Stanley Black & Decker, Inc S-3ASR, filed Oct 30, 2023
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK)
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2023
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| CONNECTICUT | 06—0548860 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1000 Stanley Drive
New Britain, Connecticut 06053
(860) 225-5111
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Janet M. Link, Esq.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
1000 Stanley Drive
New Britain, Connecticut 06053
(860) 225-5111
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a Copy to:
Gregory A. Fernicola, Esq.
Michael J. Hong, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
One Manhattan West
New York, New York 10001
(212) 735-3000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
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Prospectus
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Depositary Shares
Stock Purchase Contracts
and
Stock Purchase Units
We may offer, issue and sell, together or separately:
| • | shares of our common stock; |
| • | shares of our preferred stock; |
| • | debt securities, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; |
| • | warrants to purchase our debt securities, shares of our common stock or shares of our preferred stock; |
| • | depositary shares representing an interest in our preferred stock; |
| • | stock purchase contracts to purchase shares of our common stock or other securities; and |
| • | stock purchase units, each representing ownership of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third-parties, including U.S. treasury securities or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holder’s obligation to purchase our common stock or other securities under the stock purchase contracts. |
We will provide the specific prices and terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus at the time of offering. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a number of risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 6 before you make your investment decision.
We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters or dealers, through agents or directly to purchasers. If required, the prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “SWK.”
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is October 30, 2023
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| DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS |
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This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may sell: common stock; preferred stock; debt securities; warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock or preferred stock; depositary shares; or stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.
The information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any other date.
When used in this prospectus, the terms “Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We maintain a website at www.stanleyblackanddecker.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which 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 deemed to be part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any subsequently filed document deemed incorporated by reference or a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. has previously filed with the SEC (other than information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K). These documents contain important information about Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. and its finances.
| • | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023; |
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| • | The information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023; |
| • | Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended April 1, 2023, July 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023 filed on May 4, 2023, August 1, 2023 and October 30, 2023 respectively; |
| • | Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 23, 2023, February 10, 2023, February 23, 2023, March 6, 2023, April 27, 2023, May 2, 2023, September 8, 2023, October 12, 2023, and October 24, 2023; and |
| • | The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2010, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus, and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and before the termination of the offering shall also be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including our compensation committee report and performance graph or any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
To obtain a copy of these filings at no cost, you may write or telephone us at the following address:
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
1000 Stanley Drive
New Britain, Connecticut 06053
Attention: Treasurer
(860) 225-5111
If requested, we will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into such documents.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference contain or incorporate statements that are “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Those statements include trend analyses and other information relative to markets for our products and trends in our operations or financial results as well as other statements that can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “could,” “project,” “plan,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate”, “run-rate”, “annualized” or any other similar words. Our actual results, performance or achievements could be materially different from the results expressed in, or implied by, those forward-looking statements. Those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference. When considering those forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks, uncertainties and other cautionary statements made in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference.
There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including those factors set forth in this prospectus, any
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accompanying prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference, including the “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our reports and other documents filed with the SEC. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those we contemplate by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities:
| • | successfully developing, marketing and achieving sales from new products and services and the continued acceptance of current products and services; |
| • | macroeconomic factors, including global and regional business conditions, commodity prices, inflation and deflation, interest rate volatility, currency exchange rates, and uncertainties in the global financial markets related to the recent failures of several financial institutions; |
| • | laws, regulations and governmental policies affecting the our activities in the countries where it does business, including those related to tariffs, taxation, data privacy, anti-bribery, anti-corruption, government contracts and trade controls such as section 301 tariffs and section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs; |
| • | the economic, political, cultural and legal environment in Europe and the emerging markets in which we generate sales, particularly Latin America, China and Turkey; |
| • | realizing the anticipated benefits of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances or divestitures, including the divestitures of the Security and Oil & Gas businesses; |
| • | pricing pressure and other changes within competitive markets; |
| • | availability and price of raw materials, component parts, freight, energy, labor and sourced finished goods; |
| • | the impact that the tightened credit markets and any discontinuation, reform or replacement of LIBOR and other benchmark rates may have on us or our customers or suppliers; |
| • | the extent to which we have to write off accounts receivable, inventory or other assets or experiences supply chain disruptions in connection with bankruptcy filings by customers or suppliers; |
| • | our ability to identify to identify and effectively execute productivity improvements and cost reductions; |
| • | potential business and distribution disruptions, including those related to physical security threats, information technology or cyber-attacks, epidemics, pandemics, sanctions, political unrest, war, including the Russia/Ukraine conflict, terrorism or natural disasters, as well the continuing impact from the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| • | the continued consolidation of customers, particularly in consumer channels, and the our continued reliance on significant customers; |
| • | managing franchisee relationships; |
| • | the impact of poor weather conditions and climate change and risks related to the transition to a lower-carbon economy, such as our ability to successfully adopt new technology, meet market-driven demands for carbon neutral and renewable energy technology, or to comply with more stringent and increasingly complex environmental regulations or requirements for its manufacturing facilities and business operations; |
| • | failure to meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations or standards, or achieve its ESG goals; |
| • | maintaining or improving production rates in our manufacturing facilities, responding to significant changes in customer preferences, product demand and fulfilling demand for new and existing products, and learning, adapting and integrating new technologies into products, services and processes; |
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| • | changes in the competitive landscape in our markets; |
| • | our non-U.S. operations, including sales to non-U.S. customers; |
| • | the impact from demand changes within world-wide markets associated with homebuilding and remodeling; |
| • | potential adverse developments in new or pending litigation and/or government investigations; |
| • | the incurrence of debt and changes in our ability to obtain debt on commercially reasonable terms and at competitive rates; |
| • | substantial pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; |
| • | potential regulatory liabilities, including environmental, privacy, data breach, workers compensation and product liabilities; |
| • | attracting, developing and retaining senior management and other key employees, managing a workforce in many jurisdictions, labor shortages, work stoppages or other labor disruptions; |
| • | our ability to keep abreast with the pace of technological change; |
| • | changes in accounting estimates; |
| • | our ability to protect its intellectual property rights and to maintain its public reputation and the strength of our brands; and |
| • | our ability to implement, and achieve the expected benefits (including cost savings and reduction in working capital) from, our Global Cost Reduction Program including: continuing to advance innovation, electrification and global market penetration to achieve organic revenue growth of 2-3 times the market; streamlining and simplifying the organization, and investing in initiatives that more directly impact our customers and end users; returning adjusted gross margins to historical 35%+ levels by accelerating the operations and supply chain transformation to improve fill rates and better match inventory with customer demand; prioritizing cash flow generation and inventory optimization; leveraging strategic sourcing and contract manufacturing; consolidating facilities and optimizing the distribution network; executing the SBD Operating Model to deliver operational excellence through efficiency, simplified organizational design and inventory optimization; and reducing complexity through platforming products and implementing initiatives to drive a SKU reduction. |
There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by us will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Please take into account that forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of any accompanying prospectus supplement or documents incorporated by reference, the date of any such document. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if we later become aware that it is not likely to be achieved. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in reports and other information filed with the SEC.
