Holley Inc S-3, filed Aug 11, 2022
Holley Inc. (HLLY)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2022
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
HOLLEY INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
87-1727560
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
1801 Russellville Road
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
(270) 782-2900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Thomas W. Tomlinson
Chief Executive Officer
1801 Russellville Road
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
(270) 782-2900
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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Jay H. Knight Taylor K. Wirth Bass, Berry & Sims PLC 150 Third Avenue South, Suite 2800 Nashville, Tennessee 37201 (615) 742-7756 |
Dominic Bardos Carly Kennedy Holley Inc. 1801 Russellville Road Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101 (270) 782-2900 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
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.
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Non-accelerated filer |
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Smaller reporting company |
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Emerging growth company |
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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 the Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 11, 2022
PROSPECTUS
Up to 8,299,978 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of the
Public Warrants
This prospectus relates to the potential issuance by us from time to time of up to an aggregate of 8,299,978 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), that are issuable upon the exercise of our public warrants (“Public Warrants”) originally issued in the initial public offering (“IPO”) of Empower Ltd. (“Empower”), at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock.
The Public Warrants were issued in connection with Empower’s IPO pursuant to the terms and conditions of the warrant agreement, dated October 6, 2020, between Empower and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agreement”). On July 16, 2021, we consummated the business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 11, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Empower, Empower Merger Sub I Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Empower (“Merger Sub I”), Empower Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Empower (“Merger Sub II”), and Holley Intermediate Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holley Intermediate”). On the closing date of the Business Combination, we assumed the Public Warrants, and Empower changed its name to Holley Inc. Each Public Warrant represents the right to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain conditions. The Public Warrants became exercisable on October 9, 2021 (the one-year anniversary of Empower’s IPO) and expire on July 16, 2026 (five years after the closing date). The offering of Common Stock issuable upon exchange of the Public Warrants was previously registered in connection with Empower’s IPO as well as in connection with the Business Combination.
We will receive the proceeds from any exercise of any Public Warrants for cash. We will bear the costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the securities covered by this prospectus, including all registration and filing fees, New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our independent registered public accounting firm.
Our Common Stock and our Public Warrants are listed on the NYSE, under the symbols “HLLY” and “HLLY WS,” respectively. On August 9, 2022, the closing price of our Common Stock was $6.19 and the closing price of our Public Warrants was $1.13.
We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” under federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
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TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES |
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
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THE COMPANY |
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RISK FACTORS |
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USE OF PROCEEDS |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK |
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LEGAL MATTERS |
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EXPERTS |
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE |
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.
The information appearing in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information”
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “us,” “our,” “Holley,” “we,” the “company” and similar designations refer to Holley Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES
This prospectus contains references to trademarks, trade names or service marks of Holley and other entities. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are presented without the TM, SM and ® symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our respective rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things, the plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial of the Company. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about the ability of the Company to:
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anticipate and manage through disruptions and higher costs in manufacturing, supply chain, logistical operations, and shortages of certain company products in distribution channels; |
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access, collect and use personal data about consumers; |
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execute its business strategy, including monetization of services provided and expansions in and into existing and new lines of business; |
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anticipate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic and its effect on business and financial conditions; |
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manage risks associated with operational changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; |
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recognize the anticipated benefits of and successfully deploy the proceeds from the Business Combination (as defined herein), which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability to integrate the combined businesses and the ability of the combined business to grow and manage growth profitably; |
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anticipate the uncertainties inherent in the development of new business lines and business strategies; |
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retain and hire necessary employees; |
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increase brand awareness; |
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attract, train and retain effective officers, key employees or directors; |
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upgrade and maintain information technology systems; |
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respond to cyber-attacks, security breaches, or computer viruses; |
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comply with privacy and data protection laws, and respond to privacy or data breaches, or the loss of data; |
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acquire and protect intellectual property; |
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meet future liquidity requirements and comply with restrictive covenants related to long-term indebtedness; |
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effectively respond to general economic and business conditions; |
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maintain proper and effective internal controls; |
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maintain the listing on, or the delisting of the Company’s securities from, the NYSE or an inability to have our securities listed on another national securities exchange; |
