us or our directors, officers, employees or other agents, unless indemnification is expressly required to be made by law or the proceeding was authorized by our board of directors.

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and some of our executive officers to give the directors and officers additional contractual assurances regarding the scope of the indemnification set forth in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and to provide additional procedural protections. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer or employee of Colfax for which indemnification is sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.

We have the power to indemnify our other officers, employees and other agents, as permitted by Delaware law, but we are not required to do so. We have directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Registrar and Transfer Company will serve as transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

Listing

We have applied to list our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CFX.”

 

105


Table of Contents

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Before this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Market sales of shares or the availability of shares for sale may decrease the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. Further, sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that substantial sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the common stock and could impair our future ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity securities.

Based upon an assumed initial offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus after this offering, 41,229,588 shares of common stock will be outstanding assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option and no exercise of options. All of the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable. Except as set forth below, the remaining shares of common stock outstanding after this offering will be restricted as a result of securities laws or lock-up agreements. Subsequently, these remaining shares will be available for sale in the public market as follows:

 

Date of Availability of Sale

   Approximate
Number of Shares

As of the date of this prospectus

   0

90 days after the date of the prospectus

   0

120 days after the date of the prospectus

   0

180 days after the date of this prospectus (although a portion of the shares will be subject to specified volume limitations pursuant to Rule 144)

   21,855,929

Lock-Up Agreements

Our executive officers, directors, and stockholders holding virtually all of the shares of our capital stock have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, they will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, sell, offer, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position, other than shares of common stock disposed of as bona fide gifts approved by Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended effective February 15, 2008, a person who is deemed an affiliate of ours, and who has beneficially owned shares of our common stock for at least six months, would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

  Ÿ  

1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 412,296 shares immediately after this offering; or

 

  Ÿ  

the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

The sales under Rule 144 are also subject to manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

In addition, under Rule 144, a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who had beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least

 

106


Table of Contents

six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, is entitled to sell the shares without restriction, provided we have been in compliance with our reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the six months following satisfaction of the six month holding period.

Rule 701

Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933, as currently in effect, permits resales of shares in reliance upon Rule 144 but without compliance with specified restrictions, including the holding period requirement, of Rule 144. Most of our employees, officers, directors or consultants who purchased shares under a written compensatory plan or contract may be entitled to rely on the resale provisions of Rule 701. Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. Rule 701 further provides that non-affiliates who purchased shares under a written compensation plan or contract may sell their shares in reliance on Rule 144 without having to comply with the holding period, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares are required to wait until 90 days after the date of this prospectus before selling their shares. However, substantially all Rule 701 shares are subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters and will only become eligible for sale at the expiration of the 180-day lock-up agreements or upon obtaining the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, but in either event, no sooner than 90 days after this offering.

Registration Rights Agreement

Based upon an assumed initial offering price of $16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, upon completion of this offering, the holders of 18,271,832 shares of our common stock will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the 180-day lock-up arrangement described above. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in the shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for shares purchased by affiliates, immediately upon the effectiveness of this registration. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Equity Incentive Plans

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 registering the shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The registration statement is expected to be filed and become effective as soon as practicable after the completion of this offering. Accordingly, shares registered under the registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following its effective date, subject to the contractual arrangement described above, if applicable.

 

107


Table of Contents

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR

NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder. For purposes of this discussion, you are a “non-U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our common stock, and you are not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

  Ÿ  

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

  Ÿ  

a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., or of any state or the District of Columbia other than a partnership treated as foreign under U.S. Treasury regulations; or

 

  Ÿ  

an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or a trust, in general, if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or if the trust has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.

If you are an individual, you may be treated as a resident of the U.S. in any calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes, instead of a nonresident, by, among other ways, being present in the U.S. for at least 31 days in that calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year. For purposes of this calculation, you would count all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year. Residents are taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were U.S. citizens.

This discussion does not consider:

 

  Ÿ  

U.S. state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences;

 

  Ÿ  

all aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxes or specific facts and circumstances that may be relevant to a particular non-U.S. holder’s tax position, including the fact that in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a partnership, the U.S. tax consequences of holding and disposing of our common stock may be affected by various determinations made at the partner level;

 

  Ÿ  

the tax consequences for the stockholders, partners or beneficiaries of a non-U.S. holder;

 

  Ÿ  

special tax rules that may apply to particular non-U.S. holders, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, broker-dealers, and traders in securities; and

 

  Ÿ  

special tax rules that may apply to a non-U.S. holder that holds our common stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment.

The following discussion is based on provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing and proposed Treasury regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations, all as of the date of this prospectus, and all of which are subject to change, retroactively or prospectively. The following summary assumes that you hold our common stock as a capital asset. Each non-U.S. holder should consult a tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of shares of our common stock.

Dividends

We do not anticipate making cash distributions on our common stock in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.” In the event, however, that we make distributions on our common stock, those payments will constitute dividends for U.S. federal tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings

 

108


Table of Contents

and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a non-U.S. holder’s basis in our common stock, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock. Any dividend paid to a non-U.S. holder on our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding your entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty. Generally, in order for us to withhold tax at a lower treaty rate, you must provide us with a Form W-8BEN certifying your eligibility for the lower treaty rate.

If you claim the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty rate, you generally will be required to satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. However,

 

  Ÿ  

in the case of common stock held by a foreign partnership, the certification requirement will generally be applied to partners and the partnership will be required to provide certain information;

 

  Ÿ  

in the case of common stock held by a foreign trust, the certification requirement will generally be applied to the trust or the beneficial owners of the trust depending on whether the trust is a “foreign complex trust,” “foreign simple trust,” or “foreign grantor trust” as defined in the U.S. Treasury regulations; and

 

  Ÿ  

look-through rules apply for tiered partnerships, foreign simple trusts and foreign grantor trusts.

A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding its status under these U.S. Treasury regulations and the certification requirements applicable to it.

If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund on a timely basis with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

If the dividend is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the U.S., the dividend will generally be exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that you supply us with a properly executed Form W-8ECI. In this case, the dividend will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. persons and, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on a disposition of our common stock unless:

 

  Ÿ  

the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the U.S., in which case the gain will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. persons and, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty;

 

  Ÿ  

you are an individual who holds our common stock as a capital asset, are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and meet other requirements, in which case the gain will be taxed at a rate of 30%; or

 

109


Table of Contents
  Ÿ  

we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that you held our common stock, in which case the gain will be taxed on a net income basis in the manner described in the first bullet paragraph above.

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. The tax relating to stock in a USRPHC generally will not apply to a non-U.S. holder whose holdings, direct and indirect, at all times during the applicable period, constituted 5% or less of our common stock, provided that our common stock was regularly traded on an established securities market. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming in the future, a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Federal Estate Tax

Common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a non-U.S. holder, as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax or other treaty provides otherwise and, therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax

Dividends paid to you may be subject to information reporting and U.S. backup withholding. You will be exempt from backup withholding tax if you provide a Form W-8BEN or otherwise meet documentary evidence requirements for establishing that you are a non-U.S. holder or otherwise establish an exemption.

The gross proceeds from the disposition of our common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. If you sell your common stock outside the U.S. through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to you outside the U.S., then the U.S. backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally (except as provided in the following sentence) will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the U.S., if you sell our common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that:

 

  Ÿ  

is a U.S. person;

 

  Ÿ  

derives 50% or more of its gross income in specific periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S.;

 

  Ÿ  

is a “controlled foreign corporation” for U.S. tax purposes; or

 

  Ÿ  

is a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year, one or more of its partners are U.S. persons who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests in the partnership, or the foreign partnership is engaged in a U.S. trade or business,

unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that you are a non-U.S. person and various other conditions are met or you otherwise establish exemption.

If you receive payments of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment is subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless you provide a Form W-8BEN certifying that you are a non-U.S. person or you otherwise establish an exemption.

You generally may obtain a refund of any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceeds your income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

110


Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING

We and the selling stockholders intend to offer the shares through the underwriters. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Lehman Brothers Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below and joint book-running managers for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions described in an underwriting agreement between us, the selling stockholders and the underwriters, we and the selling stockholders have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase, the number of shares listed opposite their name below.

 

Underwriter   

Number

of Shares

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated

  

Lehman Brothers Inc. 

  

UBS Securities LLC

  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

  

Banc of America Securities LLC

  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. 

  

KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. 

  
    

Total

       18,750,000
    

The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the purchase agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the purchase agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the initial public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $             per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $             per share to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us and the selling stockholders. We have agreed to reimburse the selling stockholders for the underwriting discount on the shares sold by them. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option.

 

     Per Share    Without Option    With Option

Public offering price

   $    $    $

Underwriting discount

   $    $    $

Proceeds, before expenses, to Colfax Corporation

   $    $    $

Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders

   $    $    $

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $             and are payable by us.

 

111


Table of Contents

Overallotment Option

We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to 2,812,500 additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus solely to cover any overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

Reserved Shares

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 937,500 shares offered by this prospectus for sale to some of our directors, officers, employees, distributors, customers, business associates and related persons. If these persons purchase reserved shares, this will reduce the number of shares available for sale to the general public. Any reserved shares that are not orally confirmed for purchase by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the day following the pricing of this offering will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares offered by this prospectus.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, our executive officers and directors and all other existing stockholders have agreed, with exceptions, not to sell or transfer any common stock for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of Merrill Lynch. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed not to directly or indirectly:

 

  Ÿ  

offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock,

 

  Ÿ  

sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock,

 

  Ÿ  

purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock,

 

  Ÿ  

grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common stock,

 

  Ÿ  

lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock,

 

  Ÿ  

request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common stock, or

 

  Ÿ  

enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition. In the event that either (x) during the last 17 days of the 180-day period referred to above, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the company occurs or (y) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results or become aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

New York Stock Exchange Listing

We have applied to list our shares on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “CFX.” In order to meet the requirements for listing on that exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to sell a minimum number of shares to a minimum number of beneficial owners as required by that exchange.

 

112


Table of Contents

Before this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations among us and the representatives. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price are:

 

  Ÿ  

the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies that the representatives believe to be comparable to us;

 

  Ÿ  

our financial information;

 

  Ÿ  

the history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete;

 

  Ÿ  

an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues;

 

  Ÿ  

the present state of our development; and

 

  Ÿ  

the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

An active trading market for the shares may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the shares will not trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the shares in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their overallotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The representatives may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representative has repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a

 

113


Table of Contents

decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.

Neither we, the selling stockholders, nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the common stock. In addition, neither we, the selling stockholders, nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Other Relationships

Merrill Lynch is arranger and syndication agent under our amended credit facility. Affiliates of Merrill Lynch, UBS Securities LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC, underwriters in this offering, are parties to our credit facility. Affiliates of Merrill Lynch and Banc of America Securities LLC will receive approximately $3.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of the proceeds used to pay a portion of the indebtedness outstanding under the Term B loan under our credit facility. In addition, Banc of America Securities LLC is the sole lead arranger and sole book manager for and affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, UBS Investment Bank and Key Banc Capital Markets are lenders under the new credit facility that we expect to enter into upon the completion of this offering. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us. They have received customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

In connection with the issue, the underwriters will not be responsible to anyone for providing advice in relation to the offering or for providing the protections that may be afforded to their clients, if any.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), an offer of the shares to the public may not be made in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which have been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

  Ÿ  

to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

  Ÿ  

to any legal entity which has two or more of (i) an average of at least 250 employees during the last fiscal year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (iii) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

  Ÿ  

by the underwriters to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive); or

 

  Ÿ  

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that (i) no such offer of shares shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive and (ii) each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with the underwriters and us that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

 

114


Table of Contents

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of shares to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied for that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes all relevant implementing measures in each Relevant Member State.

In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with the underwriters and us that (a) the shares acquired by it have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors (except in any Relevant Member State in which a prospectus in relation to the shares has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State and duly published or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State), or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters have been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale, or (b) where shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons. We and the underwriters and each of their respective affiliates and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representation, warranty and agreement.

Notwithstanding the above, a person who is not a qualified investor and who has notified the underwriters of such fact in writing may, with the consent of Merrill Lynch, be permitted to subscribe for or purchase shares.

United Kingdom

Each representative and underwriter has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of shares of the common stock in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of such Act does not apply to us and it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of such Act with respect to anything done by it in relation to any shares of the common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

India

This offering is being made strictly on a private placement basis in India and is not intended to be circulated to more than 49 persons in India. Nothing in this prospectus shall constitute and/or deem to constitute an offer or an invitation to an offer to the Indian public or any section thereof to subscribe for or otherwise acquire the shares of the Company. This prospectus should not be construed to be a prospectus or a statement in lieu of prospectus under the Companies Act, 1956.

This prospectus and the contents hereof are restricted for only the intended recipients who have been addressed directly and specifically through a communication by the Company and only such recipients are eligible to apply for the shares. All investors are required to comply with the relevant regulations/guidelines applicable to them for investing in this offering.

Further, since the offering is being made on a private placement basis in India, the provisions of Section 60 of the Companies Act, 1956, shall not be applicable and accordingly, a copy of this prospectus has not been filed or submitted to the Registrar of Companies or the Securities and Exchange Board of India for review and/or approval.

Stamp Taxes

If you purchase shares of common stock offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

115


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The legal validity of the shares of common stock we are offering will be passed upon for us by Hogan & Hartson LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related schedule of Colfax Corporation at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with the registration statement, under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock being offered. This prospectus does not contain all of the information described in the registration statement and the related exhibits and schedules. For further information with respect to us and the common stock being offered, reference is made to the registration statement and the related exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document are qualified by reference to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the related exhibits and schedule may be inspected without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC in Washington D.C. at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from these offices upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.

We intend to provide our stockholders with annual reports containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm and to file with the SEC quarterly reports containing unaudited financial data for the first three quarters of each year.

 

116


Table of Contents

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Audited Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   F-4

Consolidated Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-7

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   F-36

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors of

Colfax Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Colfax Corporation as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the table of contents as Schedule II. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Colfax Corporation at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As explained in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, on January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 and at December 31, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R).

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Richmond, Virginia

March 7, 2008

Except for Note 19,

as to which the date is

April 21, 2008

 

F-2


Table of Contents

COLFAX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

 

     December 31  
     2007     2006  

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 48,093     $ 7,608  

Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,812 and $1,650

     84,430       67,833  

Other receivables

     333       2,693  

Inventories, net

     68,287       57,113  

Deferred income taxes, net

     10,140       7,476  

Asbestos insurance asset

     19,059       24,231  

Asbestos insurance receivable

     44,664       —    

Prepaid expenses

     7,676       3,312  

Other current assets

     4,385       4,536  
                

Total current assets

     287,067       174,802  

Deferred income taxes, net

     36,447       64,230  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     88,391       79,960  

Goodwill

     168,959       144,467  

Intangible assets, net

     16,394       9,764  

Asbestos insurance receivable

     —         41,085  

Long-term asbestos insurance asset

     286,169       272,875  

Deferred loan costs, pension and other assets

     13,113       10,043  
                
   $ 896,540     $ 797,226  
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 48,910     $ 38,114  

Accrued asbestos liability

     28,901       29,032  

Accrued liabilities

     67,923       60,515  

Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable

     2,640       2,541  
                

Total current liabilities

     148,374       130,202  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     203,853       186,179  

Long-term dividend payable to shareholders

     35,054       9,238  

Long-term asbestos liability

     347,332       359,888  

Pension and accrued post-retirement benefits

     71,365       82,208  

Deferred income tax liability

     9,908       8,375  

Other liabilities

     27,603       15,237  
                

Total liabilities

     843,489       791,327  

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock: $0.001 par value; authorized 256,785; issued and outstanding 174,785

     1       1  

Common stock: $0.001 par value; authorized 200,000,000; issued and outstanding 21,885,929

     22       22  

Additional paid-in capital

     201,660       201,660  

Retained deficit

     (109,238 )     (141,561 )

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     19,448       10,496  

Net unrealized investment gains

     —         667  

Pension and post-retirement plan adjustment, net

     (58,842 )     (65,386 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     53,051       5,899  
                
   $ 896,540     $ 797,226  
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

COLFAX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

 

     Year ended December 31  
     2007     2006     2005  

Net sales

   $ 506,305     $ 393,604     $ 345,478  

Cost of sales

     330,714       256,806       222,353  
                        

Gross profit

     175,591       136,798       123,125  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     98,500       80,103       74,594  

Research and development expenses

     4,162       3,336       2,855  

Legacy asbestos (income) expense (Note 18)

     (50,346 )     33,816       18,112  
                        

Operating income

     123,275       19,543       27,564  

Interest expense

     19,246       14,186       9,026  
                        

Income before income taxes and discontinued operations

     104,029       5,357       18,538  

Provision for income taxes

     39,147       3,866       6,907  
                        

Income from continuing operations

     64,882       1,491       11,631  

Discontinued operations:

      

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     —         —         356  

(Loss) gain on disposal, net of income taxes

     —         (1,397 )     260  
                        

Net income

     64,882       94       12,247  
                        

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:

      

Foreign currency translation, net of $(265), $(23) and $288 tax (expense) benefit

     8,952       6,545       (11,920 )

Net unrealized investment (losses) gains, net of $409 and $(409) tax benefit (expense)

     (667 )     667       —    

Pension and post-retirement plan adjustment, net of $(6,051), $(6,381) and $6,931 tax (expense) benefit

     6,544       9,721       (10,398 )
                        

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     14,829       16,933       (22,318 )
                        

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 79,711     $ 17,027     $ (10,071 )
                        

Net income

   $ 64,882     $ 94     $ 12,247  

Dividends on preferred stock

     (25,816 )     —         (13,600 )
                        

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

   $ 39,066     $ 94     $ (1,353 )
                        

Earnings (loss) per share—basic and diluted:

      

Continuing operations

     1.79       0.07       (0.09 )

Discontinued operations

     —         (0.06 )     0.03  
                        

Net earnings (loss) per share

   $ 1.79     $ 0.01     $ (0.06 )
                        

Weighted average common shares

     21,885,929       21,885,929       21,885,929  
                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

COLFAX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Dollars in thousands

 

     Preferred
Stock
   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Retained
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Total
Equity
(Deficit)
 

Balance at December 31, 2004

   $ 1    $ 22    $ 283,660     $ (140,302 )   $ (45,291 )   $ 98,090  

Net income

     —        —        —         12,247       —         12,247  

Other comprehensive loss, net of $7,219 tax benefit

     —        —        —         —         (22,318 )     (22,318 )

Redemption of preferred shares

     —        —        (82,000 )     —         —         (82,000 )

Dividends declared

     —        —        —         (13,600 )     —         (13,600 )
                                              

Balance at December 31, 2005

     1      22      201,660       (141,655 )     (67,609 )     (7,581 )

Net income

     —        —        —         94       —         94  

Other comprehensive income, net of $6,389 tax expense

     —        —        —         —         16,933      
 
—  
16,933
 
 

Adjustment for adoption of SFAS

                 —    

No. 158, net of $1,988 tax benefit

     —        —        —         —         (3,547 )     (3,547 )
                                              

Balance at December 31, 2006

     1      22      201,660       (141,561 )     (54,223 )     5,899  

Net income

     —        —        —         64,882       —         64,882  

Other comprehensive income, net of $5,907 tax expense

     —        —        —         —         14,829      
 
—  
14,829
 
 

Adjustment for adoption of FIN 48

     —        —        —         (6,743 )     —         (6,743 )

Dividends declared

     —        —        —         (25,816 )     —         (25,816 )
                                              

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 1    $ 22    $ 201,660     $ (109,238 )   $ (39,394 )   $ 53,051  
                                              

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

COLFAX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Dollars in thousands

 

     Year ended December 31  
     2007     2006     2005  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 64,882     $ 94     $ 12,247  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Income from discontinued operations

     —         —         (356 )

Loss (gain) on disposal

     —         1,397       (260 )

Depreciation and amortization

     15,239       11,481       11,430  

Amortization of deferred loan costs

     1,644       1,655       1,484  

Gain on sale of fixed assets

     (35 )     (348 )     (105 )

Deferred income taxes

     22,186       (6,208 )     (3,444 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

      

Trade receivables

     (3,149 )     (10,002 )     (2,143 )

Inventories

     (2,279 )     (12,466 )     (7,407 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     5,353       17,959       9,547  

Other current assets

     (2,304 )     (3,133 )     (1,003 )

Change in asbestos liability, net of asbestos insurance asset and receivable

     (24,388 )     (2,785 )     (12,665 )

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities

     (2,666 )     (14,999 )     (15,079 )
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     74,483       (17,355 )     (7,754 )

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchases of fixed assets

     (13,671 )     (10,236 )     (7,081 )

Acquisitions, net of cash received

     (32,987 )     —         (11,357 )

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

     133       157       3,370  

Proceeds from sale of power transmission business

     —         —         (3,364 )
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (46,525 )     (10,079 )     (18,432 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Borrowings under term credit facility

     55,000       —         43,392  

Payments under term credit facility

     (11,791 )     (1,590 )     —    

Dividends paid to preferred shareholders

     —         —         (18,742 )

Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facilities

     58,000       63,000       59,000  

Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit facilities

     (86,500 )     (34,500 )     (66,774 )

Payments on capital leases

     (449 )     (349 )     (346 )

Payments made for loan costs

     (1,368 )     —         (432 )

Payment of deferred stock issuance costs

     (1,155 )     —         —    

Redemption of stock

     —         —         (82,000 )
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     11,737       26,561       (65,902 )

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     790       660       (314 )
                        

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     40,485       (213 )     (92,402 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     7,608       7,821       100,223  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 48,093     $ 7,608     $ 7,821  
                        

Cash interest paid

   $ 16,978     $ 12,371     $ 8,107  
                        

Cash income taxes paid

   $ 12,931     $ 12,195     $ 7,920  
                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

COLFAX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted

1. Organization and Nature of Operations

Colfax Corporation (the “Company”, “Colfax”, ”we” or “us”) is a global supplier of a broad range of fluid handling products, including pumps, fluid handling systems and specialty valves. We believe that we are a leading manufacturer of rotary positive displacement pumps, which include screw pumps, gear pumps and progressive cavity pumps. We have a global manufacturing footprint, with production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, as well as worldwide sales and distribution channels. Our products serve a variety of applications in five strategic markets: commercial marine, oil and gas, power generation, global navy and general industrial. We design and engineer our products to high quality and reliability standards for use in critical fluid handling applications where performance is paramount. We also offer customized fluid handling solutions to meet individual customer needs based on our in-depth technical knowledge of the applications in which our products are used. Our products are marketed principally under the Allweiler, Fairmount, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren, and Zenith brand names. We believe that our brands are widely known and have a premium position in our industry. Allweiler, Houttuin, Imo and Warren are among the oldest and most recognized brands in the fluid handling industry, with Allweiler dating back to 1860.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all significant Colfax operations which comprise the business. The Company owns 28% of the common shares of Allweiler Al-Farid Pumps Company (S.A.E.), an Egyptian Corporation and 44% of the common shares of Sistemas Centrales de Lubricación S.A. de C.V., a Mexican company. These investments are recorded in these statements using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, $4.1 million and $1.4 million are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company records its share of these investments’ net earnings, based on its economic ownership percentage. Accordingly, $1.5 million and $0.3 million of earnings from equity investments were included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenues and costs from product sales when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, product delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, there are no further obligations to customers, and collectibility is probable. Product delivery occurs when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer. The Company’s shipping terms vary based on the contract. If any significant obligations to the customer with respect to such sale remain to be fulfilled following shipment, typically involving obligations relating to installation and acceptance by the buyer, revenue recognition is deferred until such obligations have been fulfilled. Any customer allowances and discounts (primarily volume discounts) are recorded as a reduction in reported revenues at the time of sale because these allowances reflect a reduction in the purchase price for the products purchased. These allowances and discounts are estimated based on historical experience and known trends. Revenue related to service agreements is recognized as revenue over the term of the agreement.

In some cases, customer contracts may include multiple deliverables for product shipments and installation or maintenance labor. The cost of the products is generally quoted separately from the service costs,

 

F-7


Table of Contents

and the services that are provided are available from other vendors. Revenues from product shipments on this type of contract are recognized when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, and the service revenue components are recognized as services are performed.

For long-term contracts, revenue is generally recognized based on the percentage-of-completion method calculated on the units of delivery basis or the cost-to-cost basis. Percentage of completion revenue was approximately 2.9%, 3.8% and 2.2% of consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. For long-term contracts in which reasonable estimates cannot be made, the Company uses the completed contract method.

Amounts billed for shipping and handling are recorded as revenue. Shipping and handling expenses are recorded as cost of sales. Progress billings are generally shown as a reduction of inventory unless such billings are in excess of accumulated costs, in which case such balances are included in accrued liabilities. The Company accrues for bad debts, as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses, based upon estimates of amounts deemed uncollectible and a specific review of significant delinquent accounts factoring in current and expected economic conditions. Product return reserves are accrued at the time of sale based on historical rates, and are recorded as a reduction to net sales.

The foregoing criteria are used for all classes of customers including original equipment manufacturers, distributors, government contractors and other end users.

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

The Company collects various taxes and fees as an agent in connection with the sale of products and remits these amounts to the respective taxing authorities. These taxes and fees have been presented on a net basis in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and are recorded as a liability until remitted to the respective taxing authority.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Advertising

Advertising costs of $0.6 million, $1.0 million, and $0.8 million for years ending December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, are expensed as incurred and have been included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all financial instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less.

Trade Receivables

Receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company records the allowance for doubtful accounts based on its best estimate of probable losses incurred in the collection of accounts receivable. Estimated losses are based on historical collection experience, and are reviewed periodically by management.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

Inventories

Inventories include the costs of material, labor and overhead. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is primarily determined using the first-in, first-out method. The Company periodically reviews its quantities of inventories on hand and compares these amounts to the expected usage of each particular product. The Company records as a charge to cost of sales any amounts required to reduce the carrying value of inventories to net realizable value.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost, which includes the fair values of such assets acquired (see Note 4). Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided for on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from three to 40 years. Assets recorded under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease terms. The estimated useful lives or lease terms of assets range from three to 40 years. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred unless the repair extends the useful life of the asset.

Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the costs in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired associated with acquisitions by the Company.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually on December 31 or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances, such as a decline in sales, earnings, or cash flows, or material adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that the carrying value of an asset might be impaired. Goodwill is considered to be impaired when the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. Estimated fair values for each reporting unit are established based upon the average of actual and projected EBITDA for the next two years (net income before income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization) multiplied by related industry valuation multiples for recent transactions between unrelated parties. The determination of EBITDA is based on the Company’s actual results, budgets, and strategic plans. Related industry valuation multiples of EBITDA are obtained by the Company from investment bankers. This data is gathered from recent change of control transactions involving entities with comparable operations and economic characteristics within our industry. This valuation methodology is consistent with the objective of measuring fair value, and is commonly used by the investment banking community as one estimate of fair value. If valuation based upon EBITDA multiples demonstrates any possibility of impairment, the Company utilizes other valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flows, or multiples of earnings or revenues, to further define estimated fair value. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The analysis indicated no impairment to be present for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Intangibles primarily represent acquired customer relationships, acquired order backlog, acquired technology, software license agreements and patents. Acquired order backlog is being amortized in the same period the corresponding revenue is recognized. A portion of the Company’s acquired customer relationships is being amortized over seven years based on the present value of the expected future cash flows from the acquired customers. All other intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally ranging from three to 15 years (see Note 8).

The Company assesses its long-lived assets other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be fully recoverable.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

To analyze recoverability, the Company projects undiscounted net future cash flows over the remaining lives of such assets. If these projected cash flows are less than the carrying amounts, an impairment loss would be recognized, resulting in a write-down of the assets with a corresponding charge to earnings. The impairment loss is measured based upon the difference between the carrying amounts and the fair values of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amounts or fair value less cost to sell. Management determines fair value using the discounted cash flow method or other accepted valuation techniques. No such impairments were recorded in 2007, 2006 or 2005.

Derivatives

The Company periodically enters into foreign currency, interest rate swap, and commodity derivative contracts. The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Foreign currency contracts are used to manage exchange rate fluctuations and generally hedge transactions between the Euro and the U.S. dollar. Commodity futures contracts are used to manage costs of raw materials used in the Company’s production processes.

The Company enters into such contracts with financial institutions of good standing, and the total credit exposure related to non-performance by those institutions is not material to the operations of the Company. The Company does not enter into contracts for trading purposes.

Interest rate swaps and other derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet as assets and liabilities, measured at fair value. If a derivative is a hedge, a change in its fair value is either offset against the change in the fair value of the hedged item through earnings, or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Any difference between fair value of the hedge and the item being hedged, known as the ineffective portion, is immediately recognized in earnings.

Self-Insurance

Certain operations of the Company are self-insured for U.S. medical, U.S. workers’ compensation, product liability and other liability exposure up to predetermined amounts above which third-party insurance applies. The Company is responsible for up to $0.2 million per occurrence under the retention program for workers’ compensation and $0.5 million per occurrence under the retention program for product liability with a $4.0 million aggregate with respect to domestic liability and $3.0 million with respect to foreign liability. The Company also has a $0.1 million per occurrence stop-loss limit under our group medical plan. For a discussion of asbestos liability, see Note 18. The Company accrues loss reserves up to the retention amounts when such amounts are reasonably estimable and probable. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets include estimated amounts for claims exposure based on experience factors and management estimates for known and anticipated claims as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Medical insurance

   $ 569    $ 490

Workers’ compensation

     217      240

Product liability (excluding asbestos)

     —        —  
             

Total self-insurance reserves

   $ 786    $ 730
             

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Warranty Costs

Estimated expenses related to product warranties are accrued at the time products are sold to customers and recorded as part of cost of sales. Estimates are established using historical information as to the nature, frequency, and average costs of warranty claims.

Warranty activity for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of the following:

 

     2007     2006  

Warranty liability at beginning of the year

   $ 2,988     $ 2,534  

Accrued warranty expense

     (42 )     1,383  

Warranty service work performed

     (348 )     (798 )

Assumed in acquisitions

     143       —    

Foreign exchange translation effect

     230       (131 )
                

Warranty liability at end of the year

   $ 2,971     $ 2,988  
                

Income Taxes

Income taxes for the Company are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is generally recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Valuation allowances are recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we take into account various factors, including the expected level of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. If actual results differ from the assumptions made in the evaluation of our valuation allowance, we record a change in valuation allowance through income tax expense in the period such determination is made.