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Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. was founded in 1843 by Frederick T. Stanley and incorporated in 1852. We are a global provider of hand tools, power tools, outdoor products and related accessories, as well as a leading provider of engineered fastening solutions and attachment tools for infrastructure applications. Among the Company’s most valuable assets, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, DEWALT®, and CUB CADET® are recognized as four of the world’s great brands, while CRAFTSMAN® is recognized as a premier American brand.
Our principal executive office is located at 1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, Connecticut 06053 and our telephone number is (860) 225-5111.
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Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you decide to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” included in our most recent, and subsequent, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, in our most recent, and subsequent, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. These risks could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and cause the value of our securities to decline. You could lose all or part of your investment.
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Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes, including the financing of our operations, the possible repayment of indebtedness, and possible business acquisitions. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.
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This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units that may be offered and sold from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, at the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue separately, upon exercise of a debt warrant, in connection with a stock purchase contract or as part of a stock purchase unit from time to time. The debt securities may either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities may be issued under a “Senior Indenture” and subordinated debt securities may be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture.” This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the “Indentures.” The Indentures have been filed with the SEC. We may also issue debt securities under a separate, new indenture. If that occurs, we will describe any differences in the terms of any series or issue of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to that series or issue.
The following briefly summarizes the material provisions of the Indentures and the debt securities, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in an accompanying prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. You should read the more detailed provisions of the applicable Indenture, including the defined terms, for provisions that may be important to you. You should also read the particular terms of an offering of debt securities, which will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. Copies of the Indentures may be obtained from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. or the applicable trustee.
As used in this “Description of Debt Securities,” the terms “Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include our subsidiaries.
General
The debt securities will be our direct general unsecured obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our present and future senior indebtedness to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture.
Since our operations are partially conducted through our subsidiaries, the cash flow and the consequent ability to service our indebtedness, including the debt securities, is partially dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings or upon the payments of funds by those subsidiaries to us. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the debt securities or to make funds available to us, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. In addition, the payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to us by our subsidiaries may be subject to contractual or statutory restrictions, are contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to various business considerations. Any right we may have to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization (and the consequent right of the holders of our debt securities to participate in those assets) will be structurally subordinated to the claims of such subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors, because such creditors’ claims will have a priority over our claim as an equity owner of our subsidiaries.
The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue and provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. We may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable Indenture. The Indentures also do not limit our ability to incur other debt.
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Each prospectus supplement will summarize the material terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms may include some or all of the following:
| • | the title of debt securities, whether they are subordinated debt securities or senior debt securities; |
| • | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities; |
| • | the maturity date or dates of the debt securities; |
| • | the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if any; |
| • | the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined; |
| • | the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and defer interest payments, and the duration of any such deferral period, including the maximum consecutive periods during which interest payments may be deferred; |
| • | whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments; |
| • | the dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
| • | the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities will be payable; |
| • | if we possess the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any such provisions; |
| • | our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which we will redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and conditions of such obligation; |
| • | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000; |
| • | the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which we must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with an Event of Default (as described below), if other than the full principal amount; |
| • | the currency, currencies or currency unit in which we will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities, if not United States dollars; |
| • | provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events; |
| • | any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with those contained in the applicable Indenture; |
| • | the application, if any, of the terms of the Indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described below) to the debt securities; |
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| • | whether the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination provisions will apply to the debt securities; |
| • | the terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for our common stock, preferred stock or other securities or property; |
| • | whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global form in the name of a depository and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which global debt securities will cease to be issued in the name of a depository and exchanged for debt securities of smaller denominations issued in the name of investors and/or their direct or indirect nominees; |
| • | any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable because of an Event of Default; |
| • | the depositary for global debt securities; |
| • | any special tax implications of the debt securities; |
| • | any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and |
| • | any other terms of the debt securities. |
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons.
Debt securities may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities.
Subordination
The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions, including the extent of subordination of payments by us of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such subordinated debt securities.
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of additional Senior Indebtedness.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at our option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by us and located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York will act as paying agent for payments with respect
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to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to us upon written request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Denominations, Registrations and Transfer
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). In such case, each investor’s beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC’s records.
A holder of a beneficial interest in a global security may only exchange such interest for certificated securities registered in such holder’s name if:
| • | DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications under the Exchange Act and no successor depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or |
| • | We determine, in our sole discretion, that the global security shall be exchangeable. |
If debt securities cease to be represented by global certificates, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustee’s corporate trust office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by us under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.
Benefits of Indentures
Nothing in the Indentures will confer upon or give any person other than us, the trustee, our and its successors, and the person or persons in whose names the debt securities of a particular series are registered in the security register for the debt securities of such series, any benefit, right, remedy or claim under the Indentures.
Governing Law
The Indentures are and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws (other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York).
Regarding the Trustee
The Senior Indenture Trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee is HSBC Bank USA, National Association. The Trustees are permitted to engage in other transactions with us and our subsidiaries from time to time, provided that if the trustees acquire any conflicting interest they must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, or else resign.
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Conversion or Exchange Rights
The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock, other debt securities or other securities or property. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.
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General
The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions of the Connecticut Business Corporation Act (the “CBCA”), our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our bylaws, as amended. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CBCA, as it may be amended from time to time, and to the terms of the restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as each may be amended from time to time, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” As used in this “Description of Capital Stock,” the terms “Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include the subsidiaries of this Connecticut corporation.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value. The number of authorized shares of any class may be increased or decreased by an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation proposed by our board of directors and approved by a majority of voting shares voted on the issue at a meeting at which a quorum exists.