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obtain additional capital, including use of the debt market; |
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enhance future operating and financial results; |
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anticipate rapid technological changes; |
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comply with laws and regulations applicable to its business and industry, including laws and regulations related to environmental health and safety; |
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stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations; |
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anticipate the impact of, and response to, new accounting standards; |
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respond to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and political unrest and regulatory changes in international markets from various events; |
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anticipate the rise in interest rates which would increase the cost of capital, as well as responding to inflationary pressures; |
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anticipate the significance and timing of contractual obligations; |
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maintain key strategic relationships with partners and resellers; |
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respond to uncertainties associated with product and service development and market acceptance; |
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manage to finance operations on an economically viable basis; |
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anticipate the impact of new U.S. federal income tax law, including the impact on deferred tax assets; |
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respond to litigation, investigations, complaints, product liability claims and/or adverse publicity; |
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anticipate the time during which we will be an emerging growth company under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”); |
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anticipate the impact of changes in consumer spending patterns, consumer preferences, local, regional and national economic conditions, crime, weather, demographic trends and employee availability; and |
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other risks and factors, listed under the caption “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC on March 15, 2022, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. |
These and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this prospectus are more fully described under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus describe additional factors that could adversely affect the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all such risk factors on the business of the Company, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The Company undertakes no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
In addition, statements of belief and similar statements reflect the beliefs and opinions of the Company on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this prospectus, and while the Company believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and statements should not be read to indicate that the Company has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
THE COMPANY
Overview
Founded in 1903, we have been a part of the automotive industry for well over a century. We are a leading designer, marketer, and manufacturer of high-performance automotive aftermarket products for car and truck enthusiasts. Our products span a number of automotive platforms and are sold across multiple channels. We attribute a major component of our success to our brands, including “Holley”, “APR”, “MSD” and “Flowmaster”, among others. In addition, we have recently added to our brand lineup through a series of strategic acquisitions, including our 2020 acquisitions of Simpson Racing Products, Inc., Drake Automotive Group LLC and Detroit Speed, Inc., and our 2021 acquisitions of substantially all the assets of AEM Performance Electronics, Finspeed, LLC, Classic Instruments LLC, ADS Precision Machining, Inc., d.b.a. Arizona Desert Shocks, Baer, Inc., d.b.a. Baer Brakes, Brothers Mail Order Industries, Inc., d.b.a. Brothers Trucks, Rocket Performance Machine, Inc., d.b.a. Rocket Racing Wheels, and Speartech Fuel Injections Systems, Inc. Since December 31, 2021, we have completed an additional three acquisitions, including the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of John’s Ind., Inc., Southern Kentucky Classics, and Vesta Motorsports USA, Inc. d.b.a. RaceQuip. Through these strategic acquisitions, we have increased our market position in the otherwise highly fragmented performance automotive aftermarket industry.
We operate in the performance automotive aftermarket parts industry. We believe there is ample opportunity to continue our expansion into new products and markets, such as exterior accessories and mobile electronics, representing a natural progression for us to grow market share as these adjacencies are driven by passionate enthusiasts, consistent with our core categories.
Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company Status
We are currently an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Common Stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Additionally, we are currently a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30.
Business Combination
On July 16, 2021, we consummated the business combination pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 11, 2021, by and among Empower Ltd. (“Empower”), Merger Sub I, Merger Sub II, and Holley Intermediate. Upon the Closing, Empower changed its name to Holley Inc. and its trading symbol of its Common Stock on the NYSE from “EMPW” to “HLLY.”
Corporate Information
The mailing address for our principal executive office is 1801 Russellville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, and our telephone number is (270) 782-2900. Our website address is www.holley.com. The information contained in or accessible from our website is not incorporated into this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement before making an investment decision. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially adversely affected. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will receive up to an aggregate of approximately $95 million from the exercise of the Public Warrants, assuming the exercise in full of all of the Public Warrants for cash. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the exercise of such Public Warrants for general corporate purposes. The Company will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from the exercise of the Public Warrants. There is no assurance that the holders of the Public Warrants will elect to exercise any or all of such Public Warrants.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the potential issuance by us from time to time of up to an aggregate of 8,299,978 shares of our Common Stock that are issuable upon the exercise of our Public Warrants originally issued in the IPO of Empower, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock. The Public Warrants were issued in connection with Empower’s IPO pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Warrant Agreement. On July 16, 2021, we consummated the Business Combination pursuant to the Merger Agreement, by and among Empower, Merger Sub I, Merger Sub II and Holley Intermediate. On the closing date of the Business Combination, we assumed the Public Warrants, and Empower changed its name to Holley Inc. Each Public Warrant represents the right to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain conditions. The Public Warrants became exercisable on October 9, 2021 (the one-year anniversary of Empower’s IPO) and expire on July 16, 2026 (five years after the closing date).