Foreign Currency Exchange Gains and Losses

The Company’s financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. The functional currencies of the Company’s operating subsidiaries are the local currencies of the countries in which each subsidiary is located. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the year. In 2007, 2006, and 2005 differences arising from translation of approximately $9.0 million, $6.5 million and $(11.9) million, respectively, are recorded in comprehensive income (loss). The foreign currency translation adjustment recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss was approximately $19.4 million and $10.5 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The amounts recorded in each year are net of income taxes to the extent the underlying equity balances in the entities are not deemed to be permanently reinvested.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction. Differences in exchange rates during the period between the date a transaction denominated in a foreign currency is consummated and the date on which it is either settled or translated for inclusion in the consolidated balance sheets are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for that period. The foreign currency transaction gain (loss) in income was $(1.0) million, $0.1 million and, $(0.4) million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Debt Issuance Costs

Costs directly related to the placement of debt are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related obligation. Amounts written off due to early extinguishment of debt are charged to earnings. Cost and accumulated amortization related to debt issuance costs amounted to approximately $12.5 million and $7.4 million as of December 31, 2007 and $11.1 million and $5.7 million as of December 31, 2006.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For the Company, the estimates made in connection with the asbestos liability reserve and related insurance recoverables (as discussed in Note 18) represent the most significant estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2007     2006    2005  

Numerator:

       

Income from continuing operations

   $ 64,882     $ 1,491    $ 11,631  

Dividends on preferred stock

     (25,816 )     —        (13,600 )
                       

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders

   $ 39,066     $ 1,491    $ (1,969 )
                       

Denominator:

       

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-basic and diluted

     21,885,929       21,885,929      21,885,929  
                       

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share-basic and diluted

   $ 1.79     $ 0.07    $ (0.09 )
                       

3. Discontinued Operations—Sale of Power Transmission Business Unit

On November 30, 2004, the Company sold substantially all assets and operating liabilities related to its Power Transmission business to Altra Holdings, Inc., (“Altra”) pursuant to an agreement dated October 25, 2004 for $175.8 million after final purchase price adjustments. As such, the Power Transmission business unit is classified in these financial statements as a discontinued operation.

Proceeds from the sale of $100.0 million were used by the Company to redeem preferred stock and pay dividends to the shareholders in 2005. Proceeds of $73.3 million were used to retire domestic senior term debt in the amount of $47.8 million, reduce the amount outstanding on the Company’s revolving credit line by $22.5 million and pay deal associated fees in the amount of $3.0 million. In January 2007, the Company received $2.5 million of funds held in escrow, plus accrued interest of $0.2 million.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

The Company retained the retirement cost liability for retirees and terminated vested employees under U.S. defined benefit plans and other post-employment benefit plans including health and life insurance. In March of 2006, the Company was able to settle a portion of its liability under the terms of the other post-employment benefits plan (see Note 11). As a result, a gain of $9.1 million was recorded in 2006 in selling, general and administrative expense.

In addition, the Company retained certain real estate and associated liabilities in Roscoe, Illinois and Bishop Auckland, UK. The property located in Roscoe, Illinois was sold in August of 2005 and the Bishop Auckland, UK property was sold in December of 2004.

As a result of the divestiture of the Power Transmission business, a net gain of approximately $49.7 million, inclusive of a $15.6 million write-off in goodwill, was recorded in 2004. A further gain of approximately $0.3 million was recorded in 2005 primarily associated with the sale of retained real estate. In addition, in 2005, income from discontinued operations of approximately $0.4 million was recorded as a result of exiting a cross currency swap related to the divested business. In 2006 a loss of approximately $1.4 million was recorded as a result of settlement of claims made by the purchaser against amounts that were held in escrow. Revenues of $275.2 million and net income of $6.8 million (including allocated interest expense of $5.9 million), related to Power Transmission operations were reported in discontinued operations in 2004. Interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations based upon its percentage of the net assets. Certain retirement plan costs were allocated to discontinued operations during 2004 (see Note 11). Current liabilities of discontinued operations included in the balance sheet were approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

4. Acquisitions

The following acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the accompanying financial statements include the financial position and the results of operations from the dates of acquisition. Goodwill resulted from the acquisitions as these transactions were all entered into to advance the Company’s fluid handling business.

On August 9, 2005, the Company purchased all the outstanding stock of Tushaco Pump Private Limited (“Tushaco”), a company organized under the laws of India, for approximately $11.5 million. Tushaco is a manufacturer of screw and gear pumps, headquartered in Mumbai, India with production facilities in Daiman and Vapi, India. As a result of the acquisition of Tushaco, intangible assets of approximately $8.1 million were recorded. The acquisition of Tushaco strengthened the Company’s presence in the expanding Asian market and provides a low cost production facility to serve global markets.

On January 31, 2007, the Company purchased all of the outstanding stock of Lubrication Systems Company of Texas (“LSC”), a manufacturer of fluid handling systems, including oil mist lubrication systems and lube oil purification systems, for $29.8 million. As a result of the acquisition of LSC, intangible assets of $22.4 million were recorded. The purchase of LSC complements the Company’s existing line of fluid handling products.

On November 29, 2007, the Company acquired Fairmount Automation, Inc. (“Fairmount”), an original equipment manufacturer of mission critical programmable automation controllers in fluid handling applications primarily for the U.S. Navy, for $4.5 million plus contingent payments based on future revenue and earnings targets. In addition to strengthening its existing position with the U.S. Navy, the Company intends to leverage Fairmount’s experienced engineering talent and technology expertise to develop a portfolio of fluid handling solutions with diagnostic and prognostic capabilities for use in industrial applications.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

The Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation is based on fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities. This information is obtained mainly through due diligence and other information from the sellers, as well as tangible and intangible asset appraisals. The Company has completed its purchase price allocations for Tushaco and LSC and its preliminary purchase price allocation for Fairmount. The allocations are as follows:

 

     Fairmount    LSC    Tushaco

Cash

   $ 1,155    $ 74    $ 126

Accounts receivable

     243      5,809      1,078

Inventories

     469      4,248      2,510

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     77      301      1,185

Property, plant and equipment

     109      428      1,179

Goodwill

     2,223      14,849      5,677

Trade name

     90      870      422

Developed technology

     860      2,770      —  

Backlog of open orders

     —        552      225

Customer relationships

     990      3,360      1,842

Long-term deferred tax assets

     —        —        11

Other long-term assets

     —        1,381      —  
                    

Total assets acquired

   $ 6,216    $ 34,642    $ 14,255
                    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities assumed

   $ 1,750    $ 4,892    $ 2,789
                    

Developed technology is being amortized over a term of approximately 6 to 15 years. Backlog of open orders is amortized over a term of approximately one year. Customer relationships are being amortized over periods of 7 to 10 years. The weighted average amortization period for intangibles subject to amortization is approximately six years.

Goodwill deductible for income tax purposes due to the LSC and Fairmount acquisitions is $14.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

The unaudited pro forma information below gives effect to these acquisitions as if they had occurred at the beginning of the period. The pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated as of that time.

 

     Pro Forma
Year ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)    2007    2006  

Net sales

   $ 510,021    $ 419,592  

Net income (loss)

     64,757      (829 )

Earnings (loss) per common share—basic and diluted

     2.96      (0.04 )

The contract under which the Company purchased the operations of Warner Electric from Dana Corporation (“Dana”) in February 2000 contained a clawback provision which entitled the Company to funds from the seller if certain environmental indemnifications, primarily related to the Roscoe, Illinois location, were not utilized. The Company reached final settlement with Dana during 2005 and received cash and recorded income of approximately $3.1 million in selling, general and administrative expense.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB issued two Staff Positions (FSPs) addressing accounting and disclosure issues related to certain provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, which was signed into law in October 2004. FSP No. 109-1 addresses the application of FASB Statement No. 109 to the new tax deduction for qualified domestic production activities provided by this legislation. FSP No. 109-2 addresses accounting and disclosure considerations related to the one-time dividends received deduction the legislation provides to encourage U.S. companies to repatriate earnings from foreign subsidiaries. The Company’s current U.S. tax position significantly limits the potential benefit of a deduction for the qualified domestic production activities provision of the American Jobs Creation Act and is not expected to have a material impact effect on the consolidated financial statements. In December 2005, the Company repatriated approximately $28.8 million from a foreign subsidiary, of which a portion of this amount is considered eligible for the one-time dividends received deduction. The net tax result of this one-time dividend received deduction is reflected in the Company’s tax expense (see Note 10 for further discussion).

In June 2005, the FASB issued EITF issue 05-05, Accounting for Altersteilzeit (ATZ) Early Retirement Programs and Similar Type Arrangements. EITF 05-05 states that benefits provided under a Type II ATZ arrangement should be accounted for as a termination benefit under Statement 112. Recognition of the cost of the benefits begins at the time individual employees enroll in the ATZ arrangements (e.g., sign a contract). The consensus is effective for plans within its scope in the first fiscal year that begins after December 2005, and adoption of the pronouncement did not have a significant impact upon the Company.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, to create a single model to address accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. The Interpretation applies to all tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109 and requires a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and transition, and significantly expands income tax disclosure requirements. The Interpretation is effective for public reporting companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation No. 48, the Company has increased the net liability for unrecognized tax benefits by $6.7 million which resulted in a decrease to opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2007.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies to value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards, except for measurements of share-based payments and measurements that are similar to, but not intended to be, fair value and does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 for financial assets and liabilities, and for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for non-financial assets and liabilities. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of implementing the provisions of this Statement.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R), which requires employers to fully recognize, as an asset or liability, the overfunded or underfunded status of its benefit plans in the balance sheet and changes in that funded status to be recognized in comprehensive income (loss) in the year in which the changes occur. This Statement also requires a company to measure its plan assets and benefit obligations as of its year-end balance sheet date. The recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 for public companies are effective for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2006, while the measurement date provisions are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. As of December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS No. 158. See Note 11 for further discussion of the effects of adopting SFAS No. 158 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The pronouncement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 159.

6. Inventories

Inventories at December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of the following:

 

     2007     2006  

Raw materials

   $ 29,122     $ 20,643  

Work in process

     31,614       26,029  

Finished goods

     16,859       17,419  
                
     77,595       64,091  
                

Less-Customer progress billings

     (1,719 )     (566 )

Less-Allowance for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory

     (7,589 )     (6,412 )
                
   $ 68,287     $ 57,113  
                

7. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of the following:

 

     Depreciable
Lives in Years
   2007     2006  

Land

   —      $ 16,921     $ 15,516  

Buildings and improvements

   3 – 40      36,248       33,855  

Machinery and equipment

   3 – 16      103,950       86,538  

Software

   3 – 5      13,465       11,353  
                   
        170,584       147,262  

Less-Accumulated depreciation

        (82,193 )     (67,302 )
                   
      $ 88,391     $ 79,960  
                   

Depreciation expense, including the amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, was approximately $11.8 million, $9.8 million and $8.9 million, respectively. These amounts include depreciation expense related to software for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 of $2.6 million, $1.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangibles as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of the following:

 

     Goodwill

Balance December 31, 2005

   $ 138,472

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     5,995
      

Balance December 31, 2006

     144,467
      

Attributable to 2007 acquisitions

     17,073

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     7,419
      

Balance December 31, 2007

   $ 168,959
      

 

     2007     2006  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
 

Acquired customer relationships

   $ 14,584    $ (5,084 )   $ 10,018    $ (3,090 )

Trade names-indefinite life

     2,136      —         1,127      —    

Acquired backlog of open orders

     2,601      (2,601 )     2,022      (2,022 )

Acquired developed technology

     5,620      (885 )     1,990      (328 )

Other intangibles

     463      (440 )     433      (386 )
                              
   $ 25,404    $ (9,010 )   $ 15,590    $ (5,826 )
                              

Acquired customer relationships, acquired backlog of open orders, and acquired developed technology are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The weighted average estimated useful lives are summarized in the table below.

 

     Weighted
Average Lives

Acquired customer relationships

   7.6 years

Acquired backlog of open orders

   1.3 years

Acquired developed technology

   9.8 years
    
   7.5 years
    

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was approximately $3.4 million, $1.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is expected to be: 2008—$2.6 million, 2009—$2.5 million, 2010—$2.4 million, 2011—$2.3 million and 2012—$2.0 million.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

9. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of the following:

 

     2007    2006

Payroll

   $ 19,902    $ 15,923

Taxes

     9,707      7,739

Other litigation and environmental

     6,356      8,258

Advance customer payments

     5,952      2,131

Defense costs related to asbestos liability

     5,423      7,953

Accrued payables

     4,898      3,649

Commissions

     3,552      3,155

Warranty

     2,971      2,988

Asbestos liability insurance coverage litigation

     1,775      3,603

Other

     7,387      5,116
             
   $ 67,923    $ 60,515
             

10. Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided for the Company’s domestic corporations and foreign entities. Income from continuing operations before income taxes and the components of the provision for income taxes as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense:

      

Domestic

   $ 59,919     $ (23,271 )   $ (4,270 )

Foreign

     44,110       28,628       22,808  
                        
   $ 104,029     $ 5,357     $ 18,538  
                        

Provision for income taxes:

      

Current income tax (benefit) expense:

      

Federal

   $ 444     $ (397 )   $ 76  

State

     199       91       181  

Foreign

     16,318       10,380       10,094  
                        
     16,961       10,074       10,351  

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

      

Domestic

     24,257       (5,488 )     (1,883 )

Foreign

     (2,071 )     (720 )     (1,561 )
                        
     22,186       (6,208 )     (3,444 )
                        
   $ 39,147     $ 3,866     $ 6,907  
                        

 

F-18


Table of Contents

U.S. income taxes for continuing operations at the statutory rate reconciled to the overall U.S. and foreign provision for income taxes were as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Tax at U.S. federal income tax rate

   $ 36,411     $ 1,875     $ 6,488  

State taxes

     2,098       (592 )     611  

Effect of international tax rates and refunds

     (2,230 )     309       962  

Changes in valuation and tax reserves

     853       128       (2,610 )

Inclusion of foreign earnings

     1,565       2,025       1,677  

Other

     450       121       (221 )
                        

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   $ 39,147     $ 3,866     $ 6,907  
                        

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007     2006  
     Current     Long-Term     Current     Long-Term  

Deferred income tax assets:

        

Post-retirement obligations

   $ 305     $ 30,962     $ 1,209     $ 36,597  

Expenses not currently deductible

     12,032       35,230       8,922       41,254  

Net operating loss carryover

     —         14,958       227       31,768  

Tax credit carryover

     —         7,807       —         6,956  

Other

     —         992       265       2,859  
                                

Total deferred income tax assets

     12,337       89,949       10,623       119,434  

Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets

     (2,197 )     (22,189 )     (907 )     (23,479 )
                                

Net deferred income tax assets

     10,140       67,760       9,716       95,955  

Net deferred income tax liabilities:

        

Tax over book depreciation

     —         9,447       —         12,845  

Other

     —         31,774       2,240       27,255  
                                

Total deferred income tax liabilities

     —         41,221       2,240       40,100  
                                

Net deferred income tax assets

   $ 10,140     $ 26,539     $ 7,476     $ 55,855  
                                

For purposes of the balance sheet presentation, the Company nets non-current deferred income tax assets and liabilities within each taxing jurisdiction. The above table is presented prior to the netting of the non-current deferred income tax items. Valuation allowances are established in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The Company continually reviews the adequacy of the valuation allowance and is recognizing these benefits only as reassessment indicates that it is more likely than not the benefits will be realized. The valuation allowance was $24.4 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006.

The Company has U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $38.7 million expiring in years 2021 through 2026, and minimum tax credits of approximately $4.2 million, which may be carried forward indefinitely. Tax credit carryforwards include foreign tax credits that have substantially been offset by a valuation reserve. These carryforwards are generally available to offset federal taxable income, but may be subject to certain limitations under the tax law, including Internal Revenue Code Section 382, among other federal tax provisions, that could limit their ability to be utilized.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

The Company has also recorded in tax expense the inclusion of certain foreign earnings in U.S. taxable income. This expense is offset by the deferred tax benefit recognized by a German subsidiary as a result of German tax rate reductions from approximately 38% to 29% which will be effective January 1, 2008.

For the year ending December 31, 2007, the Company intends that all undistributed earnings of its international subsidiaries will be reinvested and no tax expense has been recognized under APB 23 for these reinvested earnings. The amount of unremitted earnings from international subsidiaries, subject to local statutory restrictions, as of December 31, 2007 is approximately $76.7 million. It is not reasonably determinable as to the amount of deferred tax liability that would need to be provided if such earnings were not reinvested. For the years ending December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognized deferred tax expense pursuant to APB 23 on earnings from its Swedish subsidiary that were eligible under local law to be repatriated. All other earnings of the Company’s international subsidiaries were considered to be permanently reinvested for 2006 and 2005.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation No. 48, the Company has recognized an increase in the net liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $6.7 million, which was accounted for as a decrease to the January 1, 2007 opening retained earnings. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

Balance at January 1, 2007

   $ 9,116  

Additions for tax positions in prior periods

     543  

Additions for tax positions in current period

     413  

Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations

     (179 )
        

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 9,893  
        

As of December 31, 2007, our unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of interest of $0.8 million, totaled $10.7 million offset by tax benefits of approximately $1.0 million. The net liability for uncertain tax positions is $9.7 million and if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate.

The Company records interest and penalties for post-adoption periods on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. The total amount of interest and penalties accrued as of the date of adoption was $0.5 million which was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings. The interest and penalty expense recorded in income tax expense attributed to uncertain tax positions for the year ending December 31, 2007 was $0.3 million.

The Company is subject to income tax in the U.S., state, and international locations. The Company’s significant operations outside the U.S. are located in Germany and Sweden. In Sweden and Germany, tax years from 2002 to 2007 and from 2001 to 2007, respectively, remain subject to examination. Several tax years remain open in the U.S. due to tax attribute carry forwards from applicable tax years as tax authorities’ have the ability to modify these attributes. Notably, tax years from 2003 and beyond generally remain open for examination by U.S. and state tax authorities as well as various tax years from 1994-2000 that have tax attributes carry forwards.

Due to the difficulty in predicting with reasonable certainty when tax audits will be fully resolved and closed, the range of reasonably possible significant increases or decreases in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits that may occur within the next 12 months is difficult to ascertain. Currently, the Company does not anticipate a significant increase or decrease to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits in 2008.

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “AJCA”) introduced a special one-time dividends received deduction on the repatriation of certain foreign earnings to the United States. The deduction results in an approximate 5.25% regular federal income tax rate or in certain circumstances a 3.0% alternative minimum tax rate on eligible repatriations of foreign earnings. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company’s President

 

F-20


Table of Contents

approved a domestic reinvestment plan as required by the AJCA with subsequent approval by the Company’s Board of Directors. During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company repatriated $28.8 million from a foreign subsidiary of which a portion of this amount is considered eligible for the one-time dividend received deduction, and recognized $1.9 million of tax expense related to the eligible foreign earnings repatriation. All investments required by the dividend reinvestment plan have been made as of December 31, 2006.

11. Retirement and Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors various defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and other post-retirement benefits plans, including health and life insurance, for certain eligible employees or former employees.

On December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). SFAS No. 158 requires the Company to recognize the funded status of its pension and other post-employment plans in the December 31, 2006 consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption represents the net unrecognized actuarial losses, unrecognized prior service costs, and unrecognized transition obligation remaining from the initial adoption of SFAS No. 87. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic pension cost in the same periods, will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Those amounts will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption of SFAS No. 158.

The following is detail of other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:

 

2007

  

U.S. pension benefits:

  

Current year actuarial gain

   $ (4,767 )

Amortization of net loss

     (2,942 )
        

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

   $ (7,709 )
        

Non-U.S. pension benefits:

  

Current year actuarial gain

   $ (4,202 )

Amortization of net loss

     (718 )
        

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

   $ (4,920 )
        

Total pension benefits:

  

Current year actuarial gain

   $ (8,969 )

Amortization of net loss

     (3,660 )
        

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

   $ (12,629 )
        

Other post-employment benefits:

  

Current year actuarial loss

   $ 167  

Amortization of net loss

     (133 )
        

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

   $ 34  
        

 

F-21


Table of Contents

The actuarial loss included in accumulated comprehensive income and expected to be recognized in net periodic pension costs during the year ended December 31, 2008 is $2.7 million and $0.2 million for pension benefits and other post-employment benefits, respectively.

The following table sets forth the defined benefit plans’ funded status as of the most recent actuarial valuation using a measurement date of December 31.

 

     Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 324,471     $ 325,119     $ 8,276     $ 18,111  

Service cost

     1,170       1,009       —         —    

Interest cost

     17,974       17,130       445       540  

Actuarial (gain) loss

     (9,216 )     (6,043 )     —         207  

Settlement/curtailment

     —         —         167       (9,102 )

Foreign exchange effect

     7,797       7,885       —         —    

Benefits paid

     (21,427 )     (20,629 )     (1,584 )     (1,480 )
                                

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 320,769     $ 324,471     $ 7,304     $ 8,276  
                                

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 317,712     $ 318,788     $ —       $ —    
                                

Change in plan assets:

        

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 249,525     $ 231,473     $ —       $ —    

Actual return on plan assets

     19,415       24,799       —         —    

Employer contribution

     5,135       9,532       1,584       1,480  

Foreign exchange effect

     2,361       2,533       —         —    

Benefits paid

     (19,400 )     (18,812 )     (1,584 )     (1,480 )
                                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 257,036     $ 249,525     $ —       $ —    
                                

Funded status

   $ (63,733 )   $ (74,946 )   $ (7,304 )   $ (8,276 )
                                

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:

        

Non-current assets

   $ 2,793     $ 1,506     $ —       $ —    

Current liabilities

     (1,625 )     (1,680 )     (840 )     (840 )

Non-current liabilities

     (64,901 )     (74,772 )     (6,464 )     (7,436 )
                                

Total

   $ (63,733 )   $ (74,946 )   $ (7,304 )   $ (8,276 )
                                

 

     Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
     2007     2006     2005     2007    2006     2005  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

             

Service cost

   $ 1,170     $ 1,009     $ 617     $ —      $ —       $ —    

Interest cost

     17,974       17,130       17,556       445      540       1,203  

Recognized net actuarial loss

     3,660       5,337       3,903       —        —         —    

Expected return on plan assets

     (19,667 )     (19,015 )     (18,190 )     —        —         —    

Settlement/curtailment

     —         —         —         —        (9,102 )     (251 )

Amortization

     —         —         —         133      117       170  
                                               

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 3,137     $ 4,461     $ 3,886     $ 578    $ (8,445 )   $ 1,122  
                                               

The accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $302.1 million and $238.4 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 and $318.8 million and $246.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2006.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $305.0 million and $238.4 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 and $321.7 million and $246.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2006.

In March 2006, the Company was able to settle a portion of its other post-employment benefits liability that it had retained as part of the sale of the Power Transmission business. As a result, a gain of $9.1 million was recorded in 2006 in selling, general and administrative expense.

The following table sets forth the foreign pension plans’ funded status, included within the previous disclosure, as of the most recent actuarial valuation using a measurement date of December 31.

 

     Foreign Pension Benefits  
     2007     2006  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 79,867     $ 72,275  

Service cost

     1,170       1,009  

Interest cost

     3,738       3,312  

Actuarial gain

     (4,360 )     (719 )

Foreign exchange effect

     7,796       7,884  

Benefits paid

     (4,562 )     (3,894 )
                

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 83,649     $ 79,867  
                

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 80,592     $ 76,926  
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 27,000     $ 24,530  

Actual return on plan assets

     1,257       1,275  

Employer contribution

     835       740  

Foreign exchange effect

     2,361       2,532  

Benefits paid

     (2,535 )     (2,077 )
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 28,918     $ 27,000  
                

Funded status

   $ (54,731 )   $ (52,867 )
                

 

     Foreign Pension Benefits  
     2007     2006     2005  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

      

Service cost

   $ 1,170     $ 1,009     $ 617  

Interest cost

     3,738       3,312       3,419  

Recognized net actuarial loss

     718       725       203  

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,538 )     (1,389 )     (1,254 )
                        

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 4,088     $ 3,657     $ 2,985  
                        

The key economic assumptions used in the measurement of the Company’s benefit obligations at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Weighted average discount rate:

        

For all plans

   6.0 %   5.7 %   6.3 %   5.7 %

For all foreign plans

   4.7 %   4.7 %   —       —    

Weighted average rate of increase in compensation levels for active foreign plans

   2.2 %   2.0 %   —       —    

 

F-23


Table of Contents

The key economic assumptions used in the computation of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
     2007     2006     2005     2007     2006     2005  

Weighted average discount rate:

            

For all plans

   5.9 %   5.3 %   6.1 %   6.0 %   6.0 %   5.9 %

For all foreign plans

   5.4 %   4.4 %   5.5 %   —       —       —    

Weighted average expected return on plan assets:

            

For all plans

   8.4 %   8.4 %   8.5 %   —       —       —    

For all foreign plans

   5.5 %   5.6 %   5.2 %   —       —       —    

Weighted average rate of increase in compensation levels for active foreign plans

   2.6 %   2.0 %   2.0 %   —       —       —    

For measurement purposes, an annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits of approximately 8.0% was assumed. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% by 2010 and remain at that level thereafter for benefits covered under the Plans.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets reflects management’s expectations of long-term rates of return on funds invested to provide for benefits included in the projected benefit obligations. The Company has established the expected long-term rate of return assumptions for plan assets by considering historical rates of return over a period of time that are consistent with the long-term nature of the underlying obligations of these plans. The historical rates of return for each of the asset classes used by the Company to determine its estimated rate of return assumption at its December 31 measurement data were based upon the rates of return earned by investments in the equivalent benchmark market indices for each of the asset classes over consecutive ten year time periods. Capital market assumptions are re-evaluated annually to reflect the expected return over most 10 year economic cycles resulting in an expected rate of return for U.S. plans of 8.75%, 8.75% and 8.90% for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Expected contributions to the plans for 2008 are $3.2 million and relate primarily to the domestic plans.

Expected benefit payments during the years ending December 31 are:

 

     All Plans    Foreign Plans

2008

   $ 22,110    $ 4,768

2009

     22,184      4,812

2010

     22,142      4,845

2011

     22,334      4,968

2012

     22,460      5,008

Years 2013 – 2017

     112,633      26,320

 

F-24


Table of Contents

The following is the actual allocation percentage and target allocation percentage for the pension plan assets at the measurement date:

 

     2007
Actual
Allocation
    2006
Actual
Allocation
    Target
Allocation
Range

United States Plans:

      

Large cap equity securities

   45 %   44 %   35% – 45%

Extended market equity securities

   8     8     15% – 25%

Non-U.S. equity securities

   14     15     0% – 10%

Fixed income securities

   3     3     5% – 15%

Money market

   2     3     0% – 5%

Other

   28     27     15% – 25%

Foreign Plans:

      

Large cap equity securities

   24     25     0% – 20%

Fixed income

   74     74     80% – 100%

Cash and cash equivalents

   2     1     0% – 5%

The following post-retirement benefits are expected to be paid during the years ending December 31:

 

     Payments

2008

   $ 840

2009

     813

2010

     781

2011

     741

2012

     706

Years 2013-2017

     2,974

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following pre-tax effects:

 

     One Percentage
Point Increase
   One Percentage
Point Decrease
 

Effect on total of 2007 service and interest cost components

   $ 25    $ (22 )

Effect on 2007 post-retirement benefit obligation

     431      (383 )

The Company maintains defined contribution plans covering substantially all of their non-union domestic employees, as well as certain union domestic employees. Under the terms of the plans, eligible employees may generally contribute from 1 percent to 50 percent of their compensation on a pre-tax basis. The Company’s contributions are based on 50 percent of the first 6 percent of each participant’s pre-tax contribution. Additionally, the Company makes a unilateral contribution of 3 percent of all employees’ salary (including non-contributing participants) to the defined contribution plans. The Company’s expense for 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $2.0 million, $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, related to these plans.

Long-Term Incentives.    In each of 2001 and 2006, the Board of Directors implemented long-term cash incentive plans as a direct means to motivate senior management, or those most responsible for the overall growth and direction of the Company, with the purpose of growing and increasing the value of the Company and positioning it for an initial public offering or other liquidity event, such as a sale of the Company. Each of the named executive officers participates in the Colfax Corporation 2001 Employee Appreciation Rights Plan (the “2001 Plan”) or 2006 Executive Stock Rights Plan (the “2006 Plan”). Initially, the Board of Directors approved the 2001 Plan as the Company was starting to grow. Accordingly, the 2001 Plan was designed to allow senior management to share in the growth of the Company and to attract new executive talent to the Company. More recently, the Board approved the 2006 Plan as a means of re-emphasizing this upside potential.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

Generally, each of these plans provides the applicable named executive officers with the opportunity to receive a certain percentage, in cash (or, with respect to the 2001 Plan only, in equity, at the determination of the Board of Directors), of the increase in value of the Company from the date of grant of the award until the date of the liquidity event.

For the 2001 Plan, the percentage interest of participation for each participating named executive officer was determined solely in the discretion of the Board of Directors, based on their reasoned business judgment. For the 2006 Plan, while the Board determined the percentage interest for each named executive officer based on discretion, the Board also took into account, in their subjective judgment, the level of the officer’s responsibility with the Company, his term of service with the Company and his contributions to date. The 2001 Plan rights fully vested on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the participating named executive officer’s continued employment and thus each such named executive officer is fully vested in his percentage interest under the 2001 Plan. The 2006 Plan rights vest if a liquidity event occurs prior to the 10 year expiration of the term of the plan. Amounts are only payable upon the occurrence of a liquidity event. As a result, no liability or expense is recorded in the financial statements for these plans.

12. Debt

Long-term debt of the Company at December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of the following:

 

     2007     2006  

Term B notes

   $ 176,678     $ 123,463  

Term C notes

     28,606       35,277  

Revolving lines of credit

     —         28,500  

Capital leases and other

     1,209       1,480  
                

Total debt

     206,493       188,720  

Less—current portion Term B

     (1,785 )     (1,790 )

Less—current portion Term C

     (397 )     (356 )

Less—current portion capital leases and other

     (458 )     (395 )
                

Total long-term debt

   $ 203,853     $ 186,179  
                

The Credit Agreement, as amended, led by Merrill Lynch and administered by the Bank of Nova Scotia, is a senior secured structure with a $50.0 million revolver, a Term B Note of $176.7 million that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25 percent, or 7.1 percent at December 31, 2007, and a Term C note of €19.5 million that bears interest at EURIBOR plus 2.25 percent, or 7.0 percent at December 31, 2007.

The $50.0 million revolver contains a $25.0 million letter of credit sub-facility and a Euro sub-facility in which Euro borrowing capacity is limited to $30.0 million. The annual commitment fee on the revolver is 0.5 percent and the administrative agent receives a fee of $0.2 million per annum. Interest rate margins for the revolver are based on the Company’s leverage ratio calculated at each quarter-end. At December 31, 2007, USD Prime and Swing Line based revolvers bear interest at Prime plus 1.50 percent, or 8.75 percent. At December 31, 2007, the USD LIBOR based revolver bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.50 percent, and the Euro revolver bears interest at EURIBOR plus 2.00 percent. There was no outstanding balance on the Euro, USD LIBOR, USD Prime and Swing Line based revolvers at December 31, 2007.

The Term B Note, as amended on January 3, 2007, has approximately $0.4 million due on a quarterly basis on the last day of each March, June, September and December beginning with March 31, 2007 and ending September 30, 2011, and one installment of approximately $170.0 million payable on December 19, 2011. The Term C Note, as amended on January 3, 2007, has approximately €0.1 million due on a quarterly basis on the last day of each March, June, September and December beginning with March 31, 2007 and ending September 30, 2011, and one installment of approximately €18.4 million payable on December 19, 2011.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

On December 31, 2007, there was $205.3 million outstanding on the Term B and Term C loan facilities, no outstanding balance on the revolving lines of credit, and $18.7 million on the letter of credit sub-facility. The weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2007 was 7.4 percent.

On January 3, 2007, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to increase its borrowings under the Term B facility by $55.0 million. Approximately $28.5 million of the proceeds were subsequently used to fund the acquisition of LSC, $24.5 million of the proceeds were used to pay down the Company’s revolver debt, and the remaining proceeds were used for other general corporate purposes.