Common Stock
Each shareholder of record of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on every matter properly submitted to the shareholders for their vote. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. After satisfaction of the dividend rights of holders of preferred stock, if any, holders of common stock are entitled ratably to any dividend declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for this purpose.
Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably our net assets available, if any, after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock.
Holders of our common stock have no redemption or conversion rights, no sinking fund provisions and no preemptive right to subscribe for or purchase additional shares of any class of our capital stock.
The outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable, and any shares of common stock issued in an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of common stock warrants or conversion or exchange of debt securities or preferred stock which are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, or in connection with the obligations of a holder of stock purchase contracts to purchase our common stock, when issued in accordance with their terms will be fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
This section describes the general terms and provisions of preferred stock that we are authorized to issue. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the shares of preferred stock offered through that prospectus supplement, as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those shares of preferred stock. We will file a copy of the certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation that contains the terms of each new series of preferred stock with the Secretary of the State of Connecticut and with the SEC each time we issue a new series of preferred stock. Each such certificate of amendment will establish the number of shares included in a designated series and fix the designation, powers, privileges,
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preferences and rights of the shares of each series as well as any applicable qualifications, limitations or restrictions. You should refer to the applicable certificate of amendment as well as our certificate of incorporation before deciding to buy shares of our preferred stock as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our board of directors has been authorized to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in multiple series without the approval of shareholders. With respect to each series of our preferred stock, our board of directors has the authority to fix the following terms:
| • | the designation of the series; |
| • | the number of shares within the series; |
| • | whether dividends are cumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends are cumulative; |
| • | the rate of any dividends, any conditions upon which dividends are payable, and the dates of payment of dividends; |
| • | whether the shares are redeemable, the redemption price and the terms of redemption; |
| • | the amount payable for each share if we dissolve or liquidate; |
| • | whether the shares are convertible or exchangeable, the price or rate of conversion or exchange, and the applicable terms and conditions; |
| • | any restrictions on issuance of shares in the same series or any other series; |
| • | voting rights applicable to the series of preferred stock; and |
| • | any other rights, priorities, preferences, restrictions or limitations of such series. |
The right of a holder of preferred stock to receive payment in respect thereof upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us will be subordinate to the rights of our general creditors. Shares of our preferred stock that we issue in accordance with their terms will be fully paid and nonassessable, and will not be entitled to preemptive rights unless specified in the applicable certificate of amendment to a certificate of incorporation and the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our ability to issue preferred stock, or rights to purchase such shares, could discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. For example, we could impede a business combination by issuing a series of preferred stock containing class voting rights that would enable the holders of such preferred stock to block a business combination transaction. Alternatively, we could facilitate a business combination transaction by issuing a series of preferred stock having sufficient voting rights to provide a required percentage vote of the shareholders. Additionally, under certain circumstances, our issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock. Although our board of directors is required to make any determination to issue any preferred stock based on its judgment as to the best interests of our shareholders, our board of directors could act in a manner that would discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our shareholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which shareholders might receive a premium for their stock over prevailing market prices of such stock. Our board of directors does not at present intend to seek shareholder approval prior to any issuance of currently authorized stock, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Other Agreements
The rights of our shareholders and related matters are governed by the CBCA, the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws. Provisions of the CBCA, the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws, which are summarized below, may discourage or make more difficult a takeover attempt that shareholders might consider in their best interest. These provisions may also adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.
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Board of Directors
The certificate of incorporation provides that the board of directors shall consist of not less than nine nor more than eighteen directors, the exact number to be fixed by the board of directors from time to time. At each annual meeting of the shareholders, each nominee for director shall stand for election to a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of shareholders. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, such director shall continue to serve until either the director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or there is a decrease in the number of directors. In no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. Any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by the board of directors, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise. The certificate of incorporation also provides that directors may be removed from office, but only for cause by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings
Under the CBCA our shareholders may take action by written unanimous consent of holders of all of our shares in lieu of an annual or special meeting. Otherwise, shareholders will only be able to take action at an annual or special meeting called in accordance with the bylaws.
The bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may only be called by:
| • | a majority of our board of directors; |
| • | the chairman of the board; |
| • | the chief executive officer; |
| • | the secretary; or |
| • | the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or the secretary upon the written request of the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of our outstanding voting stock. |
In addition, the CBCA provides that a corporation with a class of voting stock registered under the Exchange Act shall hold a special meeting of shareholders if the holders of thirty-five percent (35%) of the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered demand such a meeting.
Advance Notice Requirements for Director Nominations and Other Proposals
Director Nominations. The bylaws contain advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals related to the nomination of candidates for election as directors. These procedures provide that notice of shareholder proposals related to shareholder nominations for the election of directors must be received at our executive offices at least 90 days, but no more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date on which the proxy statement for the preceding annual meeting was mailed; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be received not earlier than 120 days before the date of the annual meeting and not later than 90 days prior to the annual meeting, or not later than the close of business 10 days after the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first. Our bylaws require that all directors be shareholders of record.
A shareholder’s notice to our corporate secretary must be in proper written form and must set forth certain information including:
| • | the name, and record addresses of the nominating shareholder, and any other person on whose behalf the nomination is being made, and the nominee; |
| • | the class or series and number of shares of our capital stock which are beneficially or of record owned by the nominating shareholder or such other person; |
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| • | a description of any plans or proposals which such nominating shareholder or related person may have with respect to shares of our capital stock that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 4 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D; |
| • | a description of any arrangements or understandings between the nominating shareholder or such other person and any nominee(s) in connection with the nomination; |
| • | any equity interests in any of our principal competitors held by the nominating shareholder or such other person; |
| • | any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that the nominating shareholder or such other person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease of the value of our shares; |
| • | any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other solicitations of proxies for election of directors or as otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to the Exchange Act had the nominee been nominated by the board of directors; |
| • | a consent of the nominee to be named in the proxy statement and to serve if elected; and |
| • | a representation that the nominating shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make such nomination. |
Other Proposals. In addition to the procedures for nominating directors, the bylaws also contain notice procedures for other shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting. To be timely, we must receive shareholder proposals at least 90 days, but no more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date on which the proxy statement for the preceding annual meeting was mailed; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be received not earlier than 120 days before the date of the annual meeting and not later than 90 days prior to the annual meeting, or not later than the close of business 10 days after the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first.
