Csw Industrials, Inc S-3ASR, filed Sep 4, 2024
Csw Industrials, Inc. (CSW)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CSW INDUSTRIALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| DELAWARE | 2891 | 47-2266942 | ||
| (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) |
(PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) |
(I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) |
5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75240
(214) 884-3777
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
Luke E. Alverson
Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
CSW Industrials, Inc.
5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75240
(214) 884-3777
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
with a copy to:
Emily Leitch
William B. Nelson
Robert Cardone
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP
800 Capitol Street, Suite 2200
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 354-4900
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
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PROSPECTUS
CSW INDUSTRIALS, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Units
The common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants and units covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time by CSW Industrials, Inc. In addition, certain selling securityholders to be identified in supplements to this prospectus may offer and sell these securities from time to time. The debt securities may consist of debentures, notes, or other types of debt. The debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants may be convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours. We or any selling securityholders may offer the securities independently or together in any combination, called “units,” for sale directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents to be designated at a future date. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling securityholders.
We will provide the specific terms and prices of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in the securities.
CSW Industrials, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “CSWI”.
We may sell securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents. For additional information on the method of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of any securities and the specific manner in which they may be offered will be set forth in the prospectus supplement covering the sale of those securities.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission nor any other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the securities offered hereby, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of these securities or the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is September 4, 2024.
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The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We are not making an offer of any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any information or to make any representation other than as contained in this prospectus or that may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We take no responsibility for, nor can we provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any document that may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus, or in the case of information that may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as of the date of such information, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale or issuance of a security.
We have filed with the SEC an automatic “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 to register the securities offered under this prospectus. This prospectus is part of that registration statement and, as permitted by the SEC’s rules, does not contain all the information required to be set forth in the registration statement.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or a selling securityholder may offer. Each time we offer (or a selling securityholder offers) securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement or other offering material that will contain specific information about the terms of that specific offering of securities and the specific manner in which they may be offered. The prospectus supplement or other offering material may also add to, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in a prospectus supplement or other offering material is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in the prospectus supplement or other offering material. The prospectus supplement or other offering material may also contain information about any material federal income tax considerations relating to the securities described in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information.” This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain documents, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All such summaries are qualified in their entirety by such reference. Copies of documents referred to herein will be made available to prospective investors upon request to us. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read on the SEC web site (www.sec.gov). See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Except as otherwise indicated, “CSW Industrials,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to CSW Industrials, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available, free of charge, through our website our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information, including amendments thereto, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our website address is www.cswindustrials.com. Our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement and is therefore not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.
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The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we filed with it. This means that we can disclose important business, financial and other information to you by referring you to other documents separately filed with the SEC. All information incorporated by reference is part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the previously filed information.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
| 1. | Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on July 1, 2024, that are required to be incorporated by reference therein; |
| 2. | Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2024; |
| 3. | Our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2024 and August 16, 2024; and |
| 4. | The description of our capital stock set forth in Exhibit 4.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. |
We also incorporate by reference all future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) on or after the date of this prospectus, until we complete our offerings of the securities registered under this registration statement. We are not incorporating any information included in a current report on Form 8-K that has been furnished (and not filed) with the SEC, unless such information is expressly incorporated herein by a reference in a furnished current report on Form 8-K or other furnished document.
Our filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our Internet website is located at www.cswindustrials.com. The contents of the website are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We will provide at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus, other than exhibits to the documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates. You should direct requests to: CSW Industrials, Inc., 5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75240; Attention: Investor Relations, telephone number: (214) 884-3777.
We are making this statement pursuant to the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements described in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This prospectus, prospectus supplements to this prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference contain or will contain “forward-looking statements,” which are statements relating to future events and our future financial performance, strategies, expectations, and the competitive environment.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on our current knowledge of our business and operations, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Any forward-looking statements you read in this prospectus reflect our views as of the date of this prospectus with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity.
