8-K
CHART INDUSTRIES INC false 0000892553 --12-31 0000892553 2026-07-16 2026-07-16
 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 16, 2026

 

 

CHART INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-11442   34-1712937

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

8665 New Trails Drive, Suite 100,

The Woodlands, Texas

  77381
(Address of principal executive offices)   (ZIP Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 721-8800

NOT APPLICABLE

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

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Common stock, par value $0.01   GTLS   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 
 


Introductory Note

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in connection with the completion of the transactions contemplated by the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 28, 2025 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Chart Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Chart”), Baker Hughes Company, a Delaware corporation (“Baker Hughes”), and Tango Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect subsidiary of Baker Hughes (“Merger Sub”).

On July 16, 2026, Baker Hughes completed its acquisition of Chart in accordance with the Merger Agreement (the “Merger”), pursuant to which Merger Sub was merged with and into Chart, with Chart surviving the Merger as an indirect subsidiary of Baker Hughes. Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings specified in the Merger Agreement.

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock of Chart, par value $0.01 per share (the “Chart Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than (x) shares of Chart Common Stock owned by Baker Hughes or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries or by Chart or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries or (y) shares of Chart Common Stock owned by stockholders who have properly exercised and perfected appraisal rights under Delaware law, in each case immediately prior to the Effective Time), was canceled and extinguished and automatically converted into the right to receive $210.00 in cash (the “Merger Consideration”), without interest and subject to any applicable withholding tax.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, (i) each option to purchase shares of Chart Common Stock with an exercise price per share less than the Merger Consideration was canceled and converted into the right to receive the excess of the Merger Consideration over the per-share exercise price of such option, and each option with an exercise price per share equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration was canceled for no consideration; (ii) each restricted stock unit with respect to shares of Chart Common Stock granted prior to the date of the Merger Agreement was canceled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration; (iii) each restricted stock unit with respect to shares of Chart Common Stock granted on or after the date of the Merger Agreement was converted into a Baker Hughes restricted stock unit based on a conversion ratio determined using the average of the high and low selling prices of Baker Hughes Class A common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the closing, with such award remaining subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such award immediately prior to the Effective Time; (iv) a pro rata portion of each performance stock unit (“Chart PSU”) with respect to shares of Chart Common Stock (based on the portion of the applicable performance period elapsed prior to the closing and the greater of (x) the target level of performance applicable to such Chart PSU and (y) the actual level of performance achieved as of immediately prior to the Effective Time) was canceled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration; and (v) the remaining portion of each Chart PSU that was not canceled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration was canceled and converted into the right to receive a cash-based award based on the number of shares of Chart Common Stock subject to such remaining portion and the deemed level of performance as set forth in the immediately preceding clause (iv), with such award remaining subject to time-based vesting until the last day of the original performance period applicable to the related Chart PSU.

 

 

2


Baker Hughes funded the Merger Consideration through a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from the issuance of $6.5 billion and €3.0 billion senior notes on March 11, 2026 and borrowings under the term loan credit agreements entered into by Baker Hughes, as disclosed in a Form 8-K filed by Baker Hughes.

In addition, in connection with the completion of the Merger, (i) funds sufficient to redeem (A) all $1,457,043,000 aggregate principal amount of Chart’s outstanding 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 (the “Secured Notes”), issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of December 22, 2022 (as amended and supplemented, the “Secured Notes Indenture”), among Chart, the guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as notes collateral agent and (B) all $510,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Chart’s outstanding 9.500% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “Notes”), issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of December 22, 2022 (as amended and supplemented, the “Unsecured Notes Indenture” and, together with the Secured Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”), among Chart, the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee, were irrevocably deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the notices of redemption previously delivered to holders of the Notes. Upon such deposit and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in the Indentures, each Indenture was satisfied and discharged in accordance with its terms and (ii) all amounts outstanding under that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2021, by and among Chart, the foreign borrowers from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent and administrative agent, the financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, the issuing banks party thereto, and the other agents, arrangers and bookrunners identified therein (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), were prepaid in full, all outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement were backstopped or assigned to and assumed by Baker Hughes or its subsidiaries under its bilateral facilities with the applicable issuing banks, and all Commitments under the Credit Agreement were terminated.