A shareholder’s notice to our corporate secretary must be in proper written form and must set forth, as to each matter that shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting:
| • | a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting that business at the meeting; |
| • | the complete text of any resolutions to be presented; |
| • | the name and record address of that shareholder and any other person on whose behalf the proposal is made; |
| • | the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of our capital stock which are owned beneficially or of record by that shareholder or such other person; |
| • | a description of all arrangements or understandings between that shareholder and any such other person in connection with the proposal of that business and any material interest of that shareholder or such other person in that business; and |
| • | a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring that business before the meeting. |
Antitakeover Legislation
We are subject to the provisions of Section 33-844 of the CBCA which prohibits a Connecticut corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder” for a period of five years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, unless the business combination or
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the purchase of stock by which such person becomes an interested shareholder is approved by our board of directors, and by a majority of our non-employee directors, prior to the date on which the person becomes an interested shareholder. A “business combination” generally includes mergers, asset sales, some types of stock issuances and other transactions with, or resulting in a disproportionate financial benefit to, the interested shareholder. Subject to exceptions, an “interested shareholder” is a person who owns 10% or more of our voting power, or is an affiliate or associate of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. and owned 10% or more of our voting power within the past five years.
Under our certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote by the holders of 80% of our outstanding voting stock is required for the approval or authorization of any business combination involving an interested shareholder. This voting requirement does not apply if:
| • | 2/3 of our disinterested directors expressly approve the proposed business combination; or |
| • | The following conditions are satisfied: |
| • | The cash and fair market value of other consideration received on a per share basis by each shareholder is no less than the highest share price (or the equivalent value) paid by the interested shareholder in acquiring our capital stock; |
| • | A proxy statement is mailed to all shareholders of the corporation for the purpose of soliciting shareholder approval of the business combination; and |
| • | After the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder, (a) and prior to the consummation of the business combination, (i) there was no failure to declare and timely pay any full periodic dividends on any outstanding preferred stock; (ii) there was no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the outstanding common stock, except as necessary to reflect any subdivision thereof; and an increase in such annual rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any reclassification, including any reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of common stock; and (iii) the interested shareholder has not become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of our stock except as part of the transaction which resulted in such interested shareholder becoming an interested shareholder or by virtue of proportionate stock splits or stock dividends; and (b) the interested shareholder has not received the benefit, except proportionately as a shareholder, of any loans, advances, guarantee, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantages provided by Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such business combination or otherwise. |
This majority vote is required even if no vote or a lesser percentage is required by any applicable laws. Additionally, the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of our outstanding shares of capital stock is required to modify this section of our certificate of incorporation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provision required by our certificate of incorporation, we are also subject to Section 33-841 and Section 33-842 of the CBCA. These provisions generally require business combinations with an interested shareholder to be approved by the board of directors and then by the affirmative vote of at least:
| • | the holders of 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our voting stock; and |
| • | the holders of 2/3 of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our voting stock, excluding the voting stock held by the interested shareholder; |
unless the consideration to be received by the shareholders meets certain price and other requirements set forth in Section 33-842 of the CBCA or unless the board of directors of the corporation has by resolution determined to exempt business combinations with that interested shareholder prior to the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder.
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We are also subject to Section 33-756(g) of the CBCA, generally requiring directors acting with respect to mergers, sales of assets and other specified transactions to consider, in determining what they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the corporation, specified interests, including those of the corporation’s employees, customers, creditors and suppliers and any community in which any office or other facility of the corporation is located. Section 33-756(g) of the CBCA also allows a director to consider, in the discretion of such director, any other factors the director reasonably considers appropriate in determining what the director reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the corporation.
Limitation of Liability of Directors
The certificate of incorporation contains provisions permitted under the CBCA relating to the personal liability of directors. The provisions limit the personal liability to us or our shareholders of a director for monetary damages for breach of duty as a director to an amount that is not more than the compensation received by that director for serving us during the year of the violation to the extent permitted by applicable law, which permits such limitation provided that such violation must not involve a knowing and culpable violation of law, enable the director or an affiliate to receive an improper personal gain, show a lack of good faith and a conscious disregard for the director’s duty to the corporation, amount to an abdication of the director’s duty to the corporation, or create liability for an unlawful distribution. Our bylaws provide for the indemnification and reimbursement of, and advances of expenses to, any person that is made a party to an action by reason of the fact that he or she:
| • | is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or |
| • | served at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation. |
Our bylaws provide for indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Connecticut law.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SWK.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services, LLC.
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This section describes the general terms and provisions of our warrants to acquire our securities that we may issue from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrant agreements and the warrants issuable thereunder. If any particular terms of the warrants described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you. We will file a copy of the warrant and warrant agreement with the SEC each time we issue a series of warrants, and these warrants and warrant agreements will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A holder of our warrants should refer to the provisions of the applicable warrant agreement and prospectus supplement for more specific information.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of those warrants, including, when applicable:
| • | the offering price; |
| • | the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the purchase price and/or exercise price of the warrants may be payable; |
| • | the number of warrants offered; |
| • | the securities underlying the warrants, if any, to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | the exercise price and the amount of securities you will receive upon exercise; |
| • | the procedure for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised; |
| • | the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the warrants will expire; |
| • | the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security; |
| • | the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | material U.S. federal income tax consequences; |
| • | the name of the warrant agent; and |
| • | any other material terms of the warrants. |
After warrants expire they will become void. All warrants will be issued in registered form. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.
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Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.
The applicable warrant agreement may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which it applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant affected thereby.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do so, we may issue receipts for depositary shares that each represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Bank Depositary”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.
We have summarized some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. If any particular terms of the depositary agreements and the related depositary receipts described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.
Dividends and Other Distributions
If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the Bank Depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the Bank Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the Bank Depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the Bank Depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the Bank Depositary may determine.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the Bank Depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may instruct the Bank Depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The Bank Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action that the Bank Depositary deems necessary in order to enable the Bank Depositary to do so. The Bank Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.
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Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the Bank Depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the Bank Depositary or us only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
Charges of Bank Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the Bank Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the Bank Depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the Bank Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
Miscellaneous
The Bank Depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the Bank Depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.
