Great American Financial/American Fin Grp SC 13D/A
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
(Amendment No. 15)
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
(Title of Class of Securities)
(CUSIP Number)
Karl J. Grafe, Esq.
One East Fourth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio
45202
(513) 579-2540
(Name, Address and Telephone Number
of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing
of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously
filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the
subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of
§§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.
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CUSIP
No. |
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389915109 |
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Page |
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2 |
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of |
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6 |
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1 |
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NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS:
American Financial Group, Inc. |
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I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
(ENTITIES ONLY): |
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31-1544320 |
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2 |
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS):
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(a) o |
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(b) o |
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3 |
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SEC USE ONLY: |
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4 |
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SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS): |
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N/A |
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5 |
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CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS
REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e): |
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o |
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CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION: |
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Ohio corporation
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7 |
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SOLE VOTING POWER: |
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NUMBER OF |
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38,566,978 (See Item 5) |
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SHARES |
8 |
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SHARED VOTING POWER: |
BENEFICIALLY |
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OWNED BY |
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0 |
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EACH |
9 |
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SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER: |
REPORTING |
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PERSON |
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38,566,978 (See Item 5) |
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WITH |
10 |
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SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER: |
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0 |
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11 |
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AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH
REPORTING PERSON: |
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38,566,978 (See Item 5) |
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12 |
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CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW
(11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS): |
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o
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13 |
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PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW
(11): |
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80.8% (See Item 5) |
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14 |
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TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS): |
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HC |
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG or the
Reporting Person), to amend and update the Schedule 13D relative to the common stock, $1.00 par
value (Common Stock) issued by Great American Financial Resources, Inc. (GAFRI).
The principal executive offices of GAFRI are located at 250 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati,
Ohio 45202. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to
them in the Schedule 13D, as previously amended. Items not included in this amendment are either
not amended or are not applicable.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
In connection with the proposed transaction described in Item 4, AFG estimates that the total
amount of funds required to purchase all of the outstanding Common Stock not currently owned by AFG
in the Merger (as defined in Item 4) and to pay estimated fees and expenses will be approximately
$225 million. GAFRI will use cash on hand and borrowings from AFG to finance the consummation of
the Merger and the associated fees and expenses.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
On May 17, 2007, AFG and GAFRI announced that they have entered into a definitive merger
agreement (the Merger Agreement) by which AFG would acquire the GAFRI shares (Shares) it does
not currently own at a price of $24.50 per share in cash, for a total purchase price of
approximately $225 million. AFG already owns, through its subsidiaries, approximately 80.8% of
the outstanding shares of GAFRI. Upon completion of the transaction, GAFRI will become a wholly
owned subsidiary of AFG. Copies of the Merger Agreement and press release dated May 17, 2007 are
being filed as exhibits to this Amendment to Schedule 13D.
Under the Merger Agreement, a subsidiary of AFG will be merged with GAFRI (the Merger) in
accordance with Delaware law, and GAFRI would then exist as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
AFG. As a result of the Merger, all Shares (except those Shares as to which appraisal rights are
exercised under Delaware law and Shares held by AFG) would be converted into the right to receive
$24.50 per Share in cash, without interest (the Merger Price). The Merger is subject to
customary conditions.
AFG believes the Merger is not subject to review of any state regulator under the relevant
insurance laws. However, a state with jurisdiction over AFG and GAFRI could assert a right to
review the Merger. AFG is informing the relevant regulators of the proposal, and if they do assert
such a review right, the Merger will not be completed before obtaining any required approval.
The description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto, and is incorporated
by reference into this Item 4.
-3-
The foregoing is a summary of the Merger Agreement and should not be construed as an offer to
purchase Shares. Any offer relating to a merger will be made by means of a proxy statement issued
by GAFRI. Shareholders are urged to read any such proxy statement and other relevant documents
regarding the Merger filed with the SEC when they become available because they will contain
important information. Shareholders will be able to receive these documents (when they become
available), as well as other documents filed by AFG and GAFRI with respect to the Merger, free of
charge at the SECs web site, www.sec.gov, on GAFRIs website at www.gafri.com or at the principal
office of GAFRI at 250 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
The SEC has adopted Rule 13e-3 under the Securities Exchange Act, which is applicable to
certain going private transactions. Rule 13e-3 requires among other things, that certain
financial information concerning GAFRI, and certain information relating to the fairness of the
proposed transaction and the consideration offered to minority shareholders in such transaction, be
filed with the SEC and disclosed to minority shareholders prior to consummation of the transaction.
AFG expects to file the information required by Rule 13e-3 with the SEC within the next several
weeks, and to provide the required information to holders of Shares at such time.
If the Merger is successfully completed, the surviving corporation would be an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG, and by operation of the Merger, the certificate of incorporation
and bylaws of GAFRI will be amended to better reflect that it is a wholly-owned subsidiary. In
addition, if the Merger is successfully completed, 100% of the Common Stock of GAFRI will be held
by AFG and its subsidiaries, the Common Stock of GAFRI will be delisted from the New York Stock
Exchange and would no longer be traded or quoted, GAFRI will become eligible for termination of
registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Exchange Act and the composition of the Board of
Directors of GAFRI would be changed to include solely individuals designated by AFG. If the Merger
is successfully completed, AFG may change GAFRIs business and corporate structure and may sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of all or some of GAFRIs assets.
If the merger is completed, AFG intends to guarantee all of GAFRIs publicly-traded debt
obligations.
-4-
AFG understands that its executive officers and directors that hold Common Stock do so for
investment purposes. Other than as described above, none of AFG nor, to the best knowledge of AFG,
any of AFGs executive officers or directors, have any plans or proposals that relate to or would
result in any of the events set forth in Items 4(a) through (j) of Schedule 13D. However, if the
proposed transaction does not occur for any reason, AFG and its executive officers and directors
intend to review continuously GAFRIs business affairs, general industry and economic conditions
and the capital needs of AFG. Based on such review, these entities and individuals may, from time
to time, determine to increase or decrease their ownership of Common Stock, approve an
extraordinary corporate transaction with regard to GAFRI or engage in any of the events set forth
in Items 4(a) through (j) of Schedule 13D.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
As of May 15, 2007, the Reporting Person beneficially owned an aggregate of 38,566,978 shares
(or approximately 80.8%) of the outstanding GAFRI Common Stock, with 9,641,500 shares held directly
and 28,924,495 and 983 shares held through its wholly-owned, indirect subsidiaries, Great American
Insurance Company and American Premier Underwriters, Inc., respectively.
At May 15, 2007, certain officers and directors of AFG beneficially owned shares of GAFRI
Common Stock as follows:
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Holder |
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Position |
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Number of Shares* |
Kenneth C. Ambrecht
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Director
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11,198 |
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James E. Evans
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Director, Sr. VP
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5,700 |
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Theodore H. Emmerich
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Director
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1,561 |
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S. Craig Lindner
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Director & Co-CEO
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126,407 |
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Carl H. Lindner
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Chairman of the Board
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536,808 |
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William R. Martin
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Director
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51,480 |
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Thomas E. Mischell
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Sr. VP
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11,000 |
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Keith A. Jensen
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Sr. VP
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25,000 |
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* Does not include any shares which may be held in the AFG Retirement and Savings Plan (the
AFG RASP). The AFG RASP held 1,432,925 (3.0%) shares of GAFRI Common Stock at April 30, 2007.
Thomas E. Mischell is one of three persons serving on the Administrative Plan Committee of the AFG
RASP. The Administrative Plan Committee makes voting and investment decisions with respect to
certain investments held in the AFG RASP, including GAFRI Common Stock.
As of May 15, 2007, and within the past 60 days, to the best knowledge and belief of the
undersigned and other than as set forth herein, no transactions involving GAFRI Common Stock had
been engaged in by the Reporting Person or by AFGs directors or executive officers.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
See Item 4.
Item 7. Material to be filed as Exhibits.
(1) Joint AFG/GAFRI Press Release dated May 17, 2007.
(2) Merger Agreement Dated May 17, 2007.
-5-
After reasonable inquiry and to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, it is hereby
certified that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: May 18, 2007
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. |
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By:
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Karl J. Grafe |
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Karl J. Grafe, Vice President, Assistant
General Counsel & Assistant Secretary |
-6-
EX-1
Exhibit 1
American Financial Group, Inc. to Acquire Publicly Held Shares of Great American Financial
Resources, Inc.
CINCINNATI(BUSINESS WIRE)American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG News;
NASDAQ:AFG News; AFG) and Great American Financial Resources, Inc.
(NYSE:GFR News; GAFRI) announced that they have entered into a definitive
merger agreement by which GAFRI would acquire the GAFRI shares which AFG does not currently own at
a price of $24.50 per share in cash, for a total purchase price of approximately $225 million. AFG
beneficially owns approximately 81% of the outstanding shares of GAFRI. GAFRI will use excess
capital plus borrowings from AFG to fund the transaction.
The GAFRI board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement following the recommendation
and approval of a special committee comprised of directors of GAFRI who are independent of AFG and
were advised by independent legal and financial advisors.
The final terms of the merger (including an increase in the consideration to be paid for the GAFRI
shares) also reflect separate negotiations with counsel for certain shareholders of GAFRI who filed
lawsuits in February challenging the original merger terms proposed by AFG. A memorandum of
understanding has been executed between counsel for the parties in that action, which, subject to
court approval, will settle all litigation involving the transaction.
AFG believes the transaction will be accretive to earnings per share and enhance its return on
equity. Craig Lindner and Carl Lindner III, AFGs Co-Chief Executive Officers stated: We are
pleased to have agreed to merger terms acceptable to both AFG and GAFRI. The transaction will allow
AFG to use excess capital to increase its ownership of a specialty-focused business and simplify
the AFG organization. It will also result in immediate expense savings through the elimination of a
public company and allows for other synergies that will provide efficiencies over time.
The merger is expected to be completed in the third quarter of calendar year 2007, subject to
customary conditions. The exact timing is dependent on the review and clearance of necessary
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The transaction is subject to the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of GAFRI. AFG has determined to vote or
cause to be voted all of its and its subsidiaries GAFRI shares in favor of the merger.