The description of the effects of the Merger Agreement and of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Chart’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2025, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.01. Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.01.

On July 16, 2026, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, Chart notified the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) of the completion of the Merger and requested that the NYSE withdraw the listing of Chart Common Stock and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) an application on Form 25 to delist and deregister Chart Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Chart intends to file a Form 15 with the Commission requesting the termination of registration of Chart Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and the suspension of reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

As a result of the consummation of the Merger, at the Effective Time, holders of Chart Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than holders described in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K) ceased to have any rights as stockholders of Chart, other than the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

 

 

3


As a result of the consummation of the Merger on July 16, 2026, a change in control of Chart occurred. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Chart, with Chart surviving the Merger as an indirect subsidiary of Baker Hughes. At the Effective Time, Baker Hughes acquired control of Chart. The Merger Consideration paid to holders of Chart Common Stock was $210.00 per share in cash, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding tax. Baker Hughes funded the Merger Consideration through a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from the issuance of senior notes and borrowings under term loan credit agreements, as described in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. As a result of the Merger, Baker Hughes beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, substantially all of the outstanding equity interests of Chart.

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

In connection with the consummation of the Merger, and effective as of the Effective Time, each of the members of the board of directors of Chart immediately prior to the Effective Time ceased to serve as directors of Chart. The directors who ceased to serve were: Andrew R. Cichocki, Paula M. Harris, Linda A. Harty, Paul E. Mahoney, David M. Sagehorn, Spencer S. Stiles, and Roger A. Strauch. None of such resignations were the result of any disagreement with Chart on any matter relating to Chart’s operations, policies or practices. In addition, effective as of the Effective Time, each of the executive officers of Chart immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than Joseph A. Belling, was removed by Baker Hughes from their respective executive officer positions. The executive officers who were removed were: Gerald F. Vinci, President, Joseph R. Brinkman, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Herbert G. Hotchkiss, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Joseph A. Belling will continue as the Chief Technology Officer of Chart.

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

At the Effective Time, and in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the certificate of incorporation of Chart was amended and restated in its entirety in the form of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”). Among other things, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (i) revised the authorized capital stock to consist of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and (ii) provided for such other changes as were necessary or appropriate to reflect Chart’s status as an indirect subsidiary of Baker Hughes.

In addition, at the Effective Time, the bylaws of Chart were amended and restated in their entirety in the form of the Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”). The Amended and Restated Bylaws contain customary provisions for a subsidiary of a publicly traded parent company.

The foregoing descriptions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

4


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

2.1*    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 28, 2025, by and among Chart Industries, Inc., Baker Hughes Company and Tango Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 29, 2025).
3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chart Industries, Inc., effective as of July 16, 2026.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Chart Industries, Inc., effective as of July 16, 2026.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

*

Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, but a copy will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request.

 

 

5


SIGNATURES

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

 

    CHART INDUSTRIES, INC.
    By:  

/s/ John Harrell

    Name:  

John Harrell

    Title:  

Authorized Signatory

Date: July 16, 2026      

 

6

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

MERGING

TANGO MERGER SUB, INC.

(a Delaware Corporation)

WITH AND INTO

CHART INDUSTRIES, INC.

(a Delaware Corporation)

July 16, 2026

 

 

Pursuant to Title 8, Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

Chart Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: Each of the constituent corporations, Company and Tango Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”, and together with Company, the “Constituent Corporations”), is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

SECOND: An Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 28, 2025 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Baker Hughes Company, a Delaware corporation, Merger Sub and Company, setting forth the terms and conditions of the merger of Merger Sub with and into Company (the “Merger”), has been approved, adopted, executed and acknowledged by each of the Constituent Corporations in accordance with Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

THIRD: Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”). The name of the Surviving Corporation shall remain “Chart Industries, Inc.”.