On August 10, 2007, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to extend the termination date of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swing Line Facility and the Letter of Credit Facility for an additional two years to May 30, 2010.

The Company’s loan agreements require the Company to comply with certain provisions. These provisions include submitting financial reports to the administrative agent, restrictions on payments of dividends, and the maintenance of minimum interest coverage, leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios, as defined in the credit agreements. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 2007. Substantially all assets and stock of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and 66% of the shares of certain European subsidiaries shares are pledged as collateral against borrowings under the facility. Certain European assets are pledged against borrowings directly made to European subsidiaries under the Term C Note and Euro sub-facility.

The term loans have required mandatory prepayments under certain conditions such as proceeds of asset sales, specified percentages of net proceeds of equity issuances and a percentage of excess cash flow. The mandatory prepayments will be applied to the Term B and Term C Notes at the Company’s discretion, then to the repayment of the revolving lines of credit.

The future aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt and annual principal payments for capital leases and other at December 31, 2007 are:

 

     Debt    Capital Leases
and Other
   Total Debt

2008

   $ 2,182    $ 458    $ 2,640

2009

     2,182      422    $ 2,604

2010

     2,182      189    $ 2,371

2011

     198,738      140    $ 198,878

2012

     —        —      $ —  
                    

Total

   $ 205,284    $ 1,209    $ 206,493
                    

13. Preferred Stock

The holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends in preference to any dividend on the common stock at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum, when and if declared by the Board of Directors. Dividends of $14.4 million were declared on December 31, 2004 and paid on February 4, 2005. Dividends of $4.4 million were declared on April 8, 2005 and paid on April 11, 2005. Dividends of $12.2 million, $13.7 million and $9.2 million were declared on December 31, 2007, May 15, 2007 and December 31, 2005, respectively and classified as a long-term liability because payment is restricted by the Credit Agreement and management does not anticipate payment until after December 31, 2008, except in the event of certain future events, which are not considered probable at this time.

On April 11, 2005, 82,000 shares of preferred stock were redeemed for $82.0 million. The number of shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding prior to redemption was 256,785 and after redemption was 174,785.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

The holders of the Preferred Stock do not have voting rights except in certain corporate matters involving the priority and payment rights of such shares.

The Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into shares of common stock upon the closing of a public offering, on a pro rata basis between the original issue price of the preferred shares and the issue price of the common shares at the offering date, subject to certain restrictions. These shares are not included in the calculation of earnings per share.

Upon any dissolution or liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company legally available for distribution, after payments of all creditor claims and prior to the holders of the common stock, an amount equal to the original purchase price per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

14. Financial Instruments

The carrying values of financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated to approximate the carrying amount based on current interest rates for similar types of borrowings. The estimated fair values may not represent actual values of the financial instruments that could be realized as of the balance sheet date or that will be realized in the future.

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had a cross currency swap denominated in Euro with an aggregate notional value of approximately $23.2 million. During 2005, the U.S. dollar strengthened and the Company was able to exit the cross currency swap for zero cost. As a result, a gain of approximately $2.4 million was recorded in 2005, of which approximately $2.1 million was recorded as a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses and approximately $0.3 million was recorded in income from discontinued operations.

On July 1, 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate collar with an aggregate notional value of $90.0 million, whereby the Company exchanged its LIBOR-based variable rate interest for a ceiling of 4.75% and a floor of approximately 3.40%. The LIBOR-based interest can vary between the ceiling and floor based on market conditions. The fair value of the collar agreement, based upon third-party quotes, was approximately $0.1 million and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and are recorded in “Deferred loan costs, pension and other assets” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company has not elected hedge accounting for the collar agreement, and therefore movements in the fair value are recognized in income as a component of interest expense. The collar agreement expires on July 1, 2008.

As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company had copper futures contracts with notional values of $3.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The fair value of the contracts was a liability of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and is recorded in “Accrued liabilities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company has not elected hedge accounting for the futures contract, and therefore movements in the fair value are recognized as a component of cost of sales. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had nickel futures contracts with a notional value of $1.1 million. The fair value of the contract was a liability of $0.2 million, as of December 31, 2007, and is recorded in “Accrued liabilities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company has not elected hedge accounting for the futures contract, and therefore movements in the fair value are recognized as a component of cost of sales.

In 2001, as part of the demutualization of Prudential Insurance Company, the Company received 20,416 shares of Prudential common stock. These shares, which are classified as available-for-sale, had a fair value of $1.8 million at December 31, 2006. The Company has recorded a gain of $0.7 million in selling, general and administrative expenses and unrecognized gains of $0.7 million, net of $0.4 million tax expense, in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2006. In 2007, the Company disposed of all shares for net proceeds of $1.8 million. A gain of $1.1 million was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2007.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

15. Concentration of Credit Risk

In addition to interest rate swaps, financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable and marketable securities.

The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers prior to delivery or commencement of services and normally does not require collateral. Letters of credit are occasionally required for international customers when the Company deems necessary. Payments are typically due within thirty days of billing. The Company maintains an allowance for potential credit losses and losses have historically been within management’s expectations.

The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to financial instruments. Counterparties to the Company’s financial instruments represent, in general, international financial institutions or well-established financial institutions.

No one customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s sales in 2007, 2006 or 2005 or accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 or 2006.

16. Related Party Transactions

During 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company paid a management fee of $1.0 million to Colfax Towers in equal quarterly installments, a party related by common ownership, recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

17. Operations by Geographical Area

The Company operates in a single business segment for the design, production and distribution of fluid handling products. The operations of the Company on a geographic basis are as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2007    2006     2005  

Net sales by origin:

       

United States

   $ 173,713    $ 136,978     $ 131,219  

Europe

     320,654      249,028       212,296  

Asia

     11,938      7,598       1,963  
                       

Total net sales

   $ 506,305    $ 393,604     $ 345,478  
                       

Operating income:

       

United States

   $ 77,284    $ (12,297 )   $ 4,254  

Europe

     44,494      32,807       25,607  

Asia

     1,195      (1,697 )     (1,564 )

Other

     302      730       (733 )
                       

Total operating income

   $ 123,275    $ 19,543     $ 27,564  
                       

Identifiable assets:

       

United States

   $ 622,889    $ 554,729     $ 518,407  

Europe

     247,887      220,788       166,023  

Asia

     25,208      20,496       15,910  

Other

     556      1,213       234  
                       

Total identifiable assets

   $ 896,540    $ 797,226     $ 700,574  
                       

Net sales by final destination:

       

North America

   $ 119,782    $ 112,103     $ 108,323  

Europe

     239,556      192,430       162,953  

Asia and Australia

     83,164      52,237       44,468  

Canada

     10,946      8,898       9,189  

Central and South America

     17,394      9,427       6,987  

Middle East and Africa

     34,283      16,025       10,787  

Other

     1,180      2,484       2,771  
                       

Total net sales

   $ 506,305    $ 393,604     $ 345,478  
                       

Net sales by product:

       

Pumps, including aftermarket parts and service

   $ 441,692    $ 360,016     $ 313,224  

Systems, including installation service

     48,355      16,114       14,566  

Valves

     9,537      11,292       12,797  

Other

     6,721      6,182       4,891  
                       

Total net sales

   $ 506,305    $ 393,604     $ 345,478  
                       

 

F-30


Table of Contents

18. Commitments and Contingencies

Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Assets

Two of our subsidiaries are each one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos. Such components were acquired from third-party suppliers, and were not manufactured by any of our subsidiaries nor were the subsidiaries producers or direct suppliers of asbestos. The manufactured products that are alleged to have contained asbestos generally were provided to meet the specifications of the subsidiaries’ customers, including the U.S. Navy.

In most instances, the subsidiaries settle asbestos claims for amounts management considers reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each claim. The annual average settlement payment per asbestos claimant has fluctuated during the past several years, and management expects such fluctuations to continue in the future based upon, among other things, the number and type of claims settled in a particular period and the jurisdictions in which such claims arose. To date, the majority of settled claims have been dismissed for no payment.

Claims activity related to asbestos is as follows(1):

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005  

Claims unresolved at the beginning of the period

     50,020       59,217       65,165  

Claims filed(2)

     6,861       5,992       8,540  

Claims resolved(3)

     (19,327 )     (15,189 )     (14,488 )
                        

Claims unresolved at the end of the period

     37,554       50,020       59,217  
                        

Average cost of resolved claims (4)

   $ 5,232     $ 6,194     $ 8,896  

 

(1)   Excludes claims filed by one legal firm that have been “administratively dismissed.”
(2)   Claims filed include all asbestos claims for which notification has been received or a file has been opened.
(3)   Claims resolved include asbestos claims that have been settled or dismissed or that are in the process of being settled or dismissed based upon agreements or understandings in place with counsel for the claimants.
(4)   Average cost of settlement to resolve claims in whole dollars. These amounts exclude claims in Mississippi for which the majority of claims have historically been without merit and have been resolved for no payment. These amounts also exclude any potential insurance recoveries.

The Company has projected each subsidiary’s future asbestos-related liability costs with regard to pending and future unasserted claims based upon the Nicholson methodology. The Nicholson methodology is the standard approach used by most experts and has been accepted by numerous courts. This methodology is based upon risk equations, exposed population estimates, mortality rates, and other demographic statistics. In applying the Nicholson methodology for each subsidiary the Company performed: 1) an analysis of the estimated population likely to have been exposed or claim to have been exposed to products manufactured by the subsidiaries based upon national studies undertaken of the population of workers believed to have been exposed to asbestos; 2) the use of epidemiological and demographic studies to estimate the number of potentially exposed people that would be likely to develop asbestos-related diseases in each year; 3) an analysis of the subsidiaries’ recent claims history to estimate likely filing rates for these diseases; and 4) an analysis of the historical asbestos liability costs to develop average values, which vary by disease type, jurisdiction and the nature of claim, to determine an estimate of costs likely to be associated with currently pending and projected asbestos claims. The Company’s projections based upon the Nicholson methodology estimate both claims and the estimated cash outflows related to the resolution of such claims for periods up to and including the endpoint of asbestos studies referred to in item 2) above. It is the Company’s policy to record a liability for asbestos-related liability costs for the longest period of time that it can reasonably estimate.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

Projecting future asbestos-related liability costs is subject to numerous variables that are difficult to predict, including the number of claims that might be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in the claims, funds available in post-bankruptcy trusts, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform. Furthermore, any projections with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens. These trend factors have both positive and negative effects on the dynamics of asbestos litigation in the tort system and the related best estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability, and these effects do not move in linear fashion but rather change over multiple year periods. Accordingly the Company’s management monitors these trend factors over time and periodically assesses whether an alternative forecast period is appropriate. Taking these factors into account and the inherent uncertainties, the Company believes that it can reasonably estimate the asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims that will be resolved in the next 15 years and has recorded that liability as its best estimate. While it is reasonably possible that the subsidiaries will incur costs after this period, the Company does not believe the reasonably possible loss or range of reasonably possible loss is estimable at the current time. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be paid after the next 15 years. Defense costs associated with asbestos-related liabilities as well as costs incurred related to litigation against the subsidiaries’ insurers are expensed as incurred.

The Company assessed the subsidiaries’ existing insurance arrangements and agreements, determined the applicability of insurance coverage for existing and expected future claims, analyzed publicly available information bearing on the current creditworthiness and solvency of the various insurers and employed such insurance allocation methodologies as the Company believed appropriate to ascertain the probable insurance recoveries for asbestos liabilities. The analysis took into account self-insurance reserves, policy exclusions, pending litigation, liability caps and gaps in the Company’s coverage, allocation agreements, indemnity arrangements with third-parties, existing and potential insolvencies of insurers as well as how legal and defense costs will be covered under the insurance policies. Each subsidiary has separate, substantial primary, excess and umbrella insurance coverage resulting from the independent corporate history of each entity. In its evaluation of the insurance asset, in addition to the criteria listed above, the Company used differing insurance allocation methodologies for each subsidiary based upon the state law that will or is likely to apply for that subsidiary.

For the one subsidiary, although presently no cost sharing or allocation agreement is in place with the Company’s excess insurers, the Company believes that based upon application of an insurance allocation methodology, which is used in certain states, including Florida and Massachusetts, and in accordance with prevailing law, that recovery is probable from such insurers for approximately 67% of the liability and defense costs after the exhaustion of primary and umbrella layers of insurance. This allocation methodology, known as the “all sums” approach, allows the policyholder to select any policy year triggered by the claim. Under this methodology, each policy provides indemnity for all amounts that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the policy language. The Company uses this allocation methodology because it is the most likely methodology based upon the corporate history of the subsidiary and that of its primary insurer which are domiciled in either Florida or Massachusetts. The primary and umbrella insurer historically has paid all liability and legal defense costs. In 2006, this insurer asserted that certain insurance policies contained deductibles. As a result, the Company established a reserve of $7.5 million as a reduction of its asbestos insurance asset at December 31, 2007 and as a reduction of its long-term asbestos insurance asset at December 31, 2006, for the probable and reasonably estimable liability the Company expects related to these deductibles under the primary insurance policies.

For the other subsidiary it was determined by court ruling in the fourth quarter of 2007, that the allocation methodology mandated by the New Jersey courts will apply. This allocation methodology, referred to as the Carter-Wallace methodology, was applied in the New Jersey Supreme Court in the case of Carter-Wallace, Inc. v. Admiral Ins. Co., 154 N.J. 312 (N.J. 1998), which provides that the loss is allocated to each policy year based on the proportion of the policyholder’s total triggered coverage that was purchased in that year. Based

 

F-32


Table of Contents

upon this ruling and upon a series of other favorable rulings regarding interpretation of certain policy provisions related to deductibles, the number of occurrences and the resulting calculation, the Company increased its expected recovery percentage to 87.5% from 75% of all liability costs recorded after September 28, 2007 and revalued its insurance asset at that date. For the period between December 31, 2005 and September 28, 2007, the Company had estimated that recovery was probable for 75% of all liability costs paid and 85% of defense costs paid. Prior to December 31, 2005, the Company had estimated that recovery was probable for two-thirds of all liabilities paid.

For this subsidiary, until June 2004, based upon an interim agreement, the subsidiary’s primary insurers paid at least two-thirds of liability costs and all defense costs. In 2003, the subsidiary brought legal action against a large number of its insurers and its former parent to resolve a variety of disputes concerning insurance for asbestos bodily injury claims asserted against it. Although none of these defendant insurance companies contested coverage, they disputed the timing, reasonableness and allocation of payments. One of the primary insurers and one of the excess insurers stopped or severely reduced payments alleging that its policies were exhausted and the subsidiary began paying various amounts of its liability and defense costs during 2004. The Company historically had recorded a receivable for any amounts paid above the expected insurance recovery percent for that period which the Company considered recovery probable. As of December 31, 2007, based upon (i) application of the New Jersey allocation model, (ii) court records indicating the Court was likely to order insurers to reimburse the subsidiary for past costs and (iii) the receipt of $58.0 million in cash from certain insurers during the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a receivable for all past liability and defense cost for which it believes recovery is probable.

In 2007, certain insurance carriers agreed to settle with this subsidiary by reimbursing the subsidiary for amounts it paid for liability and defense costs as well as entering into formal agreements detailing the payments of future liability and defense costs in an agreed to allocation. In addition, a number of non-settling insurance carriers have paid significant amounts for liability and defense costs paid by the subsidiary in the past and continue to pay a share of costs as they are incurred. The subsidiary received approximately $65.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, of which approximately $49.4 million represents reimbursement of past cost, which reduced the Company’s outstanding insurance receivables, and approximately $16.1 million represents settlement in full for future costs not yet incurred by the subsidiary. Of the $16.1 million, approximately $7.6 million relates to insurance policies which are triggered within the Company’s 15 year-estimate of asbestos-related liability and as such were recorded as a reduction to the insurance asset, while, approximately $8.5 million relates to insurance policies which were not included in the Company’s 15 year estimate of asbestos-related liability cost and, as such, were recorded as income in Legacy asbestos (income) expense. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, the subsidiary received an additional $1.7 million in reimbursement of past cost from an insurer and another $0.9 million from an insurer previously considered insolvent. Presently certain insurers are paying approximately 36.8% of costs for current asbestos-related liability and defense cost.

Based on the analysis referred to above, the Company has established reserves of $376.2 million and $388.9 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for the probable and reasonably estimable asbestos-related liabilities it believes the subsidiaries will pay through the next 15 years, and has also established recoverables of $305.2 million and $297.1 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for the insurance recoveries that are deemed probable during the same time period. Net of these recoverables, the subsidiaries’ expected cash outlay on a non-discounted basis for asbestos-related bodily injury claims over the next 15 years was estimated to be $71.0 million and $91.8 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company has recorded the reserves for the asbestos liabilities as “Accrued asbestos liability” and “Long-term asbestos liability” and the related insurance recoveries as “Asbestos insurance asset” and “Long-term asbestos insurance asset” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition the Company has recorded a receivable for liability and defense costs it had previously paid in the amount of $44.7 million and $41.1 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for which insurance recovery is deemed probable. These amounts are included in “Asbestos insurance receivable” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

The (income) expense related to these liabilities and legal defense was $(65.2) million, $21.8 million and $14.3 million, net of estimated insurance recoveries, for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Legal costs related to the subsidiaries’ action against their asbestos insurers were $14.9 million, $12.0 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. All of these amounts are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in “Legacy asbestos (income) expense.”

Management’s analyses are based on currently known facts and a number of assumptions. However, projecting future events, such as new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of resolving each claim, coverage issues among layers of insurers, the method in which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies, interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships, the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, the amount of remaining insurance available, as well as the numerous uncertainties inherent in asbestos litigation could cause the actual liabilities and insurance recoveries to be higher or lower than those projected or recorded which could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

General Litigation

One of the Company’s subsidiaries is a defendant in a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia alleging breach of contract arising from the sale of a steam turbine delivered by the Company’s former Delaval Turbine Division and claiming damages in excess of $6.0 million (Canadian). In 2002, the plaintiff amended its complaint to add claims for negligence. The Company believes that there are legal and factual defenses to the claim and intends to defend the action vigorously. A trial date has been set for November 2008.

On June 3, 1997, one of the Company’s subsidiaries was served with a complaint in a case brought in the Superior Court of New Jersey which alleges damages in excess of $10.0 million incurred as a result of losses under a government contract bid transferred in connection with the sale of the Company’s former Electro-Optical Systems business. The Electro-Optical Systems business was sold in a transaction that closed on June 2, 1995. The sales contract provided certain representations and warranties as to the status of the business at the time of sale. The complaint alleges that the subsidiary failed to provide notice of a “reasonably anticipated loss” under a bid that was pending at the time of the transfer of the business and therefore a representation was breached. In the third quarter of 2004 this case was tried and the jury rendered a verdict of $2.1 million for the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have argued that they are entitled to a refund of their attorney’s fees and costs of trial as a matter of law and contract. The subsidiary believes it is not obligated to pay these costs. In November 2006 the Court entered an Amended Final Judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in the amount of $8.9 million, including prejudgment interest. This amount is recorded in “Other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The judgment is secured by a letter of credit under the Company’s existing credit facility. Both the subsidiary and the plaintiff appealed. On January 28, 2008, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court affirmed the total award and ordered a new trial on certain portions of the plaintiffs’ claim. The subsidiary petitioned for reconsideration of the decision which was denied on February 28, 2008. The subsidiary intends to seek certification from the Supreme Court of New Jersey for appeal. The subsidiary believes that there are legal and factual defenses to the claims and intends to continue to defend the action vigorously.

The Company was a defendant in an action brought by the landlord of one of its subsidiaries for rent. In March 2006, a jury found in part for the landlord, awarding the landlord $1.6 million for rent and $1.2 million in attorney’s fees. The Company has appealed this judgment.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also involved in various other pending legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of the Company’s business. None of these legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flow of the Company. With respect to these proceedings and the litigation and claims described in the preceding paragraphs, management of the Company believes that it will either prevail, has adequate insurance coverage or has

 

F-34


Table of Contents

established appropriate reserves to cover potential liabilities. Any costs that management estimates may be paid related to these proceedings or claims are accrued when the liability is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. There can be no assurance, however, as to the ultimate outcome of any of these matters, and if all or substantially all of these legal proceedings were to be determined adversely to the Company, there could be a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flow of the Company.

Minimum Lease Obligations

The Company has the following minimum rental obligations under non-cancelable operating leases for certain property, plant and equipment. The remaining lease terms range from 1 to 6 years.

 

Year ended December 31,

  

2008

   $ 3,807

2009

     2,765

2010

     1,929

2011

     840

2012

     709

Thereafter

     —  
      

Total

   $ 10,050
      

Net rental expense under operating leases was approximately $4.6 million, $3.3 million and $3.5 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

19. Subsequent Events

In January 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a registration statement on Form S-1 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s common stock. In connection with the Company’s initial public offering, on April 21, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a restatement of the capital accounts of the Company through an amendment of the Company’s certificate of incorporation to provide for a stock split to convert each share of common stock issued and outstanding into 13,436.22841 shares of common stock. The accompanying consolidated financial statements give retroactive effect as though the stock split of the Company’s common stock occurred for all periods presented.

Also on April 21, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders approved the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Under this plan, the Company has reserved up to 6.5 million shares of common stock for potential issuance as stock-based awards.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

COLFAX CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Balance at
Beginning
of Period
   Charged to
Cost and
Expenses
   Charged to
Other
Accounts
    Write offs,
Write
Downs &
Deductions
    Foreign
Currency
Translation
    Balance
at End of
Period

Year Ended December 31, 2007

              

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 1,650    964    (10 )(a)   (909 )   117     $ 1,812

Allowance for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory

   $ 6,412    1,735    144 (a)   (1,309 )   607     $ 7,589

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

   $ 24,386    —      —       —       —       $ 24,386

Year Ended December 31, 2006

              

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 1,306    507    230 (a)   (486 )   93     $ 1,650

Allowance for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory

   $ 5,562    620    —       (239 )   469     $ 6,412

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

   $ 24,506    —      —       (120 )   —       $ 24,386

Year Ended December 31, 2005

              

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 1,846    283    7 (a)   (687 )   (143 )   $ 1,306

Allowance for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory

   $ 5,385    3,289    366 (a)   (2,958 )   (520 )   $ 5,562

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

   $ 17,096    7,410    —       —       —       $ 24,506

 

(a)   Amounts related to businesses acquired and related adjustments.

 

F-36


Table of Contents

 

 

Through and including                     , 2008 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

 

18,750,000 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

P R O S P E C T U S

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

Lehman Brothers

UBS Investment Bank

Robert W. Baird & Co.

Banc of America Securities LLC

Deutsche Bank Securities

KeyBanc Capital Markets

                    , 2008

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.     Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discount, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale of common stock being registered. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fees.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 14,406

FINRA filing fee

   $ 30,500

New York Stock Exchange listing fee

   $ 200,000

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ 400,000

Legal fees and expenses

   $ 2,000,000

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ 2,400,000

Blue Sky fees and expenses (including legal fees)

   $ 5,000

Miscellaneous

   $ 450,094
      

Total

   $ 5,500,000
      

The Registrant will bear all expenses shown above.

Item 14.     Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, (the “Delaware General Corporation Law”), provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law states that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the

 

II-1


Table of Contents

court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Section 145(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law states that any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145. Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (4) by the stockholders.

Section 145(f) of the Delaware General Corporation Law states that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

Section 145(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of Section 145.

Section 145(j) of the Delaware General Corporation Law states that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Certificate of Incorporation. The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this provision of the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders; (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this provision of the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation shall be prospective only and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of, or any limitation of the liability of, a director of the Registrant existing at, or arising out of facts or incidents occurring prior to, the effective date of such repeal or modification.

 

II-2


Table of Contents

Bylaws. The Registrant’s amended and restated bylaws provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The bylaws provide that each person who was or is made a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Registrant shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Registrant to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL against all expense, liability and loss, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, incurred by such person in connection therewith, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant and had no reason to believe that such person’s conduct was illegal.

Insurance. The Registrant maintains directors and officers liability insurance, which covers directors and officers of the Registrant against certain claims or liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties.

Indemnification Agreements. The Registrant intends to enter into agreements to indemnify its directors and executive officers. These agreements, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto, will provide for indemnification of the Registrant’s directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL against all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any such person in actions or proceedings, including actions by the Registrant or in its right, arising out of such person’s services as a director or executive officer of the Registrant, any subsidiary of the Registrant or any other company or enterprise to which the person provided services at the Registrant’s request.

Purchase Agreements. The Registrant’s purchase agreement with the underwriters will provide for the indemnification of the directors and officers of the Registrant against specified liabilities related to the prospectus under the Securities Act in certain circumstances.

Item 15.     Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

None.

Item 16.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibits

The exhibits to this registration statement are listed on the exhibit index, which appears elsewhere herein and is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (which schedule is included in the financial statements contained in the prospectus)

Item 17.     Undertakings.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the purchase agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the

 

II-3


Table of Contents

Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) For the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

i. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

ii. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

iii. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

iv. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Richmond, Virginia, on this 1st day of May, 2008.

 

 

COLFAX CORPORATION
By:  

/s/    JOHN A. YOUNG        

  John A. Young
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    JOHN A. YOUNG        

John A. Young

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

  May 1, 2008

/s/    G. SCOTT FAISON        

G. Scott Faison

  

Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  May 1, 2008

*

Mitchell P. Rales

   Director   May 1, 2008

*

Steven M. Rales

   Director   May 1, 2008

 

*By:

 

/s/    JOHN A. YOUNG        

 

John A. Young

Attorney-in-fact

 

II-5


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

   

Description

  1.1    

Form of Purchase Agreement

  3.1   **  

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company

  3.2   **  

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

  3.3   **  

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

  3.4   **  

Bylaws of the Company

  3.5    

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (to become effective upon completion of the offering)

  3.6    

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (to become effective upon completion of the offering)

  4.1    

Specimen Common Stock Certificate

  5.1   **  

Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP

10.1   **  

Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

10.1a    

Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for grants pursuant to the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

10.1b    

Form of Performance Stock Unit Agreement for grants pursuant to the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

10.1c    

Form of Outside Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grants pursuant to the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

10.1d    

Form of Outside Director Deferred Stock Unit Agreement for grants pursuant to the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

10.1e    

Form of Outside Director Deferred Stock Unit Agreement for deferral of grants of restricted stock made pursuant to the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

10.1f    

Form of Outside Director Deferred Stock Unit Agreement for deferral of director fees

10.2   **  

Service Contract for Board Member, dated November 14, 2006, between the Company and Dr. Michael Matros.

10.3    

Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between the Company and each of its directors and officers.

10.4   **  

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2003, between Colfax Corporation and certain stockholders named therein.

10.5   **  

Colfax Corporation Amended and Restated Excess Benefit Plan

10.6   **  

Retirement Plan for salaried U.S. Employees of Imo Industries, Inc. and Affiliates

10.7   **  

Colfax Corporation Excess Benefit Plan

10.8   **  

Allweiler AG Company Pension Plan

10.9   **  

Colfax Corporation Director Deferred Compensation Plan

10.10    

Employment Agreement between Colfax Corporation and John A. Young

10.11 **  

Employment Agreement between Colfax Corporation and Thomas M. O’Brien

10.12 **  

Employment Agreement between Colfax Corporation and Michael K. Dwyer

10.13     Employment Agreement between Colfax Corporation and G. Scott Faison
10.14     Form of Deferred Delivery Stock Ownership Agreement for former employees
10.15     Form of Deferred Delivery Stock Ownership Agreement for current employees

 

II-6


Table of Contents

Exhibit
No.

   

Description

21.1   **  

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.1      

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

23.2   **  

Consent of Hogan & Hartson LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

24.1   **  

Powers of Attorney

99.1   **  

Consent of Patrick W. Allender to be named as a director nominee

99.2   **  

Consent of C. Scott Brannan to be named as a director nominee

99.3   **  

Consent of Joseph O. Bunting III to be named as a director nominee

99.4   **  

Consent of Thomas S. Gayner to be named as a director nominee

99.5   **  

Consent of Clay Kiefaber to be named as a director nominee

99.6   **  

Consent of Rajiv Vinnakota to be named as a director nominee

 

*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed

 

II-7

Exhibit 1.1

Exhibit 1.1

 

 

 

COLFAX CORPORATION

(a Delaware corporation)

18,750,000 Shares of Common Stock

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Dated: [], 2008

 

 

 

 


COLFAX CORPORATION

(a Delaware corporation)

18,750,000 Shares of Common Stock

(Par Value $0.001 Per Share)

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

[], 2008

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

Lehman Brothers Inc.

745 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

UBS Securities LLC

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171

as Representatives of the several Underwriters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the persons listed in Schedule B hereto (the “Selling Stockholders”), confirm their respective agreements with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to (i) the sale by the Company and the Selling Stockholders, acting severally and not jointly, and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) set forth in Schedules A and B hereto and (ii) the grant by the Company to the Underwriters of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 2,812,500 additional shares of Common Stock to cover overallotments, if any. The aforesaid 18,750,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Initial Securities”) to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the 2,812,500 shares of Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “Option Securities”) are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Securities.”

The Company and the Selling Stockholders understand that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.


The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree that up to 937,500 shares of the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters (the “Reserved Securities”) shall be reserved for sale by the Underwriters to certain eligible employees and persons having business relationships with the Company (the “Invitees”), as part of the distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. To the extent that such Reserved Securities are not orally confirmed for purchase by Invitees by 9:00 a.m. New York City Time on the first business day following the date of this Agreement, such Reserved Securities may be offered to the public as part of the public offering contemplated hereby.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-148486), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses, covering the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (“Rule 430A”) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”) and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 (“Rule 424(b)”) of the 1933 Act Regulations. The information included in such prospectus that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as “Rule 430A Information.” Each prospectus used before such registration statement became effective, and any prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a “preliminary prospectus.” Such registration statement, including the amendments thereto, the exhibits and any schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, and including the Rule 430A Information, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,” and after such filing the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final prospectus in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities is herein called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”).

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time referred to in Section 1(a)(i) hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with.

At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective and at the Closing Time

 

2


(and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus and any supplement thereto or prospectus wrapper prepared in connection therewith, at their respective times of issuance and at the Closing Time, complied and will comply in all material respects with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Prospectus and such preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the offer and sale of Reserved Securities. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto (including any prospectus wrapper), at the time the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement was issued and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

As of the Applicable Time (as defined below), neither (x) the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Applicable Time and the Statutory Prospectus (as defined below) as of the Applicable Time and the information included on Schedule C hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), nor (y) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:

“Applicable Time” means [] [a/p]m (Eastern time) on [] or such other time as agreed by the Company and Merrill Lynch.

“Statutory Prospectus” as of any time means the prospectus relating to the Securities that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time, including any document incorporated by reference therein.

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), relating to the Securities that (i) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) is a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) whether or not required to be filed with the Commission or (iii) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

“Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show (as defined below)), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule E hereto.

“Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

 

3


The Company has made available a “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433, in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”) such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Securities.

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the issuer notified or notifies the Representatives as described in the last sentence of Section 3(e) hereof, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.

The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.

Each preliminary prospectus (including the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto) complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

At the time of filing the Registration Statement, any 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act Regulations.