In connection with the proposed merger, GAFRI will file a proxy statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and upon SEC clearance, will mail the proxy to shareholders. Shareholders of
GAFRI are urged to read the proxy statement regarding the proposed merger when it becomes
available, because it will contain important information. Shareholders will be able to obtain a
copy of the proxy statement as well as other filings containing information about AFG and GAFRI,
when available, without charge, at the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). In
addition, copies of the proxy statement can be obtained, when available, without charge, by
directing a request to GAFRI at the address listed at the end of this news release.
GAFRI, its directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in
the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding GAFRIs
directors and executive officers is available in GAFRIs Form 10-K/A for the year ended December
31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2007.
Information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct
and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy
statement, the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement and other relevant materials to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission when they become available.
Through the operations of the Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property
and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale
of traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance
products.
This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release not dealing with historical
results are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions and projections. Examples of
such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: AFGs expectations concerning
market and other conditions, earnings and investment activities as well as the impact of the
transaction and expected expense savings.
Actual results could differ materially from those expected by AFG depending on certain factors
including but not limited to: the terms of the proposed transactions, changes in economic
conditions including interest rates, performance of securities markets, the availability of
capital, regulatory actions and changes in the legal environment affecting AFG and other changes in
market conditions that could affect any party to the proposed transactions.
Contact:
American Financial Group, Inc.
Anne N. Watson, 513-579-6652
Vice President-Investor Relations
Web Sites: www.afginc.com
www.GreatAmericanInsurance.com
OR
Great American Financial Resources, Inc.
Mark F. Muething, 513-333-5515
Executive Vice President, General Counsel And Secretary
Web Site: www.GAFRI.com
EX-2
Exhibit 2
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
among
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.,
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
and
GAFRI ACQUISITION CORP.
Dated
as of May 17, 2007
Table of Contents
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Article I DEFINITIONS |
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1 |
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Section 1.1
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Definitions
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1 |
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Article II THE MERGER |
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6 |
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Section 2.1
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The Merger
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6 |
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Section 2.2
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Closing
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6 |
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Section 2.3
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Effective Time
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6 |
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Article III EFFECTS OF THE MERGER |
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Section 3.1
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Effects of the Merger
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7 |
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Section 3.2
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Certificate of Incorporation
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Section 3.3
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Bylaws
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7 |
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Section 3.4
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Officers
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7 |
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Section 3.5
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Directors
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7 |
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Section 3.6
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Conversion of Treasury Stock and Parent Owned Stock
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Section 3.7
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Conversion of GAFRI Common Stock
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Section 3.8
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Option Consideration
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8 |
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Section 3.9
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Cancellation of the Common Stock of GAC
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Section 3.10
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Dissenting Shares
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Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GAFRI |
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11 |
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Section 4.1
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Organization
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11 |
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Section 4.2
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Authorization
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11 |
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Section 4.3
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Consents and Approvals; No Violations
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Section 4.4
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Capitalization
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13 |
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Section 4.5
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Subsidiaries
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Section 4.6
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No Undisclosed Liabilities
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Section 4.7
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SEC Filings
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14 |
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Section 4.8
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Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities
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15 |
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Section 4.9
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Proxy Statement
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Section 4.10
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Absence of Material Adverse Changes, etc
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Section 4.11
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Environmental Matters
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Section 4.12
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Employee Benefit Plans
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Section 4.13
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Litigation; Compliance with Laws
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Section 4.14
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Intellectual Property
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Section 4.15
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Labor and Employment
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Section 4.16
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Opinion of Financial Advisors
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Section 4.17
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Finders and Other Fees
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Section 4.18
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State Takeover Statutes
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Section 4.19
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[Reserves
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Section 4.20
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[Reserved]
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Section 4.21
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Investment Company
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Section 4.22
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No Downgrading of Rating
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Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND GAC |
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Section 5.1
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Organization
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Section 5.2
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Authorization
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Section 5.3
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Consents and Approvals; No Violations
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Section 5.4
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Proxy Statement
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Section 5.5
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Brokers
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Section 5.6
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Sufficient Funds
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Section 5.7
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No Prior GAC Operations
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Article VI COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES |
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Section 6.1
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Conduct of the Business of GAFRI
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Section 6.2
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Stockholders Meeting; Proxy Material
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Section 6.3
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No Solicitation
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Section 6.4
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Director and Officer Liability
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Section 6.5
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Certain Filings
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Section 6.6
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Best Efforts
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25 |
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Section 6.7
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Public Announcements
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25 |
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Section 6.8
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State Takeover Laws
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25 |
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Section 6.9
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Certain Notifications
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25 |
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Section 6.10
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Third Party Consents
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26 |
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Section 6.11
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Delisting
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26 |
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Section 6.12
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Guarantee of GAFRI Indebtedness
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Section 6.13
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Formation of GAC
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Article VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
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Section 7.1
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Conditions to Each Partys Obligations to Effect the Merger
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Section 7.2
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Conditions to GAFRIs Obligation to Effect the Merger
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Section 7.3
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Conditions to Parents and GACs Obligations to Effect the Merger
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Article VIII TERMINATION |
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28 |
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Section 8.1
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Termination
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28 |
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Section 8.2
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Effect of Termination
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29 |
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Section 8.3
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Fees and Expenses
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29 |
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Article IX MISCELLANEOUS |
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29 |
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Section 9.1
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Notices
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29 |
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Section 9.2
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Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
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30 |
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Section 9.3
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Interpretation
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31 |
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Section 9.4
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Amendments, Modification and Waiver
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31 |
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Section 9.5
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Successors and Assigns
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31 |
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Section 9.6
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Specific Performance
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31 |
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Section 9.7
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Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury
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Section 9.8
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Severability
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Section 9.9
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Third Party Beneficiaries
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Section 9.10
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Entire Agreement
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Section 9.11
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Counterparts; Fax Signatures; Effectiveness
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of May 17, 2007 (this Agreement), among American
Financial Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation (Parent), Great American Financial Resources,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (GAFRI), and GAFRI Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (GAC) (GAFRI and GAC being hereinafter collectively
referred to as the Constituent Corporations).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of GAFRI (the GAFRI Board), upon the approval and
recommendation of its Special Committee, has (i) declared that the merger of GAC with and into
GAFRI (the Merger), with GAFRI being the surviving corporation (in this capacity, the
Surviving Corporation), is advisable, (ii) determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best
interests of, GAFRI and its stockholders (other than Parent and its Affiliates), (iii) approved and
adopted this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(collectively, the Transactions), and (iv) resolved to recommend the approval of the
Merger and the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of GAFRI.
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Parent and GAC have each approved and adopted
this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, Parent, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is approving
this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, as the sole stockholder of GAC, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions set forth herein, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the
meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.1 and shall be equally applicable to both
singular and plural forms. Any agreement referred to below means such agreement as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms to the extent permitted by
the applicable provisions of this Agreement.
Acquiror Entities has the meaning set forth in the first sentence of Article V.
Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect means any effect, change or development
that, individually or in the aggregate, with other effects, changes or developments, is material
and adverse to the financial condition, business operations, prospects or results of operations of
the Acquiror Entities, taken as a whole, or could be reasonably expected to adversely affect the
ability of any Acquiror Entity to consummate the Merger or other Transactions; provided, however,
that to the extent any effect, change or development is caused by or results from any of the
following, it shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been an Acquiror
Entity Material Adverse Effect: (i) the announcement of the execution of this
Agreement, actions contemplated by this Agreement or the performance of obligations under this
Agreement (in each case, including any reduction in premiums or sales, any disruption in supplier,
distributor, partner, agent or similar relationships or any loss of employees), (ii) factors
affecting the economy or financial markets as a whole, (iii) the suspension of trading in
securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market, and (iv) the
commencement, occurrence or continuation of any war, armed hostilities or acts of terrorism
involving or affecting the United States of America or any part thereof.
Acquisition Proposal means any offer or proposal regarding a merger, consolidation,
share exchange, recapitalization, reclassification, liquidation or other business combination
involving GAFRI or the acquisition or purchase of 10% or more of any class of equity securities of
GAFRI or any of its Material Subsidiaries then outstanding, or any tender offer (including
self-tenders) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any Person beneficially
owning 10% or more of any class of equity securities of GAFRI or any of its Material Subsidiaries,
or a substantial portion of the assets of, GAFRI or any of its Material Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, other than the Transactions.
Affiliate has the meaning as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
Agreement means this Agreement and Plan of Merger among Parent, GAC and GAFRI.
Applicable Law means any federal, state, local, municipal or other law, statute,
legislation, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, order,
judgment, decree, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement or legally binding policies or guidelines
issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the
authority of any Governmental Entity.
Business Day means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
banking institutions located in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close, and the term day when not immediately preceded by the word business
shall mean a calendar day.
Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.
Certificate of Merger has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
Closing has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
Closing Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Constituent Corporations has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of
this Agreement.
Contract means any written or oral, agreement, contract, subcontract, lease,
mortgage, indenture, understanding, arrangement, instrument, note, bond, option, warranty, purchase
order,
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license, sublicense, insurance policy, or other legally binding instrument, obligation or
commitment or undertaking of any nature.
DGCL has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
Dissenting Shares has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(a).
Effective Time has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
Environmental Law means any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law,
regulation, order, decree, permit, authorization, common law or legally binding agency requirement
relating to: (i) the regulation, protection, investigation or restoration of the environment,
health, safety or natural resources, (ii) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or (iii) noise, odor, indoor air, employee exposure,
wetlands, pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of injury to Persons or property
relating to any Hazardous Substance.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
GAC has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
GAC Bylaws has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
GAC Certificate of Incorporation has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
GAFRI has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
GAFRI Board has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this Agreement.
GAFRI Bylaws has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
GAFRI Certificate of Incorporation has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
GAFRI Common Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
GAFRI Disclosure Schedule means any disclosure schedule delivered by GAFRI to Parent
dated the date hereof, which disclosure schedule relates to this Agreement and is designated
therein as the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule.