We will receive the proceeds from any exercise of any Public Warrants for cash. We will bear the costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the securities covered by this prospectus, including all registration and filing fees, NYSE listing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our independent registered public accounting firm.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The following sets forth a summary of certain terms of our Common Stock, including certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and the bylaws. This summary is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities and is qualified entirely by reference to the certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the Warrant Agreement. You should refer to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the Warrant Agreement, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities. The summary below is also qualified by reference to the provisions of the DGCL, as applicable.
Authorized Capitalization
The certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 555,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 550,000,000 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”).
Common Stock
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of Preferred Stock, under the certificate of incorporation, the holders of Common Stock possess all voting power for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action and are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders and are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Subject to certain limited exceptions, the holders of Common Stock shall at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock under the certificate of incorporation. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of our Common Stock will receive ratably any dividends declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of or provision for any liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of Preferred Stock, if any, then outstanding.
Preferred Stock
The certificate of incorporation provides that shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The board of directors is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. The Company’s board of directors is able, without stockholder approval, to issue Preferred Stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the Common Stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of the Company’s board of directors to issue Preferred Stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management.
Dividends
Under the certificate of incorporation, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratable dividends, if any, as may be declared from time-to-time by our board of directors out of legally available assets or funds, subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding series of Preferred Stock.
Preemptive or Other Rights
The certificate of incorporation does not provide for any preemptive or other similar rights.
Election of Directors
Under the terms of the certificate of incorporation, the board of directors is divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I directors will initially serve for a term expiring at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. Class II and Class III directors will initially serve for a term expiring at the 2023 and 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, respectively. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors will be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting of the stockholders. There will be no limit on the number of terms a director may serve on the board of directors of the Company.
Under the certificate of incorporation, directors are elected by a plurality voting standard, whereby each of our stockholders may not give more than one vote per share towards any one director nominee. There are no cumulative voting rights.
Annual Stockholder Meetings
The bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, time and place, if any, as exclusively selected by the board of directors. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Company may conduct meetings by remote communications.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, the Company’s stockholders have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Company. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Stockholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the DGCL, any of the Company’s stockholders may bring an action in the Company’s name to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of the Company’s shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for the indemnification of current and former officers and directors of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The DGCL permits a corporation to limit or eliminate a director’s personal liability to the corporation or the holders of its capital stock for breach of fiduciary duty. This limitation is generally unavailable for acts or omissions by a director which (i) were not in good faith, (ii) were the result of intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) the director derived an improper personal benefit from (such as a financial profit or other advantage to which the director was not legally entitled) or (iv) breached the director’s duty of loyalty. The DGCL also prohibits limitations on director liability under Section 174 of the DGCL, which relates to certain unlawful dividend declarations and stock repurchases. We have entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our certificate of incorporation. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination contemplated by the Merger Agreement, we purchased a tail policy with respect to liability coverage for the benefit of our officers and directors prior to the Closing on the same or substantially similar terms of our existing policy. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we are required to maintain such tail policy for a period of no less than six years following the Closing.
These provisions may discourage current stockholders and future stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders and stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s or stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
Exclusive Forum
The certificate of incorporation provides that, unless the Company selects or consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law: (a) the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting any internal corporate claims, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have, or declines to accept, jurisdiction, another state court or a federal court located within the State of Delaware); and (b) the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be the federal district courts of the United States of America. For purposes of the foregoing, “internal corporate claims” means claims, including claims in the right of the Company that are based upon a violation of a duty by a current or former director, officer, employee or stockholder in such capacity, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of Common Stock will be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the exclusive forum provision of the certificate of incorporation, and (ii) having service of process made upon such holder of Common Stock in any such action by service upon such holder of Common Stock’s counsel in such action as agent for such holder of Common Stock.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law; Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
The certificate of incorporation, bylaws and DGCL contain provisions, as summarized in the following paragraphs that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce the Company’s vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of the Company’s board of directors to maximize stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire the Company. However, these provisions may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the shares of Common Stock held by stockholders.