(ii) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young LLP, who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

(iii) Financial Statements. The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved; provided, however, that those financial statements that are unaudited are subject to year-end adjustments and do not contain all footnotes that may be required under GAAP for annual financial statements. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement. The pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information

 

4


shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the 1934 Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the 1933 Act, to the extent applicable.

(iv) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(v) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(vi) Good Standing of Subsidiaries. Each subsidiary of the Company shall be considered such only from and after the date of its acquisition by the Company unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise. Each subsidiary of the Company set forth on Exhibit A hereto (the “Subsidiaries”) has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has the corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership power, as the case may be, and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock, limited liability company interests or limited partnership interests, as the case may be, of each such Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock, limited liability company interests or limited partnership interests, as the case may be, of any Subsidiary was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder, member or partner, as the case may be, of such Subsidiary.

(vii) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus in the column entitled “Actual” under the caption

 

5


“Capitalization” (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Prospectus or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Prospectus). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock, including the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Selling Stockholders, have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock, including the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Selling Stockholders, was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(viii) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(ix) Authorization and Description of Securities. The Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; the Common Stock conforms in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus and such description conforms to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of the Securities will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance of the Securities is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(x) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws, operating agreement, partnership agreement, or other organizational documents, as applicable, or (ii) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”) except, in the case of clause (ii), for such defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Repayment Events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of (i) the provisions of the charter or by-laws, operating agreement, partnership agreement or other organizational documents, as applicable, of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (ii) any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary or any of their assets, properties or operations, except, in the case of clause (ii), for such violations that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the

 

6


right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any subsidiary.

(xi) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any subsidiary’s principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, which, in either case, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xii) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any subsidiary, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein), or which might result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

(xiii) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

(xiv) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xv) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (i) filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which will be made on or prior to the Closing Time, (ii) such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws and (iii) such as have been obtained under the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United States in which the Reserved Securities are offered.

(xvi) Absence of Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

7


(xvii) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xviii) Title to Property. The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are described in the Prospectus or (b) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.

(xix) Investment Company Act. The Company is not required, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus will not be required, to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

(xx) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Registration Statement or except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code or rule of common law or any applicable judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials or toxic mold (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required for their respective operations as currently operated under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending (or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened) administrative,

 

8


regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation or investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) to the knowledge of the Company there are no events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

(xxi) Registration Rights. Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the 1933 Act.

(xxii) Accounting Controls. The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (1) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (2) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(xxiii) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it will be in compliance in all material respects with all provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) that are then in effect and which the Company is required to comply with as of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and is actively taking steps to ensure that it will be in compliance with other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act not currently applicable to it, which will become applicable to the Company following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

(xxiv) Payment of Taxes. All United States federal income tax returns of the Company and its subsidiaries required by law to be filed have been filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which appeals have been or will be promptly taken and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all other tax returns that are required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law except insofar as the failure to file such returns would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and its subsidiaries, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9


(xxv) Insurance. Except as described in the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance, with financially sound and reputable insurers, in such amounts and covering such risks as is generally maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business, and all such insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any subsidiary will not be able (A) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (B) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that none of the Company nor any of its subsidiaries makes any representation concerning its ability to renew or obtain insurance coverage for any asbestos related claims or liabilities.

(xxvi) Statistical and Market-Related Data. Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and, where required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources requiring consent.

(xxvii) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xxviii) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries do business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency within such jurisdictions (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(xxix) OFAC. The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) has not imposed any economic sanctions against the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that is currently the target of any material U.S. economic sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

10


(xxx) Reserved Securities Sales. The Company has not offered, or caused the Representatives to offer, Reserved Securities to any person with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any of its affiliates to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with any such entity or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any of its affiliates, or their respective businesses or products.

(b) Representations and Warranties by the Selling Stockholders. Each Selling Stockholder severally and not jointly represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Time and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Accurate Disclosure. Such Selling Stockholder has reviewed and is familiar with the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and none of the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus any amendments or supplements thereto (including any prospectus wrapper) includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the preceding sentence applies only to the extent than any statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements (including any prospectus wrapper) thereto are based on written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein. Each Selling Stockholder is not prompted to sell the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder by any information concerning the Company or any subsidiary of the Company which is not set forth in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

(ii) Authorization of this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder.

(iii) Noncontravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the sale and delivery of the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and compliance by such Selling Stockholder with its obligations hereunder do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, (i) conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any tax, lien, charge or encumbrance upon the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder or any property or assets of such Selling Stockholder pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, license, lease or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of such Selling Stockholder is subject, except for those that would not adversely affect such Selling Stockholder’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder, or (ii) result in any violation of (a) the provisions of the charter or by-laws or other organizational instrument of such Selling Stockholder, if applicable, or (b) any applicable treaty, law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over such Selling Stockholder or any of its properties, except, in the cases of clause (i) or clause (ii)(b), for such conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults as would not materially impair the consummation of the obligations of the Selling Stockholders hereunder and thereunder.

(iv) Valid Title. Such Selling Stockholder has, except to the extent that the Securities will be acquired by such Selling Stockholder upon the conversion of shares of preferred stock of the Company immediately upon the Closing Time, and at the Closing Time will have, valid title,

 

11


or valid “security entitlement” within the meaning of Sections 8-102 and 8-501 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect the State of New York (the “UCC”), to the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder free and clear of all security interests, claims, liens, equities or other encumbrances and the legal right and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter into this Agreement and to sell, transfer and deliver the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder.

(v) Delivery of Securities. Upon the Underwriters paying the purchase price for the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement, delivery of such Securities, as directed by the Underwriters, to Cede & Co. (“Cede”) or such other nominee as may be designated by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) (unless delivery of such shares is unnecessary because such shares are already in possession of Cede or such nominee), registration of such Securities in the name of Cede or such other nominee (unless registration of such shares is unnecessary because such shares are already registered in the name of Cede or such nominee), and the crediting of such Securities on the books of DTC to securities accounts of the Underwriters (assuming that neither DTC nor any such Underwriter has notice of any “adverse claim,” within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the UCC, to such Securities), (A) DTC shall be a “protected purchaser,” within the meaning of Section 8-303 of the UCC, of such Securities and will acquire its interest in the Securities (including, without limitation, all rights that such Selling Stockholder had or has the power to transfer in such Securities) free and clear of any adverse claim within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, (B) under Section 8-501 of the UCC, the Underwriters will acquire a valid security entitlement in respect of such Securities and (C) no action (whether framed in conversion, replevin, constructive trust, equitable lien, or other theory) based on any “adverse claim,” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, to such Securities may be asserted against the Underwriters with respect to such security entitlement; for purposes of this representation, such Selling Stockholder may assume that when such payment, delivery (if necessary) and crediting occur, (x) such Securities will have been registered in the name of Cede or another nominee designated by DTC, in each case on the Company’s share registry in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law, (y) DTC will be registered as a “clearing corporation,” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, and (z) appropriate entries to the accounts of the several Underwriters on the records of DTC will have been made pursuant to the UCC.

(vi) Absence of Manipulation. Such Selling Stockholder has not taken, and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or would reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(vii) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the performance by each Selling Stockholder of its obligations hereunder or in connection with the sale and delivery of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (i) such as may have previously been made or obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws and (ii) such as have been obtained under the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United States in which the Reserved Securities are offered.

(viii) No Association with FINRA. Neither such Selling Stockholder nor any of its affiliates directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by,

 

12


or is under common control with, or is a person associated with (within the meaning of Article I (rr) of the By-laws of the FINRA), any member firm of FINRA.

(ix) Reserved Securities Sales. Such Selling Stockholder has not offered, or caused the Representatives to offer, Reserved Securities to any person with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any of its affiliates to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with any such entity or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any of its affiliates, or their respective businesses or products.

(x) No Sales on Non-public Information. Such Selling Stockholder is not prompted to sell Securities by any information concerning the Company that is not set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(c) Officer’s Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby; and any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholders as such and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such Selling Stockholder to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.

(a) Initial Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, agree to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company and each Selling Stockholder, at the price per share set forth in Schedule C, that proportion of the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule B opposite the name of the Company or such Selling Stockholder, as the case may be, which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject, in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional securities.

(b) Option Securities. In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters to purchase up to an additional 2,812,500 shares of Common Stock at the price per share set forth in Schedule C, less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering overallotments that may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by Merrill Lynch to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery, which may not be earlier than the Closing Time (a “Date of Delivery”), shall be determined by Merrill Lynch, but if at any time other than the Closing Time, shall not be earlier than two nor later than seven full business days after delivery of such notice of exercise. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial

 

13


Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as Merrill Lynch in its discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

(c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, 10022, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Stockholders, at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Stockholders (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Time”).

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company.

Payment shall be made to the Company and the Selling Stockholders by wire transfer of immediately available funds to bank accounts designated by the Company and each Selling Stockholder, as the case may be, against delivery through the facilities of DTC to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

(d) Denominations; Registration. The Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, shall be delivered to the Representative for the respective accounts of the Underwriters through the facilities of DTC and credited to such accounts and in such denominations as the Representatives may request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company and the Selling Stockholders. The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A, and will notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of

 

14


the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will effect the filings required under Rule 424(b), in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every commercially reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Filing of Amendments and Exchange Act Documents. The Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, and will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall object. The Company has given the Representatives notice of any filings made pursuant to the 1934 Act or 1934 Act Regulations within 48 hours prior to the Applicable Time; the Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to make any such filing from the Applicable Time to the Closing Time and will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, upon request, without charge, conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, upon request, a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply

 

15


with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement relating to the Securities or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

(f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Rule 158. The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(h) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(i) Listing. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the listing of the Common Stock on The New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) Stock Exchange.

(j) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, (i) directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any share of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any of the foregoing. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Securities to be sold hereunder, (B) any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof and referred to in the Prospectus, (C) any shares of Common Stock issued or options to purchase Common Stock granted pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Company approved by the board of directors of the Company, (D) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any non-employee director stock plan or dividend reinvestment plan, (E) issue any shares of Common Stock to owners of

 

16


businesses which the Company may acquire in the future, whether by merger, acquisition of assets or capital stock or otherwise, as consideration for the acquisition of such businesses or to management employees of such businesses in connection with such acquisitions; provided that no more than an aggregate of 10% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Closing Time are issued as consideration in connection with all such acquisitions; provided further, that Merrill Lynch receive a signed lock-up agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto for the balance of the 180-day restricted period from the recipients receiving Common Stock in connection with such acquisitions, (F) any rights issued under any shareholder rights plan adopted by the Company or (G) any registration statement on Form S-8 under the 1933 Act with respect to the foregoing or, with respect to (E) only, a registration statement on Form S-4 under the 1933 Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions imposed in this clause (j) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

(k) Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(l) Compliance with FINRA Rules. The Company hereby agrees that it will ensure that the Reserved Securities will, if applicable, be restricted as required by the FINRA or the NASD rules from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation for a period of three months following the date of this Agreement. The Underwriters will notify the Company as to which persons will need to be so restricted. At the request of the Underwriters, the Company will direct the transfer agent to place a stop transfer restriction upon such securities for such period of time. Should the Company release, or seek to release, from such restrictions any of the Reserved Securities, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for any reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, legal expenses) they incur in connection with such release.

(m) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Each of the Company and each Selling Stockholder represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission or, in the case of each Selling Stockholder, whether or not required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company and the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” Each of the Company and each Selling Stockholder represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses.

(a) Expenses. The Company will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its and the Selling Stockholders’ obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the

 

17


preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Underwriters to investors, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (viii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar for the Securities, (ix) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show, (x) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the NYSE, (xii) all costs and expenses of the Underwriters, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters, in connection with matters related to the Reserved Securities which are designated by the Company for sale to Invitees.

(b) Expenses of the Selling Stockholders. The Selling Stockholders, jointly and severally, will pay all expenses incident to the performance of their respective obligations under, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) any stamp duties, capital duties and stock transfer taxes, if any, payable upon the sale of the Securities to the Underwriters, and their transfer between the Underwriters pursuant to an agreement between such Underwriters, and (ii) the fees and disbursements of their respective counsel and other advisors.

(c) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5, Section 9(a)(i) or Section 11 hereof, the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

(d) Allocation of Expenses. The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement that the Company and the Selling Stockholders may make for the sharing of such costs and expenses.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Stockholders contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or on behalf of any Selling Stockholder delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the

 

18


effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time frame required by Rule 424(b) without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A.

(b) Opinion of Counsel for Company. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Hogan & Hartson LLP, counsel for the Company, in form and substance hitherto agreed with counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(c) Opinion of Swedish Counsel for Company. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Advokatfirman Vinge KB, Swedish counsel for the Company, in form and substance hitherto agreed with counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(d) Opinion of German Counsel for Company. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Hogan & Hartson LLP, German counsel for the Company, in form and substance hitherto agreed with counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Selling Stockholders. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Hogan & Hartson LLP, counsel for the Selling Stockholders, in form and substance hitherto agreed with counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(f) Opinion of General Counsel of the Company. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Thomas M. O’Brien, Esq., General Counsel of the Company, in form and substance hitherto agreed with counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(g) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York, the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(h) Officers’ Certificate. At Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same

 

19


force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated by the Commission.

(i) Certificate of Selling Stockholders. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of an Attorney-in-Fact on behalf of each Selling Stockholder, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) the representations and warranties of each Selling Stockholder contained in Section 1(b) hereof are true and correct in all respects with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time and (ii) each Selling Stockholder has complied in all material respects with all agreements and all conditions on its part to be performed under this Agreement at or prior to Closing Time.

(j) Accountant’s Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

(k) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (j) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.

(l) Approval of Listing. At Closing Time, the Securities shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance.

(m) No Objection. FINRA has confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(n) Lock-up Agreements. At the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto signed by the persons listed on Schedule D hereto.

(o) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities. In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company and any subsidiary of the Company hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the Representatives shall have received:

(i) Officers’ Certificate. A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the President or a Vice President of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company confirming that the certificate delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(e) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(ii) Opinion of Counsel for Company. The favorable opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP, counsel for the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on

 

20


such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof.

(iii) Opinion of Swedish Counsel for Company. The favorable opinion of Advokatfirman Vinge KB, Swedish counsel for the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

(iv) Opinion of German Counsel for Company. The favorable opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP, German counsel for the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(d) hereof.

(v) Opinion of General Counsel of the Company. The favorable opinion of Thomas M. O’Brien, Esq., General Counsel of the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(f) hereof.

(vi) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. The favorable opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(g) hereof.

(vii) Bring-down Comfort Letter. A letter from Ernst & Young LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(j) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than five days prior to such Date of Delivery.

(p) Additional Documents. At Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company and the Selling Stockholders in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

(q) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholders at any time at or prior to Closing Time or such Date of Delivery, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

21


SECTION 6. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters. The Company and the Selling Stockholders, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act (each, an “Affiliate”), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(c) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company and the Selling Stockholders;

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill Lynch), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, further, that each Selling Stockholder shall be subject to liability only to the extent that the untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is based upon written information provided by such Selling Stockholder specifically for use therein and shall be liable only to the extent of the net proceeds received by the Selling Stockholder from the sale of its Securities.

(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers and Selling Stockholders. Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, and each Selling Stockholder against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information or any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free

 

22


Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a) or settlement of any claim in connection with any violation referred to in Section 6(e) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

(e) Indemnification for Reserved Securities. In connection with the offer and sale of the Reserved Securities, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters, their Affiliates and selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending, investigating or settling any such action or claim), as incurred, (i) arising out of the violation of any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Reserved Securities have been offered; (ii) arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any prospectus wrapper or other material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Invitees in connection with the offering of the Reserved Securities or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (iii) caused by the failure of any Invitee to pay for and accept delivery of Reserved Securities which have been orally confirmed for purchase by any Invitee by 9:00 a.m. New York City Time on the first business day after the date of this

 

23


Agreement; or (iv) related to, or arising out of or in connection with, the offering of the Reserved Securities.

(f) Other Agreements with Respect to Indemnification. The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement among the Company and the Selling Stockholders with respect to indemnification.

SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions, or in connection with any violation of the nature referred to in Section 6(e) hereof, which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Selling Stockholders or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or any violation of the nature referred to in Section 6(e) hereof.

The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

24


No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each Underwriter’s Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Selling Stockholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company or such Selling Stockholder, as the case may be. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement among the Company and the Selling Stockholders with respect to contribution.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the Selling Stockholders submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors, any person controlling the Company or any person controlling any Selling Stockholder and (ii) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement.

(a) Termination; General. The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholders, at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the NYSE, or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the NYSE or in the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (iv) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

(b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

25


SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time or a Date of Delivery to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing Time, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such Date of Delivery shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, either the (i) Representatives or (ii) the Company and any Selling Stockholder shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Default by one or more of the Selling Stockholders or the Company. (a) If a Selling Stockholder shall fail at Closing Time to sell and deliver the number of Securities which such Selling Stockholder or Selling Stockholders are obligated to sell hereunder, and the remaining Selling Stockholders do not exercise the right hereby granted to increase, pro rata or otherwise, the number of Securities to be sold by them hereunder to the total number to be sold by all Selling Stockholders as set forth in Schedule B hereto, then the Underwriters may, at option of the Representatives, by notice from the Representatives to the Company and the non-defaulting Selling Stockholders, either (i) terminate this Agreement without any liability on the fault of any non-defaulting party except that the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 shall remain in full force and effect or (ii) elect to purchase the Securities which the non-defaulting Selling Stockholders and the Company have agreed to sell hereunder. No action taken pursuant to this Section 11 shall relieve any Selling Stockholder so defaulting from liability, if any, in respect of such default.

In the event of a default by any Selling Stockholder as referred to in this Section 11, each of the Representatives, the Company and the non-defaulting Selling Stockholders shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or Date of Delivery for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required change in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.

 

26


(b) If the Company shall fail at Closing Time or at the Date of Delivery to sell the number of Securities that it is obligated to sell hereunder, then this Agreement shall terminate without any liability on the part of any nondefaulting party; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 shall remain in full force and effect. No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve the Company from liability, if any, in respect of such default.

SECTION 12. Tax Disclosure. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, immediately upon commencement of discussions with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company (and each employee, representative or other agent of the Company) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Company relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. For purposes of the foregoing, the term “tax treatment” is the purported or claimed federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the term “tax structure” includes any fact that may be relevant to understanding the purported or claimed federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 13. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080, attention of Equity Capital Markets (Fax: 212-449-2784), Lehman Brothers Inc., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 42nd Fl, New York, New York 10020, Attention: Syndicate Registration (Fax: 646-834-8133), with a copy, in the case of any notice pursuant to Section 6(c), to the Director of Litigation, Office of the General Counsel, Lehman Brothers Inc., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 44th floor, New York, New York 10020 (Fax: 212-520-0421) and UBS Securities LLC, 299 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10171, Attention: Syndicate Department; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150, Richmond, VA 23235, attention of G. Scott Faison and 200 American Metro Boulevard, Suite 111, Hamilton, New Jersey 08619, attention of Thomas M. O’Brien, Esq.; and notices to the Selling Stockholders shall be directed to Equity Group Holdings, 2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 12th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006, attention of Joseph O. Bunting III.

SECTION 14. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. Each of the Company and each Selling Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company or any Selling Stockholder, or its respective stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company or any Selling Stockholder with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company or any Selling Stockholder on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company or any Selling Stockholder with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of each of the Company and each Selling Stockholder, and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders has consulted its own respective legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

 

27


SECTION 15. Parties. This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 16. Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company or the Selling Stockholders may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company or the Selling Stockholders by such Underwriters’ investment banking divisions. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

SECTION 17. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 18. TIME. TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 20. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

28


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company and the Attorney-in-Fact for the Selling Stockholders a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,

COLFAX CORPORATION

By  

 

Title:  
By  

 

  As Attorney-in-Fact acting on behalf of the Selling Stockholders named in Schedule B hereto

Purchase Agreement - Colfax Corporation


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

By:

  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

By

 

 

  Authorized Signatory

Purchase Agreement - Colfax Corporation


LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Purchase Agreement - Colfax Corporation


UBS SECURITIES LLC
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  

For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.

Purchase Agreement - Colfax Corporation


SCHEDULE A

 

Name of Underwriter

   Number of
Initial Securities

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

  

Lehman Brothers Inc.

  

UBS Securities LLC

  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

  

Banc of America Securities LLC

  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.

  

Total

  
    

 

Sch A - 1


SCHEDULE B

 

     Number of Initial
Securities to be Sold

Steven M. Rales

  

Mitchell P. Rales

  

Colfax Capital Corporation

  

Janalia Corporation

  

Total

  
    

 

Sch B - 1


SCHEDULE C

Colfax Corporation

18,750,000 Shares of Common Stock

(Par Value $0.001 Per Share)

1. The initial public offering price per share for the Securities, determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be $[].

2. The purchase price per share for the Securities to be paid by the several Underwriters shall be $[], being an amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less $[] per share; provided that the purchase price per share for any Option Securities purchased upon the exercise of the overallotment option described in Section 2(b) shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities.

 

Sch C - 1


SCHEDULE D

Steven M. Rales

Mitchell P. Rales

Capital Yield Corp.

Joshua B. Rales

Stewart R. Rales

Michael G. Ryan

Joseph O. Bunting

Philip W. Knisely

John A. Young

Joseph E. Robert

William R. Acquvella

George M. Sherman

Sherman Family Irrevocable Trust

Patrick W. Allender

John W. Allender Trust

Charles W. Nims

 

Sch D - 1


SCHEDULE E

SPECIFY EACH ISSUER GENERAL USE FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

Free Writing Prospectus, dated April [], 2008.

 

Sch E - 1


Exhibit A

SUBSIDIARIES

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Formation

CLFX LLC

   Delaware

CLFX Sub Holding LLC

   Delaware

Constellation Pumps Corporation

   Delaware

CPC International LLC

   Delaware

IMO Holdings Inc.

   Delaware

IMO Industries, Inc.

   Delaware

Lubrication Systems Company of Texas LLC

   Texas

Fairmount Automation, Inc.

   Pennsylvania

Portland Valve LLC

   Delaware

Warren Pumps LLC

   Delaware

Allweiler Group GmbH

   Germany

Allweiler AG

   Netherlands

IMO AB

   Sweden

 

A-1


[Form of lock-up from directors, officers or other stockholders pursuant to Section 5(n)]

Exhibit B

[], 2008

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

745 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

UBS SECURITIES LLC

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171

as Representatives of the several

Underwriters to be named in the

within-mentioned Purchase Agreement

 

Re:

  Proposed Public Offering by Colfax Corporation

Dear Sirs:

The undersigned, a stockholder, officer and/or director of Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), understands that Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”), Lehman Brothers Inc. and UBS Securities LLC propose to enter into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the Company and the Selling Stockholders providing for the public offering of shares (the “Securities”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). In recognition of the benefit that such an offering will confer upon the undersigned as a stockholder, officer and/or director of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each underwriter to be named in the Purchase Agreement that, during a period of 180 days from the date of the Purchase Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of the Company’s Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or file, or cause to be filed, any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Lock-Up Securities”) or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the conditions below, the undersigned may transfer the Lock-Up Securities without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, provided that (1) Merrill

 

B-1


Lynch receives a signed lock-up agreement for the balance of the lockup period from each donee, trustee, distributee, or transferee, as the case may be; (2) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value; (3) such transfers are not required to be reported during the Lock-Up Period in any public report or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or otherwise; and (4) the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such transfers:

 

  (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, or

 

  (ii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned (for purposes of this lock-up agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin), or

 

  (iii) as a distribution to limited partners or stockholders of the undersigned, or

 

  (iv) to the undersigned’s affiliates or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by the undersigned.

Furthermore, the undersigned may sell shares of Common Stock of the Company purchased by the undersigned on the open market following the public offering if and only if (i) such sales are not required to be reported in any public report or filing with the Securities Exchange Commission, or otherwise and (ii) the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such sales.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if:

(1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day lock-up period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or

(2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day lock-up period,

the restrictions imposed by this lock-up agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable, unless Merrill Lynch waives, in writing, such extension.

For the sake of clarity, it is understood that nothing herein shall prohibit the undersigned from selling, as a selling stockholder in the initial public offering, such amount of Securities permitted to be sold by such selling stockholder under the Purchase Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that written notice of any extension of the 180-day lock-up period pursuant to the previous paragraph will be delivered by Merrill Lynch to the Company (in accordance with Section 12 of the Purchase Agreement) and that any such notice properly delivered will be deemed to have been given to, and received by, the undersigned. The undersigned further agrees that, prior to engaging in any transaction or taking any other action that is subject to the terms of this lock-up agreement during the period from the date of this lock-up agreement to and including the 34th day following the expiration of the initial 180-day lock-up period, it will give notice thereof to the Company and will not consummate such transaction or take any such action unless it has received written

 

B-2


confirmation from the Company that the 180-day lock-up period (as may have been extended pursuant to the previous paragraph) has expired.

The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Lock-Up Securities except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

 

Very truly yours,
Signature:  

 

Print Name:  

 

 

B-3

Exhibit 3.5

Exhibit 3.5

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

COLFAX CORPORATION

Colfax Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware General Corporation Law”), does hereby certify as follows:

 

  1. The present name of the Corporation is Colfax Corporation. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 25, 1998. An Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 22, 2003 and amended by Certificates of Amendment on May 30, 2003, May 3, 2004, and April 21, 2008.

 

  2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) and by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228, 242, and 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

  3. Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates and also further amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as heretofore amended or supplemented. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as heretofore amended or supplemented, is superseded by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

  4. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective upon the time of filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 103 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

  5. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as heretofore amended or supplemented is hereby restated and further amended to read in its entirety as follows:

Article 1. NAME

The name of this corporation is Colfax Corporation.


Article 2. REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

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

Article 3. PURPOSE AND POWERS

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Corporation shall have all power necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of such acts and activities.

Article 4. CAPITAL STOCK AND ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

 

  4.1. Authorized Shares

The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 210,000,000 of which 200,000,000 of such shares shall be Common Stock having a par value of $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 of such shares shall be Preferred Stock, having a par value of $.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

  4.2. Common Stock

 

  4.2.1. Relative Rights

The Common Stock shall be subject to all of the rights, privileges, preferences and priorities set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Each share of the Common Stock shall have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects to all the other shares of the Common Stock.

 

  4.2.2. Dividends

Whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, to the holders of shares of any class of stock having preference over the Common Stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund or retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference to the Common Stock, then dividends may be paid on the Common Stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith as to dividends, out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends thereon, but only when and as declared by the Board. Any dividends on the Common Stock will not be cumulative.

 

2


  4.2.3. Dissolution, Liquidation, Winding Up

In the event of any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Common Stock, and holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith, in whole or in part, as to the distribution of assets in such event, shall be entitled to participate in the distribution of any assets of the Corporation remaining after the Corporation shall have paid, or provided for payment of, all debts and liabilities of the Corporation and after the Corporation shall have paid, or set aside for payment, to the holders of any class of stock having preference over the Common Stock in the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up the full preferential amounts (if any) to which they are entitled.

 

  4.2.4. Voting Rights

Each holder of shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to attend all special and annual meetings. Except as may otherwise be required by law, and subject to the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Article 4 granting the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock exclusive or special voting powers with respect to any matter, each holder of the Common Stock shall have one vote with respect to each share of the Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders, provided, however, that except as otherwise required by law, holders of the Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including a certificate of designations relating to any series of the Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of the Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either voting separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including a certificate of designations relating to any series of the Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law. Each holder of shares of the Common Stock may exercise its vote either in person or by proxy.

 

  4.2.5 Stockholder Action

Subject to the rights of any holders of the Preferred Stock, (i) only the chairman of the Board or a majority of the Board shall be permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders; (ii) the business permitted to be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board; and (iii) stockholder action may be taken only at a duly called and convened annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent.

 

  4.3. Preferred Stock

The Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the Delaware General Corporation Law and the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation,

 

3


to provide, by resolution or resolutions from time to time and by filing certificates of designations pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, for the issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each such series of the Preferred Stock and to fix the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

The authority of the Board with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following: (1) the number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series; (2) the dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series; (3) whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights; (4) whether that series shall have conversion privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board shall determine; (5) whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates; (6) whether that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund; (7) the rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and (8) any other relative powers, preferences, and rights of that series, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions on that series as the Board shall determine.

Article 5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

  5.1. Number; Election

The number of directors of the Corporation shall be such number as from time to time shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws of the Corporation. Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation shall otherwise require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot. Each director of the Corporation shall be entitled to one vote per director on all matters voted or acted upon by the Board.

 

  5.2. Management of Business and Affairs of the Corporation

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

 

4


  5.3. Limitation of Liability

No director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this Article 5.3 shall be prospective only and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of, or any limitation of the liability of, a director of the Corporation existing at, or arising out of facts or incidents occurring prior to, the effective date of such repeal or modification.

Article 6. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Board is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, amend and repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

Article 7. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend, alter, change, or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law; and all rights, preferences, and privileges of any nature conferred upon stockholders, directors, or any other persons by and pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the rights reserved in this Article 7.

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation on this      day of [            ], 2008.

 

COLFAX CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:   John A. Young
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 3.6

Exhibit 3.6

COLFAX CORPORATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

Adopted Effective

as of

[                         ], 2008


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page

1.

  OFFICES   1
 

1.1.

  Registered Office   1
 

1.2.

  Other Offices   1

2.

  MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS   1
 

2.1.

  Place of Meetings   1
 

2.2.

  Annual Meetings   1
 

2.3.

  Special Meetings and Stockholder Action   3
 

2.4.

  Notice of Meetings   3
 

2.5.

  Waivers of Notice   3
 

2.6.

  Business at Special Meetings   3
 

2.7.

  List of Stockholders   4
 

2.8.

  Quorum at Meetings   4
 

2.9.

  Voting and Proxies   5
 

2.10.

  Required Vote   5

3.

  DIRECTORS   6
 

3.1.

  Powers   6
 

3.2.

  Number and Election   6
 

3.3.

  Nomination of Directors   7
 

3.4.

  Vacancies   9
 

3.5.

  Meetings   9
   

3.5.1.

  Regular Meetings   9
   

3.5.2.

  Special Meetings   9
   

3.5.3.

  Telephone Meetings   9
   

3.5.4.

  Action Without Meeting   10
   

3.5.5.

  Waiver of Notice of Meeting   10
 

3.6.

  Quorum and Vote at Meetings   10
 

3.7.

  Committees of Directors   10
 

3.8.

  Compensation of Directors   11

4.

  OFFICERS   11
 

4.1.

  Positions   11
 

4.2.

  Chief Executive Officer   12
 

4.3.

  President   12
 

4.4.

  Vice President   12
 

4.5.

  Secretary   12
 

4.6.

  Assistant Secretary   12
 

4.7.

  Treasurer   13
 

4.8.

  Assistant Treasurer   13


  4.9.   Term of Office   13
 

4.10.

  Compensation   13
 

4.11.

  Fidelity Bonds   13

5.

  CAPITAL STOCK   13
 

5.1.

  Certificates of Stock; Uncertificated Shares   13
 

5.2.

  Lost Certificates   14
 

5.3.

  Record Date   14
   

5.3.1.

  Actions by Stockholders   14
   

5.3.2.

  Payments   15
 

5.4.

  Stockholders of Record   15

6.