Neither the Bank Depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the Bank Depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties thereunder, and we will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary
The Bank Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the Bank Depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor Bank Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor Bank Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.
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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as stock purchase contracts. The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts, and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as stock purchase units. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded in whole or in part.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. This description is not complete and the description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference is made to the stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. If any particular terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:
| • | to underwriters for resale to purchasers; |
| • | directly to purchasers; |
| • | through agents or dealers to purchasers; or |
| • | through a combination of any of these methods. |
In addition, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we are being represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, as to matters of New York law and matters of Connecticut law will be passed upon for us by Donald J. Riccitelli, our Assistant General Counsel. Mr. Riccitelli beneficially owns and has rights to acquire less than one percent of our common stock.
The consolidated financial statements of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (the Company) appearing in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2022 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The expenses relating to the registration of the securities will be borne by the registrant.
| Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee | $* | |
| Accounting Fees and Expenses | $** | |
| Legal Fees and Expenses | $** | |
| Printing Fees | $** | |
| Transfer Agents and Trustees’ Fees and Expenses | $** | |
| Rating Agency Fees | $** | |
| Stock Exchange Listing Fees | $** | |
| Miscellaneous | $** | |
| Total | $** |
| * | Deferred in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r). |
| ** | Since an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Connecticut
Connecticut Business Corporations Act
Sections 33-770 through 33-779 of the Connecticut Business Corporation Act (the “CBCA”) provide that a corporation in Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.’s circumstances shall indemnify a director or officer against judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses actually incurred by him, including attorneys’ fees, for actions brought against him in his capacity as a director or officer, when it is determined by certain disinterested parties that he acted in good faith in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the corporation’s best interest (or in the case of conduct not in his official capacity, at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation). In any criminal action or proceeding, it also must be determined that the director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The director or officer must also be indemnified when he is wholly successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of a proceeding or in circumstances where a court determines that he is entitled to indemnification or that it is fair and reasonable that the director or officer be indemnified. In connection with shareholder derivative suits, the director or officer may not be indemnified except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding (and then only if it is determined that he met the relevant standard of conduct described above), subject, however, to courts’ power under Section 33-774 to order indemnification. Unless ordered by a court under Section 33-774, a corporation may not indemnify a director with respect to conduct for which he was adjudged liable on the basis that he received a financial benefit to which he was not entitled, whether or not he was acting in his official capacity.
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
The Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. will be personally liable to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. or any of its shareholders for monetary damages in an amount greater than the compensation received by that director for serving Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. during the year of the violation to the extent permitted by applicable law, which permits such limitation provided that such violation must not involve a knowing and culpable violation of law, enable the director or an affiliate to receive an improper personal gain, show a lack of good faith and a conscious disregard for the director’s duty to the corporation, amount to an abdication of the director’s duty to the corporation, or create liability for an unlawful distribution. See “Description of Capital Stock—Limitation of Liability of Directors” in the prospectus.
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Our bylaws also provide for the indemnification of directors and officers to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. has purchased insurance providing officers and directors of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (and their heirs and other legal representatives) coverage against certain liabilities arising from any negligent act, error, omission or breach of duty claimed against them solely by reason of their being such officers and directors, and providing coverage for Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. against its obligation to provide indemnification as required by the above-described statute.
Item 16. List of Exhibits.
The Exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to Exhibits on page II-4.
Some of the agreements included as exhibits to this registration statement (whether incorporated by reference to earlier filings or otherwise) may contain representations and warranties, recitals or other statements that appear to be statements of fact. These agreements are included solely to provide investors with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or the other parties to the agreements. Representations and warranties, recitals, and other common disclosure provisions have been included in the agreements solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreements and often are used as a means of allocating risk among the parties. Accordingly, such statements (i) should not be treated as categorical statements of fact; (ii) may be qualified by disclosures that were made to the other parties in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreements, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement or included as exhibits hereto; (iii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by or to investors in or lenders to the Company; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.
Accordingly, representations and warranties, recitals or other disclosures contained in agreements may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time and should not be relied on by any person other than the parties thereto in accordance with their terms.
Item 17. Undertakings.
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 of 1933;
(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 percent 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;
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provided, however, that the above paragraphs (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 this 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 of 1933, 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 of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and
(ii) 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 of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in this 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 this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is part of this 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 this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this 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 of 1933 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.
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the 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 of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “TIA”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the TIA.
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| Exhibit No |
Description of Exhibits | |
| 4.10 | Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of November 22, 2005, between the Company and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 29, 2005). | |
| 4.11 | Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated February 10, 2020, between Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 4.000% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2060 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2020). | |
| 4.12 | Form of Senior Note with respect to each particular series of Senior Note issued hereunder to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein. | |
| 4.13 | Form of Subordinated Note with respect to each particular series of Subordinated Note issued hereunder to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein. | |
| 4.14 | Form of Warrant Agreement to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein. | |
| 4.15 | Form of Warrant Certificate to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein. | |
| 4.16 | Form of Depositary Agreement to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein. | |
| 4.17 | Form of Depositary Receipt to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein. | |
| 4.18 | Purchase Contract Agreement setting forth Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein. | |
| 5.1* | Opinion of Donald J. Riccitelli as to legality (Connecticut Law Opinion). | |
| 5.2* | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to legality (New York Law Opinion). | |
| 23.1* | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
| 23.2* | Consent of Donald J. Riccitelli (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
| 23.3* | Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2). | |
| 24.1* | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. Power of Attorney. | |
| 25.1* | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee under the Senior Indenture. | |
| 25.2* | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of HSBC Bank USA, National Association, Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. | |
| 107* | Filing Fee Table | |
| * | Filed herewith. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New Britain, State of Connecticut on October 30, 2023
| STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC. | ||||
| By: | /s/ Janet M. Link | |||
| Name: | Janet M. Link | |||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on October 30, 2023.