Advanced Notice Requirements for Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals
The bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of the chairman of our board of directors, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board. Our bylaws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers or changes in control or management of the Company.
The bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders who wish to present a proposal before an annual meeting of stockholders, including the nomination of a director candidate. The bylaws provide that the only business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders is business that is (i) specified in the notice of such meeting (or any supplement or amendment thereto) given by or at the direction of the board of directors, (ii) otherwise properly brought before such meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before such meeting by a stockholder who (A) is a stockholder of record (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such business is proposed, only if such beneficial owner is the beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock) both at the time of giving the notice and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in the bylaws as to such business. To be timely for the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s secretary must receive the written notice at the Company’s principal executive offices not earlier than the 120th day and not later than the 90th day before the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. In the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days or delayed (other than as a result of adjournment) by more than thirty (30) days from the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting, notice by a stockholder to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Nominations and proposals also must satisfy other procedural and information requirements set forth in the bylaws. The Chairperson of the board of directors of the Company may refuse to acknowledge the introduction of any stockholder proposal not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of the Company.
No Cumulative Voting
The DGCL provides that a stockholder’s right to vote cumulatively in the election of directors does not exist unless the certificate of incorporation specifically provides otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.
Classified Board of Directors
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I, II and III directors shall initially serve until our 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings of stockholders, respectively. Commencing with the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, directors of each class the term of which shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a three-year term. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors.
Removal of Directors; Vacancies
Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that any newly created directorships and any vacancies on our board of directors will be filled only by the affirmative vote of the majority of remaining directors. Therefore, stockholders are not able to elect new directors to fill any resulting vacancies that may be created as a result of such a special meeting.
Supermajority Vote Requirement to Amend the Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation
The affirmative vote of at least (i) 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class, is required for stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal Article VI of the bylaws, (ii) 66.7% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is required for stockholders, voting as a single class, to adopt, amend or repeal Section 4.2 and Articles V, VII, VIII, X, XI and XII of the certificate of incorporation and (iii) 80% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is required for stockholders, voting as a single class, to adopt, amend or repeal Article IX of the certificate of incorporation.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
The DGCL permits any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders to be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is 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 of stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation precludes stockholder action by written consent.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval. The DGCL does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. However, the rules of the NYSE require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then-outstanding voting power or the then-outstanding number of shares of Common Stock. No assurances can be given that our shares will remain so listed. We may use additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. As discussed above, our board of directors has the ability to issue Preferred Stock with voting rights or other preferences, without stockholder approval. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Warrants
As of August 6, 2022, there were 12,966,645 warrants outstanding, consisting of 8,299,978 Public Warrants, each representing the right to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement and 4,666,667 private placement warrants (the “Private Warrants”), each representing the right to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
This prospectus only relates to the potential issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Public Warrants that were issued in connection with Empower’s IPO and remain outstanding.
Public Warrants
Each whole Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on October 9, 2021 (the one year anniversary of Empower’s IPO), except as discussed below. Pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, a Warrant holder may exercise its Warrants only for a whole number of shares of Common Stock. This means only a whole Warrant may be exercised at a given time by a Warrant holder. The Warrants will expire on July 16, 2026, the date that is five years after the Closing Date, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No Warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue a share of Common Stock upon exercise of a Warrant unless the share of Common Stock issuable upon such Warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the Warrants. In the event that such conditions are not satisfied with respect to a Warrant, the holder of such Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any Warrant.
We have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than twenty business days after the Closing, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the Closing, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Common Stock until the Warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the Warrant Agreement. If our shares of Common Stock are at the time of any exercise of a Warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but we will use our commercially reasonably efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If a registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the Closing, Warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption, but we will use our commercially reasonably efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the fair market value less the exercise price of the Warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361 per Warrant. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the volume weighted average price of the shares of Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the Warrant agent.
Redemption of Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00.
We may redeem the outstanding Warrants (except as described herein with respect to the Private Warrants) in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Warrant, upon a minimum of 30 day’s prior written notice of redemption to each Warrant holder, if, and only if, the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Warrant as described under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments”) on the trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the Warrant holders.