  INDEMNIFICATION; INSURANCE   15
 

6.1.

  Authorization of Indemnification   15
 

6.2.

  Right of Claimant to Bring Action Against the Corporation   16
 

6.3.

  Non-exclusivity   17
 

6.4.

  Survival of Indemnification   17
 

6.5.

  Insurance   17

7.

  GENERAL PROVISIONS   17
 

7.1.

  Inspection of Books and Records   17
 

7.2.

  Dividends   18
 

7.3.

  Reserves   18
 

7.4.

  Execution of Instruments   18
 

7.5.

  Fiscal Year   18
 

7.6.

  Seal   18


AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

COLFAX CORPORATION

 

1. OFFICES

 

  1.1. Registered Office

The name and address of the current registered agent of Colfax Corporation (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware are: Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington, Delaware 19808.

 

  1.2. Other Offices

The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as may be necessary or useful in connection with the business of the Corporation.

 

2. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

  2.1. Place of Meetings

All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held by means of remote communication.

 

  2.2. Annual Meetings

The Corporation shall hold annual meetings of stockholders on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, at which stockholders shall elect a Board of Directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

Any stockholder wishing to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders must deliver to the Secretary a timely notice in writing of the stockholder’s intention to do so. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90

 

1


days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, except that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary, the Corporation must receive the notice not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which the Corporation provides notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The notice must include the following information: (i) the name and address of the stockholder who is making a proposal, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (ii) the nature of the business being proposed and the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment); (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any such beneficial owner, whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short positions or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk of stock price changes for, or to increase the voting power of, such stockholder or any such beneficial owner with respect to any share of stock of the Corporation; (v) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of Corporation capital stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to introduce the business specified in the notice; (vi) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal; and (vii) such other information that the Board of Directors may request in its discretion. If the Chairperson or other presiding officer at the annual meeting determines that a person was not properly nominated for election as a director, or other business was not properly brought before the meeting, the person will not be eligible for election as a director, or the business proposed by the notifying stockholder will not be conducted at the meeting, as the case may be.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.2, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.2, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing

 

2


or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

  2.3. Special Meetings and Stockholder Action

A special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or a majority of the Board of Directors.

Stockholder action may be taken only at a duly called and convened annual or special meeting of the stockholders and may not be taken by written consent.

 

  2.4. Notice of Meetings

Notice of any meeting of stockholders, stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and (if it is a special meeting) the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting (except to the extent that such notice is waived or is not required as provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware General Corporation Law”) or these Bylaws). Such notice shall be given in accordance with, and shall be deemed effective as set forth in, Sections 222 and 232 (or any successor section or sections) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

  2.5. Waivers of Notice

Whenever the giving of any notice is required by statute, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver thereof by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, delivered to the Corporation, whether before or after the event as to which such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a stockholder at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice (1) of such meeting, except when the stockholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting, and (2) (if it is a special meeting) of consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the stockholder objects to considering the matter at the beginning of the meeting.

 

  2.6. Business at Special Meetings

Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

3


  2.7. List of Stockholders

After the record date for a meeting of stockholders has been fixed, at least ten days before such meeting, the officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall make a list of all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder (but not the electronic mail address or other electronic contact information, unless the Board of Directors so directs) and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting: (1) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (2) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then such list shall also, for the duration of the meeting, be produced and kept open to the examination of any stockholder who is present at the time and place of the meeting. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

  2.8. Quorum at Meetings

Stockholders may take action on a matter at a meeting only if a quorum exists with respect to that matter. Unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law, the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, and who are present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for all purposes. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting (other than solely to object (1) to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting, or (2) (if it is a special meeting) to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice), it shall be deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting unless a new record date is or must be set for the adjourned meeting. The chairperson of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the voting shares represented at a meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn such meeting from time to time. If a notice of any adjourned special meeting of stockholders is sent to all stockholders entitled to vote thereat, stating that it will be held with those present constituting a quorum, then except as otherwise required by law, those present at such adjourned meeting shall constitute a quorum, and, except as otherwise required by these Bylaws, all matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast at such meeting.

 

4


  2.9. Voting and Proxies

Unless otherwise provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law or in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the other provisions of these Bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote on each matter, in person or by proxy, for each share of the Corporation’s capital stock that has voting power and that is held by such stockholder. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed appointment of proxy shall be irrevocable if the appointment form states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. If authorized by the Board of Directors, and subject to such guidelines as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication, participate in a meeting of stockholders and be deemed present in person and vote at such meeting whether such meeting is held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (1) the Corporation implements reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (2) the Corporation implements reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (3) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action is maintained by the Corporation.

 

  2.10. Required Vote

When a quorum is present at any meeting of stockholders, all matters shall be determined, adopted and approved by the affirmative vote (which need not be by ballot) of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote with respect to the matter, unless the proposed action is one upon which, by express provision of statute, these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation, a different vote is specified and required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control with respect to that vote on that matter. If the Certificate of Incorporation provides for more or less than one vote for any share, on any matter, every reference in these Bylaws to a majority or other proportion of stock, voting stock or shares shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of such stock, voting stock or shares. Where a separate vote by a class or classes is required, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or classes present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class.

Except as otherwise required by law, these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation, each director shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to that director’s election at an any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, provided, however, that directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present if, as of the tenth (10th) day preceding the date the Corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders of

 

5


the Corporation, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected (a “Contested Election”). For purposes of this paragraph, a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director’s election (with “abstentions” and “broker nonvotes” not counted as a vote cast either “for” or “against” that director’s election).

 

3. DIRECTORS

 

  3.1. Powers

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things, subject to any limitation set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or as otherwise may be provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Board of Directors shall from time to time designate one of its members as Chairperson of the Board of Directors and may designate another of its members as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson shall (when present) preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders and shall ensure that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and stockholders are carried into effect.

 

  3.2. Number and Election

The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by an action of not less than a majority of the directors then in office. The number may not be less than three or more than nine unless approved by an action of not less than two-thirds of the directors then in office. Directors need not be stockholders. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until their earlier death or resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any incumbent director who is nominated for election by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall, as a condition to such nomination submit an irrevocable letter of resignation to the Chairperson of the Board contingent on (i) that person not receiving a majority of the votes cast (as defined in Section 2.10) in an election that is not a Contested Election, and (ii) acceptance of that resignation by the Board of Directors in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors for such purpose. If a nominee who is already serving as a director fails to receive a majority of the votes cast (as defined in Section 2.10) in an election that is not a Contested Election, the Board of Directors shall promptly consider whether to accept or reject the conditional resignation of such nominee, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors shall take action upon the conditional resignation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it no later than 90 days following the certification of the election results. The Board of Directors, in making its decision, may consider any factors and other information that they consider appropriate and relevant. The director whose resignation is being considered will not participate in the Board’s decision.

 

6


If the Board of Directors accepts a director’s resignation pursuant to this Section 3.2, or if a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, then the Board of Directors may fill the resulting vacancy pursuant to Section 3.4 of these Bylaws.

 

  3.3. Nomination of Directors

The Board of Directors shall nominate candidates to stand for election as directors; and other candidates also may be nominated by any stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with the notice requirements provided for in this Section 3.3. Any stockholder wishing to nominate persons for election as directors at an annual meeting must deliver to the Secretary a timely notice in writing of such stockholder’s intention to do so. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, except that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary, the Corporation must receive the notice not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which the Corporation provides notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The notice must include the following information: (i) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, and the name and address of the person or persons to be nominated; (ii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any such beneficial owner, whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short positions or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk of stock price changes for, or to increase the voting power of, such stockholder or any such beneficial owner with respect to any share of stock of the Corporation; (iv) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of Corporation capital stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons; (v) if applicable, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder (and any such beneficial owner) and each nominee and any other person or persons, naming such person or persons, pursuant to which the nomination is to be made by the stockholder; (vi) such other information regarding each nominee to be proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed under the SEC’s proxy rules if the nominee had been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; (vii) if applicable, the consent of each nominee to serve as a director if elected; (viii) a statement whether such person, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person’s election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation in the form required of incumbent directors set forth in Section 3.2; (ix) a representation whether the stockholder or the

 

7


beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to elect the nominee and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such nomination; and (x) such other information that the Board of Directors may request in its discretion. The Board of Directors may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as one of its directors. If the Chairperson or other presiding officer at the meeting determines that a person was not properly nominated for election as a director, the person will not be eligible for election as a director.

Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 3.3 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.3 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 3.3 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.3. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.3 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.3, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination, such nomination shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of

 

8


such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 3.3, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

  3.4. Vacancies

If there is a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors, or if the office of any director becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause, the Board, provided that a quorum is then in office and present, or a majority of the directors then in office if less than a quorum is then in office, or the sole remaining director, may elect a successor for the unexpired term and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

 

  3.5. Meetings

 

  3.5.1. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

  3.5.2. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairperson, the Chief Executive Officer or the President on one day’s notice to each director, either personally or by telephone, express delivery service (so that the scheduled delivery date of the notice is at least one day in advance of the meeting), telegram, facsimile transmission, electronic mail (effective when directed to an electronic mail address of the director), or other electronic transmission, as defined in Section 232(c) (or any successor section) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (effective when directed to the director), and on five days’ notice by mail (effective upon deposit of such notice in the mail). The notice need not describe the purpose of a special meeting.

 

  3.5.3. Telephone Meetings

Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by any communication by means of which all participating directors can simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

 

9


  3.5.4. Action Without Meeting

Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board of Directors. The action must be evidenced by one or more consents in writing or by electronic transmission describing the action taken, signed by each director, and delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minute book.

 

  3.5.5. Waiver of Notice of Meeting

A director may waive any notice required by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws before or after the date and time stated in the notice. Except as set forth below, the waiver must be in writing, signed by the director entitled to the notice, or made by electronic transmission by the director entitled to the notice, and delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minute book. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director’s attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to the director of the meeting unless the director at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.

 

  3.6. Quorum and Vote at Meetings

At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a quorum of the Board of Directors consists of a majority of the total number of directors prescribed pursuant to Section 3.2 of these Bylaws. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws.

 

  3.7. Committees of Directors

The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. If a member of a committee shall be absent from any meeting, or disqualified from voting thereat, the remaining member or members present and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may, by unanimous vote, appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval or adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation; and

 

10


unless the resolution designating the committee, these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock, or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors, when required. Unless otherwise specified in the Board of Directors’ resolution appointing the Committee, all provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and these Bylaws relating to meetings, action without meetings, notice (and waiver thereof), and quorum and voting requirements of the Board of Directors apply, as well, to such committees and their members. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

 

  3.8. Compensation of Directors

The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

4. OFFICERS

 

  4.1. Positions

The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors (or an officer authorized by the Board of Directors) from time to time may appoint, including one or more Vice Chairpersons, Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Each such officer shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be set forth below and such other powers and duties as from time to time may be specified by the Board of Directors or by any officer(s) authorized by the Board of Directors to prescribe the duties of such other officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that in no event shall the President and the Secretary be the same person. As set forth below, each of the Chief Executive Officer, President, and/or any Vice President may execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts under the seal of the Corporation, if required, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise executed and except where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation.

 

11


  4.2. Chief Executive Officer

The President or other officer of the Corporation may be designated by the Board of Directors as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer may execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts, under the seal of the Corporation, if required, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation.

 

  4.3. President

The President shall be the chief operating officer of the Corporation and shall have full responsibility and authority for management of the day-to-day operations of the Corporation, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, if different. The President may execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts, under the seal of the Corporation, if required, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation.

 

  4.4. Vice President

In the absence of the President or in the event of the President’s inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President.

 

  4.5. Secretary

The Secretary shall have responsibility for preparation of minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and for authenticating records of the Corporation. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary may also attest all instruments signed by any other officer of the Corporation.

 

  4.6. Assistant Secretary

The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or if there shall have been no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of the Secretary’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

 

12


  4.7. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation and shall have responsibility for the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall see to it that full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements are kept in books belonging to the Corporation. The Treasurer shall render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President, and the Board of Directors, upon request, an account of all financial transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

  4.8. Assistant Treasurer

The Assistant Treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or if there shall have been no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of the Treasurer’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer.

 

  4.9. Term of Office

The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

  4.10. Compensation

The compensation of officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or by any officer(s) authorized by the Board of Directors to prescribe the compensation of such other officers.

 

  4.11. Fidelity Bonds

The Corporation may secure the fidelity of any or all of its officers or agents by bond or otherwise.

 

5. CAPITAL STOCK

 

  5.1. Certificates of Stock; Uncertificated Shares

The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any or all classes or series

 

13


of the Corporation’s stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate (representing the number of shares registered in certificate form) signed in the name of the Corporation by the Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, Secretary or any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar whose signature or facsimile signature appears on a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

  5.2. Lost Certificates

The Board of Directors, Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, President or Secretary may direct a new certificate of stock to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation and alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming that the certificate of stock has been lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate, the Board of Directors or any such officer may, as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such owner’s legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors or such officer shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond or indemnity, in such sum or on such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors or such officer may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or on account of the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

  5.3. Record Date

 

  5.3.1. Actions by Stockholders

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty days nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

14


  5.3.2. Payments

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

  5.4. Stockholders of Record

The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, to receive notifications, to vote as such owner, and to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner. The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise may be provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

6. INDEMNIFICATION; INSURANCE

 

  6.1. Authorization of Indemnification

Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, partner (limited or general) or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor to the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent authorized by, and subject to the conditions and (except as provided herein) procedures set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but any such amendment shall not be deemed to limit or prohibit the rights of indemnification hereunder for past acts or omissions of any such person insofar as such amendment limits or prohibits the indemnification rights that said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or

 

15


part thereof) initiated by such person (except for a suit or action pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof) only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Persons who are not directors or officers of the Corporation and are not so serving at the request of the Corporation may be similarly indemnified in respect of such service to the extent authorized at any time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The indemnification conferred in this Section 6.1 also shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation (and such successor) the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in the defense of or other involvement in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if and to the extent the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, the payment of such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so paid in advance if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6.1 or otherwise; and provided further, that, such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid in advance upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

  6.2. Right of Claimant to Bring Action Against the Corporation

If a claim under Section 6.1 is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring an action against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such action. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed or is otherwise not entitled to indemnification under Section 6.1, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. The failure of the Corporation (in the manner provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law) to have made a determination prior to or after the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law shall not be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. Unless otherwise specified in an agreement with the claimant, an actual determination by the Corporation (in the manner provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law) after the commencement of such action that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct shall not be a defense to the action, but shall create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

16


  6.3. Non-exclusivity

The rights to indemnification and advance payment of expenses provided by Section 6.1 hereof shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advance payment of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

  6.4. Survival of Indemnification

The indemnification and advance payment of expenses and rights thereto provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 6.1 hereof shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, partner or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the personal representatives, heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

 

  6.5. Insurance

The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, partner (limited or general) or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person or incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, and related expenses, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

7. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

  7.1. Inspection of Books and Records

Any stockholder, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose, and to make copies or extracts from: (1) the Corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records; and (2) other documents as required by law. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the Corporation at its registered office or at its principal place of business.

 

17


  7.2. Dividends

The Board of Directors may declare dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  7.3. Reserves

The directors of the Corporation may set apart, out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends, a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

 

  7.4. Execution of Instruments

All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, and promissory notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

  7.5. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 of each year, unless otherwise fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

  7.6. Seal

The corporate seal, if any, shall be in such form as the Board of Directors shall approve. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

18

Exhibit 4.1

Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO


The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM      as tenants in common    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT–  

 

  Custodian  

 

TEN ENT      as tenants by the entireties      (Cust)     (Minor)
JT TEN      as joint tenants with right      under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
     of survivorship and not as     

 

     tenants in common      (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

For value received,  

 

   hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY

OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER

 

        
 
          

 

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

 

 

Shares of the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

 

Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within-named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated                     

 

    X   

 

    X   

 

    NOTICE:    THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME(S) AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

Signature(s) Guaranteed

 

By   

 

  
   THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.   

KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN, MUTILATED OR DESTROYED, THE CORPORATION WILL REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.

The Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Such requests shall be made to the Corporation’s Secretary at the principal office of the Corporation.

Exhibit 10.1a

Exhibit 10.1a

Option No.:             

COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants an option to purchase shares of its common stock, $.001 par value, (the “Stock”) to the optionee named below. The terms and conditions of the option are set forth in this cover sheet, in the attachment, and in the Company’s 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

Grant Date:             , 200     (the “IPO Effective Date”)

Name of Optionee:                                         

Optionee’s Employee Identification Number:             -            -            

Number of Shares Covered by Option:                     

Option Price per Share: $            .         (At least 100% of Fair Market Value and equal to the offering price of a share of Stock in the IPO)

Vesting Start Date:                     ,         

Vesting Schedule: One-third (1/3) of the shares covered by the Option on each of the first three annual anniversaries of the Vesting Start Date, subject to the provisions set forth under “Vesting” on the attached agreement.

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in the attached Agreement and in the Plan, a copy of which is also attached. You acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed the Plan, and agree that the Plan will control in the event any provision of this Agreement should appear to be inconsistent.

 

Optionee:  

 

  (Signature)
Company:  

 

  (Signature)
Title:  

 

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

Non-Qualified Stock Option    This option is not intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and will be interpreted accordingly.
Vesting   

This option is only exercisable before it expires and then only with respect to the vested portion of the option. Subject to the preceding sentence, you may exercise this option, in whole or in part, to purchase a whole number of vested shares not less than 100 shares, unless the number of shares purchased is the total number available for purchase under the option, by following the procedures set forth in the Plan and below in this Agreement.

 

Your right to purchase shares of Stock under this option vests as to one-third (1/3) of the total number of shares covered by this option, as shown on the cover sheet, on each of the first three annual anniversaries of the Vesting Start Date, provided you then continue in Service. The resulting aggregate number of vested shares will be rounded to the nearest whole number, and you cannot vest in more than the number of shares covered by this option.

 

No additional shares of Stock will vest after your Service has terminated for any reason.

Option Forfeiture    You will forfeit all rights to your option and the option shall immediately expire if the Initial Public Offering does not close.
Term    Your option will expire in any event at the close of business at Company headquarters on the day before the 7th anniversary of the Grant Date, as shown on the cover sheet. Your option will expire earlier if your Service terminates, as described below.
Regular Termination    If your Service terminates for any reason, other than death, Disability or Cause, then your option will expire at the close of business at Company headquarters on the 90th day after your termination date.
Termination for Cause    If your Service is terminated for Cause, then you shall immediately forfeit all rights to your option and the option shall immediately expire.
Death   

If your Service terminates because of your death, then your option will immediately become 100% vested and will expire at the close of business at Company headquarters on the date twelve (12) months after the date of death. During that twelve month period, your estate or heirs may exercise the vested portion of your option.

 

In addition, if you die during the 90-day period described in connection with a regular termination (i.e., a termination of your Service not on

 

2


   account of your death, Disability or Cause), and a vested portion of your option has not yet been exercised, then your option will instead expire on the date twelve (12) months after your termination date. In such a case, during the period following your death up to the date twelve (12) months after your termination date, your estate or heirs may exercise the vested portion of your option.

Disability

   If your Service terminates because of your Disability, then your option will immediately become 100% vested and will expire at the close of business at Company headquarters on the date twelve (12) months after your termination date.

Leaves of Absence

  

For purposes of this option, your Service does not terminate when you go on a bona fide employee leave of absence that was approved by the Company in writing, if the terms of the leave provide for continued Service crediting, or when continued Service crediting is required by applicable law. However, your Service will be treated as terminating 90 days after you went on employee leave, unless your right to return to active work is guaranteed by law or by a contract. Your Service terminates in any event when the approved leave ends unless you immediately return to active employee work.

 

The Company determines, in its sole discretion, which leaves count for this purpose, and when your Service terminates for all purposes under the Plan.

Notice of Exercise

  

When you wish to exercise this option, you must notify the Company by filing the proper “Notice of Exercise” form at the address given on the form. Your notice must specify how many shares you wish to purchase (in a parcel of at least 100 shares generally). Your notice must also specify how your shares of Stock should be registered (in your name only or in your and your spouse’s names as joint tenants with right of survivorship). The notice will be effective when it is received by the Company.

 

If someone else wants to exercise this option after your death, that person must prove to the Company’s satisfaction that he or she is entitled to do so.

Form of Payment

  

When you submit your notice of exercise, you must include payment of the option price for the shares you are purchasing. Payment may be made in one (or a combination) of the following forms:

 

•        Cash, your personal check, a cashier’s check, a money order or another cash equivalent acceptable to the Company.

 

•        Shares of Stock which have already been owned by you and which are surrendered to the Company. The value of the shares, determined as of the effective date of the option exercise, will be applied to the option price.

 

3


  

•        By delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell Stock and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate option price and any withholding taxes (if approved in advance by the Committee if you are either an executive officer or a director of the Company).

Withholding Taxes

   You will not be allowed to exercise this option unless you make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of the option exercise or sale of Stock acquired under this option. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to the exercise or sale of shares arising from this grant, the Company shall have the right to require such payments from you, or withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate.

Corporate Transaction

   Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth above, upon the consummation of a Corporate Transaction, this option will become 100% vested (i) if it is not assumed, or equivalent options are not substituted for the options, by the Company or its successor, or (ii) if assumed or substituted for, upon your involuntary termination without Cause within the 12-month period following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if you experience such a Corporate Transaction employment termination, the option will expire one year after the date of termination of Service (or, if earlier, the 7th anniversary of the Grant Date).

Transfer of Option

  

During your lifetime, only you (or, in the event of your legal incapacity or incompetency, your guardian or legal representative) may exercise the option. You cannot transfer or assign this option. For instance, you may not sell this option or use it as security for a loan. If you attempt to do any of these things, this option will immediately become invalid. You may, however, dispose of this option in your will or it may be transferred upon your death by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

In connection with any marital property settlement agreement, the Company is not obligated to honor a notice of exercise from your spouse, nor is the Company obligated to recognize your spouse’s interest in your option purporting to arise under such an agreement.

Retention Rights

   Neither your option nor this Agreement give you the right to be retained by the Company (or any Affiliates) in any capacity. The Company (and any Affiliates) reserve the right to terminate your Service at any time and for any reason.

Shareholder Rights

   You, or your estate or heirs, have no rights as a shareholder of the Company until a certificate for your option’s shares has been issued (or an appropriate book entry has been made). No adjustments are made for dividends or other rights if the applicable record date occurs before your stock certificate is issued (or an appropriate book entry has been made),

 

4


   except as described in the Plan.

Forfeiture of Rights

   If you should take actions in competition with the Company, the Company shall have the right to cause a forfeiture of your rights, including, but not limited to, the right to cause: (i) a forfeiture of any outstanding option, and (ii) with respect to the period commencing twelve (12) months prior to your termination of Service with the Company and ending twelve (12) months following such termination of Service (A) a forfeiture of any gain recognized by you upon the exercise of an option or (B) a forfeiture of any Stock acquired by you upon the exercise of an option (but the Company will pay you the option price without interest). Unless otherwise specified in an employment or other agreement between the Company and you (including the Company’s Code of Ethics), you take actions in competition with the Company if you directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join or control, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or are a proprietor, director, officer, stockholder, member, partner or an employee or agent of, or a consultant to any business, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity which competes with any business in which the Company or any of its Affiliates is engaged during your employment or other relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or at the time of your termination of Service. Under the prior sentence, ownership of less than 1% of the securities of a public company shall not be treated as an action in competition with the Company.

Adjustments

   In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Stock, the number of shares covered by this option and the option price per share shall be adjusted (and rounded down to the nearest whole number) if required pursuant to the Plan. Your option shall be subject to the terms of the agreement of merger, liquidation or reorganization in the event the Company is subject to such corporate activity.

Applicable Law

   This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

The Plan

  

The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Unless otherwise specified in an employment or other agreement between the Company and you, this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this option. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this option are superseded.

Data Privacy

   In order to administer the Plan, the Company may process personal data about you. Such data includes but is not limited to the information provided in this Agreement and any changes thereto, other appropriate personal and financial data about you such as home address and business

 

5


  

addresses and other contact information, payroll information and any other information that might be deemed appropriate by the Company to facilitate the administration of the Plan.

 

By accepting this option, you give explicit consent to the Company to process any such personal data. You also give explicit consent to the Company to transfer any such personal data outside the country in which you work or are employed, including, with respect to non-U.S. resident Optionees, to the United States, to transferees who shall include the Company and other persons who are designated by the Company to administer the Plan.

Consent to Electronic Delivery    The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this option grant you agree that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company’s annual report to you in an electronic format. If at any time you would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as you are entitled to, the Company would be pleased to provide copies. Please contact [            ] at [            ] to request paper copies of these documents.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan.

 

6

Exhibit 10.1b

Exhibit 10.1b

Executives

COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants stock units relating to shares of its common stock, $.001 par value (the “Stock”), to the individual named below as the Grantee. The terms and conditions of the grant are set forth in this cover sheet and the attachment (collectively, the “Agreement”) and in the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

Grant Date:                     , 20     (the “IPO Effective Date”)

Name of Grantee:                                         

Grantee’s Social Security Number:             -            -            

Number of Stock Units Covered by Grant:                     

Performance Condition on Stock Unit Eligibility:                                         

 

Vesting Schedule:    Vesting Date    Vesting Percentage
   4th Anniversary of the Grant Date    50%
   5th Anniversary of the Grant Date    50%

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this Agreement and in the Plan, a copy of which will be provided on request. You acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed the Plan and agree that the Plan will control in the event any provision of this Agreement should appear to be inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Grantee:  

 

  (Signature)
Company:  

 

  (Signature)
Title:  

 

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Stock Unit Transferability    This grant is an award of stock units in the number of units set forth on the cover sheet, subject to the performance criteria and the vesting conditions described below (“Stock Units”). Your Stock Units may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, whether by operation of law or otherwise, nor may the Stock Units be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Performance Criteria   

Your eligibility for the Stock Units shall be determined based on whether the Company achieves certain performance criteria during the performance period beginning on the IPO Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2011 (the “Performance Period”). If the performance criteria are achieved during the Performance Period, then the date on which the criteria are achieved shall be referred to as the “Performance End Date,” and as of the Performance End Date you become eligible to vest in the Stock Units as provided below in the Section of this Agreement concerning “Vesting”.

The performance criteria will be achieved if for four consecutive calendar quarters during the Performance Period the Company has Earnings Per Share of at least US $1.00. For this purpose, “Earnings Per Share” means the Company’s consolidated earnings per share before taxes, as reported in the Company’s audited financial statements, but adjusted to exclude any extraordinary or non-recurring items, amounts related to discontinued operations and changes in accounting method occurring after the IPO Effective Date.

 

If your Service terminates for any reason prior to the Performance End Date, except as otherwise set forth below, then you will forfeit all of your Stock Units. If the performance criteria are not achieved during the Performance Period, then you will forfeit all of your Stock Units as of the end of the Performance Period.

Vesting    Your Stock Unit grant shall vest according to the schedule set forth on the cover sheet; provided, that, you remain in Service on the relevant Vesting Dates. If your Service terminates for any reason other than death or Disability, you will forfeit any Stock Units in which you have not yet become vested. [If your Service terminates for Cause, you shall forfeit of all of your Stock Units, including your vested Stock Units.]
Death or Disability    If the performance criteria are achieved during the Performance Period, but your Service terminated because of your death or Disability before the Performance End Date, your Stock Unit grant shall fully and immediately vest as of the date the Committee

 

2


  

certifies achievement of the performance criteria (the “Certification Date”).

If your Service terminates because of your death or Disability following the Performance End Date, your Stock Unit grant shall fully and immediately vest as of the date of your termination from Service or, if later, as of the Certification Date.

Stock Unit Forfeiture    You will forfeit all rights to receive Stock Units and this Agreement shall be null and void if the Initial Public Offering does not close.
Delivery of Stock Pursuant to Units    Delivery of the shares of Stock represented by your vested Stock Units shall be made as soon as practicable upon vesting and in any event not later than 2  1/2 months after the end of the calendar year in which they vest.
Withholding Taxes    You agree, as a condition of this grant, that you will make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of vesting in Stock Units or your acquisition of Stock under this grant. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to this grant, the Company will have the right to: (i) require that you arrange such payments to the Company, (ii) withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate, or (iii) cause an immediate forfeiture of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Units granted pursuant to this Agreement in an amount equal to the withholding or other taxes due.
Retention Rights    This Agreement does not give you the right to be retained or employed by the Company (or any Affiliates) in any capacity. The Company (and any Affiliates) reserves the right to terminate your Service at any time for any reason.
Shareholder Rights    You do not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Stock Units unless and until the Stock relating to the Stock Units has been delivered to you. You will, however, be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on outstanding Stock, a cash payment for each Stock Unit that you hold as of the record date for such dividend equal to the per-share dividend paid on the Stock.
Forfeiture of Rights   

If you should take actions in competition with the Company, the Company shall have the right to cause a forfeiture of your unvested Stock Units.

 

Unless otherwise specified in an employment or other agreement between the Company and you (including the Company’s Code of Ethics), you take actions in competition with the Company if you directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join or control, or

 

3


     participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or are a proprietor, director,
officer, stockholder, member, partner or an employee or agent of, or a consultant to any business,
firm, corporation, partnership or other entity which competes with any business in which the
Company or any of its Affiliates is engaged during your employment or other relationship with the
Company or its Affiliates or at the time of your termination of Service.
Adjustments    In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Company stock, the number of Stock Units covered by this grant will be adjusted (and rounded down to the nearest whole number) in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Your Stock Units shall be subject to the terms of the agreement of merger, liquidation or reorganization in the event the Company is subject to such corporate activity in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Applicable Law    This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
Consent to Electronic Delivery    The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this grant you agree that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company’s annual report to you in an electronic format. If at any time you would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as you are entitled to receive, the Company would be pleased to provide copies. Please contact the [Corporate Secretary] to request paper copies of these documents.
The Plan   

The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Unless otherwise specified in an employment or other agreement between the Company and you, this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this grant of Stock Units. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this grant are superseded.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan.

 

4

Exhibit 10.1c

Exhibit 10.1c

COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants stock units relating to shares of its common stock, $.001 par value (the “Stock”), to the individual named below as the Grantee. The terms and conditions of the grant are set forth in this cover sheet and the attachment (collectively, the “Agreement”) and in the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

Grant Date:                     , 20    

Name of Grantee:                                                              

Grantee’s Social Security Number:             -            -            

Number of Stock Units Covered by Grant:                     

 

Vesting Schedule:  

Vesting Date

 

Vesting Percentage

   
  1st anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  
  2nd anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  
  3rd anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this Agreement and in the Plan, a copy of which will be provided on request. You acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed the Plan and agree that the Plan will control in the event any provision of this Agreement should appear to be inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Grantee:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
Company:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
   Title:  

 

   

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Stock Unit Transferability    This grant is an award of stock units in the number of units set forth on the cover sheet, subject to the vesting conditions described below (“Stock Units”). Your Stock Units may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, whether by operation of law or otherwise, nor may the Stock Units be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Vesting    Your Stock Unit grant shall vest according to the schedule set forth on the cover sheet; provided, that, you remain in Service on the relevant Vesting Dates. If your Service terminates for any reason other than death or Disability, you will forfeit any Stock Units in which you have not yet become vested.
Stock Unit Forfeiture    You will forfeit all rights to receive Stock Units and this Agreement shall be null and void if the Initial Public Offering does not close.
Death    If your Service terminates because of your death, your Stock Units will immediately become 100% vested.
Disability    If your Service terminates because of your death, your Stock Units will immediately become 100% vested.
Delivery of Stock Pursuant to Units    Delivery of the shares of Stock represented by your vested Stock Units shall be made as soon as practicable upon vesting and in any event not later than 2  1/2 months after the end of the calendar year in which they vest.
Withholding Taxes    You agree, as a condition of this grant, that you will make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of vesting in Stock Units or your acquisition of Stock under this grant. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to this grant, the Company will have the right to: (i) require that you arrange such payments to the Company, (ii) withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate, or (iii) cause an immediate forfeiture of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Units granted pursuant to this Agreement in an amount equal to the withholding or other taxes due.
Retention Rights    This Agreement does not give you the right to be retained by the Company (or any Affiliates) in any capacity.