| Signature |
Title | |
| * Donald Allan, Jr. |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| * Patrick Hallinan |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | |
| * Scot Greulach |
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | |
| * Andrea J. Ayers |
Director | |
| * Patrick D. Campbell |
Director | |
| * Susan K. Carter |
Director | |
| * Debra A. Crew |
Director | |
| * Michael D. Hankin |
Director | |
| * Robert J. Manning |
Director | |
| * Adrian V. Mitchell |
Director | |
| * Jane M. Palmieri |
Director | |
| * Mojdeh Poul |
Director | |
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| Signature |
Title | |
| * Irving Tan |
Director | |
| By: | /s/ Janet M. Link | |||
| Name: | Janet M. Link | |||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |||
| Attorney-in-fact | ||||
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Exhibit 5.1
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|
|
Donald J. Riccitelli Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, CT 06053 T (860) 827-3989 F (860) 827-3911 |
October 30, 2023
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
1000 Stanley Drive
New Britain, CT 06053
| Re: | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. |
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am Assistant General Counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”). I have represented the Company in connection with the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of the following securities of the Company: (i) shares of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, without par value, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”) to be issued in one or more series, which may also be issued in the form of depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) evidenced by depositary receipts pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each, a “Deposit Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust companies to be named, (iii) debt securities of the Company (the “Senior Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to a senior indenture, dated November 1, 2002, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Senior Indenture Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as amended from time to time (the “Senior Indenture”), and subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to a subordinated indenture, dated November 22, 2005, between the Company and HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (the “Subordinated Indenture Trustee” and, together with the Senior Indenture Trustee, the “Trustees”), as amended from time to time (the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”), (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (collectively, the “Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”), proposed to be entered into with one or more warrant agents to be named therein, (v) stock purchase contracts (the “Stock Purchase Contracts”) obligating holders thereof to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to such holders, shares of Common Stock, which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase contract agents to be named therein, (vi) stock purchase units (the “Stock Purchase Units”), each consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and either Debt Securities, Preferred Stock
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or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing a holder’s obligation to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or such debt obligations under the Stock Purchase Contracts and (vii) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Depositary Shares as may be issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Warrants, Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units (the “Indeterminate Securities”). Common Stock, Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Stock Purchase Contracts, the Stock Purchase Units, the Warrants and the Indeterminate Securities are collectively referred to herein as the “Offered Securities.”
This opinion is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In connection with this opinion, I have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date (the “Certificate of Incorporation”); (iii) the ByLaws of the Company, as currently in effect (the “ByLaws”); (iv) a certified copy of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities and related matters; (v) a specimen certificate evidencing Common Stock; (vi) the Senior Indenture; (vii) the Statement of Eligibility of the Senior Indenture Trustee on Form T-1; (viii) the Subordinated Indenture, and (ix) the Statement of Eligibility of the Subordinated Indenture Trustee on Form T-1. I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.
In my examination, I have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to me as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making my examination of executed documents, I have assumed that the terms of the Offered Preferred Shares (as defined below) will have been established so as not to violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) any law, rule, or regulation to which the Company is subject, (iii) any judicial or administrative order or decree of any governmental authority or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with any governmental authority. I have also assumed that (i) the stock certificates evidencing Preferred Stock to be issued will be in a form that complies with, and the terms of such Preferred Stock will be duly established in accordance with, the Connecticut Business Corporation Act, as amended (the “CBCA”), and (ii) the stock certificate evidencing any Common Stock issued will conform to the specimen certificate which I examined and will be duly executed and delivered.
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My opinions set forth herein are limited to those laws of the State of Connecticut that, in my experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”). I do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Opined-on Law or as to the effect of any such non-Opined-on Law on the opinions herein stated. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture provide that they are governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, I am of the opinion that:
1. Except as otherwise discussed in paragraph 3 below, with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Common Shares”), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the shares of Offered Common Shares has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the issuance and sale of the Offered Common Shares have been duly established by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and the ByLaws; (iv) if the Offered Common Shares are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Common Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (v) certificates representing the Offered Common Shares have been duly executed and delivered by the proper officers of the Company to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement or term sheet relating thereto, and the Offered Common Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered applicable purchase agreement, will be duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than the par value thereof. In rendering the opinion set forth in this paragraph 1, I have assumed that, at the time of issuance of any Offered Common Shares, the Certificate of Incorporation, the ByLaws and the CBCA shall not have been amended so as to affect the validity of such issuance.
2. Except as otherwise discussed in paragraph 4 below, with respect to the shares of any series of Preferred Stock to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Preferred Shares”), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Preferred Shares has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the terms of the Offered Preferred Shares and of their issuance and sale have been duly established by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation, including the Certificate of Amendment related to the Offered Preferred Shares (the “Certificate of Amendment”), and the Bylaws; (iv) the filing of the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut has duly
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occurred; (v) if the Offered Preferred Shares are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Preferred Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vi) certificates representing the Offered Preferred Shares have been duly executed and delivered by the proper officers of the Company to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement or term sheet relating thereto, and any Offered Preferred Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered applicable purchase agreement, will be duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than the par value thereof. In rendering the opinion set forth in this paragraph 2, I have assumed that, at the time of issuance of any Offered Preferred Shares, the Certificate of Incorporation, the ByLaws and the CBCA shall not have been amended so as to affect the validity of such issuance.
3. With respect to Common Stock issuable upon the conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of any Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Depositary Shares, Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units (together, the “Convertible Securities”), which are by their terms convertible into or exchangeable, exercisable or can be settled for shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of the Convertible Securities will be duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the issuance of Common Stock upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of the Convertible Securities has been authorized by all necessary corporate action, that the Convertible Securities have been converted, exchanged, exercised or settled in accordance with their terms and that the certificates evidencing such shares of Common Stock are duly executed and delivered. In rendering the opinion set forth in this paragraph 3, I have assumed that, at the time of issuance of any shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of the Convertible Securities, the Certificate of Incorporation, the ByLaws and the CBCA shall not have been amended so as to affect the validity of such issuance.
4. With respect to Preferred Stock issuable upon the conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of any Convertible Securities, which are by their terms convertible into or exchangeable, exercisable or can be settled for shares of Preferred Stock, the shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of the Convertible Securities will be duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the issuance of Preferred Stock upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of the Convertible Securities has been authorized by all necessary corporate action, that the Convertible Securities have been converted, exchanged, exercised or settled in accordance with their terms and that the certificates evidencing such shares of Preferred Stock are duly executed and delivered. In rendering the opinion set forth in this paragraph 4, I have assumed that, at the time of issuance of any shares of Preferred Stock upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of the Convertible Securities, the Certificate of Incorporation, the ByLaws and the CBCA shall not have been amended so as to affect the validity of such issuance.