We will not redeem the Warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Common Stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the Warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the Warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the Warrants, each Warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. Any such exercise would not be done on a “cashless” basis and would require the exercising Warrant holder to pay the exercise price for each Warrant being exercised. However, the price of the shares of Common Stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Warrant as described under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments”) as well as the $11.50 per share of Common Stock exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption of Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00.
We may redeem the outstanding Warrants (except as described herein with respect to the Private Warrants) in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.10 per Warrant, upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption if, and only if, the closing price of our shares of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Warrant as described under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments”) on the trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the Warrant holders.
Beginning on the date the notice of redemption is given until the Warrants are redeemed or exercised, holders may elect to exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis. The numbers in the table below represent the number of shares of Common Stock that a Warrant holder will receive upon such cashless exercise in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, based on the “fair market value” of our shares of Common Stock on the corresponding redemption date (assuming holders elect to exercise their Warrants and such Warrants are not redeemed for $0.10 per Warrant), determined for these purposes based on volume weighted average price of our shares of Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Warrants, and the number of months that the corresponding redemption date precedes the expiration date of the Warrants, each as set forth in the table below. We will provide our Warrant holders with the redemption fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends.
The share prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant or the exercise price of a Warrant is adjusted as set forth under the heading “ — Anti-dilution Adjustments” below. If the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant is adjusted, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the share prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Warrant prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Warrant immediately so adjusted. In such an event, the number of shares in the table below shall be adjusted by multiplying such share amounts by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Warrant as so adjusted. If the exercise price of a Warrant is adjusted pursuant to the second paragraph under the heading “ — Anti-dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the share prices immediately prior to the adjustment less the decrease in the exercise price of a Warrant pursuant to such exercise price adjustment.
|
Redemption Date |
Fair Market Value of share of Common Stock |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (period to expiration of Warrants) |
≤10.00 |
11.00 | 12.00 | 13.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 | 16.00 | 17.00 |
≥18.00 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
60 months |
0.261 | 0.281 | 0.297 | 0.311 | 0.324 | 0.337 | 0.348 | 0.358 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
57 months |
0.257 | 0.277 | 0.294 | 0.310 | 0.324 | 0.337 | 0.348 | 0.358 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
54 months |
0.252 | 0.272 | 0.291 | 0.307 | 0.322 | 0.335 | 0.347 | 0.357 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
51 months |
0.246 | 0.268 | 0.287 | 0.304 | 0.320 | 0.333 | 0.346 | 0.357 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
48 months |
0.241 | 0.263 | 0.283 | 0.301 | 0.317 | 0.332 | 0.344 | 0.356 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
45 months |
0.235 | 0.258 | 0.279 | 0.298 | 0.315 | 0.330 | 0.343 | 0.356 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
42 months |
0.228 | 0.252 | 0.274 | 0.294 | 0.312 | 0.328 | 0.342 | 0.355 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
39 months |
0.221 | 0.246 | 0.269 | 0.290 | 0.309 | 0.325 | 0.340 | 0.354 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
36 months |
0.213 | 0.239 | 0.263 | 0.285 | 0.305 | 0.323 | 0.339 | 0.353 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
33 months |
0.205 | 0.232 | 0.257 | 0.280 | 0.301 | 0.320 | 0.337 | 0.352 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
30 months |
0.196 | 0.224 | 0.250 | 0.274 | 0.297 | 0.316 | 0.335 | 0.351 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
27 months |
0.185 | 0.214 | 0.242 | 0.268 | 0.291 | 0.313 | 0.332 | 0.350 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
24 months |
0.173 | 0.204 | 0.233 | 0.260 | 0.285 | 0.308 | 0.329 | 0.348 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
21 months |
0.161 | 0.193 | 0.223 | 0.252 | 0.279 | 0.304 | 0.326 | 0.347 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
18 months |
0.146 | 0.179 | 0.211 | 0.242 | 0.271 | 0.298 | 0.322 | 0.345 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
15 months |
0.130 | 0.164 | 0.197 | 0.230 | 0.262 | 0.291 | 0.317 | 0.342 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
12 months |