 

2


Shareholder Rights    You do not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Stock Units unless and until the Stock relating to the Stock Units has been delivered to you. You will, however, be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on outstanding Stock, a cash payment for each Stock Unit that you hold as of the record date for such dividend equal to the per-share dividend paid on the Stock.
Adjustments    In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Company stock, the number of Stock Units covered by this grant will be adjusted (and rounded down to the nearest whole number) in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Your Stock Units shall be subject to the terms of the agreement of merger, liquidation or reorganization in the event the Company is subject to such corporate activity in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Applicable Law    This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
Consent to Electronic Delivery    The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this grant you agree that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company’s annual report to you in an electronic format. If at any time you would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as you are entitled to receive, the Company would be pleased to provide copies. Please contact the [Corporate Secretary] to request paper copies of these documents.
The Plan    The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this grant of Stock Units. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this grant are superseded.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan.

 

3

Exhibit 10.1d

Exhibit 10.1d

COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants deferred stock units relating to shares of its common stock, $.001 par value (the “Stock”), to the individual named below as the Grantee. The terms and conditions of the grant are set forth in this cover sheet and the attachment (collectively, the “Agreement”) and in the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

Grant Date:                     , 20     (the “IPO Effective Date”)

Name of Grantee:                                                              

Grantee’s Social Security Number:             -            -            

Number of Stock Units Covered by Grant:                     

 

Vesting Schedule:  

Vesting Date

 

Vesting Percentage

   
  1st anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  
  2nd anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  
  3rd anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this Agreement and in the Plan, a copy of which will be provided on request. You acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed the Plan and agree that the Plan will control in the event any provision of this Agreement should appear to be inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Grantee:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
Company:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
   Title:  

 

   

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Stock Unit Transferability    This grant is an award of stock units in the number of units set forth on the cover sheet, subject to the vesting conditions described below (“Stock Units”). Your Stock Units may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, whether by operation of law or otherwise, nor may the Stock Units be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Vesting    Your Stock Unit grant shall vest according to the schedule set forth on the cover sheet; provided, that, you remain in Service on the relevant Vesting Dates. If your Service terminates for any reason other than your death or Disability, you will forfeit any Stock Units in which you have not yet become vested.
Stock Unit Forfeiture    You will forfeit all rights to receive Stock Units and this Agreement shall be null and void if the Initial Public Offering does not close.
Death    If your Service terminates because of your death, your Stock Units will immediately become 100% vested.
Disability    If your Service terminates because of your death, your Stock Units will immediately become 100% vested.
Delivery of Stock Pursuant to Units    Delivery of the shares of Stock represented by your vested Stock Units shall be made upon your termination from service as a Director of the Company.
Withholding Taxes    You agree, as a condition of this grant, that you will make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of vesting in Stock Units or your acquisition of Stock under this grant. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to this grant, the Company will have the right to: (i) require that you arrange such payments to the Company, (ii) withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate, or (iii) cause an immediate forfeiture of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Units granted pursuant to this Agreement in an amount equal to the withholding or other taxes due.
Retention Rights    This Agreement does not give you the right to be retained by the Company (or any Affiliates) in any capacity.
Shareholder Rights    You do not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Stock Units unless and until the Stock relating to the Stock

 

2


   Units has been delivered to you. You will, however, be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on outstanding Stock, a dividend equivalent in deferred stock units for each Stock Unit that you hold as of the record date for such dividend equal to the per-share dividend paid on the Stock. Such dividend equivalents will be paid upon your termination of service as a Director of the Company.
Adjustments    In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Company stock, the number of Stock Units covered by this grant will be adjusted (and rounded down to the nearest whole number) in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Your Stock Units shall be subject to the terms of the agreement of merger, liquidation or reorganization in the event the Company is subject to such corporate activity in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Applicable Law    This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
Consent to Electronic Delivery    The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this grant you agree that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company’s annual report to you in an electronic format. If at any time you would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as you are entitled to receive, the Company would be pleased to provide copies. Please contact the [Corporate Secretary] to request paper copies of these documents.
The Plan    The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this grant of Stock Units. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this grant are superseded.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan.

 

3

Exhibit 10.1e

Exhibit 10.1e

COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(Elective Deferral of Restricted Stock)

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants stock units relating to shares of its common stock, $.001 par value (the “Stock”), to the individual named below as the Grantee. The terms and conditions of the grant are set forth in this cover sheet and the attachment (collectively, the “Agreement”), in the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Colfax Corporation Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Director DCP”).

Grant Date:                    , 20    

Name of Grantee:                                                              

Grantee’s Social Security Number:             -            -            

Number of Stock Units Covered by Grant:                     

 

Vesting Schedule:  

Vesting Date

 

Vesting Percentage

   
  1st anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  
  2nd anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  
  3rd anniversary of Grant Date   33.3%  

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this Agreement, in the Plan and the Director DCP, copies of which will be provided on request. You acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed the Plan and the Director DCP and agree that the Plan and the Director DCP will control in the event any provision of this Agreement should appear to be inconsistent with the terms of the Plan or the Director DCP, as applicable. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Grantee:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
Company:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
   Title:  

 

   

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(Elective Deferral of Restricted Stock)

 

Stock Unit Transferability    This grant is an award of stock units in the number of units set forth on the cover sheet, subject to the vesting conditions described below (“Stock Units”). Your Stock Units may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, whether by operation of law or otherwise, nor may the Stock Units be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Vesting    Your Stock Unit grant shall vest according to the schedule set forth on the cover sheet; provided, that, you remain in Service on the relevant Vesting Dates. If your Service terminates for any reason other than death or Disability, you will forfeit any Stock Units in which you have not yet become vested.
Stock Unit Forfeiture    You will forfeit all rights to receive Stock Units and this Agreement shall be null and void if the Initial Public Offering does not close.
Death    If your Service terminates because of your death, your Stock Units will immediately become 100% vested.
Disability    If your Service terminates because of your death, your Stock Units will immediately become 100% vested.
Delivery of Stock Pursuant to Units    Delivery of the shares of Stock represented by your vested Stock Units shall be made in accordance with your election under the Director DCP in accordance with your deferral election attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Withholding Taxes    You agree, as a condition of this grant, that you will make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of vesting in Stock Units or your acquisition of Stock under this grant. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to this grant, the Company will have the right to: (i) require that you arrange such payments to the Company, (ii) withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate, or (iii) cause an immediate forfeiture of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Units granted pursuant to this Agreement in an amount equal to the withholding or other taxes due.
Retention Rights    This Agreement does not give you the right to be retained by the Company (or any Affiliates) in any capacity.

 

2


Shareholder Rights    You do not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Stock Units unless and until the Stock relating to the Stock Units has been delivered to you. You will, however, be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on outstanding Stock, a dividend equivalent in deferred stock units for each Stock Unit that you hold as of the record date for such dividend equal to the per-share dividend paid on the Stock. Such dividend equivalents will be governed by your deferral election attached as Exhibit A.
Adjustments    In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Company stock, the number of Stock Units covered by this grant will be adjusted (and rounded down to the nearest whole number) in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Your Stock Units shall be subject to the terms of the agreement of merger, liquidation or reorganization in the event the Company is subject to such corporate activity in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Applicable Law    This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
Consent to Electronic Delivery    The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this grant you agree that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company’s annual report to you in an electronic format. If at any time you would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as you are entitled to receive, the Company would be pleased to provide copies. Please contact the [Corporate Secretary] to request paper copies of these documents.
The Plan    The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Director DCP constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this grant of Stock Units. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this grant are superseded.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan.

 

3


Exhibit A — Deferral Election

Exhibit 10.1f

Exhibit 10.1f

COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(Directors’ Fees Elective Deferral)

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants stock units relating to shares of its common stock, $.001 par value (the “Stock”), to the individual named below as the Grantee, in respect of Grantee’s election to defer meeting and/or retainer fees earned as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The terms and conditions of the grant are set forth in this cover sheet and the attachment (collectively, the “Agreement”), in the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Colfax Corporation Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Director DCP”).

Grant Date:                     , 20    

Name of Grantee:                                                              

Grantee’s Social Security Number:             -            -            

Number of Stock Units Covered by Grant:                     

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this Agreement, in the Plan and the Director DCP, copies of which will be provided on request. You acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed the Plan and the Director DCP and agree that the Plan and the Director DCP will control in the event any provision of this Agreement should appear to be inconsistent with the terms of the Plan or the Director DCP, as applicable. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Grantee:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
Company:   

 

   
     (Signature)    
   Title:  

 

   

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(Directors’ Fees Elective Deferral)

 

Stock Unit Transferability    This grant is an award of stock units in the number of units set forth on the cover sheet, subject to the vesting conditions described below (“Stock Units”). Your Stock Units may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, whether by operation of law or otherwise, nor may the Stock Units be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Vesting    Your Stock Unit grant is fully vested as to 100% of the total number of unit shares covered by this grant on the Grant Date.
Stock Unit Forfeiture    You will forfeit all rights to receive Stock Units and this Agreement shall be null and void if the Initial Public Offering does not close.
Delivery of Stock Pursuant to Units    Delivery of the shares of Stock represented by your vested Stock Units shall be made in accordance with your election under the Director DCP in accordance with your deferral election attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Withholding Taxes    You agree, as a condition of this grant, that you will make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of vesting in Stock Units or your acquisition of Stock under this grant. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to this grant, the Company will have the right to: (i) require that you arrange such payments to the Company, (ii) withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate, or (iii) cause an immediate forfeiture of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Units granted pursuant to this Agreement in an amount equal to the withholding or other taxes due.
Retention Rights    This Agreement does not give you the right to be retained by the Company (or any Affiliates) in any capacity.
Shareholder Rights    You do not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Stock Units unless and until the Stock relating to the Stock Units has been delivered to you. You will, however, be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on outstanding Stock, a dividend equivalent in deferred stock units for each Stock Unit that you hold as of the record date for such dividend equal to the per-share dividend paid on the Stock. Such dividend equivalents will be governed by your deferral election

 

2


   attached as Exhibit A.
Adjustments    In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Company stock, the number of Stock Units covered by this grant will be adjusted (and rounded down to the nearest whole number) in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Your Stock Units shall be subject to the terms of the agreement of merger, liquidation or reorganization in the event the Company is subject to such corporate activity in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Applicable Law    This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
Consent to Electronic Delivery    The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this grant you agree that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company’s annual report to you in an electronic format. If at any time you would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as you are entitled to receive, the Company would be pleased to provide copies. Please contact the [Corporate Secretary] to request paper copies of these documents.
The Plan    The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Director DCP constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this grant of Stock Units. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this grant are superseded.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan.

 

3


Exhibit A — Deferral Election

Exhibit 10.3

Exhibit 10.3

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of                  , 2008 by and between Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                      (“Indemnitee”).

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Bylaws of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and


WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company or, while a [director] [officer] of the Company, at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust employee benefit plan or other enterprise. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), if any, is at will, and the Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws, and the DGCL. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in force after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as an [officer] [director] of the Company.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

(a) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

i. Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) Mitchell P. Rale’s (together with his affiliates) holding of [                     (    %)] or less of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not be considered a Change in Control event pursuant to this Section 2(a)(i) and (B) Steven M. Rale’s (together with his affiliates) holding of [                     (    %)] or less of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not be considered a Change in Control event pursuant to this Section 2(a)(i).][Note: To be determined based on post-IPO beneficial ownership.

ii. Change in Board. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director

 

-2-


designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(a)(i), 2(a)(iii) or 2(a)(iv) of this Agreement) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

iii. Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

iv. Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

v. Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

For purposes of this Section 2(a), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(A) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(B) “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

(C) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

 

-3-


(b) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

(c) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(d) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

(e) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 13(d) of this Agreement only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(f) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(g) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative legislative, or investigative nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is

 

-4-


or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any action on his part while acting as director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement; except one initiated by an Indemnitee to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

(h) Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

Section 3. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

Section 4. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

 

-5-


Section 5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which the Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

Section 6. Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

Section 7. Additional Indemnification.

(a) Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5 of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.

(b) For purposes of Section 7(a) of this Agreement, the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

i. to the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and

ii. to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

Section 8. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

-6-


(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

(b) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), or

(c) except as provided in Section 13(d) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

Section 9. Advances of Expenses. In accordance with Article 12, Section 2 of the Bylaws of the Company, and notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, and such advancement shall be made within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. The Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. This Section 9 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement.

Section 10. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim.

(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof.

 

-7-


The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. The omission by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

Section 11. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.

(a) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) of this Agreement, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 11(b). If a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless

 

-8-


Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) of this Agreement and the final disposition of the Proceeding, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Court or by such other person as the Court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 11(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 13(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

Section 12. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) Subject to Section 13(e) of this Agreement, if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 11 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made

 

-9-


and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 12(b) shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 11(a) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 11(a) of this Agreement.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

(d) Reliance as Safe Harbor. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with the reasonable care by the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 12(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e) Actions of Others. The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

Section 13. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) Subject to Section 13(e) hereof, in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification

 

-10-


under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 11(a) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5 or 6 of this Agreement or the last sentence of Section 11(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 7 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of his entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 13(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 11(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 13 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 13 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 11(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 13, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d) The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 13 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee

 

-11-


against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

Section 14. Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.

(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Company’s Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Company or the Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including

 

-12-


execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

Section 15. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company or, while a [director] [officer] of the Company, at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of an Enterprise or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 13 of this Agreement relating thereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his heirs, executors and administrators.

Section 16. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 17. Enforcement.

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and

 

-13-


understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Company’s insurance, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws of the Company and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

Section 18. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties thereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

Section 19. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

Section 20. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received:

(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company.

(b) If to the Company to

Colfax Corporation

8730 Stony Point Parkway

Suite 150

Richmond, VA 23235

Attn: John A. Young

Fax: 804-560-4076

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Colfax Corporation

200 American Metro Boulevard

Suite 111

Hamilton, NJ 08619

Attn: Thomas M. O’Brien, Esq.

Fax: 609-896-7633

 

-14-


or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

Section 21. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

Section 22. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 13(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably RL&F Service Corp., One Rodney Square, 10th Floor, 10th and King Streets, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

Section 23. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 24. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

-15-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

COLFAX CORPORATION     INDEMNITEE
By:  

 

   

 

  Name:  

 

    Name:  

 

  Office:  

 

    Address:  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

     

 

 

-16-

Exhibit 10.10

Exhibit 10.10

JOHN A. YOUNG

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of April 29, 2008, (the “Effective Date”) by and between Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and John A. Young (the “Executive”). This Agreement amends, restates and supersedes the employment agreements entered into as of April 12, 2008 and as of April 22, 2008 by and between the Company and the Executive.

1. Positions, Duties and Term. The Company hereby employs the Executive as its President & CEO and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth below. The principal place of employment of Executive shall be at the Company’s corporate offices in Richmond, Virginia, except for reasonable business travel.

1.1 Term. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall be for a term commencing as of the Effective Date and ending as of the earliest of (i) December 31, 2009 or such later date to which the term of this Agreement may be extended pursuant to Subsection (a) (ii) the date that the Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to Subsections (c) or (d), below, or (iii) the date of the Executive’s death. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, this Agreement automatically will terminate on December 31, 2008 if no initial public offering or Change in Control Event has occurred (the “Non-transaction”).

(a) Extension of Term. Unless the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates earlier in accordance with Subsections (c) or (d), the parties pursuant to Subsection (b) elect not to extend the term or the Agreement terminates due to the Non-transaction, the term of this Agreement automatically shall be extended as of December 31, 2008 and each December 31 thereafter, such that on each such date the term of employment under this Agreement shall be for a full two-year period. In addition, if a Change in Control shall occur during the term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, this Agreement shall not expire prior to the second anniversary of the date of consummation of the Change in Control, and the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended to the second anniversary, as necessary, to give effect to this provision as of such consummation date.

(b) Election Not to Extend Term. The Executive or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), by written notice delivered to the other, may at any time elect to terminate the automatic extension provision of Subsection (a). Any such election may be made until the December 31st as of which the term would otherwise be extended for an additional one year. Furthermore, the parties agree that expiration of this Agreement in accordance with the term end-date dictated by this Subsection (b) shall not in any event constitute termination by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause under this Agreement.


(c) Early Termination. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment with or without Cause or on account of Disability, with written notice delivered to the Executive from Board. In the case of a termination by the Company for Cause, the Executive’s termination shall be effective immediately upon giving notice. In the case of a termination without Cause or on account of Disability, the termination shall be effective as stated in such notice, but not earlier than 60 days following the date of the notice.

(d) Early Resignation. The Executive may resign from the Company for any reason, including Good Reason. Executive may effect a Good Reason termination by providing at least 30 days’ written notice to the Board of the applicable Good Reason criteria and his termination effective date; provided that the notice must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the condition that is the basis for such Good Reason; and further provided that if the basis for such Good Reason is correctible and the Company corrects the basis for such Good Reason within 30 days after receipt of such notice, the Good Reason defect shall be cured and Executive shall not then have the right to terminate his employment for Good Reason with respect to the occurrence addressed in the written notice. In the case of a resignation other than for Good Reason, the termination shall be effective as stated in the notice, but not earlier than 60 days following the date of the notice.

(e) Termination and Offices Held. At the time Executive ceases to be an employee of the Company, the Executive agrees that he shall resign from any office he holds with the Company and its subsidiaries and any affiliate.

1.2 Duties. The Executive shall faithfully perform for the Company the duties incident to the office of President & CEO and shall perform such other duties of an executive, managerial or administrative nature as shall be specified and designated from time to time by the Board. The Executive shall devote substantially all of the Executive’s business time and effort to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, provided that in no event shall this sentence prohibit the Executive from performing personal and charitable activities and any other activities approved by the Board, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the Executive’s duties for the Company.

2. Compensation.

2.1 Salary. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary at an annual rate of $440,600 (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary automatically shall increase to an annual rate of $565,500 upon the consummation of an initial public offering during the term of this Agreement. The Base Salary shall be reviewed no less frequently than annually and may be increased at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), as applicable. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Executive, the Base Salary shall not be reduced from the amount previously in effect. The Base Salary shall be payable in equal biweekly installments or in such other installments as shall be consistent with the Company’s payroll procedures.

2.2 Annual Cash Incentive. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus based on

 

2


performance objectives established by the Committee each year (the “Annual Cash Incentive”). The Executive’s target Annual Cash Incentive amount will be the percentage of Base Salary designated as the target by the Committee, which amount shall be at least 75% of the Base Salary then in effect for each applicable year. Notwithstanding the preceding, Executive’s Annual Cash Incentive, if any, may be below (including zero), at, or above the target based upon the achievement of the performance objectives.

2.3 Benefits. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall be permitted to participate in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans, health programs, pension and profit sharing plans, long-term incentive plans and similar benefits that may be available to other senior executives of the Company generally, on the same terms as may be applicable to such other executives, in each case to the extent that the Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs.

2.4 Vacation. During the term of his employment under this agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation of twenty (20) working days per year.

2.5 Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all ordinary and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred (and, in the case of reimbursement, paid) by the Executive during the term the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, provided that the Executive submits such expenses in accordance with the policies applicable to senior executives of the Company generally.

3. Terminations Other than Without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event of the Executive’s resignation other than for Good Reason, his termination of employment with the Company on account of death or Disability, or his termination by the Company for Cause, all obligations of the Company under Sections 1 and 2 will immediately cease. In connection with this resignation or termination, the Company will pay the Executive (or, in the case of the Executive’s death, Executive’s beneficiary or, if none has been designated in accordance with Section 6.3, Executive’s estate), the amount of the Executive’s Compensation Accrued at Termination, and the Executive’s rights, if any, under any Company benefit plan or program shall be governed by such plan or program.

4. Terminations Without Cause or for Good Reason. If during the term of his employment under this Agreement, Executive is terminated by the Company without Cause (and not on account of Disability) or resigns from the Company for Good Reason, all obligations of the Company under Sections 1 and 2 will immediately cease. In connection with this resignation or termination, the Company will pay the Executive (or, in the case of the Executive’s death, Executive’s beneficiary or, if none has been designated in accordance with Section 8.3, Executive’s estate), the amount of the Executive’s Compensation Accrued at Termination, and the Executive’s rights, if any, under any Company benefit plan or program shall be governed by such plan or program. In addition, in connection with a resignation or termination described in this Section 4, and subject to the requirements of Section 4.3, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits described in Section 4.1 and, if applicable, Section 4.2.

 

3


4.1 Severance and Pro-Rata Bonus. The benefit under this Section 4.1 shall consist of the following:

 

  (i) A single sum severance payment in cash equal to the sum of: (x) one (1) times the Executive’s Base Salary plus (y) one (1) times the Executive’s target Annual Cash Incentive in effect for the year; provided, however, that the Annual Cash Incentive component shall instead be the average of the two highest actual Annual Cash Incentive payments made in the three most recent performance periods, if this amount is greater and the Executive has received two such payments; and provided, further, that the multiplier under the provisions of (x) and (y) shall be “two (2) times” in the event the applicable termination of employment occurs within 3 months prior to a Change in Control Event or two (2) years after a Change in Control;

 

  (ii) In lieu of any annual cash incentive under Section 2.2 for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates, a single sum cash payment equal to the Partial Year Bonus (as defined in Section 10.6); and

 

  (iii) At Company’s expense, Executive and his spouse and dependent children shall be entitled to continuation of health insurance coverage (i.e., medical, dental and vision) under the Company’s group health plan(s) in which the Executive was participating on the date of termination or if such plan(s) have been terminated, in the plan(s) in which senior executives of the Company participate for a period of one (1) year or two (2) years in the event the applicable termination of employment occurs within 3 months prior to a Change in Control Event or two (2) years after a Change in Control.

4.2 Change in Control Termination Accelerated Vesting. If the resignation or termination under this Section 4 shall occur within 3 months prior to a Change in Control Event or two (2) years after a Change in Control, the following provisions shall apply:

 

  (i) All equity or equity based awards held by Executive at termination of employment, including but not limited to, stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, and which time-vest based on service shall become vested and non-forfeitable, and all other terms of such awards shall be governed by the plans and programs and the agreements and other documents pursuant to which such options were granted; and

 

  (ii)

Any performance objectives upon which the earning of performance-based restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other equity or equity-based awards and other long-term incentive awards (including cash awards,) is conditioned shall be deemed to have been met at the greater of (A) target level at the date of termination, or (B) actual performance at the date of

 

4


 

termination, and such amounts shall become fully vested and non-forfeitable as a result of termination of employment at the date of such termination, and, in other respects, such awards shall be governed by the plans and programs and the agreements and other documents pursuant to which such awards were granted;

4.3 Waiver and Release Agreement. In consideration of the severance payments described in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, to which severance payments the Executive would otherwise not be entitled, and as a pre-condition to the Executive becoming entitled to such severance payments under this Agreement, the Executive agrees to execute at the time of Executive’s termination a Waiver and Release Agreement in exactly the form provided to the Executive by the Company without alteration or addition (the “Waiver and Release Agreement”), attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms and conditions of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

5. Golden Parachute Excise Tax Provisions. In the event it is determined that any payment or benefit (within the meaning of Section 280G(B)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), to the Executive or for his or her benefit paid or payable or distributed to or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with, or arising out of, his or her employment (“Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the total Payments shall be reduced to the extent the payment of such amounts would cause the Executive’s total termination benefits to constitute an “excess” parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and by reason of such excess parachute payment the Executive would be subject to an excise tax under Section 4999(a) of the Code, but only if the Executive (or the Executive’s tax advisor) determines that the after-tax value of the termination benefits calculated with the foregoing restriction exceed those calculated without the foregoing restriction. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all determinations under this Section 5 shall be made at the expense of the Company by a nationally recognized public accounting or consulting firm selected by the Company and subject to the approval of Executive, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such determination shall be binding upon Executive and the Company.

5.1 Company Withholding. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that, according to the Determination, an Excise Tax will be imposed on any Payment or Payments, the Company shall pay to the applicable government taxing authorities as Excise Tax withholding, the amount of the Excise Tax that the Company has actually withheld from the Payment or Payments.

6. Confidentiality; Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure; Executive Cooperation; Non-Disparagement.

6.1 Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that, during the course of his employment with the Company, the Executive may receive special training and/or

 

5


may be given access to or may become acquainted with Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) of the Company. As used in this Section 6.2, “Confidential Information” of the Company means all trade practices, business plans, price lists, supplier lists, customer lists, marketing plans, financial information, software and all other compilations of information which relate to the business of the Company, or to any of its subsidiaries, and which have not been disclosed by the Company to the public, or which are not otherwise generally available to the public.

The Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information of the Company, as such may exist from time to time, are valuable, confidential, special and unique assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, expensive to produce and maintain and essential for the profitable operation of their respective businesses. The Executive agrees that, during the course of his employment with the Company, or at any time thereafter, he shall not, directly or indirectly, communicate, disclose or divulge to any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined), or use for his benefit or the benefit of any Person, in any manner, any Confidential Information of the Company or its subsidiaries acquired during his employment with the Company or any other confidential information concerning the conduct and details of the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, except as required in the course of his employment with the Company or as otherwise may be required by law. For purposes if this Agreement, “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity or any government, governmental agency or political subdivision.

All documents relating to the businesses of the Company and its affiliates including, without limitation, Confidential Information of the Company, whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive’s possession, are the exclusive property of the Company and such respective subsidiaries, and must not be removed from the premises of the Company, except as required in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company. The Executive shall return all such documents (including any copies thereof) to the Company when the Executive ceases to be employed by the Company or upon the earlier request of the Company or the Board.

6.2 Noncompetition. During the term of this Agreement (including any extensions thereof) and for a period of one (1) year or, in the case of a termination described in Section 4.2, two (2) years following the termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement for any reason, the Executive shall not, except with the Company’s express prior written consent, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, for the benefit of any entity or person (including the Executive) become employed by, own, operate, manage, direct, invest in (except through a mutual fund), or otherwise, directly or indirectly, engage in, or be employed by, any entity or person which competes with the Business (as hereinafter defined) within the Territory. For purposes of this Agreement, “Business” shall mean a company involved in the manufacture and sale of pumps, valves or fluid handling systems. For purposes of this Agreement, “Territory” shall mean the United States of America.

6.3 Non-Solicitation. During the term of this Agreement (including any extension thereof) and for a period of two (2) years or, in the case of a termination described in

 

6


Section 4.2, three (3) years following the termination of the Executive’s termination under this Agreement for any reason, the Executive shall not, except with the Company’s express prior written consent, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, for the benefit of any entity or person (including the Executive) solicit, service, divert, take away, or contact any customer, client or employee of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, or promote a competing service to any customer, client or employee of the Company, its subsidiaries or any of its respective businesses.

6.4 Cooperation With Regard to Litigation. Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, during the term and thereafter (including following Executive’s termination of employment for any reason), by making himself available to testify on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in any such action, suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, as may be reasonably requested and after taking into account Executive’s post-termination responsibilities and obligations. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive, on an after-tax basis, for all reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance.

6.5 Non-Disparagement. Executive shall not, at any time during the Term and thereafter make statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage or be damaging to the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors, businesses or reputations, nor shall members of the Board of Directors or Executive’s successor in office make any such statements or representations regarding Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive or his successor or members of the Board of Directors from making truthful statements that are required by applicable law, regulation or legal process.

6.6 Survival. The provisions of this Section 6 shall survive the termination of the Term and any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

6.7 Remedies. Executive agrees that any breach of the terms of this Section 6 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; Executive therefore also agrees that in the event of said breach or any threat of breach and notwithstanding Section 7 the Company shall be entitled to an immediate injunction and restraining order from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by Executive and/or any and all persons and/or entities acting for and/or with Executive, without having to prove damages. The availability of injunctive relief shall be in addition to any other remedies to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity, but remedies other than injunctive relief may only be pursued in an arbitration brought in accordance with Section 6. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from pursuing in an arbitration any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 6, including but not limited to the recovery of damages from

 

7


Executive. Executive hereby further agrees that, if it is ever determined, in an arbitration brought in accordance with Section 7, that willful actions by Executive have constituted wrongdoing that contributed to any material misstatement or omission from any report or statement filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or material fraud against the Company, then the Company, or its successor, as appropriate, may recover all of any award or payment made to Executive, less the amount of any net tax owed by Executive with respect to such award or payment over the tax benefit to Executive from the repayment or return of the award or payment, pursuant to Section 5.1, and Executive agrees to repay and return such awards and amounts to the Company within 30 calendar days of receiving notice from the Company that the Board has made the determination referenced above and accordingly the Company is demanding repayment pursuant to this Section 6.6. The Company or its successor may, in its sole discretion, affect any such recovery by (i) obtaining repayment directly from Executive; (ii) setting off the amount owed to it against any amount or award that would otherwise be payable by the Company to Executive; or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii) above.

7. Governing Law; Disputes; Arbitration.

7.1 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and is to be construed, administered, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflicts of law principles. If under the governing law, any portion of this Agreement is at any time deemed to be in conflict with any applicable statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other principle of law, such portion shall be deemed to be modified or altered to the extent necessary to conform thereto or, if that is not possible, to be omitted from this Agreement. The invalidity of any such portion shall not affect the force, effect, and validity of the remaining portion hereof. If any court determines that any provision of Section 7 is unenforceable because of the duration or geographic scope of such provision, it is the parties’ intent that such court shall have the power to modify the duration or geographic scope of such provision, as the case may be, to the extent necessary to render the provision enforceable and, in its modified form, such provision shall be enforced.

7.2 Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in the City of Richmond, Virginia by three arbitrators in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association in effect at the time of submission to arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators’ award in any court having jurisdiction. For purposes of entering any judgment upon an award rendered by the arbitrators, the Company and Executive hereby consent to the jurisdiction of any or all of the following courts: (i) the United States District Court for the Fourth Circuit, (ii) any of the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or (iii) any other court having jurisdiction. The Company and Executive further agree that any service of process or notice requirements in any such proceeding shall be satisfied if the rules of such court relating thereto have been substantially satisfied. The Company and Executive hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to such jurisdiction and any defense of inconvenient forum. The Company and Executive hereby agree that a judgment upon an award rendered by the arbitrators may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Each party shall bear its or his costs and expenses arising in connection with any

 

8


arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 7. Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 7, Executive shall be paid compensation due and owing under this Agreement during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

7.3 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL FOR ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT. This provision is subject to Section 7.2, requiring arbitration of disputes hereunder.