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You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should carefully consider all of the factors identified in this prospectus that could cause actual results to differ. We assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Forward-looking statements include expected restructuring charges and the results of the restructuring, financial projections, statements of plans and objectives for future operations, statements of future economic performance, and statements of assumptions relating thereto. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “potential,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to, or statements that are subject to risks, contingencies or uncertainties that relate to:
| • | our business strategy; |
| • | changes in local political, economic, social and labor conditions; |
| • | potential disruptions from wars and military conflicts, including geopolitical uncertainty due to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine; |
| • | future levels of revenues, operating margins, income from operations, net income or earnings per share; |
| • | the ability to respond to anticipated inflationary pressure, including reductions on consumer discretionary income and our ability to pass along rising costs through increased selling prices; |
| • | anticipated levels of demand for our products and services; |
| • | the actual impact to supply, production levels and costs from global supply chain logistics and transportation challenges; |
| • | future levels of research and development, capital, environmental or maintenance expenditures; |
| • | our beliefs regarding the timing and effects on our business of health and safety, tax, environmental or other legislation, rules and regulations; |
| • | the success or timing of completion of ongoing or anticipated capital, restructuring or maintenance projects; |
| • | expectations regarding the acquisition or divestiture of assets and businesses; |
| • | our ability to obtain appropriate insurance and indemnities; |
| • | the potential effects of judicial or other proceedings, including tax audits, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; |
| • | the anticipated effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, or federal, foreign, state or local regulatory authorities, or plaintiffs in litigation; |
| • | the expected impact of accounting pronouncements; and |
| • | the other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and other filings with the SEC. |
This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is only a summary of some of the most important factors and is not intended to be exhaustive. You should carefully review the risks that are set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as supplemented by any Current Report on Form 8-K. New factors that are not currently known to us or of which we are currently unaware may also emerge from time to time that could materially and adversely affect us.
Our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Our forward-looking statements are only made as of the date of this prospectus, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect new information or events or circumstances arising after such date.
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We are a diversified industrial growth company with a strategic focus on providing niche, value-added products in the end markets we serve. We operate in three business segments: Contractor Solutions, Specialized Reliability Solutions and Engineered Building Solutions. Our products include mechanical products for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (“HVAC/R”), plumbing products, grilles, registers and diffusers (“GRD”), building safety solutions and high-performance specialty lubricants and sealants. End markets that we serve include HVAC/R, architecturally-specified building products, plumbing, general industrial, energy, rail transportation and mining. Our manufacturing operations are concentrated in the United States (“U.S.”), Vietnam and Canada, and we have distribution operations in the U.S., Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). Our products are sold directly to end-users or through designated channels in over 100 countries around the world, primarily including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia.
Drawing on our innovative and proven technologies, we seek to deliver solutions primarily to our contractors that place a premium on superior performance and reliability. We believe our brands are well known in the specific end markets we serve and have a reputation for high quality. We rely on both organic growth and inorganic growth through acquisitions to provide an increasingly broad portfolio of performance optimizing solutions that meet our customers’ ever-changing needs. We have a successful record of making attractive and synergistic acquisitions that support expansion of our broad portfolio of solutions, and we remain focused on identifying additional acquisition opportunities in our core end markets.
CSWI is a Delaware corporation and was incorporated in 2014 in anticipation of CSWI’s separation from Capital Southwest Corporation (“Capital Southwest”). Our well-established operating companies provide a collective history that spans more than a century. The separation was executed on September 30, 2015 through a pro-rata share distribution of all the then outstanding shares of common stock of CSWI to the holders of common stock of Capital Southwest (the “Share Distribution”). Since the separation, CSWI has been an independent, publicly-traded company, listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Our principal executive offices are located at 5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75240 and our telephone number is (214) 884-3777. Our website is located at www.cswindustrials.com. The information on or connected to this website is not part of this prospectus.
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Investing in our securities involves risks. Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and beyond our control and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, or the value of these securities. These risks and uncertainties include those described in the risk factors and other sections of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Subsequent prospectus supplements may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of securities we are offering under the prospectus supplements. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from any sale of the offered securities for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, repaying, redeeming or repurchasing debt, acquisitions, share repurchases and capital expenditures. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to such offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling securityholders.
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This section contains a description of our capital stock. The following summary of the terms of our capital stock is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which are incorporated by reference as exhibits into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We have authorized the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share.
Common Stock
On August 27, 2024 there were 15,526,513 outstanding shares of common stock held by 302 stockholders of record.
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Therefore, holders of more than 50% of the shares of common stock are able to elect all of our directors eligible for election in a given year. The holders of common stock are entitled to dividends and other distributions out of assets legally available if and when declared by the board of directors. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share pro rata in the distribution of all of our assets remaining available for distribution after satisfaction of all liabilities, including any prior rights of any preferred stock which may be outstanding. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “CSWI.”