0.111 | 0.146 | 0.181 | 0.216 | 0.250 | 0.282 | 0.312 | 0.339 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
9 months |
0.090 | 0.125 | 0.162 | 0.199 | 0.237 | 0.272 | 0.305 | 0.336 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
6 months |
0.065 | 0.099 | 0.137 | 0.178 | 0.219 | 0.259 | 0.296 | 0.331 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
3 months |
0.034 | 0.065 | 0.104 | 0.150 | 0.197 | 0.243 | 0.286 | 0.326 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
0 months |
— | — | 0.042 | 0.115 | 0.179 | 0.233 | 0.281 | 0.323 | 0.361 | ||||||||||||||||||
For example, if the volume weighted average price of our shares of Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the Warrants is $11.00 per share, and at such time there are 57 months until the expiration of the Warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their Warrants for 0.277 shares of Common Stock for each whole Warrant. However, the exact fair market value and redemption date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case, if the fair market value is between two values in the table or the redemption date is between two redemption dates in the table, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued for each Warrant exercised will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of shares set forth for the higher and lower fair market values and the earlier and later redemption dates, as applicable, based on a 365 or 366-day year, as applicable. For example, if the volume weighted average price of our shares of Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the Warrants is $13.50 per share, and at such time there are 38 months until the expiration of the Warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their Warrants for 0.298 shares of Common Stock for each whole Warrant. In no event will the Warrants be exercisable on a cashless basis in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 shares of Common Stock per Warrant (subject to adjustment). Finally, as reflected in the table above, if the Warrants are out of the money, they cannot be exercised on a cashless basis in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, since they will not be exercisable for any shares of Common Stock.
This redemption feature differs from the typical Warrant redemption features used by many other blank check companies, which typically only provide for a redemption of Warrants for cash (other than the Private Warrants) when the trading price for the shares of Common Stock exceeds $18.00 per share for a specified period of time. This redemption feature is structured to allow for all of the outstanding Warrants to be redeemed when the shares of Common Stock are trading at or above $10.00 per share, which may be at a time when the trading price of our shares of Common Stock is below the exercise price of the Warrants. This redemption feature was established to provide us with the flexibility to redeem the Warrants without the Warrants having to reach the $18.00 per share threshold discussed above. Holders choosing to exercise their Warrants in connection with a redemption pursuant to this feature will, in effect, receive a number of shares for their Warrants based on an option pricing model with a fixed volatility input as of the date of the initial public offering prospectus. This redemption right provides us with an additional mechanism by which to redeem all of the outstanding Warrants, and therefore have certainty as to our capital structure as the Warrants would no longer be outstanding and would have been exercised or redeemed. We will be required to pay the applicable redemption price to Warrant holders if we choose to exercise this redemption right and it will allow us to quickly proceed with a redemption of the Warrants if we determine it is in our best interest to do so. As such, we would redeem the Warrants in this manner when we believe it is in our best interest to update our capital structure to remove the Warrants and pay the redemption price to the Warrant holders.
As stated above, we can redeem the Warrants when the shares of Common Stock are trading at a price starting at $10.00, which is below the exercise price of $11.50, because it will provide certainty with respect to our capital structure and cash position while providing Warrant holders with the opportunity to exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis for the applicable number of shares. If we choose to redeem the Warrants when the shares of Common Stock are trading at a price below the exercise price of the Warrants, this could result in the Warrant holders receiving fewer shares of Common Stock than they would have received if they had chosen to wait to exercise their Warrants for shares of Common Stock if and when such shares of Common Stock were trading at a price higher than the exercise price of $11.50.
No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon exercise. If, upon exercise, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will round down to the nearest whole number of the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the holder. If, at the time of redemption, the Warrants are exercisable for a security other than the shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised for such security. At such time as the Warrants become exercisable for a security other than the shares of Common Stock, the Company (or surviving company) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register under the Securities Act the security issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants.
Maximum Percentage Procedures.
A holder of a Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
Anti-dilution Adjustments.