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect means any effect, change or development that,
individually or in the aggregate, with other effects, changes or developments, is material and
adverse to the financial condition, business operations, prospects or results of operations of
GAFRI and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or could reasonably be expected to adversely affect
the ability of GAFRI to consummate the Merger or other Transactions; provided, however, that to the
extent any effect, change or development is caused by or results from any of the
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following, it shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been a GAFRI
Material Adverse Effect: (i) the announcement of the execution of this Agreement, actions
contemplated by this Agreement or the performance of obligations under this Agreement (in each
case, including any reduction in premiums or sales, any disruption in supplier, distributor, agent
or partner or similar relationships or any loss of employees), (ii) factors affecting the economy
or financial markets as a whole, (iii) the suspension of trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market, and (iv) the commencement, occurrence or
continuation of any war, armed hostilities or acts of terrorism involving or affecting the United
States of America or any part thereof.
GAFRI SEC Documents has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
GAFRI Stockholder Approval has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c).
Governmental Entity means any federal, state, local or foreign government or any
court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or other regulatory
authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational.
Hazardous Substance means (i) any substance that is listed, classified, regulated or
for which liability is imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law, (ii) any petroleum product or
by-product, asbestos-containing material, lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated
biphenyls, radioactive material or radon and (iii) any other substance which is the subject of
regulatory action by any Governmental Entity in connection with any Environmental Law.
Holder has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a).
HSR Act means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Indemnitees has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).
Insurance Regulatory Authority shall mean, with respect to any Subsidiary that is an
insurance company, the Governmental Entity of such Subsidiarys state of domicile with which such
Subsidiary is required to file its annual financial statement prepared in accordance with SAP.
Intellectual Property Rights has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.
IRS means the Internal Revenue Service.
Knowledge means the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of the executive
officers of GAFRI or the executive officers of Parent and GAC, as the case may be.
Liens means, with respect to any asset, mortgages, deeds of trust, pledges, charges,
security interests, liens, title retention devices, conditional sales or other security
arrangements, collateral assignments, claims, charges, adverse claims of title, ownership or right
to use, easements, servitudes, restrictive covenants, options, rights of first refusal,
restrictions or other encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever in respect of such asset
(including any restriction on (1) the voting of any security or the transfer of any security or
other asset, (2) the receipt of any income derived from any asset, (3) the use of any asset, and
(4) the possession, exercise or
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transfer of any other attribute of ownership of any asset), in each case except for such
restrictions of general application under the Securities Act and state blue sky laws.
Material Subsidiary means any Subsidiary whose consolidated revenues, net income or
assets constitute 10% or more of the revenues, net income or assets of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.
Merger has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this Agreement.
Merger Consideration has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.
Parent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Person means any person, employee, individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, trust, joint venture, or any other non-governmental entity or any
governmental or regulatory authority or body.
Plans has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a).
Proxy Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).
Regulatory Law means the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the HSR Act, the Federal
Trade Commission Act, each as amended, and all other federal, state and foreign, if any, statutes,
rules, regulations, orders, decrees, administrative and judicial doctrines and other laws that are
designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate (x) foreign investment, (y) foreign exchange
or currency controls or (z) actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of
trade or lessening of competition.
SAP means statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the respective
state of domicile for each GAFRI Subsidiary that is an insurance company.
SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Special Committee means the Special Committee of the GAFRI Board formed for the
purpose of considering Parents proposal to acquire all capital stock of GAFRI not owned by Parent
as contemplated by the Merger.
Special Meeting has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).
Subsidiary of any Person means another Person, an amount of the voting securities,
other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a
majority of its Board of Directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such voting
interests, 50% or more of the equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such
first Person.
Surviving Corporation has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this
Agreement.
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Tax and Taxes means: (i) any and all federal, state, local or foreign net
income, gross income, gross receipts, windfall profit, severance, property, production, sales, use,
license, excise, franchise, employment, payroll, withholding, alternative or add-on minimum, ad
valorem, value added, transfer, stamp, or environmental tax, or any other tax, custom, duty,
governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any
interest or penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Entity; (ii)
any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (i) as a result of
being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period; and (iii)
any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) as a
result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person or as a result of any
obligations under any agreements or arrangements with any other person with respect to such amounts
and including any liability for taxes of a predecessor entity.
Tax Return means any return, report or similar statement required to be filed with
respect to any Tax including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or
declaration of estimated Tax.
Termination Date has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).
Third Party means any Person or group of Persons (other than GAFRI and its
Affiliates or Parent and its Affiliates).
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
Section 2.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver
(subject to Applicable Law) of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with
the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL), GAC shall merge with and into GAFRI at
the Effective Time and the separate corporate existence of GAC shall thereupon cease. Following
the Effective Time, GAFRI, as the Surviving Corporation, shall succeed to and assume all of the
rights and obligations of GAC and GAFRI in accordance with the DGCL and Section 3.1 of this
Agreement.
Section 2.2 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the Closing) shall take
place at a time and date to be specified by the parties to this Agreement, which shall be no later
than the thirty (30) Business Day after satisfaction or waiver (subject to Applicable Law) of the
conditions set forth in Article VII (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be
satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver (subject to Applicable Law) of
those conditions), at the offices of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL, Suite 1400, One East Fourth
Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, unless another time, date or place is agreed to by the parties
hereto (the Closing Date).
Section 2.3 Effective Time. The Merger shall become effective at the close of
business on the date when the Certificate of Merger relating to the Merger, in such form and as
required by and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, is duly filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the Certificate of Merger), or at such
later date and time as the Constituent Corporations shall, by written agreement, specify in the
Certificate of Merger. When used in this Agreement, the term Effective Time means the
later of the close of business on the date on which the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with
the
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Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or such later date and time established by the
Certificate of Merger. The filing of the Certificate of Merger shall be made as soon as
practicable after the satisfaction or waiver (subject to Applicable Law) of the conditions to the
Merger set forth in Article VII.
ARTICLE III
EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
Section 3.1 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in
this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the Effective Time, all the assets, property, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of GAC and GAFRI shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all
debts, liabilities, restrictions and duties of GAC and GAFRI shall become the debts, liabilities,
restrictions and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 3.2 Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of GAC
(the GAC Certificate of Incorporation), as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time,
shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter changed or
amended as provided therein or by Applicable Law.
Section 3.3 Bylaws. The Bylaws of GAC (the GAC Bylaws), as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein, by Applicable Law or the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation.
Section 3.4 Officers. From and after the Effective Time, the officers of GAC
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, until
the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected,
as the case may be.
Section 3.5 Directors. From and after the Effective Time, the directors of the
Surviving Corporation shall be the following persons until the earlier of their resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be: S.
Craig Lindner, Charles R. Scheper and Mark F. Muething.
Section 3.6 Conversion of Treasury Stock and Parent Owned Stock. At the Effective
Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, (i) each
share of GAFRI Common Stock that is held, directly or indirectly, by GAFRI shall automatically be
converted into and become a validly issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Surviving
Corporation, and (ii) each issued and outstanding share of GAFRI Common Stock that is owned by
Parent, any Subsidiary of Parent or GAC shall automatically be converted into and become a validly
issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 3.7 Conversion of GAFRI Common Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof, each share of GAFRI Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares to be converted
in accordance with Section 3.6 and Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive
$24.50 in cash (the Per Share Merger Consideration and the aggregate of all Per Share
Merger Consideration in respect of all GAFRI Common Stock entitled thereto, the Merger
Consideration). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of GAFRI Common
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Stock shall no longer remain outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease
to exist, and each holder of a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
such shares of GAFRI Common Stock (a Certificate) shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the Per Share Merger
Consideration multiplied by the number of shares of GAFRI Common Stock formerly represented by such
Certificate or Certificates, to be paid in consideration therefor upon surrender, or surrender,
notation and return of such Certificate in accordance with Section 3.9, without interest or
dividends.
Section 3.8 Option Consideration.
(a) At or prior to the Effective Time, GAFRI shall take (or shall have caused to have
been taken) all actions necessary to terminate, as of the Effective Time, its employee stock
option plans, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and to
extinguish all rights of grantees or optionees under such stock option plans for cash
payments by GAFRI to each optionee in respect of vested employee stock options in an amount
equal to the positive number difference, less applicable Taxes, between the Per Share
Merger Consideration and option exercise paid multiplied by the number of shares of GAFRI
Common Stock formerly subject to an option (Option Payment Amount). For the avoidance of
doubt, at the Effective Time, each Company option that is vested at the Effective Time in
which the Per Share Merger Consideration is equal to or less than the exercise price per
share under such Company option shall be terminated and be of no further effect. For
options vested at the Effective Time, such payments shall be made as soon as practicable
after the Effective Time. So long as a holder of an option is an employee of GAFRI, Parent
or any subsidiary of either of them at the vesting dates (as set forth in a GAFRI employee
stock option plan or document evidencing a grant of an employee stock option), GAFRI shall
pay the Option Payment Amount as soon as practicable after such vesting dates in 2008, 2009,
2010 and 2011.
(b) Effective as of the Effective Time, GAFRI shall take all action necessary to
provide for the termination of its agent stock option plans or agreements and the
extinguishment of all rights thereunder.
Section 3.9 Cancellation of the Common Stock of GAC. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, each issued and outstanding
share of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of GAC shall automatically be cancelled and all
certificates evidencing ownership of such shares shall be void and of no effect.
(a) Exchange Procedures. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall mail (and make available for collection by hand) to each holder
of record of a Certificate or Certificates (other than Certificates, if any, held by Parent,
any Subsidiary of Parent, GAC, GAFRI or any GAFRI Subsidiary) (each, a Holder),
(i) a letter of transmittal in customary form and approved by GAFRI prior to the Effective
Time (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which shall specify
that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass,
only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Surviving Corporation and which shall
have such other customary provisions as Parent may specify, and (ii) instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the applicable portion of the
Merger Consideration (pursuant to Section 3.7) to be
8
received in cash by the Holder thereof pursuant to this Agreement. Upon surrender of a
Certificate for cancellation to the Surviving Corporation, together with a letter of
transmittal duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto,
and such other documents as may be reasonably required pursuant to such instructions (or, if
such shares are held in book-entry or other uncertificated form, upon the entry through a
book-entry transfer agent or the surrender of such GAFRI Common Stock on a book entry
statement (it being understood that any references herein to Certificates shall be deemed
to include references to book-entry account statements), the Holder of such Certificate
shall be entitled to receive promptly in exchange therefor the Per Share Merger
Consideration for each share of GAFRI Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate,
payable in check to be mailed (or made available for collection by hand if so elected by the
surrendering Holder of a Certificate within three (3) Business Days of receipt thereof), and
the Certificate so surrendered shall be forthwith cancelled. No interest shall be paid or
accrued for the benefit of Holders on the Merger Consideration payable upon the surrender of
the Certificates. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of GAFRI shall be closed,
and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of GAFRI Common
Stock outstanding on the records of GAFRI. Until so surrendered, outstanding Certificates
shall be deemed from and after the Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, to evidence
only the right to receive, without interest, the applicable portion of the Merger
Consideration to which the Holder of such Certificate is entitled by virtue thereof. If
Certificates are presented to GAFRI for transfer following the Effective Time, they shall be
canceled against delivery of the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration to which the
Holder of such Certificate is entitled to receive. All cash paid upon conversion of shares
of GAFRI Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Article III shall be deemed to
have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights of the respective Holders pertaining to
such shares of GAFRI Common Stock.