Preferred Stock
Under the Certificate, series of the preferred stock may be created and issued from time to time by our board of directors, with such rights and preferences as they may determine. As of September 4, 2024 there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Our board of directors could issue a class or series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of such class or series, impede completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt that some, or a majority, of stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their shares over the then-current market price of such shares.
Certain Anti-Takeover Matters
Delaware Business Combination Statute. Under Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, a corporation is prohibited from engaging in any business combination with a stockholder who, together with its affiliates or associates, owns (or who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and within a three-year period did own) 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock, or an interested stockholder, for a three-year period following the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
| • | prior to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
| • | the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation, excluding specified shares, upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; or |
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| • | at or subsequent to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized by the affirmative vote, at an annual or special meeting, and not by written consent, of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, excluding shares held by that interested stockholder. |
A business combination generally includes:
| • | mergers and consolidations with or caused by an interested stockholder; |
| • | sales or other dispositions of 10% or more of the assets of a corporation to an interested stockholder; |
| • | specified transactions resulting in the issuance or transfer to an interested stockholder of any capital stock of a corporation or its subsidiaries; and |
| • | other transactions resulting in a disproportionate financial benefit to an interested stockholder. |
The provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL do not apply to a corporation if, subject to certain requirements, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation contain a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the provisions of the statute or the corporation does not have voting stock listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders.
We have not “opted out” of Section 203 of the DGCL in our Certificate of Incorporation, and the statute will apply to business combinations involving us.
Vacancies. Under our Certificate, any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board, may only be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then serving, or by the sole remaining director. The limitations on filling of vacancies could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of us.
Actions by Stockholders. Our Certificate and Bylaws also provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may be taken only if it is properly brought before such meeting and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. In addition, our Certificate and Bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, or the board of directors. Under our Bylaws, in order for any matter to be considered “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder must comply with certain requirements regarding advance notice to the company. The foregoing provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholders meeting, stockholder actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. These provisions also may discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called stockholders meeting and not by written consent.
Amendments. The DGCL provides, generally, that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not require a greater percentage.
Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan. Certain of our executive officers participate in our Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan which provide for substantial compensation upon our termination of the officer’s employment without cause or the officer’s resignation of his employment for good reason or upon the occurrence of certain events constituting a change of control in our company.
Indemnification. The Certificate requires us to indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and limits the liability of our directors and stockholders for monetary damages in certain circumstances. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities in one or more distinct series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and in either case may be secured by collateral and/or guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries. This section summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that are common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific material terms of any series of debt securities that we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet to be attached to the front of this prospectus. Since the terms of specific debt securities may differ from the general information provided below, you should rely on information in the prospectus supplement or term sheet that contradicts different information below.
Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, senior and subordinated debt securities will be issued by CSW Industrials, Inc. under an indenture between CSW Industrials, Inc., as issuer, and a designated trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented from time to time (the “indenture”). A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, which you should review for additional information. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1933, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). You should read the summary below, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.
The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act. The terms “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us,” when used to refer to an issuer of securities, means CSW Industrials, Inc.
General Provisions of the Indenture
Each series of debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. Any senior securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Any subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the senior indebtedness of the Company as more fully described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet.
The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the attached prospectus supplement or term sheet (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of debt warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”), as well as other unsecured debt securities, may be issued under that indenture in one or more series.
You should read the prospectus supplement or term sheet for the material terms of the offered debt securities and any underlying debt securities, including the following:
| • | The title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior securities or subordinated securities of the Company. |
| • | The total principal amount of the debt securities of the series and any limit on such total principal amount. |
| • | If not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities or how this portion will be determined. |
| • | The date or dates, or how the date or dates will be determined or extended, when the principal of the debt securities will be payable. |
| • | The interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, or how the rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how the date or dates will be determined, the interest payment dates, any record dates for these payments and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. |
| • | Any optional redemption provisions. |
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| • | Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities. |
| • | The form in which we will issue the debt securities; whether we will have the option of issuing debt securities in “certificated” form; whether we will have the option of issuing certificated debt securities in bearer form if we issue the securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons; any restrictions on the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities of the series may be exchanged for registered securities of the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations). |
| • | If other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and/or payable. |
| • | Whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and how these amounts will be determined. |
| • | The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities. |
| • | If other than minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 above the minimum denomination in the case of registered securities issued in certificated form and $5,000 in the case of bearer securities, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued. |
| • | If the provisions of the indenture described under “defeasance” are not applicable and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of these provisions. |
| • | Whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts, as contemplated by Section 1008 of the indenture, in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option). |
| • | Whether the securities are subordinated and the terms of such subordination. |
| • | Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events. |
| • | Any changes or additions to the Events of Default or covenants contained in the indenture. |
| • | Whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and the applicable terms and conditions. |
| • | Any other material terms of the debt securities. |
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
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The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt, we repurchase a significant amount of equity or effect a recapitalization, or we are acquired by another entity.