If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a capitalization or share dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a split-up of ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such capitalization or share dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding Common Stock. A rights offering made to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a share dividend of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock) and (ii) one minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Common Stock paid in such rights offering and (y) the historical fair market value. If the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, in determining the price payable for shares of Common Stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion. For these purposes, “historical fair market value” means the volume weighted average price of a share of Common Stock as reported during the 10 trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the Warrants are outstanding, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to all or substantially all of the holders of the shares of Common Stock on account of such shares of Common Stock (or other securities into which the Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) any cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the shares of Common Stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share or (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our certificate of incorporation or bylaws with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of Common Stock, then the Warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Common Stock in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division or reclassification of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock. Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as described above, the Warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the Warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the holders of the Warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof, the kind and amount of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their Warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if such holders were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets for which each Warrant will become exercisable will be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by such holders in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election, and if a tender, exchange or redemption offer has been made to and accepted by such holders under circumstances in which, upon completion of such tender or exchange offer, the maker thereof, together with members of any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holder of a Warrant will be entitled to receive the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a stockholder if such Warrant holder had exercised the Warrant prior to the expiration of such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the shares of Common Stock held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustment (from and after the consummation of such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in the Warrant Agreement. If less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of shares of Common Stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of shares of Common Stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the Warrant properly exercises the Warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the Warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the Warrant Agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) of the Warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the Warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the Warrants pursuant to which the holders of the Warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the Warrants.
The Warrants are issued in registered form under the Warrant Agreement whereby the terms of the Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or correcting any mistake, or defective provision (ii) amending the provisions relating to cash dividends on ordinary shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement or (iii) adding or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Warrant Agreement as the parties to the Warrant Agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders of the Warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding Public Warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. The Warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of shares of Common Stock and any voting rights until they exercise their Warrants and receive shares of Common Stock.
Private Placement Warrants
Except as described below, the Private Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Public Warrants. The Private Warrants (including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Warrants) were not transferable, assignable or salable until August 15, 2021, the date that was 30 days after the Closing Date (except pursuant to limited exceptions to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the initial purchasers of the Private Warrants), and they will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. Our Sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise the Private Warrants on a cashless basis. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than our Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by us in all redemption scenarios and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants. Any amendment to the terms of the Private Warrants or any provision of the Warrant Agreement with respect to the Private Warrants will require a vote of holders of at least 50% of the number of the then outstanding Private Warrants.
If a holder of the Private Warrants elects to exercise a Private Warrant on a cashless basis, the holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Sponsor fair market value” (defined below) over the exercise price of the Warrants by (y) the Sponsor fair market value. For these purposes, the “Sponsor fair market value” shall mean the average reported closing price of the shares of Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of Warrant exercise is sent to the Warrant agent. The reason these Warrants permit a cashless exercise so long as they are held by our Sponsor and its permitted transferees is because it was not known at time of issuance whether they would be affiliated with us following the Business Combination, which would significantly limit their ability to sell our securities in the open market. We have policies in place that restrict insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public investors who could exercise their Warrants and sell the shares
Listing of Securities
Our Common Stock and Public Warrants are listed on the NYSE under the symbols “HLLY” and “HLLY WS,” respectively.
Transfer Agent
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock and the Warrant agent for the Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus has been passed upon for us by Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, Nashville, Tennessee.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth or incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement for free at www.sec.gov.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the internet at a website maintained by the SEC located at www.sec.gov.
We also maintain a website at www.holley.com. The information contained in or accessible from our website is not incorporated into this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference. You may access, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendment to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
SEC rules permit us to incorporate information by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, except for information superseded by information contained in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement itself or in any subsequently filed incorporated document. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC, other than information in such documents that is deemed to be furnished and not filed. These documents contain important information about us and our business and financial condition. Any report or information within any of the documents referenced below that is furnished, but not filed, shall not be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We hereby incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents that we have filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act:
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(a) |
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2022 (including portions of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022, incorporated therein by reference); |
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(b) |
Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended April 3, 2022 (filed with the SEC on May 12, 2022) and July 3, 2022 (filed with the SEC on August 11, 2022); |
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(c) |
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 19, 2022, April 25, 2022, May 12, 2022, and August 11, 2022; and |
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(d) |
The description of our Common Stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on October 6, 2020, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, including Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
All documents that the registrant subsequently files pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of filing of this Registration Statement and prior to the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all of the shares of Common Stock offered have been sold or which deregisters all of such shares then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Under no circumstances will any information filed under current items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.
We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference, including exhibits to these documents. Any such request may be made by writing or calling us at the following address or phone number:
Holley Inc.