(b) No Liability. None of Parent, GAC, the Surviving Corporation or any of
their respective Affiliates shall be liable to any Person in respect of any Merger
Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law. If any Certificate shall not have been surrendered prior to two
years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any
Merger Consideration in respect of such Certificate would otherwise escheat to or become the
property of any Governmental Entity), any such cash in respect of such Certificate shall, to
the extent permitted by Applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation,
free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
(c) Transfer Taxes. If any Merger Consideration is to be remitted to a Person
(other than the Person in whose name the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is
registered), it shall be a condition of such exchange that the Certificate so surrendered
shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the Person
requesting such exchange shall pay to the Surviving Corporation any transfer or other Taxes
required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the
registered Holder of the Certificate so surrendered, or shall establish to the satisfaction
of the Surviving Corporation that such Tax either has been paid or is not applicable.
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(d) Withholding Rights. The Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct
and withhold from the Merger Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to
any Holder of a Certificate such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld with
respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provisions of applicable state,
local or foreign Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld and paid
over to the appropriate Taxing authority by the Surviving Corporation, such deducted and
withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to
the Holder of the Certificate in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by
the Surviving Corporation.
(e) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such
Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation,
the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation
may determine and direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with
respect to such Certificate, the Surviving Corporation will issue, in exchange for such
lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger Consideration to which the Holder thereof
is entitled pursuant to this Agreement.
(f) Adjustments to Prevent Dilution or Unjust Enrichment. If, prior to the
Effective Time, solely as a result of a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse
stock split), stock dividend or stock distribution which in any such event is made on a pro
rata basis to all holders of GAFRI Common Stock, there is a change in the number of shares
of GAFRI Common Stock outstanding or issuable upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of
securities or rights convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of GAFRI Common
Stock, then the Merger Consideration shall be equitably adjusted to eliminate the effects of
such event.
(g) Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of
this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession
to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Constituent
Corporations, the officers and directors of GAFRI and GAC will take all such action.
Section 3.10 Dissenting Shares.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the term Dissenting Shares means any shares of
GAFRI Common Stock with respect to which appraisal rights apply under Section 262 of the
DGCL and held by a Holder who (i) has not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto
in writing, (ii) has demanded properly in writing fair value for such GAFRI Common Stock in
accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL, and (iii) has not withdrawn such demand or
otherwise lost such Holders right to receive the fair value of such Holders Dissenting
Shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Holders of
Dissenting Shares shall not be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of such
Dissenting Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL if such
holders (i) fail to perfect, (ii) effectively withdraw or (iii) otherwise lose their rights
to payment of fair value under the DGCL. If, after the Effective Time, any such Holder
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fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or otherwise loses such right, such
Dissenting Shares shall thereupon be treated as if they had been canceled, extinguished and
converted into, as of the Effective Time, and represent, the right to receive payment of the
portion of the Merger Consideration to be paid therefor pursuant to Section 3.7, and such shares shall not be deemed to be Dissenting Shares. None of Parent, GAC, GAFRI or the
Surviving Corporation shall be liable for any failure of any Holder of shares of GAFRI
Common Stock to comply with such Holders duties under this Section 3.10.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.10, if (i) the
Merger is rescinded or abandoned or (ii) stockholders of GAFRI revoke the authority to
effect the Merger, then the right of any Holder to be paid the fair value of such Holders
Dissenting Shares pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL shall cease.
(d) GAFRI shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any demands received by GAFRI for
dissenters rights and withdrawals of such demands served pursuant to the DGCL, and (ii) the
opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for
dissenters rights under DGCL. GAFRI shall not, except with the prior written consent of
Parent, make any payment (including, without limitation, any payment under Section 262 of
the DGCL) with respect to any demands for valuation or offer to settle or settle any such
demands.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GAFRI
Except (i) as set forth in the corresponding section of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule, it
being understood that matters disclosed pursuant to one section of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule
shall be deemed disclosed with respect to any other section of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule where
it is apparent on its face that the matters so disclosed are applicable to such other sections
(provided, however, that the mere inclusion of an item on the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule shall not
be deemed to be an admission by GAFRI that such item is or was material or is or was required to be
disclosed therein), or (ii) as expressly contemplated or permitted under this Agreement or any
agreement contemplated hereby or thereby, GAFRI hereby represents and warrants to Parent and to GAC
as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization. GAFRI is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite power and authority to carry
on its businesses as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing and
in good standing (or the local law equivalent) or to have such power and authority could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. GAFRI is duly qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing (or the local law equivalent) in each jurisdiction
in which the nature of its businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, other than where the failure to be so duly qualified,
licensed and in good standing (or the local law equivalent) could not reasonably be expected to
have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. GAFRI has made available to Parent and GAC true and complete
copies of GAFRIs Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, in effect as of the date of this
Agreement (the GAFRI Certificate of Incorporation) and GAFRIs Bylaws in effect as of the
date of this Agreement (the GAFRI Bylaws).
Section 4.2 Authorization.
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(a) GAFRI has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Transactions
(subject, with respect to the Merger, to receipt of the GAFRI Stockholder Approval). The
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation by GAFRI of the Transactions, and
the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly and validly authorized, and this
Agreement and the Transactions have been approved by the GAFRI Board, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of GAFRI are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions (subject, with
respect to the Merger, to receipt of the GAFRI Stockholder Approval) other than (i) with
respect to the Merger, the filing with the SEC of a proxy statement with respect to, and the
receipt of, the GAFRI Stockholder Approval, (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger as
required by the DGCL, and (iii) such other filings as may be required under, and in
compliance with the other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act, the Exchange Act and any
other Applicable Law. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by GAFRI, and
constitutes, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent
and GAC, a valid and binding obligation of GAFRI enforceable against GAFRI in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to
general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or
at law).
(b) The Special Committee, at a meeting duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of
all its members, approved and declared this Agreement and the Transactions advisable and has
determined that the Merger is fair to GAFRIs stockholders other than Parent and its
Affiliates. The GAFRI Board, at a meeting duly called and held: (i) has declared that the
Merger is advisable; (ii) approved and adopted this Agreement and the Transactions and has
determined that the Merger is fair to GAFRIs stockholders other than Parent and its
Affiliates; and (iii) has recommended approval by the stockholders of GAFRI of this
Agreement and the Merger, subject to the right of the GAFRI Board to withdraw or modify its
recommendation of this Agreement and the Merger.
(c) Under Applicable Law and the GAFRI Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative
vote of a majority of the votes represented by the shares of GAFRI Common Stock outstanding
on the record date, established by the GAFRI Board in accordance with the GAFRI Bylaws,
Applicable Law and this Agreement, voting together as a single class, at the Special Meeting
at which a quorum is present in accordance with GAFRI Bylaws and Applicable Law (the
GAFRI Stockholder Approval) is the only vote of GAFRIs stockholders required to
approve this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger.
Section 4.3 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for filings, permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under, and other applicable requirements
of, the HSR Act, the DGCL, state blue sky and securities or takeover laws, neither the execution,
delivery or performance of this Agreement by GAFRI nor the consummation by GAFRI of the
Transactions will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the GAFRI
Certificate of Incorporation or the GAFRI Bylaws or of the similar organizational documents of any
Subsidiary of GAFRI, (ii) result in a violation or breach of,
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constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, require the
consent from or the giving of notice to a Third Party pursuant to, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration or obligation to repurchase, repay, redeem or acquire or
any similar right or obligation under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract
to which GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI is a party or by which they or any of their assets is
bound, (iii) require any filing or registration with, or permit, authorization, consent or approval
of, any Governmental Entity on the part of GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI or (iv) violate any
order, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity to which GAFRI or
any Subsidiary of GAFRI is subject, excluding from the foregoing clause (ii) such conflicts,
requirements, obligations, defaults, failures, breaches, rights or violations that could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.4 Capitalization. (a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock
of GAFRI consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of GAFRI Common Stock, and (ii) 25,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share (GAFRI Preferred Stock).
(a) (i) At the close of business on May 16, 2007, 47,774,881 shares of GAFRI Common
Stock were issued and outstanding, all of which were validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights; and,
(ii) At the close of business on May 16, 2007, no shares of GAFRI Preferred
Stock were issued and outstanding.
(iii) At the close of business on May 16, 2007, there were 2,777,287 shares of
GAFRI Common Stock reserved for issuance under Plans, 301,559 shares of GAFRI Common
Stock reserved for issuance under the agent stock option plans. Except as set forth
in the immediately preceding sentence, there are no options, warrants, calls, rights
or agreements to which GAFRI is a party or by which it is bound obligating GAFRI to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares
of capital stock of GAFRI or obligating GAFRI to grant, extend or enter into any
option, warrant, call, right or agreement, and there are no outstanding contractual
rights, including (without limitation) phantom equity, stock appreciation, profit
participation or similar plan rights, to which GAFRI is a party or by which GAFRI is
bound the value of which is or are based on the value of the capital stock or other
equity securities of GAFRI. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of
GAFRI to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of GAFRI Common Stock or
of GAFRI Preferred Stock.
(iv) GAFRI has delivered to Parent a correct and complete list as of May 16,
2007 of each outstanding option (collectively, the GAFRI Stock Options)
outstanding under any Plan, including the holder, date of grant, exercise price (if
applicable), number of shares of GAFRI Common Stock subject thereto, GAFRI Stock
Plan under which such GAFRI Stock Option or GAFRI Restricted Stock Award, as the
case may be, was granted and, with respect to any GAFRI Stock Option, whether the
option is vested and exercisable.