We refer you to the prospectus supplement or term sheet for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, the debt securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars and all payments on the debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars.
Payment of the purchase price of the debt securities must be made in immediately available funds.
The authorized denominations of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be a minimum denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above the minimum denomination. The authorized denominations of foreign currency Notes will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet.
Conversion and Exchange
If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement or term sheet will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion or exchange price or rate (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion or exchange price or rate and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement or term sheet.
Issuance of Securities in Registered Form
We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we will issue them in book-entry form only. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We also will have the option of issuing debt securities in non-registered form as bearer securities if we issue the securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons. In that case, the prospectus supplement or term sheet will set forth the mechanics for holding the bearer securities, including the procedures for receiving payments, for exchanging in certain cases the bearer securities for registered securities of the same series, and for receiving notices. The prospectus supplement or term sheet will also describe the requirements with respect to our maintenance of offices or agencies outside the United States and the applicable U.S. federal tax law requirements.
Book-Entry Holders. We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary. Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system will hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by or on behalf of the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.
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Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in book-entry form, we will recognize only the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which, in turn, will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants will do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities or the indenture.
As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through an indirect participant. As long as the debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders of the debt securities.
Street Name Holders. In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in “street name.” Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution.
For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.
Legal Holders. Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in book-entry form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.
When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or term sheet whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.
Special Considerations for Indirect Holders. If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:
| • | how it handles securities payments and notices, |
| • | whether it imposes fees or charges, |
| • | how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required, |
| • | whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future for a particular series of debt securities, |
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| • | how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests, and |
| • | if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters. |
Global Securities
We may issue the registered debt securities in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its custodian identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or its nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
The indentures in the forms initially filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part provide that so long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. Neither we nor the trustee or any other
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agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the trustee or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.
Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as depositary for each series of debt securities issued as global securities. DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and the Indirect Participants.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay interest to the person listed in the trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each regularly scheduled date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, typically set at a date approximately two weeks prior to the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”
Payments on Global Securities. We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “Global Securities.”
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Payments on Certificated Debt Securities. We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, duly and punctually to the office of the trustee.
Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we may pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the applicable trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 calendar days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.
Material Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.
Events of Default
An event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series is defined in the indenture as:
| (a) | default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable; |
| (b) | default in payment of principal of or any premium on the debt securities of such series at maturity or upon redemption or repayment when the same becomes due and payable; |
| (c) | default in the deposit of any principal payment into the sinking fund, when and as due by the terms of any debt security of such series and the indenture; |
| (d) | default by the Company in the performance of any other covenant contained in the indenture for the benefit of the debt securities of such series that has not been remedied by the end of a period of 90 days after notice is given as specified in the indenture; |
| (e) | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of the Company. |
The indenture provides that:
| • | if an event of default described in clause (a), (b), (c), or (d) above has occurred and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding, and any accrued and unpaid interest through the date of such declaration, to be due and payable immediately; |
| • | upon certain conditions such declarations may be annulled and past defaults (except for defaults in the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on the debt securities and in compliance with certain covenants) may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series; and |
| • | if an event of default described in clause (e) occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all debt securities issued under the indenture, together with any accrued interest through the occurrence of such event, shall become and be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any other holder. |
Under the indenture, the trustee must give to the holders of debt securities of any series notice of all uncured defaults known to it with respect to the debt securities of such series within 90 days after such a default occurs
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(the term default to include the events specified above without notice or grace periods); provided that, except in the case of default in the payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the debt securities of such series, the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the holders of such debt securities.
No holder of any debt securities may institute any action under the indenture unless:
| • | such holder has given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities; |
| • | the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series have requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default; |
| • | such holder or holders have offered the trustee such reasonable indemnity as the trustee may require; |
| • | the trustee has failed to institute an action for 60 days thereafter; and |
| • | no inconsistent direction has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such debt securities. |
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the applicable trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. The indenture provides that, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in exercising its rights and powers under the indenture, will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. The indenture further provides that the trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under the indenture unless it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is reasonably assured to it.