1801 Russellville Road
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
(270) 782-2900
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Up to 8,299,978 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of the
Public Warrants
PROSPECTUS
, 2022
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the fees and expenses payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby. In addition, we may incur additional expenses in the future in connection with the offering of our securities pursuant to this prospectus. If required, any such additional expenses will be disclosed in a prospectus supplement. All amounts are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.
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Amount |
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SEC registration fee |
$ | 8,849 | ||
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Accounting fees and expenses |
$ | 10,000 | ||
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Legal fees and expenses |
$ | 50,000 | ||
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Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses |
$ | * | ||
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Total expenses |
$ | 68,849 | ||
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* |
These fees and expenses are calculated based on the amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, 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 such person’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit 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, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that the Court of Chancery or such other adjudicating court shall deem proper.
Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under Section 145 of the DGCL. We currently maintain insurance policies under which, subject to the limitations of the policies, our directors and officers are insured against liability for actions taken in their capacity as directors and officers.
As permitted under Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation provides that no director of ours shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of such director’s fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in respect of unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that if the DGCL is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of ours shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
The certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for the indemnification of current and former officers and directors of Holley to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. We have entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our certificate of incorporation. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors. In connection with the Closing, we purchased a tail policy with respect to liability coverage for the benefit of our officers and directors prior to the Closing on the same or substantially similar terms of our existing policy. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we will maintain such tail policy for a period of no less than six years following the Closing.
These provisions may discourage current stockholders and future stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders and stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s or stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Item 16. Exhibits.
(a) Exhibits
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Exhibit No. |
Description |
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2.1+ |
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3.1 |
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3.2 |
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4.1 |
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4.2 |
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4.3 |
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5.1* |
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10.1 |
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10.2 |
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10.3 |
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10.4 |
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10.5 |
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23.1* |
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23.2* |
Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
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24.1 |
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107* |
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* |
Filed herewith. |
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+ |
The schedules and exhibits to this agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit will be furnished to the SEC upon request. |
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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC 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 is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this 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 that 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 the 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 relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that 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 its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(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 Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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 SEC 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 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.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the 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 Bowling Green, State of Kentucky, on August 11, 2022.
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HOLLEY INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Thomas W. Tomlinson |
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Name: |
Thomas W. Tomlinson |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Thomas W. Tomlinson and Dominic Bardos, acting alone or together with another attorney-in-fact, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any additional registration statement related hereto permitted by Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, (and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto)), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, 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 he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dated indicated.
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Signature |
Title |
Date |
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/s/ Thomas W. Tomlinson |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
August 11, 2022 |
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Thomas W. Tomlinson |
(Principal Executive Officer) | |
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/s/ Dominic Bardos |
Chief Financial Officer |
August 11, 2022 |
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Dominic Bardos |
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
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/s/ Matthew Rubel |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
August 11, 2022 |
|
Matthew Rubel |
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/s/ Owen M. Basham |
Director |
August 11, 2022 |
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Owen M. Basham |
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/s/ James D. Coady |
Director |
August 11, 2022 |
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James D. Coady |
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/s/ Michelle Gloeckler |
Director |
August 11, 2022 |
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Michelle Gloeckler |
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/s/ Ginger M. Jones |
Director |
August 11, 2022 |
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Ginger M. Jones |
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/s/ Anita Sehgal |
Director |
August 11, 2022 |
|
Anita Sehgal |
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Exhibit 5.1
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 2800
Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 742-6200
August 11, 2022
Holley Inc.
1801 Russellville Road
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
|
Re: |
Holley Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”), of Holley Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the issuance by the Company of up to 8,299,978 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), upon the exercise of warrants issued pursuant to that certain warrant agreement of the Company, dated as of October 6, 2020 (the “Warrant Agreement”).
In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction as being true and complete copies of the originals, of specimen Common Stock certificates, the Warrant Agreement and such other documents, corporate records, certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable to enable us to render the opinions set forth below. In our examination, we have assumed without independent investigation the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement against payment of the exercise price therefor as set forth in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and we further consent to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement and the prospectus that forms a part thereof. In giving these consents, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission.
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Very truly yours,
/s/ Bass, Berry & Sims PLC |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our report dated March 15, 2022, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Holley Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned report in this Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
August 11, 2022