(b) GAFRI does not have any outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations
the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or
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exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of GAFRI on
any matter.
Section 4.5 Subsidiaries. Section 4.5 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the
Material Subsidiaries of GAFRI. Each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI is duly authorized to conduct
business and is in good standing (or the local law equivalent) under the laws of each jurisdiction
where such qualification is required except where the failure to so qualify and be in good standing
(or the local law equivalent) could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse
Effect. Each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI has full corporate power and authority and all licenses,
permits, and authorizations necessary to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and in
which it presently proposes to engage and to own and use the properties owned and used by it except
where the failure to possess such licenses, permits and authorizations could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. GAFRI has delivered to Parent correct and complete
copies of the charter and bylaws of each Subsidiary of GAFRI (as amended to date). None of the
Subsidiaries of GAFRI is in default under or in violation of any provision of its charter or
bylaws. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Material Subsidiary of
GAFRI have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. One of
GAFRI and its Subsidiaries holds of record and owns beneficially all of the outstanding shares of
each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI, free and clear of any restrictions on transfer (other than
restrictions under the Securities Act and state securities laws or regulations), taxes, security
interests, options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments, equities, claims, and
demands. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, purchase rights, subscription
rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other contracts or commitments that could require
any of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any capital stock of
any of its Subsidiaries or that could require any Material Subsidiary of GAFRI to issue, sell, or
otherwise cause to become outstanding any of its own capital stock (other than this Agreement).
There are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights
with respect to any Material Subsidiary of GAFRI. There are no voting trusts, proxies, or other
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of any capital stock of any Material
Subsidiary of GAFRI. The minute books (containing the records of meetings of the stockholders, the
board of directors, and any committees of the board of directors), the stock certificate books, and
the stock record books of each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI are correct and complete.
Section 4.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (i) as set forth, reflected or
reserved against in the balance sheet (including the notes thereto) of GAFRI as of December 31,
2006, (ii) for liabilities and obligations incurred since December 31, 2006 in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice and not otherwise prohibited pursuant to this Agreement
(none of which results from, arises out of, relates to or was caused by any breach of contract,
tort, infringement or violation of Applicable Law) or (iii) for liabilities and obligations
incurred in connection with the Merger or any other transaction or agreement contemplated by this
Agreement, neither GAFRI nor any Subsidiary of GAFRI has any liabilities or obligations of any
nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) except for such liabilities and
obligations which could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.7 SEC Filings. GAFRI has filed all reports, proxy statements, registration
statements, forms and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since December 31,
2004 (collectively, including any exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated by
reference therein, the GAFRI SEC Documents). None of the GAFRI SEC
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Documents (other than the financial statements and notes and schedules thereto contained
therein, as to which representations and warranties are made in Section 4.8), as of their
respective filing and effective dates (or, if amended prior to the date of this Agreement, as of
the respective filing and effective dates of such amendment), contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. All of such GAFRI SEC Documents (as amended prior to the date of this Agreement, if
amended prior to the date of this Agreement) complied in form and substance, in all material
respects, with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, each as in
effect on the date so filed.
Section 4.8 Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a) The consolidated financial statements of GAFRI (including any notes and schedules
thereto) included in the GAFRI SEC Documents (i) complied as of their respective dates as to
form in all material respects with all applicable accounting requirements and with the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect on the date of
filing and effectiveness thereof, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect on
the dates of such financial statements, applied on a consistent basis (except as may be
indicated therein or in the notes thereto and, in the case of unaudited statements, as
permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC) during the periods involved, (iii) are
consistent, in all material respects, with the books and records of GAFRI and its
Subsidiaries, and (iv) fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of GAFRI and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods therein indicated
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end and audit adjustments
which were not expected to be material in amount).
(b) Except (i) as set forth, reflected or reserved against in the consolidated balance
sheet (including the notes thereto) of GAFRI included in its annual report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, (ii) as set forth, reflected or reserved against in
any consolidated balance sheet (including the notes thereto) of GAFRI included in any other
GAFRI SEC Documents filed with the SEC after the filing date of such annual report, (iii)
for liabilities and obligations incurred since December 31, 2006 in the usual, regular and
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not otherwise prohibited
pursuant to this Agreement or (iv) for liabilities and obligations incurred in connection
with the Merger or any other transaction or agreement contemplated by this Agreement,
neither GAFRI nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise), except in each case for such
liabilities and obligations which could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) The annual statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 of each Material
Subsidiary that is an insurance company, copies of which have been made available to Parent
prior to the date hereof, fairly present in all material respects each such Material
Subsidiarys respective financial condition as of the dates thereof and their respective
results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended in conformity with SAP,
except as may be reflected in the notes thereto and subject to normal year-end adjustments.
The other information contained in such annual statements presents in all
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material respects the information required to be contained therein in conformity with
SAP consistently applied.
Section 4.9 Proxy Statement. None of the information contained in the Proxy Statement
(and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto) will at the time of the mailing of the Proxy
Statement to GAFRIs stockholders, at the time of the Special Meeting, and at the time of any
amendments thereof or supplements thereto, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty
is made by GAFRI with respect to statements made or omitted in the Proxy Statement relating to
Parent, GAC or their respective Affiliates based on information supplied in writing by Parent, GAC
or their respective Affiliates for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.
Section 4.10 Absence of Material Adverse Changes, etc. Other than as disclosed in the
GAFRI SEC Filings and in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, and the transactions and
other agreements contemplated hereby, since December 31, 2006, each of GAFRI and each Subsidiary of
GAFRI has conducted its business in all material respects only in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice, and there has not been (i) a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to its
capital stock, (iii) any split, combination or reclassification of any of its capital stock or any
issuance or the authorization of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or
in substitution for shares of its capital stock, (iv) any change in accounting methods, principles
or practices by GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such changes required by changes in
GAAP or in SAP, as applicable, (v) any material damage, destruction or other casualty loss with
respect to any material asset or property owned, leased or otherwise used by GAFRI or any
Subsidiary of GAFRI which is not covered by insurance or (vi) any material amendment of any of the
Plans of GAFRI.
Section 4.11 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in the GAFRI SEC Filings: (i)
GAFRI and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (ii) the
operations of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries have not resulted in any contamination of any property
currently owned or operated by GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries (including soils, groundwater or
surface water) with any Hazardous Substance which contamination would require remediation pursuant
to any Environmental Law, (iii) to the Knowledge of GAFRI, no property currently or formerly owned
or operated by GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries was contaminated with any Hazardous Substance
during or prior to such period of ownership or operation which contamination would require
remediation pursuant to any Environmental Law, (iv) to the Knowledge of GAFRI, GAFRI and its
Subsidiaries have not arranged for the treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Substance on any
Third Party property undergoing cleanup pursuant to Environmental Laws, (v) neither GAFRI nor any
of its Subsidiaries have received any written notice, demand, letter, claim or request for
information alleging that GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries may be in violation of or subject to
liability under any Environmental Law and (vi) neither GAFRI nor any of its Subsidiaries are
subject to any written order, decree, injunction or indemnity with any Governmental Entity or any
Third Party relating to liability under any Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous Substances.
This Section 4.11 sets forth the sole representations and warranties of GAFRI with respect to
environmental or workplace health or safety matters, including all matters arising under
Environmental Laws.
16
Section 4.12 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) GAFRI does not sponsor or maintain any employee benefit plan, as such term is
defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (the Plans) other than, or in addition to, the employee
benefit plans which are sponsored and maintained by Parent and in which GAFRI participates.
GAFRI has no legally binding plan or commitment to create any additional Plan or modify or
change any existing Plan that would be reasonably expected to result in material liabilities
to GAFRI, except as may be required by Applicable Law or to avoid adverse tax consequences
under Section 409A of the Code.
(b) With respect to any Plans that were sponsored or maintained by GAFRI prior to
GAFRIs participation in Plans sponsored or maintained by AFG (the Prior Plans), GAFRI has
not incurred and does not reasonably expect to incur (i) any material liability under Title
IV of ERISA, including any such liability arising out of proceedings instituted by the PBGC,
or (ii) any material liability under Title I of ERISA. No Prior Plan is a multiemployer
plan (as such term is defined in section 3(37) of ERISA).
(c) No employee, director or consultant of GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI is or will
become entitled to death or medical post-employment benefits by reason of service to GAFRI
or its Subsidiaries, other than coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code or similar
state law, where the payment of any such benefits would reasonably be expected to have a
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.13 Litigation; Compliance with Laws.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, except as disclosed in the GAFRI SEC Filings,
there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of GAFRI,
threatened against GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI that could reasonably be expected to
have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each of the GAFRI and its Subsidiaries has complied with all applicable laws
(including rules, regulations, codes, plans, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees,
rulings, and charges thereunder) of federal, state, local, and foreign governments (and all
agencies thereof), and no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge,
complaint, claim, demand, or notice has been filed or commenced against any of them alleging
any failure so to comply.
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property. Except for software or other material that is
distributed as free software, open source software or under a similar licensing or distribution
terms, GAFRI and its Subsidiaries own or have a valid right to use all patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks, domain names, copyrights, and any applications and registrations therefor,
technology, trade secrets, know-how, computer software and tangible and intangible proprietary
information and materials (collectively, Intellectual Property Rights) as are necessary
in connection with the business of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except where the
failure to so own or have a valid right to use such Intellectual Property Rights could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. Neither GAFRI nor any of its
Subsidiaries has infringed, misappropriated or violated in any material respect any Intellectual
Property Rights of any Third Party, except where such infringement, misappropriation or violation
could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. To the
17
Knowledge of GAFRI, no Third Party infringes, misappropriates or violates any Intellectual
Property Rights owned or exclusively licensed by or to GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries, except
where such infringement, misappropriation or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.15 Labor and Employment. To the Knowledge of GAFRI, GAFRI and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Applicable Laws respecting employment and employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment (including termination of employment), wages, hours
of work, occupational safety and health, and worker classification, and are not engaged in any
unfair labor practices, except for such violations which could not reasonably be expected to have a
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. Neither GAFRI nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written
notice of the intent of any Governmental Entity responsible for the enforcement of labor or
employment laws to conduct an investigation with respect to or relating to employees and no such
investigation is in progress which could reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 4.16 Opinion of Financial Advisors. The Special Committee has received the
opinion of its independent financial advisors, Cochran Caronia Waller, to the effect that, as of
the date of this Agreement, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the stockholders of GAFRI other than Parent and its Affiliates.