The Company must furnish to the trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year a statement signed by an officer thereof to the effect that a review of our activities during such year and our performance under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities has been made, and, to the knowledge of the signatories based on such review, we have complied with all conditions and covenants of the indenture or, if we are in default, specifying such default.
Modification of the Indenture
We and the trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities issued under the indenture, enter into supplemental indentures for, among others, one or more of the following purposes:
| • | to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by such successor of its obligations under the indenture and the debt securities; |
| • | to add covenants of the Company or surrender of any of its rights, or add any rights for the benefit of the holders of debt securities; |
| • | to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; |
| • | to establish the form or terms of any other series of debt securities, including any subordinated securities; |
| • | to evidence and provide the acceptance of any successor trustee with respect to the debt securities or one or more other series of debt securities under an indenture or to facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by one or more trustees in accordance with such indenture; and |
| • | to provide any additional events of default. |
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With certain exceptions, the indenture or the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding affected thereby, but no such modification may be made without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby that would:
| • | change the maturity of any payment of principal of, or any premium on, any debt securities, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any principal, premium or interest is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the redemption or repayment date); |
| • | reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any such modification, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the indenture; or |
| • | modify any of the provisions of certain sections of the indenture, including the provisions summarized in this paragraph, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each of the outstanding debt securities affected thereby. |
Defeasance
The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.
Covenant Defeasance. Under current United States federal tax law, the Company can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If you hold subordinated securities, you also would be released from the applicable subordination provisions. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
| • | Deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates. |
| • | Deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Full Defeasance. If there is a change in United States federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
| • | We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt securities of such series a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that |
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| will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates. |
| • | We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current United States federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current United States federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities of such series would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds at the time the cash and debt securities or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on your debt securities at the time of the deposit. |
If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities of such series. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If you hold subordinated securities, you would also be released from the applicable subordination provisions.
Legal defeasance and full defeasance are both subject to certain conditions, such as no default or event of default occurring and continuing, and no breach of any material agreement.
Discharge of the Indenture
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities or by depositing with the trustee or the paying agent after the debt securities have become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, or any redemption or repayment date, or otherwise, cash sufficient to pay all of the outstanding debt securities and paying all other sums payable under the indenture.
Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Debt Securities
If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:
| • | only in fully registered certificated form, |
| • | without interest coupons, and |
| • | unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, in a minimum denomination of $2,000 and amounts above the minimum denomination that are integral multiples of $1,000. |
Holders may exchange their certificated debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated debt securities at the office of their trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.
If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement or term sheet. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
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If any certificated debt securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.
If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.
Resignation of Trustee
The trustee may resign or be removed at any time with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
The Trustee
We will enter into the indenture with a trustee chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities. The trustee and its affiliates have in the past provided and may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of business.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. In that event, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with the terms of the offering. The following description of the material terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts is only a summary, and you should refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares for more complete information.
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Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These temporary depositary receipts entitle their holders to all the rights of definitive depositary receipts. Temporary depositary receipts will then be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received with respect to the underlying stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares that are entitled to receive the distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the applicable holders.
Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred Stock
Unless we say otherwise in a prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of underlying preferred stock and all money and other property represented by the related depositary shares. We will not issue any partial shares of preferred stock. If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of shares of preferred stock, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares to that holder.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of that series of underlying stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to that series of underlying
stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying stock that are held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the shares of underlying stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately or by other equitable method, as may be determined by the depositary.
Voting
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the underlying stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares underlying the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the underlying stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the underlying stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will then try, as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable actions which may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the underlying shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions with respect to the depositary shares representing the preferred stock.
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Conversion or Exchange of Preferred Stock
If the deposited preferred stock is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the following will apply. The depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into or exchangeable for such other securities. Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts, together with any amounts payable by the holder in connection with the conversion or the exchange, to the depositary with written instructions to cause conversion or exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for such other securities. If only some of the depositary shares are to be converted or exchanged, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted or exchanged.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 60 days’ notice whereupon the depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock represented by such receipts. The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (a) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted into or exchanged for any other securities into or for which the underlying preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable or (b) there has been a final distribution of the underlying stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and the underlying stock has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with its duties in accordance with the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental and other charges, including a fee for any permitted withdrawal of shares of underlying stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Reports
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that we deliver to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the underlying stock.