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5. With respect to the Depositary Shares, when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments) becomes effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Depositary Shares has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Deposit Agreement relating to the Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and the Depositary Shares have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company; (iv) the terms of the Depositary Shares and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Deposit Agreement, and provided that such terms, when established, do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (v) if the Depositary Shares are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vi) the Depositary Shares have been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, or upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Offered Security in accordance with the terms of such Offered Security or the instrument governing such Offered Security providing for such conversion, exchange or exercise, the Depositary Shares will be duly authorized.
6. With respect to the Debt Securities, when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments) becomes effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the applicable Indenture relating to the Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and the Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company; (iv) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture, and provided that such terms, when established, do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (v) if the Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vi) the Debt Securities have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the applicable Indenture and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, or upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Offered Securities in accordance with the terms of such Offered Securities or the instrument governing such Offered Securities providing for such conversion, exchange or exercise, the Debt Securities will be duly authorized.
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7. With respect to the Warrants, when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and the Warrants and the securities of the Company into which the Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company; (iv) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Warrant Agreement, and provided that such terms, when established, do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (v) if the Warrants are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vi) the Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, the Warrants will be duly authorized.
8. With respect to the Stock Purchase Contracts, when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Stock Purchase Contracts has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Stock Purchase Contract agreement relating to the Stock Purchase Contracts (the “Purchase Contract Agreement”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and the Stock Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company; (iv) the terms of the Stock Purchase Contracts and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Purchase Contract Agreement, and provided that such terms, when established, do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (v) if the Stock Purchase Contracts are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Stock Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vi) the Stock Purchase Contracts have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, the Stock Purchase Contracts will be duly authorized.
9. With respect to the Stock Purchase Units, when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Stock Purchase Units has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the terms of the collateral arrangements, if any, relating to the Stock Purchase Units (the “Collateral Arrangements”) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered and the Stock Purchase Units have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company; (iv) the terms of the Stock Purchase Units and of their issuance and
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
October 30, 2023
Page 7
sale have been duly established in conformity with the Collateral Arrangements, if any, and provided that such terms, when established, do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (v) if the Stock Purchase Units are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Stock Purchase Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vi) the Stock Purchase Units have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Collateral Arrangements, if any, and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, the Stock Purchase Units will be duly authorized.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. I also hereby consent to the reference to my name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and I disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Donald J. Riccitelli |
| Donald J. Riccitelli |
| Assistant General Counsel and |
| Assistant Secretary |
| Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. |
Exhibit 5.2
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
| ONE MANHATTAN WEST NEW YORK, NY 10001
—————
TEL: (212) 735-3000 FAX: (212) 735-2000
www.skadden.com
October 30, 2023 |
FIRM/AFFILIATE OFFICES —————- BOSTON CHICAGO HOUSTON LOS ANGELES PALO ALTO WASHINGTON, D.C. WILMINGTON —————- BEIJING BRUSSELS FRANKFURT HONG KONG LONDON MUNICH PARIS SÃO PAULO SEOUL SHANGHAI SINGAPORE TOKYO TORONTO |
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
1000 Stanley Drive
New Britain, CT 06053
| Re: | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. |
| Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special United States counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) shares of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, without par value, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series, which may also be issued in the form of depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) evidenced by depositary receipts pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each, a “Deposit Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust companies to be named in the applicable Deposit Agreement, (iii) senior debt securities of the Company (the “Senior Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under the senior indenture, dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Senior Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Senior Indenture Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., and subordinated debt securities (“Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under the subordinated indenture, dated as of November 22, 2005 (the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
October 30, 2023
Page 2
the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”), between the Company and HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (the “Subordinated Indenture Trustee” and, together with the Senior Indenture Trustee, the “Trustees”), (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein, (v) purchase contracts (the “Purchase Contracts”) obligating the holders thereof to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to such holders, shares of Common Stock, which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase contract agents to be named therein, (vi) purchase units of the Company (the “Purchase Units”), each consisting of a Purchase Contract and either Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing a holder’s obligation to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or such debt obligations under the Purchase Contracts and (vii) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or settlement of any Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units, including such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, the “Indeterminate Securities”).
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinion stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) the Senior Indenture, as amended to the date hereof;
(c) the Subordinated Indenture, as amended to the date hereof;
(d) the Statement of Eligibility of the Senior Indenture Trustee on Form T-1; and
(e) the Statement of Eligibility of the Subordinated Indenture Trustee on Form T-1.
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion stated below.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinion stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
October 30, 2023
Page 3
We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York (“Opined-on Law”).
As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Indentures and the supplemental indentures thereto and officer’s certificates establishing the terms of the Offered Debt Securities (as defined below).
The opinion stated below presumes that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Offered Debt Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, including, if the Offered Debt Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto, (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any duly authorized committee thereof, shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of the Offered Debt Securities have been duly established in conformity with the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to the date hereof (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) so as not to violate any applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated ByLaws of the Company, as amended to the date hereof (the “ByLaws”), or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company,
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that with respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Documents, and (c) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and any other applicable Transaction Documents and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
October 30, 2023
Page 4
The opinion stated herein is subject to the following qualifications:
(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinion stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinion stated herein is limited by such laws and governmental orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);
(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;
(c) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinion contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;
(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;
(e) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Document to the extent that such section purports to bind the Company to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular federal court or courts;
(f) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;
(g) we have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment; further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;
(h) we have assumed that the choice of New York law to govern the Indentures and any supplemental indentures thereto is a valid and legal provision;
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
October 30, 2023
Page 5
(i) we have assumed that the Indentures were, and any supplemental indentures thereto will be, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the applicable Trustee; and
(j) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinion stated herein is subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.