Section 4.17 Finders and Other Fees. Except for Cochran Caronia Waller, there is no
investment banker, broker, finder or other similar intermediary which has been retained by, or is
authorized to act on behalf of, the GAFRI Board, GAFRI, or any employee or consultant of GAFRI,
that would be entitled to any fee, commission, sale bonus or similar payment from the GAFRI Board,
GAFRI, Parent, GAC or any of Parents or GAC s Affiliates upon consummation of the Transactions.
Section 4.18 State Takeover Statutes. The GAFRI Board has approved and adopted this
Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, and to the extent such statutes are
applicable, has taken all action necessary to render all State takeover statute or similar charter
or bylaw provisions inapplicable to the Merger, the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the Transactions.
Section 4.19 Reserves. The loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of GAFRI and the
Subsidiaries reflected on GAFRIs December 31, 2006 balance sheet included in the financial
statements that are in GAFRI SEC Documents have been prepared in accordance with loss reserving
standards and principles accepted for use in the preparation of GAAP financial statements and the
loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of the Subsidiaries of GAFRI that are insurance companies
reflected on their respective December 31, 2005 balance sheets included in their annual statements
filed with the respective insurance departments of their domiciliary states have been prepared in
accordance with SAP, applied on a consistent basis, except where such accounting practices have
been amended, supplemented or otherwise prescribed by the appropriate Governmental Authority.
Section 4.20 [Reserved]
Section 4.21 Investment Company. GAFRI is not an investment company subject to
registration and regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
18
Section 4.22 No Downgrading of Rating. As of the date hereof, there has not occurred
any downgrading since January 1, 2006, nor has GAFRI become aware of any pending or threatened
downgrading, of GAFRIs or any of its Subsidiaries rating by A.M. Best.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PARENT AND GAC
Each of Parent and GAC (each, an Acquiror Entity; together, the Acquiror Entities) hereby
jointly and severally represents and warrants to GAFRI as follows (such representations and
warranties of GAC to be true, correct and complete as of the date that GAC executes and delivers
the Agreement to GAFRI):
Section 5.1 Organization. Each Acquiror Entity is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has
the requisite power and authority and all necessary governmental approval to carry on its business
as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing and in good standing
or to have such power and authority could not reasonably be expected to have an Acquiror Entity
Material Adverse Effect. Each Acquiror Entity is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is
in good standing (or the local law equivalent) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, other than where the failure to be so duly qualified, licensed and in good standing (or
the local law equivalent) could not reasonably be expected to have an Acquiror Entity Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 5.2 Authorization. Each Acquiror Entity has the requisite corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to
consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation by the
Acquiror Entities of the Transactions, and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been
duly and validly authorized, and this Agreement has been approved and adopted by the Board of
Directors of each Acquiror Entity, and no other corporate proceedings (such as approval by the
stockholders of Parent) on the part of either Acquiror Entity are necessary to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions
(other than, with respect to the Merger, the filing of the Certificate of Merger as required by the
DGCL). Parent, as the sole stockholder of GAC, has approved and adopted this Agreement and the
Transactions, including the Merger. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each
Acquiror Entity and constitutes, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this
Agreement by GAFRI, a valid and binding obligation of each Acquiror Entity, enforceable against
each Acquiror Entity in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
Section 5.3 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for filings, permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under, and other applicable requirements
of, the HSR Act, the DGCL, the Exchange Act, state blue sky and securities or takeover laws,
neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by each Acquiror Entity nor the
consummation by each Acquiror Entity of the Transactions will (i)
19
conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the charter or bylaws of such Acquiror
Entity, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse
of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, vesting, amendment,
cancellation or acceleration or impose on either of the Acquiror Entities any obligation to
repurchase, repay, redeem or acquire or any similar right or obligation) under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any Contract to which any Acquiror Entity is a party or by which it or
its assets is bound, (iii) require any filing or registration with, or permit, authorization,
consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity on the part of either Acquiror Entity or (iv)
violate any order, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity to
which such Acquiror Entity is subject, excluding from the foregoing clause (ii) such conflicts,
requirements, defaults, failures, breaches, rights or violations that could not reasonably be
expected to have an Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.4 Proxy Statement. None of the information relating to the Acquiror
Entities and supplied by either Acquiror Entity or its respective Affiliates specifically for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement (and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto) will, at the
time of the mailing of the Proxy Statement to the stockholders of GAFRI, at the time of the Special
Meeting, and as of the time of any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no representation is made by any Acquiror Entity with respect to
statements contained in the Proxy Statement relating to GAFRI.
Section 5.5 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker has been retained by, or
is authorized to act on behalf of Parent or GAC, and is entitled to any brokerage, finders or
other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by either
Acquiror Entity.
Section 5.6 Sufficient Funds. Parent has, and at all times will continue to have,
sufficient funds available to pay the Merger Consideration and to perform its other obligations
pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 5.7 No Prior GAC Operations. GAC was formed solely for the purpose of
effecting the Merger and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations
other than in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
Section 6.1 Conduct of the Business of GAFRI. During the period from the date of this
Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to its terms, GAFRI agrees, as to itself and each of its Subsidiaries, that
(except as (i) expressly permitted or required by any other provision of this Agreement, (ii) as
set forth in Section 6.1 of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule, (iii) as required by any Applicable Law,
(iv) as required by a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, (v) to the extent that Parent
shall otherwise consent in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):
(a) Ordinary Course. GAFRI and each of its Subsidiaries shall in all material
respects carry on its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course and consistent with
20
past practice. Without limiting the foregoing, GAFRI and each of its Subsidiaries
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact its present line
of business, maintain its rights and franchises and preserve substantially intact its
current relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with it
and keep available the services of its present officers and employees, in each case to the
end that its ongoing business shall not be impaired in a manner that would reasonably be
expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect at the Effective Time.
(b) Dividends; Changes in Share Capital. GAFRI shall not and shall not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
with respect to any of its capital stock (except for dividends by wholly-owned Subsidiaries
of GAFRI), (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue any other
securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, shares of its capital stock, or
(iii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or any
securities convertible into or exercisable for any shares of its capital stock.
(c) Issuance of Securities. GAFRI shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, issue, deliver or sell any shares of its capital stock of any class or any
securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any rights, warrants or options to
acquire, any such shares of capital stock, other than (i) the issuance of shares of GAFRI
Common Stock (1) upon the exercise of GAFRI Stock Options outstanding on the date of this
Agreement in accordance with the terms of GAFRI Stock Option Plans in effect as of the date
of this Agreement, (2) to directors for payment of a portion of their directors fees
consistent with GAFRIs past practice, (3) pursuant to the 401(k) Savings Plan or (4) under
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Agent Stock Purchase Plan or (ii) issuances by a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of GAFRI of capital stock to such Subsidiarys parent or another
wholly-owned Subsidiary of GAFRI.
(d) Governing Documents. GAFRI shall not amend or restate the GAFRI
Certificate of Incorporation or the GAFRI Bylaws.
(e) No Liens. GAFRI shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, create, assume or otherwise consensually incur any Lien on any asset other than Liens
(i) incurred in the usual, regular and ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and (ii) which could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse
Effect.
(f) Compensation; Severance. Except (i) as required by Applicable Law, (ii) to
satisfy contractual obligations existing on the date hereof or (iii) in the usual, regular
and ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, GAFRI shall not and shall not
permit any Subsidiary to, (1) pay or commit to pay any severance or termination pay other
than severance or termination pay that GAFRI or a Subsidiary agreed to pay prior to the date
hereof, (2) enter into any employment, deferred compensation, consulting, severance or other
similar agreement (or any amendment to any such existing agreement) with any director or
officer or key employee of GAFRI or any Subsidiary, (3) increase or commit to increase in
any material respect any employee benefits payable to any director, officer or employee of
GAFRI or any Subsidiary, including wages, salaries, compensation, pension, severance,
termination pay or other benefits or payments (except as required by an existing Plan or
Applicable Law), including any acceleration of vesting
21
of stock options or (4) adopt or make any commitment to adopt any additional employee
benefit plan.
(g) Certain Prohibited Actions. GAFRI shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, authorize or enter into any commitment to take any action described in
the foregoing subsections (a)-(h) of this Section 6.1, except as otherwise permitted by this
Agreement.
Section 6.2 Stockholders Meeting; Proxy Material.
(a) Subject to the next two sentences of this Section 6.2(a), GAFRI shall, acting
through the GAFRI Board and in accordance with Applicable Law and the GAFRI Certificate of
Incorporation and the GAFRI Bylaws, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a special
meeting of its stockholders (the Special Meeting) as promptly as practicable after
the date hereof for the purpose of considering and taking action upon this Agreement and the
Merger and shall use reasonable efforts to solicit proxies in favor of approval of this
Agreement and the Merger. The GAFRI Board and its Special Committee shall recommend that
holders of shares of GAFRI Common Stock vote to adopt this Agreement and to approve the
Merger; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
the GAFRI Board or its Special Committee may determine (i) not to make or may withdraw,
modify or change in any manner adverse to Parent or GAC such recommendation (a Change
in Recommendation) and (ii) not to solicit proxies in favor of approval of this
Agreement , Merger and the Transactions.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the execution of this Agreement, GAFRI shall
prepare and file with the SEC a proxy statement relating to the approval of the Merger by
GAFRIs stockholders (as amended or supplemented, the Proxy Statement). Parent,
GAC and GAFRI shall cooperate with each other in connection with the preparation of the
Proxy Statement. GAFRI will use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Proxy Statement
cleared by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such filing.