8. Miscellaneous.

8.1 Integration. This Agreement cancels and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company, any parent or predecessor company, and the Company’s subsidiaries during the Term, but excluding existing contracts relating to compensation under executive compensation and employee benefit plans of the Company and its subsidiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the matters herein provided, and no modification or waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties hereto. Executive shall not be entitled to any payment or benefit under this Agreement which duplicates a payment or benefit received or receivable by Executive under such prior agreements and understandings or under any benefit or compensation plan of the Company.

8.2 Successors; Transferability. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, and whether or not the corporate existence of the Company continues) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise and, in the case of an acquisition of the Company in which the corporate existence of the Company continues, the ultimate parent company following such acquisition. Subject to the foregoing, the Company may transfer and assign this Agreement and the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder to another entity that is substantially comparable to the Company in its financial strength and ability to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor the rights or obligations hereunder of the parties hereto shall be transferable or assignable by Executive, except in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution or as specified in Section 8.3.

8.3 Beneficiaries. Executive shall be entitled to designate (and change, to the extent permitted under applicable law) a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefits provided hereunder following Executive’s death.

 

9


8.4 Notices. Whenever under this Agreement it becomes necessary to give notice, such notice shall be in writing, signed by the party or parties giving or making the same, and shall be served on the person or persons for whom it is intended or who should be advised or notified, by Federal Express or other similar overnight service or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed to such party at the address set forth below or at such other address as may be designated by such party by like notice:

If to the Company:

Colfax Corporation

Attn: Steven W. Weidenmuller

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150

Richmond, VA 23235

With a copy to:

Michael Silver, Esquire

Hogan & Hartson LLP

555 13th Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

If to Executive:

John A. Young

11801 Aberdeen Landing Lane

Midlothian, VA 23113

If the parties by mutual agreement supply each other with fax numbers for the purposes of providing notice by facsimile, such notice shall also be proper notice under this Agreement. In the case of Federal Express or other similar overnight service, such notice or advice shall be effective when sent, and, in the cases of certified or registered mail, shall be effective two days after deposit into the mails by delivery to the U.S. Post Office.

8.5 Reformation. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement shall not be deemed to render the remainder of this Agreement invalid.

8.6 Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a part hereof.

8.7 No General Waivers. The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision hereof or to resort to any remedy provided herein or at law or in equity shall in no way affect the right of such party to require such performance or to resort to such remedy at any time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by any party of a breach of any of the provisions hereof be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of

 

10


such provisions. No such waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced.

8.8 No Obligation To Mitigate. Executive shall not be required to seek other employment or otherwise to mitigate Executive’s damages upon any termination of employment; provided, however, that, to the extent Executive receives from a subsequent employer health or other insurance benefits that are substantially similar to the benefits referred to in Section 2.3 hereof, any such benefits to be provided by the Company to Executive following the Term shall be correspondingly reduced.

8.9 Offsets; Withholding. The amounts required to be paid by the Company to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall not be subject to offset other than with respect to any amounts that are owed to the Company by Executive due to his receipt of funds as a result of his fraudulent activity. The foregoing and other provisions of this Agreement notwithstanding, all payments to be made to Executive under this Agreement, including under Sections 4 and 5, or otherwise by the Company, will be subject to withholding to satisfy required withholding taxes and other required deductions.

8.10 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive, his heirs, executors, administrators and beneficiaries, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.

8.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

8.12 Representations of Executive. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on his part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms and that he is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, which prevents him from entering into this Agreement or performing all of his obligations hereunder. In the event of a breach of such representation or warranty on Executive’s part or if there is any other legal impediment which prevents him from entering into this Agreement or performing all of his obligations hereunder, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement forthwith in accordance with the same notice and hearing procedures specified above in respect of a termination by the Company for Cause pursuant to Section 3 and shall have no further obligations to Executive hereunder. Notwithstanding a termination by the Company under this Section 8.12, Executive’s obligations under Section 6 shall survive such termination.

9. D&O Insurance.

The Company will maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance during the Term and for a period of six years thereafter, covering acts and omissions of Executive during the Term, on terms substantially no less favorable than those in effect on the Effective Date.

 

11


10. Definitions Relating to Termination Events.

10.1 Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s:

 

  (i) Conviction for commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;

 

  (ii) Willful commission of any act of theft, fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates;

 

  (iii) Willful and continued failure to substantially perform Executive’s duties hereunder (other than such failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure is not remedied within 30 calendar days after written demand for substantial performance is delivered by the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties.

No act, or failure to act, on the part of Executive shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Executive without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of the resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the independent members of the Board at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with Executive’s counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of conduct set forth above in this definition and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

10.2 Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” means the following:

 

  (i) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction or on the Effective Date, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company and immediately after such acquisition possesses more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

12


  (ii) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 10.2(i) hereof or Section 10.2(iii) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

 

  (iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

 

  (A) Which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction; and

 

  (B) After which no person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 10.2(iii)(B) as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

 

  (iv) The Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company and all material contingencies to such liquidation or dissolution have been satisfied or waived.

 

13


10.3 Change in Control Event. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control Event” means the earlier to occur of (i) a Change in Control or (ii) the execution and delivery by the Company of a definitive agreement providing for a Change in Control.

10.4 Compensation Accrued at Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Compensation Accrued at Termination” means the following:

 

  (i) The unpaid portion of annual Base Salary at the rate payable, in accordance with Section 2.1 hereof, at the date of Executive’s termination of employment, pro rated through such date of termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s regular pay schedule;

 

  (ii) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all earned and unpaid and/or vested, nonforfeitable amounts owing or accrued at the date of Executive’s termination of employment under any compensation and benefit plans, programs, and arrangements set forth or referred to in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 hereof (including any earned and vested Annual Cash Incentive) in which Executive theretofore participated, payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the plans, programs, and arrangements (and agreements and documents thereunder) pursuant to which such compensation and benefits were granted or accrued; and

 

  (iii) Reasonable business expenses and disbursements incurred by Executive prior to Executive’s termination of employment, to be reimbursed to Executive, as authorized under Section 2.5, in accordance the Company’s reimbursement policies as in effect at the date of such termination.

10.5 Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means the Executive is unable due to a physical or mental condition to perform the essential functions of his position with or without reasonable accommodation for six (6) months in the aggregate during any twelve (12) month period or based on the written certification by two licensed physicians of the likely continuation of such condition for such period. This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Section 409A of the Code and other applicable law.

10.6 Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean, without Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any of the following circumstances unless, if correctable, such circumstances are fully corrected within 30 days of the notice of termination given in respect thereof:

 

  (i)

The assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with Executive’s position and status hereunder, or an alteration, materially adverse to Executive, in the nature of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, and authorities, Executive’s position or the conditions of Executive’s employment from those specified in Section 1 or otherwise hereunder (other than inadvertent actions which are promptly remedied); except the

 

14


 

foregoing shall not constitute Good Reason if occurring in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, Disability, as a result of Executive’s death, or as a result of action by or with the consent of Executive;

 

  (ii) A reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary or the setting of Executive’s annual target incentive opportunity or payment of earned Annual Cash Incentive in amounts materially less than specified under or otherwise not in conformity with Section 2 hereof;

 

  (iii) The Company requiring Executive to relocate his principal place of business for the Company to a location at least 35 miles from his current place of business, and which is at least 35 miles longer distance from his place of residence;

 

  (iv) The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company to fully assume the Company’s obligations and to perform under this Agreement; or

 

  (v) Any other failure by the Company to perform any material obligation under, or breach by the Company of any material provision of, this Agreement;

10.7 Partial Year Bonus. For purposes of this Agreement, a Partial Year Bonus is an amount equal to the target Annual Cash Incentive compensation that would have become payable to Executive for that year multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days Executive was employed in the year of termination and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the year of termination.

 

15


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed their names as of the day and year first above written.

 

COLFAX CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Steven W. Weidenmuller

Name:   Steven W. Weidenmuller
Title:   Senior Vice President, Human Resources

/s/ John A. Young

John A. Young

 

16


EXHIBIT A

WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT is entered into as of [TO BE DETERMINATED AT TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT] (the “Effective Date”), by                              (the “Executive”) in consideration of the severance pay provided to the Executive by Colfax Corporation (the “Company”) pursuant to the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) by and between the Company and the Executive (the “Severance Payment”).

1. Waiver and Release. The Executive, on his or her own behalf and on behalf of his or her heirs, executors, administrators, attorneys and assigns, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases, waives and forever discharges the Company and each of its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors, and the subsidiaries, directors, owners, members, shareholders, officers, agents, and employees of the Company and its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors, and subsidiaries (collectively, all of the foregoing are referred to as the “Employer”), from any and all causes of action, claims and damages, including attorneys’ fees, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, presently asserted or otherwise arising through the date of his or her signing of the Waiver and Release Agreement, concerning his or her employment or separation from employment. This release includes, but is not limited to, any claim or entitlement to salary, bonuses (but not including payment of any remaining bonus under the Employment Agreement), any other payments, benefits or damages arising under any federal law (including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Executive Order 11246, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, each as amended); any claim arising under any state or local laws, ordinances or regulations (including, but not limited to, any state or local laws, ordinances or regulations requiring that advance notice be given of certain workforce reductions); and any claim arising under any common law principle or public policy, including, but not limited to, all suits in tort or contract, such as wrongful termination, defamation, emotional distress, invasion of privacy or loss of consortium.

The Executive understands that by signing this Waiver and Release Agreement he or she is not waiving any claims or administrative charges which cannot be waived by law. He or she is waiving, however, any right to monetary recovery or individual relief should any federal, state or local agency (including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) pursue any claim on his or her behalf arising out of or related to his or her employment with and/or separation from employment with the Company.

The Executive further agrees without any reservation whatsoever, never to sue the Employer or become a party to a lawsuit on the basis of any and all claims of any type lawfully and validly released in this Waiver and Release Agreement.

2. Acknowledgments. The Executive is signing this Waiver and Release Agreement knowingly and voluntarily. He or she acknowledges that:

 

  (a) He or she is hereby advised in writing to consult an attorney before signing this Waiver and Release Agreement;

 

17


  (b) He or she has relied solely on his or her own judgment and/or that of his or her attorney regarding the consideration for and the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement and is signing this Waiver and Release Agreement knowingly and voluntarily of his or her own free will;

 

  (c) He or she is not entitled to the Severance Payment unless he or she agrees to and honors the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement;

 

  (d) He or she has been given at least [twenty-one (21)] [forty-five (45)] calendar days to consider this Waiver and Release Agreement, or he or she expressly waives his or her right to have at least [twenty-one (21)] [forty-five (45)] days to consider this Waiver and Release Agreement;

 

  (e) He or she may revoke this Waiver and Release Agreement within seven (7) calendar days after signing it by submitting a written notice of revocation to the Employer. He or she further understands that this Waiver and Release Agreement is not effective or enforceable until after the seven (7) day period of revocation has expired without revocation, and that if he or she revokes this Waiver and Release Agreement within the seven (7) day revocation period, he or she will not receive the Severance Payment;

 

  (f) He or she has read and understands the Waiver and Release Agreement and further understands that it includes a general release of any and all known and unknown, foreseen or unforeseen claims presently asserted or otherwise arising through the date of his or her signing of this Waiver and Release Agreement that he or she may have against the Employer; and

 

  (g) No statements made or conduct by the Employer has in any way coerced or unduly influenced him or her to execute this Waiver and Release Agreement.

3. No Admission of Liability. This Waiver and Release Agreement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the Employer, the Employer does not admit there has been any wrongdoing whatsoever against the Executive, and the Employer expressly denies that any wrongdoing has occurred.

4. Entire Agreement. There are no other agreements of any nature between the Employer and the Executive with respect to the matters discussed in this Waiver and Release Agreement, except as expressly stated herein, and in signing this Waiver and Release Agreement, the Executive is not relying on any agreements or representations, except those expressly contained in this Waiver and Release Agreement.

5. Execution. It is not necessary that the Employer sign this Waiver and Release Agreement following the Executive’s full and complete execution of it for it to become fully effective and enforceable.

6. Severability. If any provision of this Waiver and Release Agreement is found, held or deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void, unlawful or unenforceable under any

 

18


applicable statute or controlling law, the remainder of this Waiver and Release Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

7. Governing Law. This Waiver and Release Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding the choice of law rules thereof.

8. Headings. Section and subsection headings contained in this Waiver and Release Agreement are inserted for the convenience of reference only. Section and subsection headings shall not be deemed to be a part of this Waiver and Release Agreement for any purpose, and they shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first herein above written.

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

[NAME OF EXECUTIVE]

 

19

Exhibit 10.13

Exhibit 10.13

GREGORY SCOTT FAISON

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of April 29, 2008, (the “Effective Date”) by and between Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and G. Scott Faison (the “Executive”). This Agreement amends, restates and supersedes the employment agreement entered into as of April 22, 2008 by an between the Company and the Executive.

In consideration of the anticipated public offering of the Company, and the attendant increased scope of job requirements for the Executive, the parties hereby agree to enter into this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth below:

1. Positions, Duties and Term. The Company hereby employs the Executive as its Senior Vice President, Finance & CFO and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth below. The principal place of employment of Executive shall be at the Company’s corporate offices in Richmond, Virginia, except for reasonable business travel.

1.1 Term. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall be for a term commencing as of the Effective Date and ending as of the earliest of (i) December 31, 2009 or such later date to which the term of this Agreement may be extended pursuant to Subsection (a) (ii) the date that the Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to Subsections (c) or (d), below, or (iii) the date of the Executive’s death. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, this Agreement automatically will terminate on December 31, 2008 if no initial public offering or Change in Control Event has occurred (the “Non-transaction”).

(a) Extension of Term. Unless the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates earlier in accordance with Subsections (c) or (d), the parties pursuant to Subsection (b) elect not to extend the term or the Agreement terminates due to the Non-transaction, the term of this Agreement automatically shall be extended as of December 31, 2008 and each December 31 thereafter, such that on each such date the term of employment under this Agreement shall be for a full two-year period. In addition, if a Change in Control shall occur during the term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, this Agreement shall not expire prior to the second anniversary of the date of consummation of the Change in Control, and the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended to the second anniversary, as necessary, to give effect to this provision as of such consummation date.

(b) Election Not to Extend Term. The Executive or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), by written notice delivered to the other, may at any time elect to terminate the automatic extension provision of Subsection (a). Any such election may be made until the December 31st as of which the term would otherwise be extended for an additional one year. Furthermore, the parties agree that expiration of this Agreement in


accordance with the term end-date dictated by this Subsection (b) shall not in any event constitute termination by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause under this Agreement.

(c) Early Termination. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment with or without Cause or on account of Disability, with written notice delivered to the Executive from Board. In the case of a termination by the Company for Cause, the Executive’s termination shall be effective immediately upon giving notice. In the case of a termination without Cause or on account of Disability, the termination shall be effective as stated in such notice, but not earlier than 60 days following the date of the notice.

(d) Early Resignation. The Executive may resign from the Company for any reason, including Good Reason. Executive may effect a Good Reason termination by providing at least 30 days’ written notice to the Board of the applicable Good Reason criteria and his termination effective date; provided that the notice must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the condition that is the basis for such Good Reason; and further provided that if the basis for such Good Reason is correctible and the Company corrects the basis for such Good Reason within 30 days after receipt of such notice, the Good Reason defect shall be cured and Executive shall not then have the right to terminate his employment for Good Reason with respect to the occurrence addressed in the written notice. In the case of a resignation other than for Good Reason, the termination shall be effective as stated in the notice, but not earlier than 60 days following the date of the notice.

(e) Termination and Offices Held. At the time Executive ceases to be an employee of the Company, the Executive agrees that he shall resign from any office he holds with the Company and its subsidiaries and any affiliate.

1.2 Duties. The Executive shall faithfully perform for the Company the duties incident to the office of Senior Vice President, Finance & CFO and shall perform such other duties of an executive, managerial or administrative nature as shall be specified and designated from time to time by the Board. The Executive shall devote substantially all of the Executive’s business time and effort to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, provided that in no event shall this sentence prohibit the Executive from performing personal and charitable activities and any other activities approved by the Board, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the Executive’s duties for the Company.

2. Compensation.

2.1 Salary. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary at an annual rate of $247,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary automatically shall increase to an annual rate of $282,000 upon the consummation of an initial public offering during the term of this Agreement. The Base Salary shall be reviewed no less frequently than annually and may be increased at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), as applicable. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Executive, the Base Salary shall not be reduced from the

 

2


amount previously in effect. The Base Salary shall be payable in equal biweekly installments or in such other installments as shall be consistent with the Company’s payroll procedures.

2.2 Annual Cash Incentive. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus based on performance objectives established by the Committee each year (the “Annual Cash Incentive”). The Executive’s target Annual Cash Incentive amount will be the percentage of Base Salary designated as the target by the Committee, which amount shall be at least 50% of the Base Salary then in effect for each applicable year. Notwithstanding the preceding, Executive’s Annual Cash Incentive, if any, may be below (including zero), at, or above the target based upon the achievement of the performance objectives.

2.3 Benefits. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall be permitted to participate in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans, health programs, pension and profit sharing plans, long-term incentive plans and similar benefits that may be available to other senior executives of the Company generally, on the same terms as may be applicable to such other executives, in each case to the extent that the Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs.

2.4 Vacation. During the term of his employment under this agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation of twenty (20) working days per year.

2.5 Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all ordinary and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred (and, in the case of reimbursement, paid) by the Executive during the term the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, provided that the Executive submits such expenses in accordance with the policies applicable to senior executives of the Company generally.

3. Terminations Other than Without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event of the Executive’s resignation other than for Good Reason, his termination of employment with the Company on account of death or Disability, or his termination by the Company for Cause, all obligations of the Company under Sections 1 and 2 will immediately cease. In connection with this resignation or termination, the Company will pay the Executive (or, in the case of the Executive’s death, Executive’s beneficiary or, if none has been designated in accordance with Section 6.3, Executive’s estate), the amount of the Executive’s Compensation Accrued at Termination, and the Executive’s rights, if any, under any Company benefit plan or program shall be governed by such plan or program.

4. Terminations Without Cause or for Good Reason. If during the term of his employment under this Agreement, Executive is terminated by the Company without Cause (and not on account of Disability) or resigns from the Company for Good Reason, all obligations of the Company under Sections 1 and 2 will immediately cease. In connection with this resignation or termination, the Company will pay the Executive (or, in the case of the Executive’s death, Executive’s beneficiary or, if none has been designated in accordance with Section 8.3, Executive’s estate), the amount of the Executive’s Compensation Accrued at Termination, and the Executive’s rights, if any, under any Company benefit plan or program shall be governed by

 

3


such plan or program. In addition, in connection with a resignation or termination described in this Section 4, and subject to the requirements of Section 4.3, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits described in Section 4.1 and, if applicable, Section 4.2.

4.1 Severance and Pro-Rata Bonus. The benefit under this Section 4.1 shall consist of the following:

 

  (i) A single sum severance payment in cash equal to the sum of: (x) one (1) times the Executive’s Base Salary plus (y) one (1) times the Executive’s target Annual Cash Incentive in effect for the year; provided, however, that the Annual Cash Incentive component shall instead be the average of the two highest actual Annual Cash Incentive payments made in the three most recent performance periods, if this amount is greater and the Executive has received two such payments; and provided, further, that the multiplier under the provisions of (x) and (y) shall be “two (2) times” in the event the applicable termination of employment occurs within 3 months prior to a Change in Control Event or two (2) years after a Change in Control;

 

  (ii) In lieu of any annual cash incentive under Section 2.2 for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates, a single sum cash payment equal to the Partial Year Bonus (as defined in Section 10.6); and

 

  (iii) At Company’s expense, Executive and his spouse and dependent children shall be entitled to continuation of health insurance coverage (i.e., medical, dental and vision) under the Company’s group health plan(s) in which the Executive was participating on the date of termination or if such plan(s) have been terminated, in the plan(s) in which senior executives of the Company participate for a period of one (1) year or two (2) years in the event the applicable termination of employment occurs within 3 months prior to a Change in Control Event or two (2) years after a Change in Control.

4.2 Change in Control Termination Accelerated Vesting. If the resignation or termination under this Section 4 shall occur within 3 months prior to a Change in Control Event or two (2) years after a Change in Control, the following provisions shall apply:

 

  (i) All equity or equity based awards held by Executive at termination of employment, including but not limited to, stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, and which time-vest based on service shall become vested and non-forfeitable, and all other terms of such awards shall be governed by the plans and programs and the agreements and other documents pursuant to which such options were granted; and

 

  (ii)

Any performance objectives upon which the earning of performance-based restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other equity or equity-based

 

4


 

awards and other long-term incentive awards (including cash awards,) is conditioned shall be deemed to have been met at the greater of (A) target level at the date of termination, or (B) actual performance at the date of termination, and such amounts shall become fully vested and non-forfeitable as a result of termination of employment at the date of such termination, and, in other respects, such awards shall be governed by the plans and programs and the agreements and other documents pursuant to which such awards were granted;

4.3 Waiver and Release Agreement. In consideration of the severance payments described in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, to which severance payments the Executive would otherwise not be entitled, and as a pre-condition to the Executive becoming entitled to such severance payments under this Agreement, the Executive agrees to execute at the time of Executive’s termination a Waiver and Release Agreement in exactly the form provided to the Executive by the Company without alteration or addition (the “Waiver and Release Agreement”), attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms and conditions of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

5. Golden Parachute Excise Tax Provisions. In the event it is determined that any payment or benefit (within the meaning of Section 280G(B)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), to the Executive or for his or her benefit paid or payable or distributed to or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with, or arising out of, his or her employment (“Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the total Payments shall be reduced to the extent the payment of such amounts would cause the Executive’s total termination benefits to constitute an “excess” parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and by reason of such excess parachute payment the Executive would be subject to an excise tax under Section 4999(a) of the Code, but only if the Executive (or the Executive’s tax advisor) determines that the after-tax value of the termination benefits calculated with the foregoing restriction exceed those calculated without the foregoing restriction. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all determinations under this Section 5 shall be made at the expense of the Company by a nationally recognized public accounting or consulting firm selected by the Company and subject to the approval of Executive, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such determination shall be binding upon Executive and the Company.

5.1 Company Withholding. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that, according to the Determination, an Excise Tax will be imposed on any Payment or Payments, the Company shall pay to the applicable government taxing authorities as Excise Tax withholding, the amount of the Excise Tax that the Company has actually withheld from the Payment or Payments.

 

5


6. Confidentiality; Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure; Executive Cooperation; Non-Disparagement.

6.1 Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that, during the course of his employment with the Company, the Executive may receive special training and/or may be given access to or may become acquainted with Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) of the Company. As used in this Section 6.2, “Confidential Information” of the Company means all trade practices, business plans, price lists, supplier lists, customer lists, marketing plans, financial information, software and all other compilations of information which relate to the business of the Company, or to any of its subsidiaries, and which have not been disclosed by the Company to the public, or which are not otherwise generally available to the public.

The Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information of the Company, as such may exist from time to time, are valuable, confidential, special and unique assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, expensive to produce and maintain and essential for the profitable operation of their respective businesses. The Executive agrees that, during the course of his employment with the Company, or at any time thereafter, he shall not, directly or indirectly, communicate, disclose or divulge to any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined), or use for his benefit or the benefit of any Person, in any manner, any Confidential Information of the Company or its subsidiaries acquired during his employment with the Company or any other confidential information concerning the conduct and details of the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, except as required in the course of his employment with the Company or as otherwise may be required by law. For purposes if this Agreement, “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity or any government, governmental agency or political subdivision.

All documents relating to the businesses of the Company and its affiliates including, without limitation, Confidential Information of the Company, whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive’s possession, are the exclusive property of the Company and such respective subsidiaries, and must not be removed from the premises of the Company, except as required in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company. The Executive shall return all such documents (including any copies thereof) to the Company when the Executive ceases to be employed by the Company or upon the earlier request of the Company or the Board.

6.2 Noncompetition. During the term of this Agreement (including any extensions thereof) and for a period of one (1) year or, in the case of a termination described in Section 4.2, two (2) years following the termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement for any reason, the Executive shall not, except with the Company’s express prior written consent, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, for the benefit of any entity or person (including the Executive) become employed by, own, operate, manage, direct, invest in (except through a mutual fund), or otherwise, directly or indirectly, engage in, or be employed by, any entity or person which competes with the Business (as hereinafter defined) within the Territory. For purposes of this Agreement, “Business” shall mean a company involved in the manufacture

 

6


and sale of pumps, valves or fluid handling systems. For purposes of this Agreement, “Territory” shall mean the United States of America.

6.3 Non-Solicitation. During the term of this Agreement (including any extension thereof) and for a period of two (2) years or, in the case of a termination described in Section 4.2, three (3) years following the termination of the Executive’s termination under this Agreement for any reason, the Executive shall not, except with the Company’s express prior written consent, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, for the benefit of any entity or person (including the Executive) solicit, service, divert, take away, or contact any customer, client or employee of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, or promote a competing service to any customer, client or employee of the Company, its subsidiaries or any of its respective businesses.

6.4 Cooperation With Regard to Litigation. Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, during the term and thereafter (including following Executive’s termination of employment for any reason), by making himself available to testify on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in any such action, suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, as may be reasonably requested and after taking into account Executive’s post-termination responsibilities and obligations. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive, on an after-tax basis, for all reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance.

6.5 Non-Disparagement. Executive shall not, at any time during the Term and thereafter make statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage or be damaging to the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors, businesses or reputations, nor shall members of the Board of Directors or Executive’s successor in office make any such statements or representations regarding Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive or his successor or members of the Board of Directors from making truthful statements that are required by applicable law, regulation or legal process.

6.6 Survival. The provisions of this Section 6 shall survive the termination of the Term and any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

6.7 Remedies. Executive agrees that any breach of the terms of this Section 6 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; Executive therefore also agrees that in the event of said breach or any threat of breach and notwithstanding Section 7 the Company shall be entitled to an immediate injunction and restraining order from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by Executive and/or any and all persons and/or entities acting for and/or with Executive, without having to prove damages. The

 

7


availability of injunctive relief shall be in addition to any other remedies to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity, but remedies other than injunctive relief may only be pursued in an arbitration brought in accordance with Section 6. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from pursuing in an arbitration any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 6, including but not limited to the recovery of damages from Executive. Executive hereby further agrees that, if it is ever determined, in an arbitration brought in accordance with Section 7, that willful actions by Executive have constituted wrongdoing that contributed to any material misstatement or omission from any report or statement filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or material fraud against the Company, then the Company, or its successor, as appropriate, may recover all of any award or payment made to Executive, less the amount of any net tax owed by Executive with respect to such award or payment over the tax benefit to Executive from the repayment or return of the award or payment, pursuant to Section 5.1, and Executive agrees to repay and return such awards and amounts to the Company within 30 calendar days of receiving notice from the Company that the Board has made the determination referenced above and accordingly the Company is demanding repayment pursuant to this Section 6.6. The Company or its successor may, in its sole discretion, affect any such recovery by (i) obtaining repayment directly from Executive; (ii) setting off the amount owed to it against any amount or award that would otherwise be payable by the Company to Executive; or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii) above.

7. Governing Law; Disputes; Arbitration.

7.1 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and is to be construed, administered, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflicts of law principles. If under the governing law, any portion of this Agreement is at any time deemed to be in conflict with any applicable statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other principle of law, such portion shall be deemed to be modified or altered to the extent necessary to conform thereto or, if that is not possible, to be omitted from this Agreement. The invalidity of any such portion shall not affect the force, effect, and validity of the remaining portion hereof. If any court determines that any provision of Section 7 is unenforceable because of the duration or geographic scope of such provision, it is the parties’ intent that such court shall have the power to modify the duration or geographic scope of such provision, as the case may be, to the extent necessary to render the provision enforceable and, in its modified form, such provision shall be enforced.

7.2 Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in the City of Richmond, Virginia by three arbitrators in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association in effect at the time of submission to arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators’ award in any court having jurisdiction. For purposes of entering any judgment upon an award rendered by the arbitrators, the Company and Executive hereby consent to the jurisdiction of any or all of the following courts: (i) the United States District Court for the Fourth Circuit, (ii) any of the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or (iii) any other court having jurisdiction. The Company and Executive further agree that any service of process or notice requirements in any such proceeding shall be satisfied if the rules of such court relating thereto have been substantially satisfied. The Company and

 

8


Executive hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to such jurisdiction and any defense of inconvenient forum. The Company and Executive hereby agree that a judgment upon an award rendered by the arbitrators may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Each party shall bear its or his costs and expenses arising in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 7. Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 7, Executive shall be paid compensation due and owing under this Agreement during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

7.3 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL FOR ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT. This provision is subject to Section 7.2, requiring arbitration of disputes hereunder.

8. Miscellaneous.

8.1 Integration. This Agreement cancels and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company, any parent or predecessor company, and the Company’s subsidiaries during the Term, but excluding existing contracts relating to compensation under executive compensation and employee benefit plans of the Company and its subsidiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the matters herein provided, and no modification or waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties hereto. Executive shall not be entitled to any payment or benefit under this Agreement which duplicates a payment or benefit received or receivable by Executive under such prior agreements and understandings or under any benefit or compensation plan of the Company.

8.2 Successors; Transferability. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, and whether or not the corporate existence of the Company continues) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise and, in the case of an acquisition of the Company in which the corporate existence of the Company continues, the ultimate parent company following such acquisition. Subject to the foregoing, the Company may transfer and assign this Agreement and the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder to another entity that is substantially comparable to the Company in its financial strength and ability to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor the rights or obligations hereunder of the parties hereto shall be transferable or assignable by Executive, except in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution or as specified in Section 8.3.

 

9


8.3 Beneficiaries. Executive shall be entitled to designate (and change, to the extent permitted under applicable law) a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefits provided hereunder following Executive’s death.

8.4 Notices. Whenever under this Agreement it becomes necessary to give notice, such notice shall be in writing, signed by the party or parties giving or making the same, and shall be served on the person or persons for whom it is intended or who should be advised or notified, by Federal Express or other similar overnight service or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed to such party at the address set forth below or at such other address as may be designated by such party by like notice:

If to the Company:

Colfax Corporation

Attn: Steven W. Weidenmuller

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150

Richmond, VA 23235

With a copy to:

Michael Silver, Esquire

Hogan & Hartson LLP

555 13th Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

If to Executive:

G. Scott Faison

14215 Hickory Oaks Lane

Ashland, VA 23005

If the parties by mutual agreement supply each other with fax numbers for the purposes of providing notice by facsimile, such notice shall also be proper notice under this Agreement. In the case of Federal Express or other similar overnight service, such notice or advice shall be effective when sent, and, in the cases of certified or registered mail, shall be effective two days after deposit into the mails by delivery to the U.S. Post Office.

8.5 Reformation. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement shall not be deemed to render the remainder of this Agreement invalid.

8.6 Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a part hereof.

 

10


8.7 No General Waivers. The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision hereof or to resort to any remedy provided herein or at law or in equity shall in no way affect the right of such party to require such performance or to resort to such remedy at any time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by any party of a breach of any of the provisions hereof be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of such provisions. No such waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced.

8.8 No Obligation To Mitigate. Executive shall not be required to seek other employment or otherwise to mitigate Executive’s damages upon any termination of employment; provided, however, that, to the extent Executive receives from a subsequent employer health or other insurance benefits that are substantially similar to the benefits referred to in Section 2.3 hereof, any such benefits to be provided by the Company to Executive following the Term shall be correspondingly reduced.