Limitation on Liability
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or underlying stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting underlying stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
In the event the depositary receives conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary shares, on the one hand, and us, on the other, the depositary will act on our claims, requests or instructions.
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Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of its election to resign. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. This description is subject to the detailed provisions of a warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent we select at the time of issue and the description in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable series of warrants.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock or any combination thereof. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with any such securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We may issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between a warrant agent and us. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:
| • | the title of such warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of such warrants; |
| • | the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued; |
| • | the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable; |
| • | the designation and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants and the number of such securities issuable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| • | the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire; |
| • | whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form; |
| • | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security; |
| • | if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • | if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| • | any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants. |
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Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement
We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
| • | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| • | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; |
| • | the terms of the unit agreement governing the units; |
| • | United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and |
| • | whether the units will be issued in fully registered global form. |
This summary of certain general terms of units and any summary description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units. The forms of the unit agreements and other documents relating to a particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.
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We or the selling securityholders, if applicable, may sell the securities covered by this prospectus in any of the following ways (or in any combination):
| • | through underwriters, dealers or remarketing firms; |
| • | in “at-the-market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); |
| • | directly to one or more purchasers, including to a limited number of institutional purchasers; or |
| • | through agents. |
Any such dealer or agent, in addition to any underwriter, may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions received by an underwriter, dealer, remarketing firm or agent on the sale or resale of securities may be considered by the SEC to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with such a transaction, the third parties may, pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
The terms of the offering of the securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and will include, among other things:
| • | the type of and terms of the securities offered; |
| • | the price of the securities; |
| • | the proceeds to us from the sale of the securities; |
| • | the names of the securities exchanges, if any, on which the securities are listed; |
| • | the name of any underwriter, dealer, remarketing firm or agent and the amount of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them; |
| • | any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
| • | the name of any selling securityholders; |
| • | any underwriting discounts, agency fees or other compensation to underwriters or agents; and |
| • | any discounts or concessions which may be allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. |
If underwriters are used in the sale of securities, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters acting alone, including on a continuing basis pursuant to “at-the-market offerings.” Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased by them. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
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If dealers acting as principals are used in the sale of any securities, such securities will be acquired by the dealers, as principals, and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The name of any dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered.
Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms, which we refer to herein as the “remarketing firms,” acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents, as applicable. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act in connection with the securities remarketed thereby.
The securities may be sold directly by us or the selling security holders, if any, or through agents designated by us or the selling security holders, if any, from time to time. In the case of securities sold directly by us or selling securityholders, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Any agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, and any commissions payable by us or any selling securityholder to such agents, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We or selling securityholders may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase the securities to which this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement relates from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus, if applicable, accrued interest, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.
Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us or selling securityholders to indemnification by us and such selling securityholders against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us, our subsidiaries or selling securityholders in the ordinary course of business.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities offered by this prospectus, other than our common stock that is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, will be new issues with no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and, in the case of our common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not be obligated to do so. In addition, underwriters will not be obligated to make a market in any securities. No assurance can be given regarding the activity of trading in, or liquidity of, any securities.
Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
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The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Houston, TX. If legal matters in connection with offerings made by this prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters, dealers, or agents, if any, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The estimated expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement are as follows:
| SEC registration fee |
$ | * | ||
| Trustee’s fees and expenses |
** | |||
| Legal fees and expenses |
** | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
** | |||
| Printing and engraving expenses |
** | |||
| Miscellaneous expenses |
** | |||
| Total |
$ | ** | ||
|
|
|
| * | Applicable SEC registration fees have been deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are not estimable at this time. |
| ** | These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the Delaware Corporation Law, provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation. Such indemnity may be against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and if, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person did not have reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the Delaware Corporation Law provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, against any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
Section 145(g) of the Delaware Corporation Law provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation against any liability asserted against the person in any such capacity, or arising out of the person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under the provisions of the law. The corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under the provisions of the law.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a director will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. In addition, our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify each director and officer and may indemnify employees and agents, as determined by our board, to the fullest extent provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.
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The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and provisions included in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits the limitation of directors’ personal liability to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duties as a director except for (i) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) breaches under section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which relates to unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchase or redemptions, and (iv) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
We refer you to Item 17 for our undertakings with respect to indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act. We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for our officers and directors.