(c) GAFRI shall as promptly as practicable notify Parent and GAC of the receipt of any
oral or written comments from the SEC relating to the Proxy Statement. Subject to the last
two sentences of Section 6.2(a), GAFRI will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to GAFRIs stockholders as promptly as practicable
after the Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC. GAFRI shall cooperate and provide Parent
and GAC with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the draft of the Proxy
Statement (including each amendment or supplement thereto) and all responses to requests for
additional information by and replies to comments of the SEC, prior to filing such with or
sending such to the SEC, and the parties hereto will provide each other with copies of all
such filings made and correspondence with the SEC. If at any time prior to the Effective
Time, any information should be discovered by any party which should be set forth in an
amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement so that the Proxy Statement would not include
any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other
22
parties hereto and, to the extent required by Applicable Law, an appropriate amendment
or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed by GAFRI with the SEC and
disseminated by GAFRI to the stockholders of GAFRI.
Section 6.3 No Solicitation. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the
Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, GAFRI shall not
(whether directly or indirectly through Affiliates, advisors, agents or other intermediaries), and
GAFRI shall direct and cause its and its Subsidiaries respective officers, directors, Affiliates,
advisors, representatives or other agents of GAFRI not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit,
initiate, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate (including by way of furnishing non-public
information) any inquiries or the making or submission of any proposal that constitutes an
Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or
disclose any non-public information or data relating to GAFRI or its Subsidiaries or afford access
to the properties, books or records of GAFRI or its Subsidiaries to, any Person.
Section 6.4 Director and Officer Liability.
(a) Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, honor all rights to
indemnification and exculpation from liability for acts and omissions occurring at or prior
to the Effective Time and rights to advancements of expenses relating thereto now existing
in favor of the current or former directors, officers, employees or agents of GAFRI (the
Indemnitees) as provided in their respective charters (or similar constitutive documents)
or bylaws or in any indemnification agreement set forth in Section 6.4 of the GAFRI
Disclosure Schedule and all such rights shall survive the Merger and shall not be amended,
repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would materially adversely affect the
rights thereunder of any such Indemnitees, unless an alteration or modification of such
documents is required by Applicable Law or the Indemnitee affected thereby otherwise
consents in writing thereto.
(b) For six years after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall provide
officers and directors liability insurance in respect of acts or omissions occurring at or
prior to the Effective Time covering each such Person covered at or prior to the Effective
Time by GAFRIs officers and directors liability insurance policy maintained by GAFRI and
in effect as of the date hereof on terms with respect to coverage and amount no less
favorable than those of the policy in effect on the date hereof and described in Section 6.4
of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule.
(c) This Section 6.4 shall survive the consummation of the Merger and is intended to be
for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Indemnitees referred to herein, their
heirs and personal representatives and shall be binding on the Surviving Corporation and its
successors and assigns.
(d) If the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates
with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving
corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each case, to the
extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the
Surviving Corporation shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section
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6.4, and none of the actions described in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence shall be
taken until such provision is made.
(e) The obligations of GAFRI and the Surviving Corporation under this Section 6.4 shall
not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any Indemnitee to whom
this Section 6.4 applies without the consent of such affected Indemnitee.
Section 6.5 Certain Filings. Parent, GAC and GAFRI shall cooperate with one another
(i) in connection with the preparation and filing of the Proxy Statement, (ii) in connection with
the preparation and filing of the Schedule 13E-3 by Parent, (iii) in determining whether any action
by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required, or any actions, consents,
approvals or waivers are required to be obtained from any non-governmental Third Parties to any
GAFRI Material Contracts, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions and (iv) in
seeking any such actions, consents, approvals or waivers or making any such filings, furnishing
information required in connection therewith or with the Proxy Statement and seeking timely to
obtain any such actions, consents, approvals or waivers. Without limiting the provisions of this
Section 6.5, GAFRI shall, and GAC shall, cause Parent (as their ultimate parent entity) to file,
if required, with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission a Pre-Merger
Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act in respect of the Transactions within ten (10)
Business Days of the date of this Agreement, and, subject to Section 6.5(c), each party will use
its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary, including to comply
promptly and fully with any requests for information from regulatory Governmental Entities, to
obtain any clearance, waiver, approval or authorization that is necessary to enable the parties to
consummate the Transactions. Further, without limiting the provisions of this Section 6.5, Parent
shall promptly make any and all other filings and submissions of information with the Insurance
Regulatory Authorities which are required or requested by Insurance Regulatory Authorities to
obtain the approvals required by such Insurance Regulatory Authorities to consummate the
Transactions. GAFRI agrees to furnish Parent with such information and reasonable assistance as
Parent may reasonably request in connection with its preparation of the Form A filings and other
filings or submissions. Parent shall keep GAFRI apprised on a timely basis in reasonable detail of
its actions with respect to all such filings and submissions and shall provide GAFRI with copies of
any Form A filings and other filings or submissions in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(a) Subject to Section 6.5(c), (i) GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall each use its best
efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted with respect to the
Transactions under any Regulatory Law and (ii) if any administrative, judicial or
legislative action or proceeding, including any proceeding by a private party, is instituted
(or threatened to be instituted) challenging the Transactions as violative of any Regulatory
Law, GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall each cooperate in all respects and use its respective best
efforts to contest and resist any such action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted,
reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and that restricts, prevents or prohibits
consummation of the Transactions, including by pursuing all reasonable avenues of
administrative and judicial appeal.
(b) Each of GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall (i) subject to any restrictions under any
Regulatory Law, to the extent practicable, promptly notify each other of any
24
communication to that party from any Governmental Entity (including the Federal Trade
Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice) with respect to this
Agreement and the transactions and other agreements contemplated hereby and permit the other
party to review in advance any proposed written communication to any Governmental Entity,
(ii) unless required by Applicable Law, not agree to participate in any meeting with any
Governmental Entity in respect of any filings, investigation or other inquiry with respect
to this Agreement and the transactions and other agreements contemplated hereby unless it
consults with the other party in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental
Entity, gives the other party the opportunity to attend and participate thereat, in each
case to the extent practicable, (iii) subject to any restrictions under any Regulatory Law,
furnish the other party with copies of all correspondence, filings and communications (and
memoranda setting forth the substance thereof) between it and its Affiliates and their
respective representatives on the one hand, and any Governmental Entity or members of its
staff on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions and other
agreements contemplated hereby (excluding documents and communications which are subject to
preexisting confidentiality agreements and to the attorney client privilege or work product
doctrine) and (iv) furnish the other party with such necessary information and reasonable
assistance as such other party and its Affiliates may reasonably request in connection with
their preparation of necessary filings, registrations, or submissions of information to any
Governmental Entities in connection with this Agreement and the transactions and other
agreements contemplated hereby and thereby, including any filings necessary or appropriate
under the provisions of any Regulatory Law.
Section 6.6 Best Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, each party hereto shall use its best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under Applicable Laws to
consummate the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Agreement, nothing shall limit a partys right to terminate the Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1
hereunder so long as such party has until such date complied with its obligations under this
Agreement
Section 6.7 Public Announcements. None of GAFRI, Parent, GAC, or any of their
respective Affiliates shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public
announcement with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions without the prior approval of the
other parties, except to the extent required by law or by any listing agreement with, or the
policies of, a national securities exchange and after reasonable prior notice to the other parties
hereto.
Section 6.8 State Takeover Laws. If any fair price, business combination or
control share acquisition statute or other similar statute or regulation is or may become
applicable to the Transactions, each of GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall use its respective reasonable
best efforts to secure such approvals and will take such actions as are necessary so that the
Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of any such statute or regulation on the
Transactions.
Section 6.9 Certain Notifications. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time,
GAFRI shall promptly notify Parent and GAC of (i) any notice or other communication from any
25
Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the
Transactions, other than where the failure to obtain such consent could not reasonably be expected
to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any notice or communication from any Governmental
Entity in connection with the Transactions and (iii) any action, suit, charge, complaint, grievance
or proceeding commenced or, to GAFRIs Knowledge, threatened against GAFRI which, if pending on the
date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed pursuant to Section 4.14 or
which relates to the consummation of the Transactions. Between the date hereof and the Effective
Time, Parent and GAC shall promptly notify GAFRI of any action, suit, charge, complaint, grievance
or proceeding commenced or, to the Knowledge of Parent or GAC, threatened against Parent or GAC
which relates to the consummation of the Transactions. Between the date hereof and the Effective
Time, each party shall promptly notify the other parties hereto in writing after becoming aware of
the occurrence of any event which will, or is reasonably likely to, result in the failure to
satisfy any of the conditions specified in Article VII.
Section 6.10 Third Party Consents. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time,
GAFRI shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the third party consents set forth in
Section 4.3 of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule.
Section 6.11 Delisting. Each of the parties agrees to cooperate with each other in
taking, or causing to be taken, all actions necessary to delist the GAFRI Common Stock from the New
York Stock Exchange and terminate registration under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that such
delisting and termination shall not be effective until after the Effective Time.
Section 6.12 Guarantee of GAFRI Indebtedness. Parent shall execute any and all
documents deemed necessary or advisable in the opinion of Parent or its counsel in order to
guarantee, effective as of the Effective Time, the indebtedness listed on Exhibit 6.12 of GAFRI and
GAFRIs Subsidiaries.
Section 6.13 Formation of GAC. Parent shall duly form GAC as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent incorporated in the State of Delaware and shall cause GAC to execute and
deliver this Agreement prior to the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the failure of GAC to
execute this Agreement on the date hereof shall not call into question the binding and enforceable
nature of this Agreement among those parties who have executed and delivered this Agreement as of
the date hereof. Parent shall cause the Board of Directors of GAC to approve and adopt this
Agreement and shall vote its shares or consent in writing to the adoption of this Agreement in its
capacity as the sole stockholder of GAC.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 7.1 Conditions to Each Partys Obligations to Effect the Merger. The
respective obligations of GAFRI, Parent and GAC to effect the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the waiver on or prior to the Effective
Time of each of the following conditions:
(a) The GAFRI Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained at the Special Meeting.
26
(b) The waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act,
if any, and under any other Applicable Laws shall have expired or been terminated, and if
the SEC shall have reviewed and/or provided comments to the Proxy Statement, such comments
and any related issues or matters with the SEC shall have been resolved.
(c) Other than the filing provided for in Section 2.3, all notices, reports and other
filings required to be made prior to the Effective Time by GAFRI or Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries with, and all consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations
required to be obtained prior to the Effective Time by GAFRI or Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries from, any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions by GAFRI,
Parent and GAC shall have been made or obtained (as the case may be).
(d) No Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment,
decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in
effect and prohibits consummation of the Merger, and no federal or state Governmental Entity
shall have instituted any proceeding that is pending seeking any such judgment, decree,
injunction or other order to prohibit the consummation of the Merger.
Section 7.2 Conditions to GAFRIs Obligation to Effect the Merger. The obligation of
GAFRI to effect the Merger shall be further subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted
by Applicable Law, the waiver on or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following
conditions:
(a) The representations of Parent and GAC contained in the first sentence of Section
5.1 (Organization) and in Section 5.2 (Authorization) shall be true and correct in all
respects with regard to any such representations containing the qualifications materially
or material or any other qualifications based on such terms or based on the defined term
Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect, and shall be true and correct in all material
respects, both individually and in the aggregate, with regard to any representation not so
qualified, in each case as of the Effective Time (or, to the extent such representations and
warranties speak as of an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all respects as of
such earlier date). The representations and warranties of Parent and GAC contained in this
Agreement other than those listed in the preceding sentence shall be true and correct in all
respects when made and as of the Effective Time as if made at such time (or, to the extent
such representations and warranties speak as of a specified date, they need only be true and
correct in all respects as of such specified date) interpreted without giving effect to the
words materially or material or to any qualifications based on such terms or based on
the defined term Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect, except where the failure of all
such representations and warranties to be true and correct could not reasonably be expected
to have an Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Parent and GAC shall have performed in all material respects their respective
agreements and covenants contained in or contemplated by this Agreement
27
that are required to be performed by them at or prior to the Effective Time pursuant to
the terms hereof.
(c) GAFRI shall have received certificates signed on behalf of Parent and GAC by an
executive officer of each of Parent and GAC, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the
conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a) and Section 7.2(b) have been satisfied.
Section 7.3 Conditions to Parents and GACs Obligations to Effect the Merger. The
obligations of Parent and GAC to effect the Merger shall be further subject to the satisfaction, or
to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the waiver on or prior to the Closing of each of the
following conditions:
(a) The representations of GAFRI contained in the first sentence of Section 4.1
(Organization), in Section 4.2 (Authorization) and in Section 4.4 (Capitalization) shall be
true and correct in all respects with regard to any such representations containing the
qualifications materially or material or any other qualifications based on such terms or
based on the defined term GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, and shall be true and correct in
all material respects, both individually and in the aggregate, with regard to any
representation not so qualified, in each case as of the Effective Time (or, to the extent
such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, they shall be true and
correct in all respects as of such earlier date). The representations and warranties of
GAFRI contained in this Agreement other than those listed in the preceding sentence shall be
true and correct in all respects when made and as of the Effective Time as if made at such
time (or, to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of a specified date,
they need only be true and correct in all respects as of such specified date) interpreted
without giving effect to the words materially or material or to any qualifications based
on such terms or based on the defined term GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, except where the
failure of all such representations and warranties to be true and correct could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
(b) GAFRI shall have performed in all material respects each of its agreements and
covenants contained in or contemplated by this Agreement that are required to be performed
by it at or prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the terms hereof.
(c) Parent and GAC shall have received certificates signed on behalf of GAFRI by an
executive officer of GAFRI, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions set
forth in Section 7.3(a) and Section 7.3(b) have been satisfied.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
Section 8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after obtaining GAFRI
Stockholder Approval, by action taken by the Board of Directors of the terminating party or
parties:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and GAFRI;
28
(b) by GAFRI or Parent, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before September
30, 2007 (the Termination Date); provided, however, that the right to terminate
this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose failure
to fulfill any obligation or other breach under this Agreement has been the cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of the Merger to occur on or before the Termination Date;
(c) by GAFRI or Parent, if any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action in any case having the effect of
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Transactions, and such
order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable;
(d) by GAFRI or Parent, if at the Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof the GAFRI
Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained;
(e) by GAFRI, if there is a breach by Parent or GAC of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement that would give rise to a failure of a
condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) or Section 7.2(b) and which has not been cured (or is
not capable of being cured) within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by Parent or
GAC, as the case may be, of written notice from GAFRI of such breach;
(f) by Parent, if there is a breach by GAFRI of any representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement contained in this Agreement that would give rise to a failure of a condition
set forth in Section 7.3(a) or Section 7.3(b) and which has not been cured (or is not
capable of being cured) within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by GAFRI of
written notice from Parent and GAC of such breach; or
(g) by Parent, if the GAFRI Board or any committee (including the Special Committee)
thereof shall have effected a Change in Recommendation.
The party desiring to terminate this Agreement shall give written notice of such termination to the
other party.
Section 8.2 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated by either GAFRI,
or Parent as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be
no liability or obligation on the part of GAFRI, Parent or GAC or their respective officers or
directors, except as provided in this Article VIII, which provisions shall survive such
termination, and except that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
neither GAFRI nor Parent or GAC shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages
arising out of any willful or knowing breach of this Agreement.
Section 8.3 Fees and Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with
this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement to any party hereunder
29
shall be in writing and deemed given if addressed as provided below (or at such other address
as the addressee shall have specified by notice actually received by the addressor) and if either
(i) actually delivered in fully legible form, to such address, (ii) in the case of any nationally
recognized express mail service, one (1) Business Day shall have elapsed after the same shall have
been deposited with such service or (iii) if by fax, on the day on which such fax was sent;
provided, that a copy is sent the same day by overnight courier or express mail service.
If to GAFRI, to:
Great American Financial Resources, Inc.
250 East Fifth Street, 10th Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: Mark F. Muething, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 333-5515
Facsimile: (513) 357-3397
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP
312 Walnut Street, Suite 3500
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: Stephen C. Mahon, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 361-1200
Facsimile: (513) 361-1201
If to Parent or GAC, to:
c/o American Financial Group, Inc.
One East Fourth Street, Ninth Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: James C. Kennedy, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 579-2538
Facsimile: (513) 579-0108
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
One East Fourth Street
Suite 1400
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: Edward E. Steiner, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 579-6467
Facsimile: (513) 579-6457.
Section 9.2 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The
representations and warranties contained herein and in any certificate or other writing delivered
pursuant hereto shall not survive the Effective Time or, except as provided in Section 8.2, the
termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 hereunder. All other
covenants and agreements contained herein which by their terms are to be performed in whole or
30
in part, or which prohibit actions, subsequent to the Effective Time, shall survive the
Effective Time in accordance with their terms.
Section 9.3 Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the words include,
includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation, (ii)
the word or is not exclusive and (iii) the words herein, hereof, hereby, hereto and
hereunder refer to this Agreement as a whole. Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference
herein: (i) to an Article or Section means an Article and Section of this Agreement, (ii) to an
agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as
amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions
thereof and by this Agreement and (iii) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to
time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any rules or regulations promulgated
thereunder. Titles to Articles and headings of Sections are inserted for convenience of reference
only and shall not be deemed a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring
construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument
to be drafted.
Section 9.4 Amendments, Modification and Waiver.
(a) Except as may otherwise be provided herein, any provision of this Agreement may be
amended, modified or waived by the parties hereto, by action taken by or authorized by their
respective Boards of Directors, prior to the Closing Date if, and only if, such amendment or
waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by GAFRI, Parent and GAC or,
in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided,
that, after GAFRI Stockholder Approval has been obtained, there shall not be made any
amendment that by Applicable Law requires further approval by GAFRIs stockholders without
such further approval.
(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of
any rights or remedies provided by law or in equity.
Section 9.5 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns; provided, that none of GAFRI, Parent or GAC may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part (whether by operation of law
or otherwise), without the consent of the other parties hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, Parent may assign any of its rights hereunder to any Subsidiary of Parent.
Section 9.6 Specific Performance. The parties acknowledge and agree that any breach
of the terms of this Agreement would give rise to irreparable harm for which money damages would
not be an adequate remedy and accordingly the parties agree that, in addition to any other
remedies, each party shall be entitled to enforce the terms of this Agreement by a decree of
specific performance without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy,
and to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent a breach of this Agreement.
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Section 9.7 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable
principles of conflicts of laws thereof).
(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for
itself and its property, to the jurisdiction of the courts located in the City of
Cincinnati, Ohio in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
the agreements delivered in connection herewith or the Transactions or for recognition or
enforcement of any judgment relating thereto, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in such
courts, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard
and determined in such courts, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and
effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue
of any such action or proceeding in such courts and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by Applicable Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such
action or proceeding in such courts. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final
judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Applicable Law.
Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner
provided for notices in Section 9.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right of
any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable
Law.
(c) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT
OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND
ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS OR THEREBY. EACH
PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER
PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT
OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE EITHER OF SUCH WAIVERS, (B) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED
THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVERS, (C) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVERS VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) IT HAS BEEN
INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.7(c).
Section 9.8 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other
conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so
long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated herein are not affected in
any manner materially adverse to any party hereto, and the application of such other conditions and
provisions to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the
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intent of the parties hereto.. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith
to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible
in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may
be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
Section 9.9 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 6.4, this
Agreement is solely for the benefit of GAFRI and its successors and permitted assigns, with respect
to the obligations of Parent and GAC under this Agreement, and for the benefit of Parent and GAC,
and their respective successors and permitted assigns, with respect to the obligations of GAFRI
under this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to confer upon or give to any other
third party any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right.
Section 9.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the recitals, exhibits and
schedules hereto, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements or understandings, both written and
oral, between the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 9.11 Counterparts; Fax Signatures; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be
signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Each of the parties
hereto (i) has agreed to permit the use, from time to time and where appropriate, of faxed
signatures in order to expedite the Closing, (ii) intends to be bound by its respective faxed
signature, (iii) is aware that the other parties hereto will rely on the faxed signature and (iv)
acknowledges such reliance and waives any defenses to the enforcement of the documents effecting
the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on the fact that a signature was sent by fax.
This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts
hereof signed by all of the other parties hereto.
(Remainder of page intentionally blank; signature page follows.)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their
respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
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By: |
/s/
James
C. Kennedy |
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Name: James C. Kennedy |
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Title: Vice President |
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GAFRI ACQUISITION CORP.
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By: |
/s/
James
C. Kennedy |
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Name: James
C. Kennedy |
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Title: Vice President |
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GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
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By: |
/s/ Mark
F. Muething |
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Name: Mark
F. Muething |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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