In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinion we have assumed that:
(a) the Company (i) is duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing, (ii) has requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (iii) has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents;
(b) the Company has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents;
(c) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Debt Securities: (i) conflicts or will conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation or ByLaws, (ii) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (iii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject or (iv) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iv) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and
(d) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Debt Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, 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. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
MJH
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (the “Company”) for the registration of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, and stock purchase units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 23, 2023, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
| /s/ Ernst & Young LLP |
| Hartford, Connecticut |
| October 30, 2023 |
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned officers and/or directors of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the “Registrant”), does hereby make, constitute and appoint each of Janet M. Link and Donald J. Riccitelli his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute (a) a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the registration of one or more series of securities including, without limitation, debt securities, preferred stock, common stock (including associated depositary preferred stock purchase rights included in the common stock), warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units of the Registrant, (b) any and all amendments and supplements thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any additional registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and (c) other instruments necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary or desirable to be done, and to take or cause to be taken any and all such further actions in connection with such registration statement as such attorney-in-fact and agent, in his or her sole discretion, deems necessary or appropriate, 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 of 1933, this power of attorney has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Donald Allan, Jr. Donald Allan, Jr. |
Director and President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Patrick Hallinan Patrick Hallinan |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Scot Greulach Scot Greulach |
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Andrea J. Ayers Andrea J. Ayers |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Patrick D. Campbell Patrick D. Campbell |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Susan K. Carter Susan K. Carter |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Debra A. Crew Debra A. Crew |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Michael D. Hankin Michael D. Hankin |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Robert J. Manning Robert J. Manning |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Adrian V. Mitchell Adrian V. Mitchell |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Jane M. Palmieri Jane M. Palmieri |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Mojdeh Poul Mojdeh Poul |
Director | October 24, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Irving Tan Irving Tan |
Director | October 24 , 2023 | ||
2
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
| ☐ | CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) |
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
| N/A | 95-3571558 | |
| (Jurisdiction of incorporation if not a U.S. national bank) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 333 South Hope Street, Suite 2525 Los Angeles, California |
90071 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |
Legal Department
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10286
(212) 635-1270
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| Connecticut | 06-0548860 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 1000 Stanley Drive New Britain, Connecticut |
06053 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
(Title of the indenture securities)
| Item 1. | General information. |
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
| Name |
Address |
|||||
|
|
Comptroller of the Currency – United States Department of the Treasury | Washington, D.C. 20219 |
| |||
| Federal Reserve Bank | San Francisco, California 94105 | |||||
| Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | Washington, D.C. 20429 | |||||
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes.
| Item 2. | Affiliations with Obligor. |
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
None.
| Item 16. | List of Exhibits. |
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).
| 1. | A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Act in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-135006-10). |
| 2. | A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948). |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Act in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-135006-10). |
| 4. | A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Act in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-333-229762). |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Act in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-135006-10). |
| 7. | A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the city of Jacksonville and State of Florida, on the 30th day of October, 2023.
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. | ||
| By: |
/s/ Terence Rawlins | |
| Name: |
Terence Rawlins | |
| Title: |
Vice President | |
Exhibit 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
of 333 South Hope Street, Suite 2525, Los Angeles, CA 90071
At the close of business June 30, 2023, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.
| Dollar amounts in thousands |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
||||
| Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin |
7,759 | |||
| Interest-bearing balances |
477,398 | |||
| Securities: |
||||
| Held-to-maturity securities |
0 | |||
| Available-for-sale debt securities |
1,042 | |||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading |
0 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell: |
||||
| Federal funds sold in domestic offices |
0 | |||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell |
0 | |||
| Loans and lease financing receivables: |
||||
| Loans and leases held for sale |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases, held for investment |
0 | |||
| LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for investment, net of allowance |
0 | |||
| Trading assets |
0 | |||
| Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) |
12,825 | |||
| Other real estate owned |
0 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets |
856,313 | |||
| Other assets |
111,444 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total assets |
$ | 1,466,781 | ||
|
|
|
|||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits: |
||||
| In domestic offices |
1,366 | |||
| Noninterest-bearing |
1,366 | |||
| Interest-bearing |
0 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase: |
||||
| Federal funds purchased in domestic offices |
0 | |||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Trading liabilities |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
||||
| (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases) |
0 | |||
| Not applicable |
||||
| Not applicable |
||||
| Subordinated notes and debentures |
0 | |||
| Other liabilities |
256,455 | |||
| Total liabilities |
257,821 | |||
| Not applicable |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus |
0 | |||
| Common stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) |
326,030 | |||
| Not available |
||||
| Retained earnings |
881,933 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
-3 | |||
| Other equity capital components |
0 | |||
| Not available |
||||
| Total bank equity capital |
1,208,960 | |||
| Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries |
0 | |||
| Total equity capital |
1,208,960 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total liabilities and equity capital |
1,466,781 | |||
|
|
|
|||
I, Matthew J. McNulty, CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Matthew J. McNulty ) CFO
We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.
| Antonio I. Portuondo, President |
) | |||||||
| Loretta A. Lundberg, Managing Director |
) | Directors (Trustees) | ||||||
| Jon M. Pocchia, Managing Director |
) |
Exhibit 25.2
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
| ☐ | CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) |
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
| N/A | 20-1177241 | |
| (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization if not a U.S. national bank) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
452 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10018-2706
Tel: (212) 525-1309
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
(Address of principal executive offices)
STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| CONNECTICUT | 06-0548860 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 1000 Stanley Drive | 06053 | |
| New Britain, Connecticut (Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) | |
Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of Indenture Securities)
General
Item 1. General Information.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervisory
authority to which it is subject.
Comptroller of the Currency, New York, NY.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
Washington, D.C.
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Yes.
Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe
each such affiliation.
None
Items 3-15. Not Applicable
Item 16. List of Exhibits
Exhibit
| T1A(i) |
(1) Copy of the Articles of Association of HSBC Bank USA, National Association. | |
| T1A(ii) |
(1) Certificate of the Comptroller of the Currency dated July 1, 2004 as to the authority of HSBC Bank USA, National Association to commence business. | |
| T1A(iii) |
(2) Certificate of Fiduciary Powers dated August 18, 2004 for HSBC Bank USA, National Association | |
| T1A(iv) |
(1) Copy of the existing By-Laws of HSBC Bank USA, National Association. | |
| T1A(v) |
Not applicable. | |
| T1A(vi) |
(2) Consent of HSBC Bank USA, National Association required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. | |
| T1A(vii) |
Copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirement of its supervisory or examining authority. | |
| T1A(viii) |
Not applicable. | |
| T1A(ix) |
Not applicable. | |
| (1) | Exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with Registration No. 333-118523 and incorporated herein by reference thereto. |
| (2) | Exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with Registration No. 333-125197 and incorporated herein by reference thereto. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 26th day of October, 2023.
| HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Fernando Acebedo | |
| Fernando Acebedo Vice President | ||