8.9 Offsets; Withholding. The amounts required to be paid by the Company to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall not be subject to offset other than with respect to any amounts that are owed to the Company by Executive due to his receipt of funds as a result of his fraudulent activity. The foregoing and other provisions of this Agreement notwithstanding, all payments to be made to Executive under this Agreement, including under Sections 4 and 5, or otherwise by the Company, will be subject to withholding to satisfy required withholding taxes and other required deductions.

8.10 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive, his heirs, executors, administrators and beneficiaries, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.

8.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

8.12 Representations of Executive. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on his part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms and that he is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, which prevents him from entering into this Agreement or performing all of his obligations hereunder. In the event of a breach of such representation or warranty on Executive’s part or if there is any other legal impediment which prevents him from entering into this Agreement or performing all of his obligations hereunder, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement forthwith in accordance with the same notice and hearing procedures specified above in respect of a termination by the Company for Cause pursuant to Section 3 and shall have no further obligations to Executive hereunder. Notwithstanding a termination by the Company under this Section 8.12, Executive’s obligations under Section 6 shall survive such termination.

 

11


9. D&O Insurance.

The Company will maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance during the Term and for a period of six years thereafter, covering acts and omissions of Executive during the Term, on terms substantially no less favorable than those in effect on the Effective Date.

10. Definitions Relating to Termination Events.

10.1 Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s:

 

  (i) Conviction for commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;

 

  (ii) Willful commission of any act of theft, fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates;

 

  (iii) Willful and continued failure to substantially perform Executive’s duties hereunder (other than such failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure is not remedied within 30 calendar days after written demand for substantial performance is delivered by the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties.

No act, or failure to act, on the part of Executive shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Executive without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of the resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the independent members of the Board at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with Executive’s counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of conduct set forth above in this definition and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

10.2 Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” means the following:

 

  (i)

A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction or on the Effective Date, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company)

 

12


 

directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company and immediately after such acquisition possesses more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

  (ii) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 10.2(i) hereof or Section 10.2(iii) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

 

  (iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

 

  (A) Which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction; and

 

  (B) After which no person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 10.2(iii)(B) as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

 

13


  (iv) The Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company and all material contingencies to such liquidation or dissolution have been satisfied or waived.

10.3 Change in Control Event. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control Event” means the earlier to occur of (i) a Change in Control or (ii) the execution and delivery by the Company of a definitive agreement providing for a Change in Control.

10.4 Compensation Accrued at Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Compensation Accrued at Termination” means the following:

 

  (i) The unpaid portion of annual Base Salary at the rate payable, in accordance with Section 2.1 hereof, at the date of Executive’s termination of employment, pro rated through such date of termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s regular pay schedule;

 

  (ii) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all earned and unpaid and/or vested, nonforfeitable amounts owing or accrued at the date of Executive’s termination of employment under any compensation and benefit plans, programs, and arrangements set forth or referred to in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 hereof (including any earned and vested Annual Cash Incentive) in which Executive theretofore participated, payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the plans, programs, and arrangements (and agreements and documents thereunder) pursuant to which such compensation and benefits were granted or accrued; and

 

  (iii) Reasonable business expenses and disbursements incurred by Executive prior to Executive’s termination of employment, to be reimbursed to Executive, as authorized under Section 2.5, in accordance the Company’s reimbursement policies as in effect at the date of such termination.

10.5 Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means the Executive is unable due to a physical or mental condition to perform the essential functions of his position with or without reasonable accommodation for six (6) months in the aggregate during any twelve (12) month period or based on the written certification by two licensed physicians of the likely continuation of such condition for such period. This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Section 409A of the Code and other applicable law.

10.6 Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean, without Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any of the following circumstances unless, if correctable, such circumstances are fully corrected within 30 days of the notice of termination given in respect thereof:

 

  (i)

The assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with Executive’s position and status hereunder, or an alteration, materially

 

14


 

adverse to Executive, in the nature of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, and authorities, Executive’s position or the conditions of Executive’s employment from those specified in Section 1 or otherwise hereunder (other than inadvertent actions which are promptly remedied); except the foregoing shall not constitute Good Reason if occurring in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, Disability, as a result of Executive’s death, or as a result of action by or with the consent of Executive;

 

  (ii) A reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary or the setting of Executive’s annual target incentive opportunity or payment of earned Annual Cash Incentive in amounts materially less than specified under or otherwise not in conformity with Section 2 hereof;

 

  (iii) The Company requiring Executive to relocate his principal place of business for the Company to a location at least 35 miles from his current place of business, and which is at least 35 miles longer distance from his place of residence;

 

  (iv) The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company to fully assume the Company’s obligations and to perform under this Agreement; or

 

  (v) Any other failure by the Company to perform any material obligation under, or breach by the Company of any material provision of, this Agreement;

10.7 Partial Year Bonus. For purposes of this Agreement, a Partial Year Bonus is an amount equal to the target Annual Cash Incentive compensation that would have become payable to Executive for that year multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days Executive was employed in the year of termination and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the year of termination.

 

15


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed their names as of the day and year first above written.

 

COLFAX CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Steven W. Weidenmuller

Name:   Steven W. Weidenmuller
Title:   Senior Vice President, Human Resources

/s/ G. Scott Faison

G. Scott Faison

 

16


EXHIBIT A

WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT is entered into as of [TO BE DETERMINATED AT TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT] (the “Effective Date”), by                      (the “Executive”) in consideration of the severance pay provided to the Executive by Colfax Corporation (the “Company”) pursuant to the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) by and between the Company and the Executive (the “Severance Payment”).

1. Waiver and Release. The Executive, on his or her own behalf and on behalf of his or her heirs, executors, administrators, attorneys and assigns, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases, waives and forever discharges the Company and each of its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors, and the subsidiaries, directors, owners, members, shareholders, officers, agents, and employees of the Company and its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors, and subsidiaries (collectively, all of the foregoing are referred to as the “Employer”), from any and all causes of action, claims and damages, including attorneys’ fees, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, presently asserted or otherwise arising through the date of his or her signing of the Waiver and Release Agreement, concerning his or her employment or separation from employment. This release includes, but is not limited to, any claim or entitlement to salary, bonuses (but not including payment of any remaining bonus under the Employment Agreement), any other payments, benefits or damages arising under any federal law (including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Executive Order 11246, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, each as amended); any claim arising under any state or local laws, ordinances or regulations (including, but not limited to, any state or local laws, ordinances or regulations requiring that advance notice be given of certain workforce reductions); and any claim arising under any common law principle or public policy, including, but not limited to, all suits in tort or contract, such as wrongful termination, defamation, emotional distress, invasion of privacy or loss of consortium.

The Executive understands that by signing this Waiver and Release Agreement he or she is not waiving any claims or administrative charges which cannot be waived by law. He or she is waiving, however, any right to monetary recovery or individual relief should any federal, state or local agency (including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) pursue any claim on his or her behalf arising out of or related to his or her employment with and/or separation from employment with the Company.

The Executive further agrees without any reservation whatsoever, never to sue the Employer or become a party to a lawsuit on the basis of any and all claims of any type lawfully and validly released in this Waiver and Release Agreement.

2. Acknowledgments. The Executive is signing this Waiver and Release Agreement knowingly and voluntarily. He or she acknowledges that:

 

  (a) He or she is hereby advised in writing to consult an attorney before signing this Waiver and Release Agreement;

 

17


  (b) He or she has relied solely on his or her own judgment and/or that of his or her attorney regarding the consideration for and the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement and is signing this Waiver and Release Agreement knowingly and voluntarily of his or her own free will;

 

  (c) He or she is not entitled to the Severance Payment unless he or she agrees to and honors the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement;

 

  (d) He or she has been given at least [twenty-one (21)] [forty-five (45)] calendar days to consider this Waiver and Release Agreement, or he or she expressly waives his or her right to have at least [twenty-one (21)] [forty-five (45)] days to consider this Waiver and Release Agreement;

 

  (e) He or she may revoke this Waiver and Release Agreement within seven (7) calendar days after signing it by submitting a written notice of revocation to the Employer. He or she further understands that this Waiver and Release Agreement is not effective or enforceable until after the seven (7) day period of revocation has expired without revocation, and that if he or she revokes this Waiver and Release Agreement within the seven (7) day revocation period, he or she will not receive the Severance Payment;

 

  (f) He or she has read and understands the Waiver and Release Agreement and further understands that it includes a general release of any and all known and unknown, foreseen or unforeseen claims presently asserted or otherwise arising through the date of his or her signing of this Waiver and Release Agreement that he or she may have against the Employer; and

 

  (g) No statements made or conduct by the Employer has in any way coerced or unduly influenced him or her to execute this Waiver and Release Agreement.

3. No Admission of Liability. This Waiver and Release Agreement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the Employer, the Employer does not admit there has been any wrongdoing whatsoever against the Executive, and the Employer expressly denies that any wrongdoing has occurred.

4. Entire Agreement. There are no other agreements of any nature between the Employer and the Executive with respect to the matters discussed in this Waiver and Release Agreement, except as expressly stated herein, and in signing this Waiver and Release Agreement, the Executive is not relying on any agreements or representations, except those expressly contained in this Waiver and Release Agreement.

5. Execution. It is not necessary that the Employer sign this Waiver and Release Agreement following the Executive’s full and complete execution of it for it to become fully effective and enforceable.

6. Severability. If any provision of this Waiver and Release Agreement is found, held or deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void, unlawful or unenforceable under any

 

18


applicable statute or controlling law, the remainder of this Waiver and Release Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

7. Governing Law. This Waiver and Release Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding the choice of law rules thereof.

8. Headings. Section and subsection headings contained in this Waiver and Release Agreement are inserted for the convenience of reference only. Section and subsection headings shall not be deemed to be a part of this Waiver and Release Agreement for any purpose, and they shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first herein above written.

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

[NAME OF EXECUTIVE]

 

19

Exhibit 10.14

Exhibit 10.14

Grant No.:             

COLFAX CORPORATION

DEFERRED DELIVERY STOCK OWNERSHIP AGREEMENT

FORMER EMPLOYEE

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants shares of its common stock, $.001 par value (the “Stock”), to the individual named below as the Grantee in connection with the Grantee’s Employee Appreciation Rights Agreement with the Company dated [                    ] (the “Rights Agreement”), whereby the Grantee is entitled to certain bonus payments (the “EAR Bonus”). This Award is made under the terms and conditions set forth in this cover sheet and the attachment (collectively, the “Agreement”), and this Award is made in satisfaction of 50% of the EAR Bonus payable to the Grantee.

Grant Date: [                    ], 200     (the “IPO Effective Date”)

Name of Grantee:                                         

Grantee’s Social Security Number:             -            -            

Number of Shares of Stock Covered by Grant:                                         

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this Agreement.

 

Grantee:  

 

  (Signature)
Company:  

 

  (Signature)
Title:  

 

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

DEFERRED DELIVERY STOCK OWNERSHIP AGREEMENT

FORMER EMPLOYEE

 

Nontransferability    This grant is an award of Stock in the number of shares set forth on the cover sheet (“Stock Award”). To the extent the Stock is held in escrow as set forth below, your Stock may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, whether by operation of law or otherwise, nor may the Stock be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Vesting    Your right to the Stock under this Agreement vests as to 100% of the total number of shares of Stock covered by this grant on the Grant Date.
Issuance and Delivery   

The issuance of the Stock under this grant shall be evidenced in such a manner as the Company, in its discretion, will deem appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry, registration or issuance of one or more Stock certificates. To the extent certificates are issued, such certificates will be held in escrow with the Secretary of the Company until the applicable Delivery Date (as described herein).

 

On each of the first three annual anniversaries of the IPO Effective Date (each a “Delivery Date”), 1/3rd (one-third) of the number of shares of Stock covered by this Agreement will be delivered to you. Any fractional shares scheduled to be delivered on a Delivery Date shall remain in escrow and instead shall be delivered as of the next Delivery Date.

Shareholder Rights    You have the right to vote the Stock and to receive any dividends declared or paid on such stock. Any distributions you receive as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or other similar transaction shall be deemed to be a part of the Stock and subject to the same conditions and restrictions applicable thereto.
Death    If your death occurs before the Stock covered by this Agreement is delivered to you, the Stock will be delivered to your beneficiary as designated on the beneficiary designation form attached hereto.
Withholding Taxes    You agree, as a condition of this grant, that you will make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of this Stock Award or the payment of dividends on the Stock. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to the making of this Stock Award or the payment of dividends on the Stock, the Company shall have the right to require such payments from you, or withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate (as defined below) (including withholding


   amounts from any cash portion of the EAR Bonus).
   “Affiliate” means any company or other trade or business that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act of 1933, including, without limitation, any subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Applicable Law    This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
Entire Agreement    This Agreement and the Rights Agreement constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this grant of Stock. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this grant are superseded.
Data Privacy   

In order to administer the Agreement, the Company may process personal data about you. Such data includes but is not limited to the information provided in this Agreement and any changes thereto, other appropriate personal and financial data about you such as home address and business addresses and other contact information, payroll information and any other information that might be deemed appropriate by the Company to facilitate the administration of the Agreement.

 

By accepting this Stock Award, you give explicit consent to the Company to process any such personal data. You also give explicit consent to the Company to transfer any such personal data outside the country in which you work or are employed, including, with respect to non-U.S. resident Grantees, to the United States, to transferees who shall include the Company and other persons who are designated by the Company to administer the Agreement.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above.

 


BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FORM

 

 

                                             

                       -                  -                  

Print Name

      Social Security Number    

If I die before receiving from the Company the balance of my Stock Award, then any shares remaining under the Stock Award shall be paid to my designated beneficiary(ies) according to this beneficiary designation. Payment is to be made as follows [check one box only]:

 

q To my surviving spouse.

 

q To all of my children who survive me in equal shares. [Please provide names and addresses below.] The term “children” means natural or legally adopted children but excludes stepchildren (if not adopted).

 

q To my estate.

 

q Other [please enter a description, and provide names and addresses, if necessary]:

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                 

In the event no designated beneficiary survives me, any remaining shares shall be made to my estate.

The names and addresses of my beneficiaries are as follows [please use a separate sheet if necessary]:

 

1.          Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  
2.    Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  
3.    Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  
4.    Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  

This beneficiary designation is to take effect on the date when it is received by:

[Name]

Colfax Corporation

[Address]

Phone: [                    ]

Fax: [                    ]

This beneficiary designation supersedes any prior designations that I may have made concerning the Stock Award.

 

 

     

 

Signature       Date

 

 

  Company Use: Date of receipt:                             , 200    

  Initials:                                 

 

 

Exhibit 10.15

Exhibit 10.15

Grant No.:             

COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

DEFERRED DELIVERY STOCK OWNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Colfax Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants shares of its common stock, $.001 par value (the “Stock”), to the individual named below as the Grantee in connection with the Grantee’s Employee Appreciation Rights Agreement with the Company dated [                    ] (the “Rights Agreement”), whereby the Grantee is entitled to certain bonus payments (the “EAR Bonus”). This Award is made under the terms and conditions set forth in this cover sheet and the attachment (collectively, the “Agreement”) and in the Colfax Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and this Award is made in satisfaction of 50% of the EAR Bonus payable to the Grantee.

Grant Date: [                    ], 200     (the “IPO Effective Date”)

Name of Grantee:                                         

Grantee’s Social Security Number:             -            -            

Number of Shares of Stock Covered by Grant:                                         

By signing this cover sheet, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this Agreement and in the Plan, a copy of which is also attached. You acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed the Plan, and agree that the Plan will control in the event any provision of this Agreement should appear to be inconsistent Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in the Plan, and have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

Grantee:  

 

  (Signature)
Company:  

 

  (Signature)
Title:  

 

Attachment

This is not a stock certificate or a negotiable instrument.


COLFAX CORPORATION

2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

DEFERRED DELIVERY STOCK OWNERSHIP AGREEMENT

 

Nontransferability    This grant is an award of Stock in the number of shares set forth on the cover sheet (“Stock Award”). To the extent the Stock is held in escrow as set forth below, your Stock may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, whether by operation of law or otherwise, nor may the Stock be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Vesting    Your right to the Stock under this Agreement vests as to 100% of the total number of shares of Stock covered by this grant on the Grant Date.
Issuance and Delivery   

The issuance of the Stock under this grant shall be evidenced in such a manner as the Company, in its discretion, will deem appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry, registration or issuance of one or more Stock certificates. To the extent certificates are issued, such certificates will be held in escrow with the Secretary of the Company until the applicable Delivery Date (as described herein).

 

On each of the first three annual anniversaries of the IPO Effective Date (each a “Delivery Date”), 1/3rd (one-third) of the number of shares of Stock covered by this Agreement will be delivered to you. Any fractional shares scheduled to be delivered on a Delivery Date shall remain in escrow and instead shall be delivered as of the next Delivery Date.

Shareholder Rights    You have the right to vote the Stock and to receive any dividends declared or paid on such stock. Any distributions you receive as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or other similar transaction shall be deemed to be a part of the Stock and subject to the same conditions and restrictions applicable thereto.
Death    If your death occurs before the Stock covered by this Agreement is delivered to you, the Stock will be delivered to your beneficiary as designated on the beneficiary designation form attached hereto.
Withholding Taxes    You agree, as a condition of this grant, that you will make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of this Stock Award or the payment of dividends on the Stock. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to the making of this Stock Award or the payment of dividends on the Stock, the Company shall have the right to require such payments from you, or withhold such amounts from other payments due to you from the Company or any Affiliate (including withholding amounts from any cash portion of the EAR Bonus).

 


Retention Rights    This Agreement does not give you the right to be retained or employed by the Company (or any of its Affiliates) in any capacity. The Company (and any Affiliates) reserve the right to terminate your Service at any time and for any reason.
Applicable Law    This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
The Plan    This Agreement, the Rights Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this grant of Stock. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this grant are superseded.
Data Privacy   

In order to administer the Plan, the Company may process personal data about you. Such data includes but is not limited to the information provided in this Agreement and any changes thereto, other appropriate personal and financial data about you such as home address and business addresses and other contact information, payroll information and any other information that might be deemed appropriate by the Company to facilitate the administration of the Plan.

 

By accepting this Stock Award, you give explicit consent to the Company to process any such personal data. You also give explicit consent to the Company to transfer any such personal data outside the country in which you work or are employed, including, with respect to non-U.S. resident Grantees, to the United States, to transferees who shall include the Company and other persons who are designated by the Company to administer the Plan.

Consent to Electronic Delivery    The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this grant you agree that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company’s annual report to you in an electronic format. If at any time you would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as you are entitled to, the Company would be pleased to provide copies. Please contact the [Corporate Secretary] to request paper copies of these documents.

By signing the cover sheet of this Agreement, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan.


BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FORM UNDER THE

COLFAX CORPORATION 2008 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

                                             

                       -                  -                  

Print Name

      Social Security Number    

If I die before receiving from the Company the balance of my Stock Award, then any shares remaining under the Stock Award shall be paid to my designated beneficiary(ies) according to this beneficiary designation. Payment is to be made as follows [check one box only]:

 

q To my surviving spouse.

 

q To all of my children who survive me in equal shares. [Please provide names and addresses below.] The term “children” means natural or legally adopted children but excludes stepchildren (if not adopted).

 

q To my estate.

 

q Other [please enter a description, and provide names and addresses, if necessary]:

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                 

In the event no designated beneficiary survives me, any remaining shares shall be made to my estate.

The names and addresses of my beneficiaries are as follows [please use a separate sheet if necessary]:

 

1.          Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  
2.    Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  
3.    Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  
4.    Name:   

 

   Relationship:   

 

  
   Address:   

 

   SSN:   

 

  

This beneficiary designation is to take effect on the date when it is received by:

[Name]

Colfax Corporation

[Address]

Phone: [                    ]

Fax: [                    ]

This beneficiary designation supersedes any prior designations that I may have made concerning the Stock Award.

 

 

     

 

Signature       Date

 

 

  Company Use: Date of receipt:                             , 200    

  Initials:                                 

 

Exhibit 23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated March 7, 2008 (except Note 19, as to which the date is April 21, 2008) in Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-148486) and related Prospectus of Colfax Corporation for the registration of shares of its common stock.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Richmond, Virginia

April 30, 2008

SEC Letter for Amendment #5

LOGO

May 1, 2008

BY EDGAR AND HAND DELIVERY

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Peggy Fisher, Assistant Director

Division of Corporate Finance

Mail Stop 6010

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Re:    Colfax Corporation
   Registration Statement on Form S-1
   Amendment No. 4 Filed April 23, 2008
   File No. 333-148486

Dear Ms. Fisher:

On behalf of Colfax Corporation (“Company”), this letter is in response to the staff’s letter dated April 25, 2008 to John A. Young, with respect to the above-referenced Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”).

In response to your letter, set forth below are the staff’s comments in italics followed by the Company’s responses to the staff’s comments. Where indicated below, the Company has included changes to the disclosure in Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement, which the Company is filing contemporaneously with this response letter.

We have sent to your attention for delivery on May 1, 2008, courtesy copies of this letter (including exhibits) and Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits) blacklined to show changes against the Registration Statement.

Cover Page of Prospectus

 

1. Identify the two selling shareholders on the cover page.

The Company has revised the cover page to identify the selling shareholders.

 


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporate Finance

May 1, 2008

Page 2

 

2. Quantify the estimated reimbursement amount the registrant will pay out of the proceeds to cover offering expenses of the selling shareholders.

The Company has revised the cover page to disclose the estimated amount that the Company expects to pay to the selling stockholders to reimburse them for the underwriting discount on the shares sold by them. This estimate is based on the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of the prospectus.

Recent Developments, page 10

 

3. Please revise to disclose the reasons that estimated operating income for the three months ended March 28, 2008, on an annualized basis, is significantly lower than operating income for fiscal year 2007. In addition, please supplementally confirm that your Recent Developments section includes all available financial information and discusses any known trends or changes in your financial condition or results of operations.

The Company has revised the disclosure on page 10 to disclose the reasons why the estimated operating income for the three months ended March 28, 2008, on an annualized basis, is significantly lower than operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. In particular, the Company has identified the $50.3 million legacy asbestos gain in 2007, the majority of which was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2007, which makes comparability of operating income based on annualized information inappropriate. As noted under the subheading “Items Affecting Comparability of Reported Results—Legacy Asbestos (Income) Expense” in the MD&A, the legacy asbestos gain in 2007 was primarily the result of a revaluation of the insurance asset and from recording a receivable due from the Company’s insurers for past costs paid by the Company which were based on a series of court rulings in late 2007. The Company does not view this development as a trend.

The Company confirms that the information provided in this section constitutes the most recent information available and that no known trends or changes in the Company’s financial condition or results or operations exist that are not disclosed.

Use of Proceeds, page 22

 

4. Explain how and why the initial offering price could change the proportion of shares offered between the selling shareholders and the registrant.

The Company has revised the disclosure on pages 6 and 22 in response to the staff’s comment to clarify that the common stock to be sold by the selling shareholders is all of the common stock that will be received upon conversion of all of the outstanding preferred stock upon consummation of the offering. This amount is based upon a formula contained in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and is dependant upon the offering price of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, the amount of shares to be sold by the selling shareholders will fluctuate depending on the actual offering price. In addition, because the offering size has been fixed at 18,750,000 shares by the Company after discussions with the underwriters, the number of shares to be sold by the Company in the offering also will fluctuate as the shares offered by the selling shareholders fluctuates.

 

5. Disclose the uses of proceeds in bulleted paragraphs so that it is evident to potential investors how much will be paid to affiliates for various purposes.

 


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporate Finance

May 1, 2008

Page 3

The Company has revised the disclosure on pages 22 and 23 to present the uses of proceeds in bulleted paragraphs in response to the staff’s comment.

 

6. Explain in more detail how the $22.5 million is allocated for compensation of executive officers, and disclose the total amounts allocated to each named executive officer, either here or in the executive compensation section.

The Company has revised the disclosure on pages 22 and 23 to provide additional detail concerning the allocation of the $22.5 million expected to be used for purposes of execution compensation, including identification of specific amounts to be paid to each named executive officer and to the remaining current and former executive officers as a group.

 

7. Please tell us whether the $174.8 million “original issue price of the preferred stock” represents the actual cash paid by the selling shareholders for the preferred stock. If not, revise throughout the prospectus to disclose the amount they paid for the preferred stock and, if not paid in cash, how the fair market value was derived. Also disclose when the preferred stock was purchased.

The Company has revised the disclosure on page 22 to state that the shares of preferred stock were acquired in 2003 in exchange for notes payable by the Company to the selling shareholders that evidenced cash advances by them to the Company. The aggregate original issue price of the preferred stock was equal to the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest at the time of the exchange.

 

8. Please provide an estimated figure for funds to be applied to working capital and general corporate purposes after allocation for the other specified purposes.

The Company has revised the disclosure on pages 23 and 44 to remove the reference to application of the balance of proceeds, if any, to working capital and general corporate purposes. At the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, the Company does not expect to have any proceeds remaining following the uses quantified in the description of the uses of proceeds. The Company has further revised the disclosure on this page to note that if the Company were to receive additional proceeds from the offering, it is expected that any such additional proceeds would be applied towards the additional repayment of outstanding indebtedness as described in this section. In the event that the Company receives less proceeds in the offering than it has estimated, the Company expects to reduce the amount used to repay indebtedness.

Capitalization, page 24

 

9. Please revise to explain the difference between the net proceeds from the offering on page 22 of $111.3 million and the sum of the changes to total stockholders’ equity and total debt on a pro forma, as adjusted basis of $117.3 million on page 24.

The Company has revised the disclosure on page 25 to revise the pro forma as adjusted numbers and the bullet describing the pro forma as adjusted column. The revised disclosure explains that there are associated adjustments to pro forma as adjusted retained earnings (deficit) to reflect (i) the expense of the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs of approximately $3.4 million and the resulting tax benefit of approximately $1.3 million, resulting from the repayment of indebtedness described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, (ii) the approximately $22.5 million expense for the payments to current and former executives under previously adopted compensation plans described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement and the resulting tax benefit of approximately $8.6 million, (iii) the approximately $11.8 million expense related to the reimbursement of the selling stockholders for the Underwriters discount for which there is no related tax benefit and (iv) the estimated additional preferred stock dividends of approximately $3.7 million to be declared on the effective date of this offering. Set forth below for the staff’s ease of review is a reconciliation of Actual Shareholders’ Equity to Pro Forma, As Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity:


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporate Finance

May 1, 2008

Page 4

 

Stockholders’ Equity — Actual

   $ 53,051  

Estimated Net Proceeds

     111,263  

Estimated Expense for Cash Payments under 2001 & 2006 Plans

     (22,539 )

Tax Benefit of Cash Payments under 2001 & 2006 Plans

     8,565  

Estimated Reimbursement to selling stockholders

     (11,798 )

Estimated Write off of Debt Issuance Costs

     (3,396 )

Tax Benefit of Write off of Debt Issuance Costs

     1,290  

Declare Estimated Preferred Stock Dividends

     (3,746 )

Stockholders’ Equity — Pro Forma As Adjusted

   $ 132,690  

Dilution, page 25

 

10. The purpose of the table at the bottom of page 25 is to compare what existing stockholders and new investors paid for their proportional equity interests. Even though the Rales are converting their convertible preferred stock and selling the common stock in this offering, the price they paid is relevant to investors and should be disclosed. Please expand the disclosure, either through a separate table or otherwise, so that new investors are more accurately informed of the difference between what they are paying for their proportional interest compared to what all existing stockholders, including the Rales, paid for their equity interests in the registrant.

The Company has revised the disclosure on page 26 to include all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock in the table on the bottom of that page. In addition, the Company has revised the disclosure in the paragraph immediately preceding the table to clarify that the shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding preferred stock are included in the table. The Company has added a footnote to this table to explain that the shares of preferred stock were acquired in 2003 in exchange for notes payable by the Company to the selling shareholders that evidenced cash advances by them to the Company.

 

11. In the first paragraph on page 26, disclose to shareholders the number of shares of common stock and/or options that the board has approved and that will be issued to officers and/or directors upon effectiveness of this offering under your various compensation plans, and briefly describe the terms.

The Company has revised the disclosure on page 27 to disclose the number of shares of common stock, restricted stock units and stock options to be granted to executive officers and directors upon effectiveness of this offering under the Company’s compensation plans.


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporate Finance

May 1, 2008

Page 5

Adoption of 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan, page 73

 

12. We note the disclosure on pages 73-74 relating to restricted stock and stock options you will grant to certain executive officers upon effectiveness of the offering. We also note that the number of options to be granted will be determined by taking 50% of the grant value listed on page 73 divided by 40% of the value of your common stock on the date of effectiveness of the offering.

 

   

Tell us and revise to clarify what you mean by “the value of your common stock on the date of effectiveness of the offering.” For example, is this the IPO offering price or is this the closing price of the stock on that day.

   

Explain to us why a 60% discount off the value of your common stock would be appropriate.

The Company has revised the disclosure on pages 75 and 76 to clarify that the value of the common stock on the date of effectiveness is the initial public offering price. The Company has further revised this disclosure to clarify that the number of options to be granted to each individual, and not the option exercise price, is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company’s revised disclosure clarifies that the exercise price of these stock options will be the initial public offering price per share on the date of grant.

 

13. We note that SFAS 123(R) will require you to record the grant-date fair value of the number of options resulting from the formula above and that the fair value would likely be different from the numerator of the formula – i.e., 50% of the grant value listed on page 73.

 

   

Tell us whether the grant value listed on page 73 only represents a notional value used to calculate the number of options to be granted and that the fair value of the options granted may be different. If so, please revise to clarify that fact for investors, indicating whether you expect the amount to be higher or lower.

   

Otherwise, please explain to us how the determination of stock-options to be granted and the grant value assigned are consistent with the guidance in SFAS 123(R).

The Company has revised the disclosure on page 75 to clarify that the award values set forth on page 74 do not represent the fair value of the options to be granted, but instead represent a value used to determine the number of options to be granted. The Company’s revised disclosure on page 75 states that the Company will determine the fair value of such awards in accordance with the guidance in SFAS 123(R).

 

14. Revise the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the filing to address the following:

 

   

Provide a brief discussion of the restricted stock and options you intend to grant.

   

Explain how you will value the options to be granted, including the methodology you will employ; the material assumptions and estimates you will use to determine that value and resulting value.

   

Disclose, if true, that you will use the IPO offering price as fair value of your stock in that calculation. Otherwise, please advise us.


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporate Finance

May 1, 2008

Page 6

 

   

Describe briefly how you will account for the stock options.

   

Disclose the amount of compensation expense you will record in each of the next three years.

The Company has revised its Critical Accounting Estimates disclosure on page 51 to provide a discussion of the equity awards the Company intends to grant upon the effectiveness of the offering and to explain the way in which the Company intends to account for these awards. The Company has revised the disclosure on page 51 to estimate the amount of stock-based compensation expense that the Company expects to record in each of the next three years as a result of the grants the Company expects to make at the effective time of the offering.

************************************

If you have any questions concerning this letter or if you would like any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at (410) 659-2741 or John B. Beckman at (202) 637-5464.

Sincerely,

/s/ Michael J. Silver                    

Michael J. Silver

 

 

cc: John A. Young