FOURTH: Upon the effectiveness of the filing of this Certificate of Merger, the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A hereto until thereafter amended and changed pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

FIFTH: An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at the following address:

Chart Industries, Inc.

8665 New Trails Drive, Suite 100

The Woodlands, Texas 77381

SIXTH: A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of the Constituent Corporations.

SEVENTH: The Merger shall become effective upon filing of this Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Certificate of Merger to be executed in its corporate name as of the date first written above.

 

CHART INDUSTRIES, INC.

By:   /s/ Herbert G. Hotchkiss
  Name: Herbert G. Hotchkiss
  Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

[Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation for Tango Merger Sub, Inc.]


Exhibit A

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CHART INDUSTRIES, INC.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of the corporation is Chart Industries, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE TWO

The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE THREE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

ARTICLE FOUR

The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 1,000 shares, which will be designated common stock, par value $ 0.01 per share.

ARTICLE FIVE

The number of directors of the Corporation shall be such as fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”). Unless, and except to the extent that, the Bylaws so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

ARTICLE SIX

The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws, subject to the power of the stockholders to adopt any Bylaws or to amend or repeal any Bylaws adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.


ARTICLE SEVEN

A. LIABILITY

A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same now exists or hereafter may be amended. No repeal or modification of this Article Seven shall apply or have any adverse effect on any right or protection of, or any limitation of the liability of, any person entitled to any right or protection under this Article Seven existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

B. INDEMNIFICATION

The Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, any director or officer who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation.

No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this Article Seven by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification. If the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further limiting or eliminating the personal liability of directors, then the personal liability of the directors to the Corporation or its stockholders shall be limited to the full extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended from time to time.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnification provided from this Article Seven shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those entitled to receive indemnification or reimbursement hereunder may be entitled under the Bylaws, any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

ARTICLE EIGHT

The directors shall have powers without the assent or vote of the stockholders to fix and vary the amount to be reserved for any proper purpose; to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens upon all or any part of the property of the Corporation; to determine the use and disposition of any surplus or net profits; and to fix the times for the declaration and payment of dividends.

ARTICLE NINE

The directors in their discretion may submit any contract or act for approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders or at any meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of considering any such act or contract, and any contract or act that shall be approved or


be ratified by the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation which is represented in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat (provided that a lawful quorum of stockholders be there represented in person or by proxy) shall be as valid and as binding upon the Corporation and upon all the stockholders as though it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation, whether or not the contract or act would otherwise be open to legal attack because of directors’ interest or for any other reason.

ARTICLE TEN

In addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation; subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the statutes of the State of Delaware, of this Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate”), and of any Bylaws from time to time made by the stockholders; provided, however, that no Bylaws so made shall invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such Bylaw had not been made.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

Section 203 of the DGCL, as amended from time to time, shall not apply to the Corporation.

ARTICLE TWELVE

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights and powers conferred herein on stockholders, directors and officers are subject to this reserved power.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

OF

CHART INDUSTRIES, INC.

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

SECTION 1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The registered office shall be established and maintained at the office of The Corporation Trust Company, in the City of Wilmington, in the County of New Castle, in the State of Delaware, and said corporation shall be the registered agent of this corporation (the “Corporation”) in charge thereof.

SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES. The Corporation may have other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, at such place or places as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time appoint or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETINGS. Annual meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, and for such other business as may be stated in the notice of the meeting, shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall determine and as set forth in the notice of the meeting. At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote shall elect a Board of Directors and they may transact such other corporate business as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.

SECTION 2. VOTING. Each stockholder entitled to vote in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of stock entitled to vote held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Upon the demand of any stockholder, the vote for directors and the vote upon any question before the meeting shall be by ballot. All elections for directors shall be decided by plurality vote; all questions shall be decided by majority vote except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the State of Delaware.


A complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the ensuing election, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of each and the number of shares held by each, shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days beginning on the tenth day prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. This list shall also be produced and kept at the meeting and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

SECTION 3. QUORUM. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders holding a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders. In case a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until the requisite amount of stock entitled to vote shall be present. At any such adjourned meeting at which the requisite amount of stock entitled to vote shall be represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed; provided, however, that only those stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting as originally noticed shall be entitled to vote at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

SECTION 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the President or Secretary of the Corporation or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice, stating the place, date and time of the meeting, and the general nature of the business to be considered, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat at his, her or its address as it appears in the records of the Corporation not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. No business other than that stated in the notice shall be transacted at any meeting without the unanimous consent of all the stockholders entitled to vote thereat.

SECTION 6. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.


ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. NUMBER AND TERM. The number of directors shall be not less than one nor more than five. The first Board of Directors shall consist of one director. Thereafter, within the limits specified above, the number of directors shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders and each director shall be elected to serve until his or her successor shall be elected and takes office. Directors need not be stockholders.

SECTION 2. RESIGNATIONS. Any director or member of a committee of the Board of Directors may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary of the Corporation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

SECTION 3. VACANCIES. If the office of any director or member of a committee of the Board of Directors becomes vacant, the remaining directors in office, though less than a quorum, by a majority vote, may appoint any qualified person to fill such vacancy and such person shall hold office for the unexpired term and until his or her successor shall be duly chosen.

SECTION 4. REMOVAL. Except as hereinafter provided, any director or directors may be removed either for or without cause at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all the shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote at a special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose and the vacancies thus created may be filled at the meeting held for the purpose of removal by the affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote.

SECTION 5. INCREASE OF NUMBER. The number of directors may be increased by amendment of these Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors, though less than a quorum, or by the affirmative vote of a majority interest of the stockholders at the annual meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose, and by like vote the additional directors may be chosen at such meeting to hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are elected and qualify.

SECTION 6. POWERS. The Board of Directors shall exercise all of the powers of the Corporation, except such as are by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws conferred upon or reserved to the stockholders.

SECTION 7. COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees consisting of one or more directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.


Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors creating such committee or in these Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; provided, however, that no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution or amending these Bylaws of the Corporation; and, unless the resolution, these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.

SECTION 8. MEETINGS. The newly elected directors may hold their first meeting for the purposes of organization and the transaction of business, if a quorum be present, immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders or, alternatively, the time and place of such meeting may be fixed by consent in writing of all the directors.

Regular meetings of the directors may be held without notice at such places and times as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the directors.

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by the Secretary of the Corporation on the written request of any two directors on at least two days’ prior written notice to each director and shall be held at such place or places as may be determined by the director or as may be stated in the notice of the meeting.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any such committee, by means of telephone conference or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

SECTION 9. QUORUM. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is obtained and no further notice thereof need be given other than by announcement at the meeting which shall be so adjourned.

SECTION 10. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors or as members of committees; provided, however, that, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed fee and expenses of attendance may be allowed for attendance at each meeting. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.

SECTION 11. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if prior to such action a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee.


ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

SECTION 1. OFFICERS. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Treasurer and a Secretary, all of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors from time to time and who shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. In addition, the Board of Directors may elect a Chairman, one or more Vice Presidents and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers as they may deem proper. None of the officers of the Corporation need be directors. The officers shall be elected at the first meeting of the Board of Directors after each annual meeting. More than two offices may be held by the same person.

SECTION 2. RESIGNATIONS. Any officer may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the President, Secretary or Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

SECTION 3. REMOVAL. Except as hereinafter provided, any officer or officers may be removed either for or without cause at any time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. OTHER OFFICERS AND AGENTS. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it may deem advisable, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. CHAIRMAN. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if one is elected, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and he or she shall have and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 6. PRESIDENT. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders if present thereat and, in the absence or nonelection of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business of the Corporation. Except as the Board of Directors shall authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, he or she shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts on behalf of the Corporation and shall cause the seal to be affixed to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed the seal shall be attested by the signature of the Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary or an Assistant Treasurer.


SECTION 7. VICE PRESIDENT. Each Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him or her by the directors.