We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our executive officers and directors that provides, in general, that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law in connection with their service to us or on our behalf. In addition, we maintain liability insurance for our directors and officers.
For information concerning the registrant’s undertaking to submit to adjudication the issue of indemnification for violation of the securities laws, see Item 17 hereof.
Item 16. Exhibits.
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| * | To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the registrant in connection with a specific offering and incorporated herein by reference. |
| ** | To be filed, if necessary, on a Form T-1 or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change in such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement
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relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or their securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on September 4, 2024.
| CSW INDUSTRIALS, INC. | ||||
| By: | /s/ Joseph B. Armes | |||
| Name: |
Joseph B. Armes | |||
| Title: |
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President | |||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Joseph B. Armes, James E. Perry, and Luke E. Alverson such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or to any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Joseph B. Armes Joseph B. Armes |
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer & President (Principal Executive Officer) |
September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ James E. Perry James E. Perry |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Darron K. Ash Darron K. Ash |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Michael R. Gambrell Michael R. Gambrell |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Bobby Griffin Bobby Griffin |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
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| /s/ Terry L. Johnston Terry L. Johnston |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Anne B. Motsenbocker Anne B. Motsenbocker |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Robert M. Swartz Robert Swartz |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
| /s/ J. Kent Sweezey J. Kent Sweezey |
Director | September 4, 2024 | ||
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Exhibit 5.1
800 Capitol Street, Suite 2200
Houston, TX 77002-2943
+1.713.354.4900
September 4, 2024
CSW Industrials, Inc.
5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75240
CSW Industrials, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to CSW Industrials, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing by the Company of its automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR (such registration statement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to the offering from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by the Company of (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iii) depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”), (iv) debt securities, in one or more distinct series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities (the “Debt Securities”), (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Depositary Shares or any combination thereof (the “Warrants) and (vi) units consisted of one or more of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Depositary Shares and Warrants (the “Units”), in each case, as described in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented by one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each supplement, a “Prospectus Supplement”) and as shall be designated by the Company at the time of the applicable offering. The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Debt Securities, the Warrants and the Units are hereinafter referred to, collectively, as the “Securities.”
The Debt Securities will be issued in one or more series pursuant to an indenture proposed to be entered into by the Company and trustee party thereto to be determined at the time of execution of the indenture (the “Trustee”), the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”). The Preferred Stock will be issued in one or more series and the relative powers, designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such Preferred Stock will be set forth in one or more certificates of designation (each, a “Certificate of Designation”). Each Certificate of Designation will be in a form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a Current Report on Form 8-K incorporated in the Registration Statement by reference.
The Depositary Shares evidenced by depositary receipts representing fractional shares of Preferred Stock, will be issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (each, a “Deposit Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as a depositary (each, a “Depositary”). Each Deposit Agreement will be in a form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a Current Report on Form 8-K incorporated in the Registration Statement by reference.
AOSHEARMAN.COM
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP is a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP is affiliated with Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC306763 and with its registered office at One Bishops Square, London E1 6AD. It is authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales (SRA number 401323). The term partner is used to refer to a member of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of the members of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP and of the non-members who are designated as partners is open to inspection at its registered office at One Bishops Square, London E1 6AD.
The Warrants will be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent (each, a “Warrant Agent”). Each Warrant Agreement will be in a form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a Current Report on Form 8-K incorporated in the Registration Statement by reference.
The Units will be issued pursuant to a purchase agreement (each, a “Unit Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as unit agent (each, a “Unit Agent”). Each Unit Agreement will be in a form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a Current Report on Form 8-K incorporated in the Registration Statement by reference.
As used herein, “Transaction Agreements” means the Indentures, the Deposit Agreements, the Warrant Agreements, the Unit Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreements.
In our capacity as counsel to the Company, we have reviewed originals or copies of the following documents:
| (a) | the Form of the Indenture; |
| (b) | the Registration Statement; |
| (c) | the Prospectus; |
| (d) | Originals or copies of the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company and such other corporate records of the Company, certificates of public officials and of officers of the Company and agreements and other documents as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. |
In our review, we have assumed:
| (a) | The genuineness of all signatures. |
| (b) | The authenticity of the originals of the documents submitted to us. |
| (c) | The conformity to authentic originals of any documents submitted to us as copies. |
| (d) | As to matters of fact, the truthfulness of the representations made in the certificates of public officials and officers of the Company. |
| (e) | That each of the Transaction Agreements will be governed by New York law. |
In our opinions stated below, we assume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein:
| (a) | the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; |
| (b) | an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act; |
| (c) | the applicable Transaction Agreements shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto (other than the Company), including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto; and |
| (d) | the terms of the applicable Transaction Agreements and the issuance and sale of such Securities do not and will not: |
| i. | except with respect to Generally Applicable Law, violate any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company; or |
| ii. | result in any conflict with or breach of any agreement or document binding on the Company. |
| (e) | except with respect to Generally Applicable Law, no authorization, approval, consent or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Company of any of the Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party or, if any such authorization, approval, consent, action, notice or filing is required, it has been duly obtained, taken, given or made and is in full force and effect. |
We have not independently established the validity of the foregoing assumptions.
“Generally Applicable Law” means the federal law of the United States of America, and the law of the State of New York (including, in each case, the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder or pursuant thereto), that a New York lawyer exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably be expected to recognize as being applicable to the Company, Transaction Agreements and for purposes of our opinions in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 below, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing definition of Generally Applicable Law, the term “Generally Applicable Law” does not include any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company, the Transaction Agreements or such transactions solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Agreements or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.
Based upon the foregoing and upon such other investigation as we have deemed necessary and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | When the general conditions have been satisfied and (i) the final terms of issuance and sale of the applicable shares of Common Stock have been duly established and approved by the board of directors of the Company in conformity with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, (ii) all corporate action necessary for issuance of the Common Stock has been taken, and (iii) such shares of Common Stock are issued and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration therefor duly approved by the board of directors of the Company, such shares of Common Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| 2. | When the general conditions have been satisfied and (i) the final terms of the Preferred Stock, including any shares of Preferred Stock to be deposited with a Depositary in connection with the issuance of Depositary Shares, have been duly established and approved by the board of directors of the Company in conformity with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, (ii) such shares of Preferred Stock are issued and delivered to the purchasers thereof (or to the applicable Depositary for deposit in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement in connection with the issuance of Depositary Shares) against payment of the consideration therefor duly approved by the board of directors of the Company, and (iii) all corporate action necessary for issuance of the Preferred Stock has been taken, including the adoption and filing of a certificate of designation relating thereto, the Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| 3. | When the general conditions have been satisfied and (i) the Depositary Shares have been duly authorized, (ii) the final terms of the Depositary Shares have been duly established and approved in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, and (iii) the depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the related shares of Preferred Stock with the Depositary in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration therefore duly approved by the board of directors of the Company, the Depositary Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and the applicable Deposit Agreement will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. |
| 4. | When the general conditions have been satisfied and (i) the Debt Securities have been duly authorized, (ii) the final terms thereof have been duly established and approved in accordance with the applicable Indenture, (iii) the applicable Indenture has been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers and (iv) the Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Company, and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the applicable Indenture, and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration therefor duly approved by the Company, the Debt Securities will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company, in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the applicable Indenture. |
| 5. | When the general conditions have been satisfied and (i) the Warrants have been duly authorized, (ii) the final terms of the Warrants have been duly established and approved in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement, and (iii) certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed by the Company and countersigned by the applicable Warrant Agent in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration therefor duly approved by the Company, the Warrants will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the applicable Warrant Agreement, and the applicable Warrant Agreement will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. |
| 6. | When the general conditions have been satisfied and (i) the Units have been duly authorized, (ii) the final terms of the Units have been duly established and approved in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement and (iii) certificates representing the Units have been duly executed by the Company and countersigned by the applicable Unit Agent in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration therefor duly approved by the Company, the Units will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the applicable Unit Agreement, and the applicable Unit Agreement will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. |
Our opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:
(a) Our opinions in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers).
(b) Our opinions in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are also subject to the effect of general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(c) Our opinions are limited to Generally Applicable Law, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law.
This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to advise you of any development or circumstance of any kind, including any change of law or fact, that may occur after the date of this opinion letter and which might affect the opinions expressed herein. This opinion letter is rendered to you in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement. This opinion letter may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose without our prior written consent.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP
BN/EL/jl/dk
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our reports dated May 23, 2024 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of CSW Industrials, Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024, which are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned reports in this Registration Statement and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts”.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Dallas, Texas
September 4, 2024