SECTION 8. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. He or she shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors or the President, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He or she shall render to the President and the Board of Directors at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, he or she shall give the Corporation a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such amount and with such surety as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.

SECTION 9. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of stockholders and directors and all other notices required by law or by these Bylaws. In case of his or her absence or refusal or neglect so to do, any such notice may be given by any person thereunto directed by the President. He or she shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the directors or the President. He or she shall have the custody of the seal of the Corporation and shall affix the same to all instruments requiring it, when authorized by the directors or the President, and attest the same.

SECTION 10. ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, if any, shall be elected and shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them, respectively, by the directors.

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 1. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, any director or officer who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereafter, a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, manager, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director,


officer, manager, partner, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, manager, partner, trustee, employee or agent, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, manager, partner, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators, provided, however, that, (i) except as provided in Section 4 of this Article V, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and (ii) the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify against any amount paid in settlement unless the Corporation has consented to such settlement.

SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Corporation may indemnify any employee or agent of the Corporation to an extent greater than that required by law only if and to the extent that the directors may, in their discretion, so determine.

SECTION 3. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by a person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation in defending any proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article V, shall be paid by the Corporation, in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”) upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article; which undertaking may be secured or unsecured, at the discretion of the Corporation.

SECTION 4. PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS UNDER THIS ARTICLE V. If a claim under Section 1 of this Article V is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. In (a) any suit brought by a claimant to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by a claimant to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the claimant has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the


DGCL”). Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, a committee of such Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, a committee of such Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the claimant, be a defense to such suit.

SECTION 5. DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Any indemnification to be provided under Section 1 or 2 of this Article V (unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction and except as specified in Section 145(c) (or any successor Section) of the DGCL) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that the indemnification is proper under the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such paragraph. Such determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, in respect of which indemnification is sought or by a majority vote of members of a committee of the Board of Directors composed of at least two members each of whom is not a party to such action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable and/or such a committee is not established or obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon.

SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE V NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided under this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, any agreement, vote of stockholders or of disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

SECTION 7. ARTICLE V DEEMED A CONTRACT. This Article shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or individual who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, member, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article V is or was in effect, and any repeal, amendment or other modification of this Article V shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.


SECTION 8. INSURANCE. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or individual serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, member, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 1. UNCERTIFICATED SHARES. Shares of the Corporation’s stock shall be issued in uncertificated form.

SECTION 2. TRANSFER OF SHARES. The shares of the Corporation’s stock shall be transferable only upon its books by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives. A record shall be made of each transfer and, whenever a transfer shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer.

SECTION 3. STOCKHOLDERS RECORD DATE. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting or more than sixty days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

SECTION 4. DIVIDENDS. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may, out of funds legally available therefor declare dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation as and when they deem expedient. Before declaring any dividend, there may be set apart out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time in their discretion deem proper for working capital or as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for such other purposes as the directors shall deem conducive to the interests of the Corporation.

SECTION 5. SEAL. The corporate seal shall be circular in form and shall contain the name of the Corporation, the year of its creation and the words “CORPORATE SEAL DELAWARE”. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.


SECTION 6. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7. CHECKS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall be determined from time to time by resolutions of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8. NOTICE AND WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required by these Bylaws to be given, personal notice is not meant unless expressly so stated and any notice so required shall be deemed to be sufficient if given by depositing the same in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person entitled thereto at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation and such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the day of such mailing. Stockholders not entitled to vote shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meetings except as otherwise provided by statute.

Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given under the provisions of any law or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be altered or repealed and Bylaws may be made (i) at any annual meeting of the stockholders (or at any special meeting thereof if notice of the proposed alteration or repeal or Bylaw or Bylaws to be made is contained in the notice of such special meeting) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat or (ii) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors (or at any special meeting of the Board of Directors if notice of the proposed alteration or repeal or Bylaw or Bylaws to be made is contained in the notice of such special meeting) or (iii) by action of the stockholders or the Board of Directors without a meeting as permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws.