P R O S P E C T
U S S U P P L E M E N T
(To Prospectus Dated November 29,
2012)
$275,000,000
Meritor,
Inc.
6-3/4% Notes due
2021
____________________________
The notes will bear interest at the rate of 6-3/4% per year. Interest on the notes is payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2013. The notes will mature on June 15, 2021. The notes will be guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.
Prior to June 15, 2016, we may redeem any of the notes at the redemption price described in this prospectus supplement under Description of the NotesOptional RedemptionMake-Whole Redemption. Prior to June 15, 2016, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued on the initial issue date of the notes with the net cash proceeds of certain public sales of our common stock at a redemption price equal to 106.75% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes to be redeemed. On or after June 15, 2016, we may redeem any of the notes at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement under the caption Description of the NotesOptional RedemptionRedemption After June 15, 2016. If a change of control (as defined herein) occurs, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the notes, each holder of notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the holders notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes to be repurchased.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page S-15.
Per Note | Total | ||||||
Public Offering Price | 100.000 | % | $ | 275,000,000 | |||
Underwriting Discount | 1.750 | % | $ | 4,812,500 | |||
Proceeds to Meritor, Inc. (before expenses) | 98.250 | % | $ | 270,187,500 | |||
Interest on the notes will accrue from May 31, 2013 to the date of delivery. |
Joint Book-Running Managers
Citigroup | J.P. Morgan | BofA Merrill Lynch | RBS | UBS Investment Bank |
Co-Managers |
BNP PARIBAS |
PNC Capital Markets LLC |
Comerica Securities |
Huntington Investment Company |
Deutsche Bank Securities |
Fifth Third Securities, Inc. |
We are responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free-writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any such free-writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the filing date of the applicable document.
__________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
About This Prospectus Supplement | S-1 | |
Cautionary Statement | S-2 | |
Summary | S-3 | |
Risk Factors | S-15 | |
Use of Proceeds | S-30 | |
Capitalization | S-31 | |
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | S-32 | |
Description of the Notes | S-33 | |
Material United States Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences | S-50 | |
Underwriting | S-55 | |
Legal Matters | S-59 | |
Experts | S-59 |
Prospectus
About This Prospectus | 2 | |
Where You Can Find More Information | 2 | |
Documents Incorporated by Reference | 3 | |
Cautionary Statement | 3 | |
Our Company | 4 | |
Risk Factors | 4 | |
Use of Proceeds | 5 | |
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 5 | |
Description of Debt Securities | 5 | |
Description of Capital Stock | 14 | |
Description of The Warrants | 17 | |
Plan of Distribution | 18 | |
Legal Matters | 21 | |
Experts | 21 |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement is a supplement to the accompanying prospectus, dated November 29, 2012, that is also a part of this document. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using the SECs shelf registration rules. In this prospectus supplement, we provide you with specific information about the terms of this offering of the notes. Both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include or incorporate by reference important information about us, the notes and other information you should know before investing in the notes. This prospectus supplement also adds to, updates and changes some of the information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that any statement that we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the statements made or incorporated by reference prior to the date hereof in the accompanying prospectus, the statements made or incorporated by reference prior to the date hereof in the accompanying prospectus are deemed modified or superseded by the statements made in this prospectus supplement.
Before you invest in the notes, you should read the registration statement of which this document forms a part and this document, including the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus that are described under the caption Documents Incorporated by Reference in the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement, including the accompanying prospectus and the incorporated documents, includes trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. All such trademarks, service marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
References in this prospectus supplement to Meritor, Inc., Meritor, the company, we, us and our are to Meritor, Inc., its subsidiaries and its predecessors, unless the context indicates otherwise. The term you refers to a prospective investor.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents that are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectuses filed by us with the SEC may contain statements relating to our future results (including certain projections and business trends) that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, should, are likely to be, will and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to failure to receive the Brazilian regulatory approvals required to complete the sale of our ownership stake in Suspensys Sistemas Automotivos Ltda. or to otherwise successfully complete the sale of such ownership stake; failure to consummate our debt tender offer due to financing or other conditions; reduced production for certain military programs and our ability to secure new military programs as our primary military programs wind down by design in future years; reliance on major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and possible negative outcomes from contract negotiations with our major customers, including failure to negotiate acceptable terms in contract renewal negotiations, and our ability to obtain new customers; the outcome of actual and potential product liability, warranty and recall claims; and possible changes in accounting rules;our ability to successfully manage rapidly changing volumes in the commercial truck markets and work with our customers to adjust their demands in view of rapid changes in production levels; global economic and market cycles and conditions; availability and sharply rising costs of raw materials, including steel, and our ability to manage or recover such costs; our ability to manage possible adverse effects on our European operations, or financing arrangements related thereto, in the event one or more countries exit the European monetary union; risks inherent in operating abroad (including foreign currency exchange rates, implications of foreign regulations relating to pensions and potential disruption of production and supply due to terrorist attacks or acts of aggression); rising costs of pension and other postretirement benefits; the ability to achieve the expected benefits of restructuring actions; the demand for commercial and specialty vehicles for which we supply products; whether our liquidity will be affected by declining vehicle productions in the future; OEM program delays; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; labor relations of our company, our suppliers and customers, including potential disruptions in supply of parts to our facilities or demand for our products due to work stoppages; the financial condition of our suppliers and customers, including potential bankruptcies; possible adverse effects of any future suspension of normal trade credit terms by our suppliers; potential difficulties competing with companies that have avoided their existing contracts in bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings; potential impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill; potential adjustment of the value of deferred tax assets; competitive product and pricing pressures; the amount of our debt; our ability to continue to comply with covenants in our financing agreements; our ability to access capital markets; credit ratings of our debt; the outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, including any litigation with respect to environmental or asbestos-related matters; as well as other substantial costs, risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, as amended, and from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. See also the following portions of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, as amended: Item 1. Business, Customers; Sales and Marketing; Competition; Raw Materials and Supplies; Employees; Environmental Matters; International Operations; and Seasonality; Cyclicality; Item 1A. Risk Factors; Item 3. Legal Proceedings; and Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the respective dates on which they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
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SUMMARY
The following information supplements, and should be read together with, the information contained or incorporated by reference in other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary highlights selected information about us and this offering. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information set forth under the caption Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement, as well as our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, before making a decision to invest in the notes.
Our Company
We are a premier global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket for the commercial vehicle, transportation and industrial sectors. We serve commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, military, bus and coach and other industrial OEMs and certain aftermarkets. Our principal products are axles, undercarriages, drivelines, brakes and braking systems.
We were incorporated in Indiana in 2000 in connection with the merger of Meritor Automotive, Inc. and Arvin Industries, Inc. Our executive offices are located at 2135 West Maple Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. Our telephone number is (248) 435-1000.
We serve a broad range of customers worldwide, including medium- and heavy-duty truck OEMs, specialty vehicle manufacturers, certain aftermarkets, and trailer producers. Our total sales from continuing operations in fiscal year 2012 were approximately $4.4 billion. Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 71 percent of fiscal year 2012 sales from continuing operations. Sales from operations outside the United States accounted for approximately 62 percent of total sales from continuing operations in fiscal year 2012. Our continuing operations also participated in 6 unconsolidated joint ventures, which we accounted for under the equity method of accounting and that generated revenues of approximately $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2012.
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest to September 30. Fiscal year 2012 ended on September 30, 2012, fiscal year 2011 ended on October 2, 2011, and fiscal year 2010 ended on October 3, 2010. The second quarter of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 ended on March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, respectively. All year and quarter references relate to our fiscal year and fiscal quarters unless otherwise stated. For ease of presentation, September 30 and March 31 are utilized consistently throughout this prospectus supplement to represent the fiscal year end and second fiscal quarter end, respectively.
References in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to our belief that we are a leading supplier or the worlds leading supplier, and other similar statements as to our relative market position are based principally on calculations we have made. These calculations are based on information we have collected, including company and industry sales data obtained from internal and available external sources as well as our estimates. In addition to such quantitative data, our statements are based on other competitive factors such as our technological capabilities, our engineering, research and development efforts, and our innovative solutions as well as the quality of our products and services, in each case relative to that of our competitors in the markets we address.
Divestiture Activity
On April 29, 2013, our subsidiaries entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell the Companys overall 50 percent ownership interest in Suspensys Sistemas Automotivos LTDA (the Suspensys JV) to the Companys joint venture partner, Randon S.A. Implementos E Participações. The Suspensys JV was formed in 2002 and is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of air and mechanical suspension systems for trucks, buses and trailers, trailer axles, third axles, hubs and drums for trucks, buses and trailers.
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The purchase price for the sale is $195 million, which is composed of $190 million in cash (approximately $5 million of which is expected be in the form of a pre-closing cash dividend) and $5 million in lease abatements for a facility in Brazil leased by one of the sellers from Randon. The purchase and sale agreement is subject to regulatory approvals (including the clearance of applicable competition law waiting periods in Brazil) and other customary conditions. The sale is expected to be consummated as soon as practicable after closing conditions are met and in any event by September 1, 2013. Under the purchase and sale agreement, the closing date will be automatically extended to the extent the closing conditions have not been met (provided such conditions are not in the control of the parties) and in any event can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.
Our Business
On November 12, 2012, we announced a revised management reporting structure resulting in two business segments. Prior period segment financial information presented has been recast to reflect the revised reporting structure. The companys two reporting segments at March 31, 2013 were as follows:
Business Strategies
We are currently a global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems and components to OEMs and the aftermarket for the commercial vehicle, transportation and industrial sectors, and we believe we have developed market positions as a leader in many of the markets we serve. The unprecedented challenges in the last few years in the credit markets, deterioration and then rapid upturn in the commercial vehicle market and a worldwide recession have forced us to sharpen our business and operating strategies to align to these new business conditions and to better position our company for the future. We are working to enhance our leadership positions and capitalize on our existing customer, product and geographic strengths.
We expect production volumes in North America and Europe to soften compared to the levels experienced in fiscal year 2012. Beginning in second quarter of fiscal year 2012, production volumes in South America declined significantly as the industry transitioned to tighter emission standard requirements for commercial vehicles. The recovery of production volumes has been slower than previously expected although we have started to see improvement in fiscal year 2013. Production volumes in the Asia-Pacific region, more specifically China and India, have decreased compared to levels experienced in fiscal year 2012, and there is no certainty as to when these volumes will return to the levels previously experienced.
Sales for our primary military program were at their peak during the third quarter of fiscal year 2012. This program is expected to wind down over the next few years beginning in fiscal year 2013. We are working to secure our participation in new military programs with various OEMs. However, failure to secure new military contracts could have a longer-term negative impact on the company. In addition, even if sales of our military programs do return to historic levels, the levels of profitability on these sales could be lower than what we have recognized in recent periods.
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Our business continues to address a number of other challenging industry-wide issues including the following:
Other significant factors that could affect our results and liquidity in fiscal year 2013 include the following:
Our specific business strategies are influenced by these industry factors and trends as well as by the recent global economic and financial crisis and are focused on leveraging our resources to continue to develop and produce competitive product offerings. We believe the following strategies will allow us to maintain a balanced portfolio of commercial truck, industrial and aftermarket businesses covering key global markets. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business for information on certain risks that could have an impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations in the future.
S-5
Financial and Operational Excellence
Strive to Manage the Cycle. The industries in which we operate have been characterized historically by periodic fluctuations in overall demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and other vehicles for which we supply products, resulting in corresponding fluctuations in demand for our products. The length and timing of the cyclical nature of the commercial vehicle industry cannot be predicted with certainty. To effectively manage the cyclical nature of our business, we are focused on cost management and maintaining sufficient balance sheet flexibility. In addition, we expect to balance the on-highway commercial vehicle cycles with complementary business lines, including aftermarket, military, construction and industrial supply. We also attempt to utilize flexible manufacturing processes and plant footprints in our effort to take advantage of industry upturns and effectively manage industry downturns.
Drive a Continuous Improvement Culture. The company implemented Performance Plus, a long-term profit improvement and cost reduction initiative, in fiscal year 2007 to improve operational performance and increase cash flow, earnings and shareowner value. The actions and programs that are part of the Performance Plus initiatives include delivering cost improvements by focusing on operational excellence (materials; manufacturing; and overhead) and enhancing revenue by focusing on commercial excellence (engineering, research and development; product strategy and growth; and aftermarket).
In fiscal year 2007, as part of Performance Plus, we implemented the Meritor Production System, a lean manufacturing initiative that guides our pursuit of operational excellence. Meritor Production System integrates several of our previous performance improvement initiatives into a set of actions that focus on improving systems, processes, behaviors and capabilities. Throughout our company, continuous improvement teams work to achieve significant cost savings, increase productivity and efficiency, improve design and quality, streamline operations and improve workplace safety. Maintaining a continuous improvement culture is important to our business operations and to maintaining and improving our operating results.
Profitable Growth
Focus on Organic Growth While Reviewing Strategic Opportunities. Our long term goal is to grow businesses that offer attractive returns and are core to our operations as well as to diversify through complementary product lines, geographic expansion, and initiatives in adjacent markets. We have identified the areas of our business that we believe have the most potential for leveraging into other industries, products, markets and technologies, and we are focusing our resources on these areas. We also continue to review and evaluate on an ongoing basis all of our existing businesses to determine whether we need to modify, restructure, sell or otherwise discontinue any one of the businesses.
We believe that commercial vehicle and industrial suppliers continue to consolidate into larger, more efficient and more capable companies and collaborate with each other in an effort to better serve the global needs of OEM customers by being where these customers need them. We regularly evaluate various strategic and business development opportunities, including licensing agreements, marketing arrangements, joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions. We remain committed to selectively pursuing alliances and acquisitions that would allow us to leverage our capabilities, gain access to new customers and technologies, expand our global presence, enter complementary product market segments and implement our business strategies.
Strengthen our Presence in Emerging Global Markets. Geographic expansion to meet the global sourcing needs of customers and to enter new markets is an important element of our growth strategy. We currently have wholly-owned operations and regional joint ventures in South America. We also have joint ventures and wholly-owned subsidiaries in China, India and Turkey and participate in programs to support customers as they establish and expand operations in those markets.
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We plan to continue to grow and expand globally, with a keen focus on South America and Asia-Pacific (primarily China and India) because we believe these regions offer the greatest profit potential. Sales in these regions represented approximately 23 percent, 30 percent and 29 percent of total sales from continuing operations in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Product and Technology Focus
Deliver High Quality Products for All Markets we Serve. We believe the quality of our core product lines and our ability to service our products through our aftermarket capabilities give us a competitive advantage. A key part of delivering high quality products is delivering service through the entire life cycle of the product. We continue to invest in new product development as we seek to keep our core product lines continually refreshed and in step with evolving market requirements and continue to grow our complementary product lines. Building upon the strength of these core technologies, we intend to expand our presence globally, and continue our growth in complementary product lines, such as military vehicle and off-highway markets. Our strategy involves diversifying on a geographic and product line basis through the aftermarket, off- and on-highway and added adjacencies that we will explore. Through implementation of our technology roadmap, complementary technologies such as electronics, controls and mechatronics are expected to be applied to traditional product lines to provide enhanced performance and expanded vehicle content.
Leverage Our Technology to Address Mobility, Safety and Environmental Provisions. In our opinion, another industry trend is the increasing amount of equipment required for changes in environmental and safety-related regulatory provisions. OEMs select suppliers based not only on the cost and quality of their products, but also on their ability to meet stringent environmental and safety requirements and to service and support the customer after the sale. We use our technological and market expertise to anticipate trends and to develop and engineer products that aim to address mobility, safety and environmental concerns.
To address safety, we have implemented a strategy of focusing on products and technologies that enhance overall vehicle braking performance. As part of this strategy, we are focusing on the integration of braking and stability products and suspension products as well as the development of electronic control capabilities. Through Meritor WABCO, our joint venture with WABCO Holdings, Inc. (WABCO), we offer electronic braking systems that integrate anti-lock braking systems technology, automatic traction control, collision avoidance systems and other key vehicle control system components to improve braking performance and meet all required stopping distances for commercial vehicles.
Nurture Emerging Next-Generation Products. We continue to invest in advanced technologies and expanded product portfolios that address customer needs by improving fuel efficiency, optimizing products for specific vehicle applications, and enhancing driver/vehicle safety. Examples of these products being developed include:
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Products
We design, develop, manufacture, market, distribute, sell, service and support a broad range of products for use in the transportation and industrial sectors. In addition to sales of original equipment systems and components, we provide our original equipment, aftermarket and remanufactured products to vehicle OEMs, their dealers (who in turn sell to motor carriers and commercial vehicle users of all sizes), independent distributors, and other end-users in certain aftermarkets.
The following chart sets forth, for each of the three fiscal years with the most recent year ended September 30, 2012, information about product sales comprising more than 10% of consolidated revenue in any of those years. A narrative description of our principal products follows the chart.
Product Sales
Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||
September 30, | |||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Axles, Undercarriage and Drivelines | 75 | % | 78 | % | 73 | % | |||
Brakes and Braking Systems | 23 | % | 21 | % | 24 | % | |||
Other | 2 | % | 1 | % | 3 | % | |||
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
The two segments included in our continuing operations manufacture and supply the products set forth and described below.
Axles, Undercarriage & Drivelines.
We believe we are one of the worlds leading independent suppliers of axles for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, with the leading market position in axle manufacturing in North America, South America and Europe, and are one of the major axle manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region. Our extensive truck axle product line includes a wide range of front steer axles and rear drive axles. Our front steer and rear drive axles can be equipped with our cam, wedge or air disc brakes, automatic slack adjusters, complete wheel-end equipment such as hubs, rotors and drums, and (through our WABCO joint venture) anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and vehicle stability control systems.
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We supply heavy-duty axles in certain global regions, for use in numerous off-highway vehicle applications, including construction, material handling, and mining. We also supply axles for use primarily in medium- and heavy-duty military tactical wheeled vehicles, principally in North America. These products are designed to tolerate high tonnage and operate under extreme geographical and climate conditions. In addition, we have other off-highway vehicle products that are currently in development for certain other regions. We also supply axles for use in buses, coaches and recreational vehicles, fire trucks and other specialty vehicles in North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, and believe we are the leading supplier of bus and coach axles in North America.
We are one of the major manufacturers of heavy-duty trailer axles in North America. Our trailer axles are available in more than 40 models in capacities from 20,000 to 30,000 pounds for virtually all heavy trailer applications and are available with our broad range of suspension modules, brake products, including drum brakes, disc brakes, anti-lock and trailer stability control systems, and ABS (through our WABCO joint venture).
We supply universal joints and driveline components, including our PermalubeTM universal joint and RPL PermalubeTM driveline, which are low maintenance, permanently lubricated designs used often in the high mileage on-highway market. We supply drivelines in a variety of global regions, for use in numerous on-highway vehicle applications, including construction, material handling and mining. We supply transfer cases and drivelines for use in medium- and heavy-duty military tactical wheeled vehicles, principally in North America. We also supply transfer cases for use in specialty vehicles in North America. Anti-lock brakes and stability control systems (which we supply through our WABCO joint venture) are also used in military vehicles and specialty vehicles. In addition, we supply trailer air suspension systems and products with an increasing market presence in North America. We also supply advanced suspension modules for use in light-, medium- and heavy-duty military tactical wheeled vehicles, principally in North America.
Through a joint venture, we develop, manufacture and sell truck suspensions, trailer axles and suspensions and related wheel-end products in the South American market. We believe this joint venture has a number one product position in suspension and trailer axles in the South American market.
Brakes and Braking Systems.
We believe we are one of the leading independent suppliers of air brakes to medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle manufacturers in North America and Europe. In Brazil, one of the largest truck and trailer markets in the world, we believe that Master Sistemas Automotivos Limitada, our 49%-owned joint venture with Randon S. A. Vehiculos e Implementos, is a leading supplier of brakes and brake-related products.
Through manufacturing facilities located in North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, we manufacture a broad range of foundation air brakes, as well as automatic slack adjusters for brake systems. Our foundation air brake products include cam drum brakes, which offer improved lining life and tractor/trailer interchangeability; wedge drum brakes, which are lightweight and provide automatic internal wear adjustment; air disc brakes, which provide enhanced stopping distance and improved fade resistance for demanding applications; and wheel-end components such as hubs, drums and rotors.
Our brakes and brake system components also are used in medium- and heavy-duty military tactical wheeled vehicles, principally in North America. We also supply brakes for use in buses, coaches and recreational vehicles, fire trucks and other specialty vehicles in North America and Europe, and we believe we are the leading supplier of bus and coach brakes in North America, and also supply brakes for commercial vehicles, buses and coaches in Asia Pacific.
U.S. federal regulations require that new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold in the United States be equipped with ABS. We believe that Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, our 50%-owned joint venture with WABCO, is a leading supplier of ABS and a supplier of other electronic and pneumatic control systems (such as stability control and collision avoidance systems) for North American heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The joint
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venture also supplies hydraulic ABS to the North American medium-duty truck market and produces stability control and collision mitigation systems for tractors and trailers, which are designed to help maintain vehicle stability and aid in reducing tractor-trailer rollovers and other incidents.
Other Products.
In addition to the products discussed above, we sell other complementary products, including third party and private label items, through our aftermarket distribution channels. These products are generally sold under master distribution or similar agreements with outside vendors and include brake shoes and friction materials; automatic slack adjusters; yokes and shafts; wheel-end hubs and drums; ABS and stability control systems; shock absorbers and air springs; air brakes, air systems, air dryers and compressors.
Recent Developments
As a result of performing ongoing product conformance testing in the ordinary course of business, we recently identified a potential non-safety-related, product performance issue which we are in the process of investigating. Although we are in the early stages of testing and have no definitive basis to determine what our exposure will ultimately be, it is probable that the company has a liability in the range of $12 million to $20 million. If our liability was determined to be at the high end of this range, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We are also investigating potential options for reimbursement from suppliers with respect to the issue, although we cannot assure you that we would be able to achieve any level of reimbursement for the issue.
On May 7, 2013, we commenced a tender offer for any and all of our outstanding 8-1/8% notes due 2015. In conjunction with the tender offer for the 8-1/8% notes due 2015, we are soliciting consents from holders of such notes to effect certain amendments to the indenture governing such notes. The tender offer will expire at 12:01 a.m., New York City time, on June 5, 2013, unless extended or earlier terminated. Holders of $166,141,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 who validly tendered their notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 23, 2013 and whose notes are accepted for purchase will receive an early tender payment in addition to the tender offer consideration.
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Summary Financial Data
The summary financial data set forth below for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. The summary financial data set forth below as of September 30, 2010, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. The summary financial data for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future. You should read the information below in conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, as amended, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and our consolidated and unconsolidated financial statements and related notes that are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended and At September 30, | and At March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Truck & Industrial | $ | 3,718 | $ | 3,919 | $ | 2,911 | $ | 1,427 | $ | 1,927 | ||||||||||
Aftermarket & Trailer | 1,011 | 1,020 | 909 | 427 | 461 | |||||||||||||||
Intersegment Sales | (311 | ) | (317 | ) | (290 | ) | (55 | ) | (69 | ) | ||||||||||
Total Sales | $ | 4,418 | $ | 4,622 | $ | 3,530 | $ | 1,799 | $ | 2,319 | ||||||||||
Operating Income | $ | 173 | $ | 174 | $ | 132 | $ | 32 | $ | 74 | ||||||||||
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | 137 | 159 | 76 | (3 | ) | 61 | ||||||||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests | (11 | ) | (17 | ) | (14 | ) | | (8 | ) | |||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Meritor, Inc.: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations | $ | 70 | $ | 65 | $ | 14 | $ | (20 | ) | $ | 16 | |||||||||
Loss from Discontinued Operations | (18 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | (5 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | 52 | $ | 63 | $ | 12 | $ | (25 | ) | $ | (2 | ) | ||||||||
BALANCE SHEET DATA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 2,501 | $ | 2,663 | $ | 2,879 | $ | 2,337 | $ | 2,565 | ||||||||||
Short-term Debt | 18 | 84 | | 25 | 21 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term Debt | 1,042 | 950 | 1,029 | 1,030 | 954 |
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The Offering
The following summary contains basic information about this offering. This summary is not a complete description of the notes. You should read the full text and more specific details contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. For a more detailed description of the notes, see Description of the Notes in this prospectus supplement.
Issuer |
Meritor, Inc. | |
Securities offered |
$275,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6-3/4% notes due 2021. | |
Maturity date |
June 15, 2021. | |
Interest |
Interest will accrue on the notes from the date the notes are issued at the rate set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement and will be payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2013. | |
Optional Redemption |
Prior to June 15, 2016, we may redeem any of the notes at the redemption price described in this prospectus supplement under Description of the NotesOptional RedemptionMake-Whole Redemption. Prior to June 15, 2016, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued on the initial issue date of the notes with the net cash proceeds of certain public sales of our common stock at a redemption price equal to 106.75% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes to be redeemed. On or after June 15, 2016, we may redeem any of the notes at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement under Description of the NotesOptional RedemptionRedemption After June 15, 2016. See Description of the NotesOptional Redemption. | |
Offer to Repurchase upon Change | ||
of Control |
If a change of control (as defined herein) occurs, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the notes, each holder of notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the holders notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes to be repurchased. See Description of the NotesRepurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control. |
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Ranking |
The notes: | |
| ||
Guarantees |
Each of our subsidiaries (other than one subsidiary that currently has minimal assets, which we plan to dissolve after obtaining all required approvals) from time to time guaranteeing our senior secured credit facility, as it may be amended, extended, replaced or refinanced, or any subsequent credit facility will guarantee the notes on a senior unsecured basis. These guarantees will remain in effect until the earlier to occur of payment in full of the notes or termination or release of the applicable corresponding guarantee under our senior secured credit facility, as it may be amended, extended, replaced or refinanced, or any subsequent credit facility. | |
The guarantees by our subsidiaries will be senior unsecured obligations of the guarantors and will rank equally with existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of such subsidiaries. The guarantees by our subsidiaries will be effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future secured indebtedness of such subsidiaries, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. | ||
Covenants |
We will issue the notes under an indenture containing covenants for your benefit. These covenants require us to satisfy certain conditions in order to: | |
For a more detailed discussion of these covenants, see Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenants in the accompanying prospectus as modified by Description of the NotesCertain Additional Covenants. |
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Use of Proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes in this offering will be approximately $269 million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and our expenses related to this offering. | |
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund purchases pursuant to our pending offer to purchase any and all $251,037,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 (to the extent such pending offer to purchase is consummated) and for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of our other debt, acquisitions, investments, additions to working capital, capital expenditures and advances to or investments in our subsidiaries. Our pending offer to purchase our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 may not be consummated for many reasons, including our discretion. | ||
If (i) our pending offer to purchase our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 is not consummated for any reason or (ii) such pending offer to purchase is consummated and less than all of the proceeds of this offering are used to purchase our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 pursuant to such pending offer to purchase, we may use additional proceeds of this offering to purchase additional amounts of our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, redemptions (if available) or otherwise, subject to our compliance with the covenants under our senior secured credit facility. | ||
Net proceeds of this offering may be temporarily invested before use. See Use of Proceeds. | ||
Further Notes |
We may from time to time create and issue further notes ranking equally and ratably with the notes offered hereby, so that these further notes will be consolidated and form a single series with the notes offered hereby and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the notes offered hereby. | |
Material United States Federal Income | ||
and Estate Tax Consequences |
For a discussion of the material United States federal income and estate tax consequences of the acquisition, holding and disposition of the notes, see Material United States Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences. | |
Risk Factors |
See Risk Factors and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of certain factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the notes. | |
Conflicts of Interest |
Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 that are subject to our pending offer to purchase or may be lenders and/or agents under other of our indebtedness and may receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. See Underwriting. |
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RISK FACTORS
Investment in the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, before investing in the notes. Any of these risks could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results or could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. This effect could be compounded if multiple risks were to occur. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in these securities. Please also refer to the section above entitled Cautionary Statement.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our primary military program is winding down and failure to secure new military contracts, which are subject to continued appropriations by Congress, could adversely affect our ability to maintain our sales and results of operations.
We have significant sales to U.S. Government contractors in the military vehicle market. Sales for our primary military program were at their peak during the third quarter of fiscal year 2012. This program is expected to wind down over the next two years beginning in fiscal year 2013 and failure to secure new military contracts could have a longer-term negative impact to the company. In addition, even if sales of our military programs do return to historic levels, the levels of profitability on these sales could be lower than what we have recognized in recent periods.
Future sales from orders placed under contracts with U.S. Government contractors are reliant on the continuing availability of Congressional appropriations. If government defense spending decreases on selected programs or future defense budgets and appropriations for the military vehicles that our products supply are subject to budgeting constraints or differing priorities, reductions in appropriations for these military vehicles could adversely affect our ability to maintain our sales and results of operations.
We depend on large OEM customers, and loss of sales to these customers or failure to negotiate acceptable terms in contract renewal negotiations or to obtain new customers could have an adverse impact on our business.
We are dependent upon large OEM customers with substantial bargaining power with respect to price and other commercial terms. In addition, we have long-term contracts with certain of these suppliers that are subject to renegotiation and renewal from time to time. For instance, we are currently in negotiations with AB Volvo, our largest customer, regarding our contract covering axle supply in Europe, South America and Australia, which is scheduled to expire in 2014. Loss of all or a substantial portion of sales to any of our large volume customers for whatever reason (including, but not limited to, loss of contracts or failure to negotiate acceptable terms in contract renewal negotiations, loss of market share by these customers, insolvency of such customers, reduced or delayed customer requirements, plant shutdowns, strikes or other work stoppages affecting production by such customers), continued reduction of prices to these customers, or a failure to obtain new customers could have a significant adverse effect on our financial results. There can be no assurance that we will not lose all or a portion of sales to our large volume customers, or that we will be able to offset continued reduction of prices to these customers with reductions in our costs or obtain new customers.
During fiscal year 2012, sales to our three largest customers, AB Volvo, Daimler AG and Navistar International Corporation, represented approximately 22 percent, 15 percent and 11 percent, respectively, of our sales from continuing operations. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our total sales from continuing operations in fiscal year 2012.
The level of our sales to large OEM customers, including the realization of future sales from awarded business or achieving new business or customers, is inherently subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the number of vehicles that these OEM customers actually produce and sell. Several of our significant customers have major union contracts that expire periodically and are subject to renegotiation. Any strikes or other actions
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that affect our customers production during this process would also affect our sales. Further, to the extent that the financial condition, including bankruptcy or market share of any of our largest customers deteriorates or their sales otherwise continue to decline, our financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, our customers generally have the right to replace us with another supplier under certain circumstances. Accordingly, we may not in fact realize all of the future sales represented by our awarded business. Any failure to realize these sales could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to execute our M2016 Strategy.
We recently announced our M2016 Strategy, a three year plan to achieve sustainable financial strength. In connection with the plan, we established certain financial goals relating to adjusted EBITDA margins, debt reduction and incremental revenue. The M2016 Strategy is based on our current planning assumptions, and achievement of the plan is subject to a number of risks. Our assumptions include that the global economy and our markets improve; we are able to secure new business wins (a significant portion of which generates sales by the year 2016), which more than offset losses of existing business; and any increases in raw materials prices are substantially offset by customer recovery mechanisms. If our assumptions are incorrect, if management is not able to execute the plan or if our business suffers from any number of additional risks set forth herein, we may not be able to achieve the financial goals we have announced.
Ability to manage rapidly changing production and sales volume in the commercial vehicle market may adversely affect our results of operations.
Production and sales in the commercial vehicle market have been volatile in recent years. The pace of the recovery of commercial truck volumes in North America and Europe, our largest markets, was more rapid in 2011 than previously anticipated. However, we expect production volumes in North America to soften compared to levels experienced earlier in fiscal year 2012. Production volumes in Europe, South America and the Asia-Pacific region have decreased compared to levels experienced in fiscal year 2011, and there is no certainty as to when these volumes will return to the levels previously experienced.
Our business may experience difficulty in adapting to rapidly changing production and sales volumes. In an upturn of the cycle when demand increases from what had recently been a historical low for production, we may have difficulty in meeting such extreme or rapidly increasing demand. This difficulty may include not having sufficient manpower or working capital to meet the needs of our customers or relying on other suppliers who may not be able to respond quickly to a changed environment when demand increases rapidly. In contrast, in the downturn of the cycle, we may have difficulty sustaining profitable growth, if any, given fixed costs (as further discussed below).
A further downturn in the global economy could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Although the global economy saw signs of improvement in 2010 and 2011, in the second half of 2012 we started to see signs of market weakening. The global economic recession that began in late 2008 and continued through 2009 had a significant adverse impact on our business, customers and suppliers. Our cash and liquidity needs were impacted by the level, variability and timing of our customers worldwide vehicle production and other factors outside of our control. If the global economy were to take another significant downturn, depending upon the length, duration and severity of another recession, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow would be materially adversely affected again.
Our levels of fixed costs can make it difficult to adjust our cost base to the extent necessary, or to make such adjustments on a timely basis, and continued volume declines can result in non-cash impairment charges as the value of certain long-lived assets is reduced. As a result, our financial condition and results of operations have been and would be expected to continue to be adversely affected during periods of prolonged declining production and sales volumes in the commercial vehicle markets.
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The negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations from continued volume declines could also have negative effects on our liquidity. If cash flows are not available from our operations, we may be required to rely on the banking and credit markets to meet our financial commitments and short-term liquidity needs; however, we cannot predict whether that funding will be available at all or on commercially reasonable terms. In addition, in the event of reduced sales, levels of receivables would decline, which would lead to a decline in funding available under our U.S. receivables facility or under our European factoring arrangements.
Our working capital requirements may negatively affect our liquidity and capital resources.
Our working capital requirements can vary significantly, depending in part on the level, variability and timing of our customers worldwide vehicle production and the payment terms with our customers and suppliers. As production volumes increase, our working capital requirements to support the higher volumes generally increase. If our working capital needs exceed our cash flows from operations, we would look to our cash balances and availability for borrowings under our borrowing arrangements to satisfy those needs, as well as potential sources of additional capital, which may not be available on satisfactory terms and in adequate amounts.
In addition, since many of our accounts receivable factoring programs support our working capital requirements in Europe, any dissolution of the European monetary union, if it were to occur, or any other termination of our European factoring agreements could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity if we were unable to renegotiate such agreements or find alternative sources of liquidity.
One of our consolidated joint ventures in China participates in bills of exchange programs to settle accounts receivable from its customers and obligations to its trade suppliers. These programs are common in China and generally require the participation of local banks. Any disruption in these programs, if it were to occur, could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity if we were unable to find alternative sources of liquidity.
Our liquidity, including our access to capital markets and financing, could be constrained by limitations in the overall credit market, our credit ratings, our ability to comply with financial covenants in our debt instruments, and our suppliers suspending normal trade credit terms on our purchases.
Our current revolving credit facility matures in 2017, but is subject to a springing maturity date in 2015 if certain of our outstanding bond indebtedness is not retired. Upon expiration of this facility, we will require a new or renegotiated facility (which may be smaller and have less favorable terms than our current facility) or other financing arrangements. Our ability to access additional capital in the long term will depend on availability of capital markets and pricing on commercially reasonable terms as well as our credit profile at the time we are seeking funds, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to access additional capital.
Standard & Poors current corporate credit rating, senior secured credit rating and senior unsecured credit rating for our company are B, BB- and B-, respectively. Moodys Investors Service corporate credit rating, senior secured credit rating and senior unsecured credit rating for our company are B2, Ba2 and B3, respectively. There are a number of factors, including our ability to achieve the intended benefits from restructuring and other strategic activities on a timely basis, that could result in lowering of our credit ratings. The rating agencies opinions about our creditworthiness may also be affected by their views of industry conditions generally, including their views concerning the financial condition of our major OEM customers. If the credit rating agencies perceive further weakening in the industry, they could lower our ratings. Declines in our ratings could reduce our access to capital markets, further increase our borrowing costs and result in lower trading prices for our securities.
Our liquidity could also be adversely impacted if our suppliers were to suspend normal trade credit terms and require more accelerated payment terms, including payment in advance or payment on delivery of purchases. If this were to occur, we would be dependent on other sources of financing to bridge the additional period between payment of our suppliers and receipt of payments from our customers.
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We operate in an industry that is cyclical and that has periodically experienced significant year-to-year fluctuations in demand for vehicles; we also experience seasonal variations in demand for our products.
The industries in which we operate have been characterized historically by significant periodic fluctuations in overall demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and other vehicles for which we supply products, resulting in corresponding fluctuations in demand for our products. The length and timing of any cycle in the vehicle industry cannot be predicted with certainty.
Production and sales of the vehicles for which we supply products generally depend on economic conditions and a variety of other factors that are outside our control, including freight tonnage, customer spending and preferences, vehicle age, labor relations and regulatory requirements. In particular, demand for our Commercial Truck products can be affected by a pre-buy before the effective date of new regulatory requirements, such as changes in emissions standards. Historically, implementation of new, more stringent, emissions standards, has increased heavy-duty truck demand prior to the effective date of the new regulations, and correspondingly decreased this demand after the new standards are implemented. However, it is uncertain as to whether this trend will continue. In addition, any expected increase in the heavy-duty truck demand prior to the effective date of new emissions standards may be offset by the current instability in the financial markets and resulting economic contraction in the U.S. and worldwide markets.
Sales from the aftermarket portion of our Aftermarket & Trailers segment depend on overall levels of truck ton miles and gross domestic product (GDP) and may be influenced by times of slower economic growth or economic contraction based on the average age of commercial truck fleets.
We may also experience seasonal variations in the demand for our products to the extent that vehicle production fluctuates. Historically, for our business, demand has been somewhat lower in the quarters ended September 30 and December 31, when OEM plants may close during model changeovers and vacation and holiday periods or when there are fewer selling days during the quarter. In addition, our aftermarket business and our operations in China generally experience higher than usual demand in the quarters ending March 31 and June 30.
Disruptions in the financial markets are adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit which could negatively affect our business.
Disruptions in the financial markets, including the bankruptcy, insolvency or restructuring of certain financial institutions, and the lack of liquidity generally continue to impact the availability and cost of incremental credit for many companies and may adversely affect the availability of credit already arranged. These disruptions also continue to adversely affect the U.S. and world economy, further negatively impacting consumer spending patterns in the transportation and industrial sectors. In addition, as our customers and suppliers respond to rapidly changing consumer preferences, they may require access to additional capital. If that capital is not available or its cost is prohibitively high, their business would be negatively impacted which could result in further restructuring or even reorganization under bankruptcy laws. Any such negative impact, in turn, could negatively affect our business either through loss of sales to any of our customers so affected or through inability to meet our commitments (or inability to meet them without excess expense) because of loss of supplies from any of our suppliers so affected. There are no assurances that government responses to these disruptions will restore consumer confidence or improve the liquidity of the financial markets.
In addition, disruptions in the capital and credit markets, as have been experienced in the past few years, could adversely affect our ability to draw on our revolving credit facility. Our access to funds under that credit facility is dependent on the ability of the banks that are parties to the facility to meet their funding commitments. Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments to us if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests from Meritor and other borrowers within a short period of time. Longer-term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives, or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to liquidity needed for our business. Any disruption could require us to take measures to conserve cash until the markets stabilize or until alternative credit arrangements or other funding for our business needs can be arranged.
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Continued fluctuation in the prices of raw materials and transportation costs has adversely affected our business and, together with other factors, will continue to pose challenges to our financial results.
Prices of raw materials, primarily steel and oil, for our manufacturing needs and costs of transportation have fluctuated sharply in recent years, including rapid increases which have had a negative impact on our operating income for certain periods. The price of steel increased significantly in fiscal year 2011 and has generally remained around such relatively high levels since that time. These steel price increases, along with increasing transportation costs, have created pressure on profit margins and could unfavorably impact our financial results in the future. While we have had steel pricing adjustment programs in place with most major OE manufacturers, the price adjustment programs have tended to lag the increase in steel costs and have generally not contemplated all non-index-related increases in steel costs. Raw material price fluctuation, together with the volatility of the commodity markets will continue to pose risks to our financial results. If we are unable to pass price increases on to our customer base or otherwise mitigate the costs, our operating income could be adversely affected.
Escalating price pressures from customers may adversely affect our business.
Pricing pressure by OEMs is a characteristic, to a certain extent, of the commercial vehicle industry. Virtually all OEMs have aggressive price reduction initiatives and objectives each year with their suppliers, and such actions are expected to continue in the future. Accordingly, we must be able to reduce our operating costs in order to maintain our current margins. Price reductions have impacted our margins and may do so in the future. There can be no assurance that we will be able to avoid future customer price reductions or offset future customer price reductions through improved operating efficiencies, new manufacturing processes, sourcing alternatives or other cost reduction initiatives.
We operate in a highly competitive industry.
Each of Meritors businesses operates in a highly competitive environment. We compete worldwide with a number of North American and international providers of components and systems, some of which are owned by or associated with some of our customers. Some of these competitors are larger and have greater financial resources or have established stronger relationships with significant customers. In addition, certain OEMs manufacture products for their own use that compete with the types of products we supply, and any future increase in this activity could displace Meritors sales.
Many companies in our industry have undertaken substantial changes in contractual obligations to current and former employees, primarily with respect to pensions and other postretirement benefits. The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major competitor could result in that companys eliminating or reducing some or all of these obligations, which could give that competitor a cost advantage over us.
Exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
As a result of our substantial international operations, we are exposed to foreign currency risks that arise from our normal business operations, including in connection with our transactions that are denominated in foreign currencies. While we employ financial instruments to hedge certain of our foreign currency exchange risks relating to these transactions, our efforts to manage these risks may not be successful. In addition, we translate sales and other results denominated in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars for purposes of our consolidated financial statements. As a result, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies generally will have a negative impact on our reported revenues and operating income, while depreciation of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies will generally have a positive effect on reported revenues and operating income. For fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our reported financial results benefited from depreciation of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies; whereas, during fiscal year 2012, our reported financial results were adversely affected by appreciation of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. We generally do not hedge against our foreign currency exposure related to translations to U.S. dollars of our financial results denominated in foreign currencies.
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A disruption in supply of raw materials or parts could impact our production and increase our costs.
Some of our significant suppliers have experienced weak financial condition in recent years that resulted in filing for protection under the bankruptcy laws. In addition, some of our significant suppliers are located in developing countries. We are dependent upon the ability of our suppliers to meet performance and quality specifications and delivery schedules. The inability of a supplier to meet these requirements, the loss of a significant supplier, or any labor issues or work stoppages at a significant supplier could disrupt the supply of raw materials and parts to our facilities and could have an adverse effect on us.
Work stoppages or similar difficulties could significantly disrupt our operations.
A work stoppage at one or more of our manufacturing facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, if a significant customer were to experience a work stoppage, that customer could halt or limit purchases of our products, which could result in shutting down the related manufacturing facilities. Also, a significant disruption in the supply of a key component due to a work stoppage at one of our suppliers could result in shutting down manufacturing facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our international operations are subject to a number of risks.
We have a significant number of facilities and operations outside the United States, including investments and joint ventures in developing countries. During fiscal 2012, approximately 62 percent of our sales were generated outside of the United States. Our strategy to grow in emerging markets may put us at risk due to the risks inherent in operating in such markets. In particular, we have grown over an extended period of time, and intend as part of our strategy to continue to grow, in China, India and Brazil. Our international operations are subject to a number of risks inherent in operating abroad, including, but not limited to:
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There can be no assurance that these risks will not have a material adverse impact on our ability to increase or maintain our foreign sales or on our financial condition or results of operations.
A violation of the financial covenant in our senior secured credit facility could result in a default thereunder and could lead to an acceleration of our obligations under this facility and, potentially, other indebtedness.
Our ability to borrow under our existing financing arrangements depends on our compliance with covenants in the related agreements, and on our performance against covenants in our bank credit facility that require compliance with certain financial ratios as of the end of each fiscal quarter. To the extent that we are unable to maintain compliance with these requirements or to perform against the financial ratio covenants due to one or more of the various risk factors discussed herein or otherwise, our ability to borrow, and our liquidity, would be adversely impacted.
Availability under the revolving credit facility is subject to a collateral test, performed quarterly, pursuant to which borrowings on the revolving credit facility cannot exceed 1.0x the collateral test value. Availability under the revolving credit facility is also subject to certain financial covenants based on (i) the ratio of the companys priority debt (consisting principally of amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility, U.S. accounts receivable securitization and factoring programs, and third-party non-working capital foreign debt) to EBITDA and (ii) the amount of annual capital expenditures. The company is required to maintain a total priority debt-to-EBITDA ratio, as defined in the agreement, of (i) 2.25 to 1 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending on or about December 31, 2012 through and including the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013 and (ii) 2.00 to 1 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter through maturity.
If an amendment or waiver is needed (in the event we do not meet one of these covenants) and not obtained, we would be in violation of that covenant, and the lenders would have the right to accelerate the obligations upon the vote of the lenders holding at least 51% of outstanding loans thereunder. A default under the senior secured credit facility could also constitute a default under our outstanding convertible notes as well as our U.S. receivables facility and could result in the acceleration of these obligations. In addition, a default under our senior secured credit facility could result in a cross-default or the acceleration of our payment obligations under other financing agreements. If our obligations under our senior secured credit facility and other financing arrangements are accelerated as described above, our assets and cash flow may be insufficient to fully repay these obligations, and the lenders under our senior secured credit facility could institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets.
Our strategic initiatives may be unsuccessful, may take longer than anticipated, or may result in unanticipated costs.
The success and timing of any future divestitures and acquisitions will depend on a variety of factors, many of which are not within our control. If we engage in acquisitions, we may finance these transactions by issuing additional debt or equity securities. The additional debt from any such acquisitions, if consummated, could increase our debt to capitalization ratio. In addition, the ultimate benefit of any acquisition would depend on our ability to successfully integrate the acquired entity or assets into our existing business and to achieve any projected synergies. There is no assurance that the total costs and total cash costs associated with any current and future restructuring will not exceed our estimates, or that we will be able to achieve the intended benefits of these restructurings.
We are exposed to environmental, health and safety and product liabilities.
Our business is subject to liabilities with respect to environmental and health and safety matters. In addition, we are required to comply with federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment and health and safety, and we could be held liable for damages arising out of human exposure
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to hazardous substances or other environmental or natural resource damages. Environmental health and safety laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and tend to be increasingly stringent. As a result, our future costs to comply with such laws may increase significantly. There is also an inherent risk of exposure to warranty and product liability claims, as well as product recalls, in the commercial and automotive vehicle industry if our products fail to perform to specifications or are alleged to cause property damage, injury or death.
With respect to environmental liabilities, we have been designated as a potentially responsible party at nine Superfund sites (excluding sites as to which our records disclose no involvement or as to which our liability has been finally determined). In addition to the Superfund sites, various other lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been asserted against us alleging violations of federal, state and local and foreign environmental protection requirements or seeking remediation of alleged environmental impairments. We have established reserves for these liabilities when we determine that the company has a probable obligation and we can reasonably estimate it, but the process of estimating environmental liabilities is complex and dependent on evolving physical and scientific data at the site, uncertainties as to remedies and technologies to be used, and the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies. The actual amount of costs or damages for which we may be held responsible could materially exceed our current estimates because of these and other uncertainties which make it difficult to predict actual costs accurately. In future periods, new laws and regulations, changes in remediation plans, advances in technology and additional information about the ultimate clean-up remedy could significantly change our estimates and have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations. Management cannot assess the possible effect of compliance with future requirements.
We are exposed to asbestos litigation liability.
One of our subsidiaries, Maremont Corporation, manufactured friction products containing asbestos from 1953 through 1977, when it sold its friction product business. We acquired Maremont in 1986. Maremont and many other companies are defendants in suits brought by individuals claiming personal injuries as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products. We, along with many other companies, have also been named as a defendant in lawsuits alleging personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos used in certain components of products of Rockwell International Corporation. Liability for these claims was transferred to us at the time of the spin-off of Rockwells automotive business to Meritor in 1997.
The uncertainties of asbestos claim litigation, the outcome of litigation with insurance companies regarding the scope of coverage and the long-term solvency of our insurance carriers make it difficult to predict accurately the ultimate resolution of asbestos claims. The possibility of adverse rulings or new legislation affecting asbestos claim litigation or the settlement process increases that uncertainty. Although we have established reserves to address asbestos liability and corresponding receivables for recoveries from our insurance carriers, if our assumptions with respect to the nature of pending and future claims, the cost to resolve claims and the amount of available insurance prove to be incorrect, the actual amount of liability for asbestos-related claims, and the effect on us, could differ materially from our current estimates and, therefore, could have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.
We are exposed to the rising cost of pension and other postretirement benefits.
The commercial vehicle industry, like other industries, continues to be impacted by the rising cost of pension and other postretirement benefits. In estimating our expected obligations under our pension and postretirement benefit plans, we make certain assumptions as to economic and demographic factors, such as discount rates, investment returns and health care cost trends. If actual experience as to these factors is worse than our assumptions, our obligations could grow which could in turn increase the amount of mandatory contributions to these plans in the coming years. Our pension plans are under funded by $529 million as of September 30, 2012.
Impairment in the carrying value of long-lived assets and goodwill could negatively affect our operating results and financial condition.
We have a significant amount of long-lived assets and goodwill on our consolidated balance sheet. Under generally accepted accounting principles, long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, are required to be reviewed for impairment whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. If business
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conditions or other factors cause our operating results and cash flows to decline, we may be required to record non-cash impairment charges. Goodwill must be evaluated for impairment at least annually. If the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their current fair value the goodwill is considered impaired and is reduced to fair value via a non-cash charge to earnings. Events and conditions that could result in impairment in the value of our long-lived assets and goodwill include changes in the industries in which we operate, particularly the impact of the current downturn in the global economy, as well as competition and advances in technology, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, or other factors leading to reduction in expected long-term sales or operating results. If the value of long-lived assets or goodwill is impaired, our earnings and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The value of our deferred tax assets could become impaired, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 740 Income Taxes, each quarter we determine the probability of the realization of deferred tax assets, using significant judgments and estimates with respect to, among other things, historical operating results, expectations of future earnings and tax planning strategies. If we determine in the future that there is not sufficient positive evidence to support the valuation of these assets, due to the risk factors described herein or other factors, we may be required to adjust the valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets. Such a reduction could result in material non-cash expenses in the period in which the valuation allowance is adjusted and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, future changes in laws or regulations could have a material impact on the companys overall tax position.
Our overall effective tax rate is equal to our total tax expense as a percentage of our total earnings before tax. However, tax expenses and benefits are determined separately for each tax paying component (an individual entity) or group of entities that is consolidated for tax purposes in each jurisdiction. Losses in certain jurisdictions which have valuation allowances against their deferred tax assets provide no current financial statement tax benefit unless required under the intra-period allocation requirements of ASC Topic 740. As a result, changes in the mix of projected earnings between jurisdictions, among other factors, could have a significant impact on our overall effective tax rate.
Our unrecognized tax benefits recorded in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740 could significantly change.
FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, defines the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. This topic requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date. The more-likely-than-not threshold represents a positive assertion by management that a company is entitled to the economic benefits of a tax position. If a tax position is not considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits, no benefits of the position are to be recognized. Moreover, the more-likely-than-not threshold must continue to be met in each reporting period to support continued recognition of a benefit. In the event that the more-likely-than-not threshold is not met, we would be required to change the relevant tax position which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Restriction on use of tax attributes from tax law ownership change.
Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits the ability of a corporation that undergoes an ownership change to use its tax attributes, such as net operating losses and tax credits. In general, an ownership change occurs if five percent shareholders (applying certain look-through rules) of an issuers outstanding common stock, collectively, increase their ownership percentage by more than fifty percentage points within any three year period over such shareholders lowest percentage ownership during this period. If we were to issue new shares of stock, such new shares could contribute to such an ownership change under U.S. tax law. Moreover, not every event that could contribute to such an ownership change is within our control. If an ownership change under Section 382 were to occur, our ability to utilize tax attributes in the future may be limited.
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Assertions against us or our customers relating to intellectual property rights could materially impact our business.
Our industry is characterized by companies that hold large numbers of patents and other intellectual property rights and that vigorously pursue, protect and enforce intellectual property rights. From time to time, third parties may assert against us and our customers and distributors their patent and other intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to our business.
Claims that our products or technology infringe third-party intellectual property rights, regardless of their merit or resolution, are frequently costly to defend or settle and divert the efforts and attention of our management and technical personnel. In addition, many of our supply agreements require us to indemnify our customers and distributors from third-party infringement claims, which have in the past and may in the future require that we defend those claims and might require that we pay damages in the case of adverse rulings. Claims of this sort also could harm our relationships with our customers and might deter future customers from doing business with us. We do not know whether we will prevail in these proceedings given the complex technical issues and inherent uncertainties in intellectual property litigation. If any pending or future proceedings result in an adverse outcome, we could be required to:
Any of the foregoing results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We utilize a significant amount of intellectual property in our business. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our business could be adversely affected.
Our success depends in part upon our ability to protect our intellectual property. To accomplish this, we rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as customary contractual protections with our customers, distributors, employees and consultants, and through security measures to protect our trade secrets. We cannot guarantee that:
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In addition, we may not receive competitive advantages from the rights granted under our patents and other intellectual property rights. Our competitors may develop technologies that are similar or superior to our proprietary technologies, duplicate our proprietary technologies, or design around the patents we own or license. Our existing and future patents may be circumvented, blocked, licensed to others, or challenged as to inventorship, ownership, scope, validity or enforceability. Effective intellectual property protection may be unavailable or more limited in one or more relevant jurisdictions relative to those protections available in the United States, or may not be applied for in one or more relevant jurisdictions. If we pursue litigation to assert our intellectual property rights, an adverse decision in any of these legal actions could limit our ability to assert our intellectual property rights, limit the value of our technology or otherwise negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are a party to a number of patent and intellectual property license agreements. Some of these license agreements require us to make one-time or periodic payments. We may need to obtain additional licenses or renew existing license agreements in the future. We are unable to predict whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed on acceptable terms.
We may be adversely affected by any disruption in our information technology systems.
Our operations are dependent upon our information technology systems, which encompass all of our major business functions. We rely upon such information technology systems to manage and replenish inventory, to fill and ship customer orders on a timely basis, to coordinate our sales activities across all of our products and services and to coordinate our administrative activities. A substantial disruption in our information technology systems for any prolonged time period could result in delays in receiving inventory and supplies or filling customer orders and adversely affect our customer service and relationships. Our systems might be damaged or interrupted by natural or man-made events (caused by us, by our service providers or others) or by computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions affecting the internet. Such delays, problems or costs could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Offering
The notes are unsecured and are effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and will be effectively subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes.
The notes are our senior, unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, and junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the security therefor. Although the notes will be guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, the notes are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes. The notes will also be effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future secured debt of our subsidiaries guaranteeing the notes, to the extent of the security therefor. Upon completion of this offering, after giving effect to the use of proceeds (assuming that all outstanding 8-1/8% notes due 2015 tendered are purchased pursuant to our pending tender offer and consent solicitation), we will have approximately $1.0 billion of outstanding indebtedness that would rank equally with the notes. As of March 31, 2013, we had approximately $1.0 billion of outstanding indebtedness that would rank equally with the notes, including our 8-1/8% notes due 2015, our 10-5/8% notes due 2018, our 4.625% convertible senior notes due 2026, our 7.875% convertible senior notes due 2026 and our 4.00% convertible senior notes due 2027, all of which are guaranteed by the guarantors. We have a $429 million revolving credit facility, none of which was drawn as of March 31, 2013, and an approximately
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$95 million term loan. Our obligations under each of the revolving credit facility and term loan are guaranteed by the guarantors. We also have a $100 million accounts receivable securitization arrangement, and as of March 31, 2013, no amounts were outstanding under this program. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of a subsidiary, following payment by the subsidiary of its liabilities, the subsidiary may not have sufficient assets to make payments to us.
We are permitted to incur more debt, which may intensify the risks associated with our current leverage, including the risk that we will be unable to service our debt.
The indenture for the notes will not prohibit us or limit any of our subsidiaries from incurring any indebtedness or other liabilities. If we incur additional debt, the risks associated with our leverage, including the risk that we will be unable to service our debt, including the notes offered hereby, will increase.
Our cash flows may prove inadequate to service our debt and provide for our other obligations, which may require us to refinance all or a portion of our existing debt or future debt at terms unfavorable to us.
Our ability to make payments on and refinance our indebtedness, including our senior secured credit facility, the notes offered hereby and our other outstanding notes and financial obligations, and to fund our capital expenditures, will depend on our ability to generate operating cash flow. This will depend on our future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors beyond our control. Our senior secured credit facility and our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 and 10-5/8% notes due 2018 have earlier maturity dates than the notes offered hereby, and we will be required to repay or refinance such indebtedness prior to when the notes offered hereby come due. If our cash flows were to prove inadequate to meet our debt service and other obligations in the future, we may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing or future debt, including the notes offered hereby, on or before maturity, to sell assets or to obtain additional financing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including our revolving credit facility and term loan, our other outstanding notes and other financing obligations or the notes offered hereby, sell any such assets or obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Federal and state statutes may allow courts to void or subordinate subsidiary guarantees, and other laws and the terms of the subsidiary guarantees may limit payments under the subsidiary guarantees.
Until the earlier to occur of payment in full of the notes or termination or release of the guarantees under our senior secured credit facilities, the notes will be guaranteed by certain of our existing subsidiaries and may be guaranteed by certain future subsidiaries. If, during that time, a bankruptcy case or lawsuit is initiated with respect to a subsidiary guarantor, the debt represented by the subsidiary guarantee entered into by that subsidiary guarantor may be reviewed under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws. Under these laws, a guarantee could be voided or claims in respect of a guarantee could be subordinated to other indebtedness, guarantees and other liabilities of the subsidiary guarantor (which, depending on the amount of such indebtedness and other obligations, could reduce the subsidiary guarantors liability on its subsidiary guarantee of the notes to zero) if, among other things, such subsidiary guarantor at the time it incurred the debt evidenced by the guarantee received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for entering into the guarantee and such subsidiary guarantor:
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In addition, under these circumstances any payment by the subsidiary guarantor pursuant to its subsidiary guarantee could be voided and holders of the notes could be required to return those payments to the subsidiary guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of us or the subsidiary guarantor.
The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a subsidiary guarantor would be considered insolvent if:
There can be no assurance as to what standard a court would apply to evaluate the parties intent or to determine whether the applicable subsidiary guarantor was insolvent at the time of, or rendered insolvent upon consummation of, the applicable transaction or that, regardless of the standard, a court would not determine that the subsidiary guarantor was insolvent or rendered insolvent as a result of that transaction. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the subsidiary guarantees of the notes, or any payment under the subsidiary guarantees, will not be deemed to violate applicable bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer or similar laws.
Other laws, including corporate distribution laws, limit or may limit the amount that any subsidiary guarantor will be permitted to pay under its subsidiary guarantee of the notes. Such limitations could restrict, perhaps substantially, the amount that any subsidiary guarantor would be permitted to pay under its subsidiary guarantee, could prohibit that subsidiary guarantor from making any payments under its subsidiary guarantee or could possibly require that amounts paid by any subsidiary guarantor under its subsidiary guarantee of the notes be returned.
Furthermore, the terms of the subsidiary guarantees provide that they will be limited to the maximum amount that would not render each subsidiary guarantors obligations subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provision of state law or similar statute or common law, which could reduce the subsidiary guarantors liability on the subsidiary guarantee of the notes significantly or to zero.
Subsidiary guarantors may be released from the obligations under the subsidiary guarantees.
If any subsidiary guarantor is released from its guarantee under our senior secured credit facility, such subsidiary guarantor will also be released and relieved of all of its obligations under the indenture relating to the notes and its guarantee of the notes will terminate. Upon the occurrence of such event, the holders of the notes will no longer have the benefit of the terminated subsidiary guarantee and the notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of such subsidiary guarantor.
We have limited covenants in the indenture governing the notes.
The indenture governing the notes contains limited covenants, including those restricting our ability and certain of our subsidiaries ability to create certain liens, make certain restricted payments and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions. The limitation on liens and limitation on sale and leaseback covenants contain exceptions that will allow us and our subsidiaries to incur liens with respect to material assets. See Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenants in the accompanying prospectus as modified by Description of the NotesCertain Additional Covenants. In light of these exceptions, holders of the notes may be structurally or contractually subordinated to new lenders.
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The provisions in the indenture and the notes relating to change of control transactions will not necessarily protect you in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
The provisions contained in the indenture will not necessarily afford you protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction that may adversely affect you, including a reorganization, restructuring, merger or other similar transaction involving us. These transactions may not involve a change in voting power or beneficial ownership or, even if they do, may not involve a change of the magnitude required under the definition of change of control as described under Description of the NotesRepurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control. Except as described under Description of the NotesRepurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control, the indenture and the notes do not contain provisions that permit the holders of the notes to require us to repurchase the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.
We may not be able to repurchase all of the notes upon a change of control.
As described under Description of the NotesRepurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control, we will be required to offer to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a change of control. Certain events involving a change of control will result in an event of default under our senior secured credit facility and may result in an event of default under other indebtedness that we may incur in the future. An event of default under our senior secured credit facility or other indebtedness could result in an acceleration of such indebtedness. Our ability to repurchase the notes for cash or repay such accelerated indebtedness at that time is subject to our liquidity position at that time, and may be limited by law, by the indenture, and by indebtedness and agreements that we may enter into in the future which may replace, supplement or amend our existing or future debt. If we did not have sufficient cash to meet our obligations, while we could seek to obtain third-party financing to pay for any amounts due in cash upon such event, we cannot be sure that such third-party financing will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Our failure to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a change of control would constitute an event of default under the indenture relating to the notes, which might constitute an event of default under the terms of our other indebtedness at that time.
There is no existing market for the notes. If one develops, it may not be liquid.
There is currently no established market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes following the offering, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters have no obligation to make a market in the notes and they may discontinue any market making in the notes at any time at their sole discretion without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices you receive when you sell will be favorable. Any trading markets for the notes that develop and any future trading prices of the notes may be affected by many factors, including:
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Ratings of the notes may change after issuance and affect the market price and marketability of the notes.
We currently expect that, before they are issued, the notes will be rated by Moodys Investors Service Inc. and Standard & Poors Ratings Services. Those ratings are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of the rating may be obtained from the applicable rating agency. We cannot provide assurances that the credit ratings will be issued or remain in effect or that the ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies. It is also possible that the ratings may be lowered in connection with future events, such as acquisitions. If rating agencies lower, suspend or withdraw the ratings, the market price or marketability of the notes may be adversely affected. In addition, any decline in the ratings of the notes may make it more difficult for us to raise capital on acceptable terms in order to repay the notes at maturity.
We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds we receive from this offering used for general corporate purposes and may not use them effectively.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds we receive from this offering used for general corporate purposes, including for any of the purposes described in Use of Proceeds. Accordingly, you will have to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of those net proceeds. Our management may spend a portion or all of the net proceeds we receive from this offering used for general corporate purposes in ways that our stockholders may not desire or that may not yield a favorable return. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes in this offering will be approximately $269 million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and our expenses related to this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund purchases pursuant to our pending offer to purchase any and all of our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 (to the extent such pending offer to purchase is consummated) and for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of our debt, acquisitions, investments, additions to working capital, capital expenditures and advances to or investments in our subsidiaries. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 or may be lenders and/or agents under other of our indebtedness and may receive a portion of the proceeds of this offering. See Underwriting. Our pending offer to purchase our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 may not be consummated for many reasons, including our discretion.
If (i) our pending offer to purchase our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 is not consummated for any reason or (ii) such pending offer to purchase is consummated and less than all of the proceeds of this offering are used to purchase our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 pursuant to such pending offer to purchase, we may use additional proceeds of this offering to purchase additional amounts of our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, redemptions (if available) or otherwise, subject to our compliance with the covenants under our senior secured credit facility.
Net proceeds of this offering may be temporarily invested before use.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of March 31, 2013 on:
You should read the following table in conjunction with the sections entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations and our financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, as amended, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference. The as adjusted information may not reflect our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization in the future.
March 31, 2013 | ||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||
($ in millions) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 117 | 194 | ||||
Short-term debt | 25 | 25 | ||||
Long-term debt: | ||||||
Term loan | 95 | 95 | ||||
Lines of credit and other | 20 | 20 | ||||
8-1/8% notes due 2015(1) | 250 | 84 | ||||
10-5/8% notes due 2018 (net of original issuance discount of $3) | 247 | 247 | ||||
4.625% convertible notes due 2026 | 55 | 55 | ||||
4.0% convertible notes due 2027 | 200 | 200 | ||||
7.875% convertible notes due 2026 (net of original issuance discount of $25) | 225 | 225 | ||||
6-3/4% notes due 2021 offered hereby | | 275 | ||||
Unamortized gain on interest rate swap termination | 9 | 3 | ||||
Unamortized discount on convertible notes | (46 | ) | (46 | ) | ||
Subtotal | 1,055 | 1,158 | ||||
Less: current maturities | (25 | ) | (25 | ) | ||
Total long-term debt | 1,030 | 1,133 | ||||
Total debt | 1,055 | 1,158 | ||||
Non-controlling interests | 28 | 28 | ||||
Shareowners deficit | (1,042 | ) | (1,042 | ) | ||
Total capitalization | 41 | 144 |
(1) | On May 7, 2013, we announced a tender offer for any and all of our 8-1/8% notes due 2015. See SummaryRecent Developments. |
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CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | Six Months
Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2013 | |||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 2.27 | 2.29 | 1.33 | N/A(1) | 2.08 | 0.80(1) |
For purposes of this table: Earnings are defined as pre-tax income from continuing operations adjusted for undistributed earnings of less than majority owned subsidiaries and fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges are defined as interest on borrowings (whether expensed or capitalized), the portion of rental expense applicable to interest, and amortization of debt issuance costs. | ||
____________________ | ||
(1) | The ratio coverage was less than 1:1. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 and six months ended March 31, 2013, we would have needed to generate additional pretax earnings of $42 million and $9 million, respectively, to achieve coverage of 1:1. |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
We will issue the notes under an existing indenture dated as of April 1, 1998, as supplemented to date and as further supplemented by an additional supplemental indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of the notes, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee. For purposes of this prospectus supplement, references to the indenture are to such existing indenture as so supplemented. The following description, and the description in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt Securities, include a summary of certain material provisions of the indenture and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the indenture. These descriptions do not include all of the provisions of the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it defines your rights as a holder of the notes. The terms of the notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. A copy of the indenture has been or will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus is a part. The following description of the particular terms of the notes supplements and, to the extent inconsistent, replaces the description in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt Securities.
For purposes of this summary, the terms Meritor, we, us and our refer only to Meritor, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries, unless we specify otherwise. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term interest includes additional interest and references to dollars mean U.S. dollars.
General
The notes will constitute a single series of debt securities described in the accompanying prospectus. The notes will be issued in an initial aggregate principal amount of $275,000,000, and will be issued only in registered form in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will mature on , 2021. The notes and any future debt securities issued under the indenture will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, and effectively junior to our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the security therefor. The notes will not be subject to any sinking fund provisions.
Other than the protections which may otherwise be afforded holders of the notes as a result of the operation of the covenants described under Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenantsLimitations on Certain Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets in the accompanying prospectus and Description of the NotesRepurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control, there are no covenants or other provisions which may afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a leveraged buyout or other highly leveraged transaction involving us or any similar occurrence.
Interest
The notes will bear interest from May 31, 2013 at the rate of 6-3/4% per annum and interest will be payable semi-annually, in arrears, on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2013. Interest is payable to the registered owners of the notes at the close of business on the June 1 or December 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the notes on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Guarantees
Each of our subsidiaries (other than one subsidiary that currently has minimal assets, which we plan to dissolve after obtaining all required approvals) currently guaranteeing our senior secured credit facility, as it may be amended, extended, replaced or refinanced, or any subsequent credit facility will guarantee the notes on a senior unsecured basis. These guarantees will remain in effect until the earlier to occur of payment in full of the notes or termination or release of the applicable corresponding guarantee under our senior secured credit facility, as it may be amended, extended, replaced or refinanced, or any subsequent credit facility. The guarantees by our subsidiaries
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will rank equally with existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of such subsidiaries. The guarantees by our subsidiaries will be effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future secured indebtedness of such subsidiaries, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.
Further Notes
We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue further notes ranking equally and ratably with the notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further notes or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further notes), so that these further notes will be consolidated and form a single series with the notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the notes, provided that such further notes are fungible with the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We refer to the issuance of further notes as a further issuance.
Purchasers of the notes we are offering, after the date of any further issuance, will not be able to differentiate between the notes sold as part of the further issuance and previously issued notes.
Optional Redemption
The notes are redeemable, at our option, from time to time, through any one or more of the methods set forth below. Notes called for redemption will become due on the date fixed for redemption. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or any portion of the notes called for redemption. On or before any redemption date, we will deposit with a paying agent (or the trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes to be redeemed.
If we are redeeming less than all the notes at any time, the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed using a method it considers fair and appropriate. We will redeem notes in increments of $1,000. We will cause notices of any redemption to be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. We will issue a note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note.
Make-Whole Redemption
Prior to June 15, 2016, we may redeem, at our option, from time to time, the notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus (ii) the applicable premium as of the redemption date on the notes to be redeemed, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date) on the notes to be redeemed.
Solely for purposes of this make-whole redemption provision, the following definitions will apply:
Applicable premium means, with respect to a note at any redemption date, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such note and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such redemption date of (1) the redemption price of such note at June 15, 2016 (such redemption price being described under Optional RedemptionRedemption After June 15, 2016) plus (2) all remaining required interest payments due on such note through June 15, 2016 (excluding accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) 100% of the principal amount of such note.
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Treasury rate means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the comparable treasury issue, calculated using a price for the comparable treasury issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the comparable treasury price for the redemption date. The treasury rate shall be calculated by the independent investment banker on the third business day preceding the redemption date.
Comparable treasury issue means the United States Treasury security selected by the independent investment banker and having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term through June 15, 2016 of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term through , 2016 of those notes.
Comparable treasury price means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the average of the reference treasury dealer quotations for the redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest reference treasury dealer quotations, or (ii) if the independent investment banker obtains fewer than four reference treasury dealer quotations, the average of all reference treasury dealer quotations.
Independent investment banker means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and any successor thereto or, if that firm is unwilling or unable to select the comparable treasury issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by us.
Reference treasury dealer means (i) Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or any successor thereto, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC or any successor thereto, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or any successor thereto, RBS Securities Inc. or any successor thereto, UBS Securities LLC or any successor thereto and two additional primary treasury dealers selected by us or their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a primary treasury dealer), we shall substitute another primary treasury dealer and (ii) any other primary treasury dealers selected by us after consultation with the independent investment banker.
Reference treasury dealer quotations means, with respect to each reference treasury dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the independent investment banker, of the bid and asked prices for the comparable treasury issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the independent investment banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding that redemption date.
Equity Clawback
Prior to June 15, 2016, we may redeem, at our option, from time to time, up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued on the initial issue date of the notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more public sales of our common stock at a redemption price equal to 106.75% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date) on the notes to be redeemed; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes originally issued on the initial issue date of the notes remains outstanding after each such redemption and notice of any such redemption is mailed within 90 days of any such sale of common stock.
Redemption After June 15, 2016
On or after June 15, 2016, we may redeem, at our option, from time to time, the notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the right of
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holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date) on the notes to be redeemed, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on June 15 of the years indicated below:
Year | Redemption price | |||||
2016 | 105.063 | % | ||||
2017 | 103.375 | % | ||||
2018 | 101.688 | % | ||||
2019 and thereafter | 100.000 | % |
Repurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control
We must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a change of control, and thereafter consummate, an offer to purchase all of the notes then outstanding, at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes to be purchased to, but not including, the payment date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the payment date).
However, we shall not be required to make an offer to purchase upon a change of control if (i) a third party makes an offer to purchase in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer to purchase to be made by us upon a change of control, and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the offer to purchase upon a change of control, or (ii) a notice of redemption has been given as described above under Optional Redemption to redeem all outstanding notes that would otherwise be subject to the offer to purchase, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. An offer to purchase upon the occurrence of a change of control may be made by either us or a third party in advance of a change of control if a definitive agreement to effect the change of control is in place at the time such offer to purchase is made and the offer to purchase is consummated upon or after the consummation of the change of control, and such offer to purchase will be conditional on the change of control. In addition, we will not purchase any notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the payment date an event of default under the notes, other than a default in the payment of the purchase price payable in connection with an offer to purchase upon a change of control.
There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient funds available at the time of any change of control to make any debt payment (including repurchases of the notes) hereunder, as well as any other repayments pursuant to covenants that may be contained in other of our indebtedness that might be outstanding at the time. In addition, the terms of our other debt agreements or applicable law may limit our ability to repurchase the notes for cash.
Change of control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) | the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than us or any of our subsidiaries; | ||
(2) | a person or group (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than one of our subsidiaries becomes the ultimate beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of our voting stock on a fully diluted basis; | ||
(3) | the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution; | ||
(4) | individuals who on the initial issue date of the notes constitute the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination by the Board of Directors for election by our stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board |
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of Directors then in office who either were members of the Board of Directors on the initial issue date of the notes or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office; or | |||
(5) | we consolidate with, or merge with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into us, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which our outstanding voting stock is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (a) our voting stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes or is converted into or exchanged for a majority of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the surviving person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (b) immediately after such transaction, no person or group (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a change of control if (1) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (2)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of our voting stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting stock of such holding company.
The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries properties and assets taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase substantially all, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase such holders notes as a result of a sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our and our subsidiaries properties and assets taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.
Offer to purchase means an offer to purchase the notes then outstanding by us from the holders commenced by mailing a notice to the trustee and each holder stating:
(1) | that all notes validly tendered pursuant to the offer to purchase will be accepted for payment; | ||
(2) | the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a business day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the payment date); | ||
(3) | that any note not tendered will continue to accrue interest pursuant to its terms; | ||
(4) | that, unless we default in the payment of the purchase price, any note accepted for payment pursuant to the offer to purchase shall cease to accrue interest on and after the payment date; | ||
(5) | that holders electing to have a note purchased pursuant to the offer to purchase will be required to surrender the note, together with a completed form pursuant to which the holder elects to require us to purchase the note, to the paying agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the payment date; | ||
(6) | that holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third business day immediately preceding the payment date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such holder, the principal amount of notes delivered for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such notes purchased; and | ||
(7) | that holders whose notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered; provided that each note purchased and each new note issued shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. |
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On the payment date, we shall (1) accept for payment notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to an offer to purchase; (2) deposit with the paying agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all notes or portions thereof so accepted; and (3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the trustee all notes or portions thereof so accepted together with an officers certificate specifying the notes or portions thereof accepted for payment by us. We will instruct the paying agent to promptly mail to the holders of notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and we will instruct the trustee to promptly authenticate and mail to such holders a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the note surrendered; provided that each note purchased and each new note issued shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. We will publicly announce the results of an offer to purchase as soon as practicable after the payment date. The trustee shall act as the paying agent for an offer to purchase. We will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in the event that we are required to repurchase notes pursuant to an offer to purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the change of control offer provisions of the notes, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the change of control offer provisions of the notes by virtue of any such conflict.
Voting stock means, with respect to any specified person as of any date, the capital stock of the person then outstanding that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors or similar governing body of such person.
Certain Additional Covenants
The following covenants are in addition to those set forth in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenants, except that the covenant set forth below under Limitation on Liens replaces the covenant described in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenantsLimitations on Liens. The covenant described in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenantsLimitations on Liens will not be applicable to the notes. Certain terms used below are defined in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt SecuritiesCertain Definitions.
Limitation on Liens
We and our restricted subsidiaries may not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any secured debt without equally and ratably securing the notes. Secured debt means indebtedness for money borrowed (other than indebtedness owed by a restricted subsidiary to us, by a restricted subsidiary to another restricted subsidiary or by us to a restricted subsidiary), which is secured by a mortgage or other lien on any principal property (as defined in the indenture) of ours or of a restricted subsidiary or a pledge, lien or other security interest on the stock or indebtedness of a restricted subsidiary, without equally and ratably securing the outstanding notes for so long as such secured debt shall exist. These restrictions do not apply to:
(a) | secured debt existing at April 1, 1998; | ||
(b) | liens on property acquired or constructed after April 1, 1998 by us or a restricted subsidiary and created at the time of, or within twelve months after, the acquisition or the completion of the construction to secure all or any part of the purchase price of the property or the cost of the construction; | ||
(c) | mortgages on property of ours or a restricted subsidiary created within twelve months of completion of construction of a new plant or plants on the property to secure all or part of the cost of the construction; | ||
(d) | liens on property existing at the time the property is acquired; | ||
(e) | liens on stock acquired after April 1, 1998 by us or a restricted subsidiary if the aggregate cost of all such stock does not exceed 15% of consolidated net tangible assets; | ||
(f) | liens securing indebtedness of a successor corporation of ours to the extent permitted by the indenture; |
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(g) | liens securing indebtedness of a restricted subsidiary outstanding at the time it became a restricted subsidiary; | ||
(h) | liens securing indebtedness of any person outstanding at the time it is merged with or substantially all its properties are acquired by us or any restricted subsidiary; | ||
(i) | liens on property or on the outstanding shares or indebtedness of a corporation existing at the time the corporation becomes a restricted subsidiary; | ||
(j) | liens created, incurred or assumed in connection with an industrial revenue bond, pollution control bond or similar financing arrangement between us or any restricted subsidiary and any federal, state or municipal government or other governmental body or agency; | ||
(k) | extensions, renewals or replacements of the foregoing permitted liens to the extent of their original amounts; | ||
(l) | liens in connection with government and certain other contracts; | ||
(m) | certain liens in connection with taxes or legal proceedings; | ||
(n) | certain other liens not related to the borrowing of money; and | ||
(o) | liens in connection with sale and lease-back transactions as described in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenantsLimitations on Sale and Lease-Back. |
In addition, we and our restricted subsidiaries may have secured debt not otherwise permitted without equally and ratably securing the outstanding notes if the sum of:
(a) | the amount of such secured debt, plus | ||
(b) | the aggregate value of sale and lease-back transactions (subject to certain exceptions) described in the accompanying prospectus under Description of Debt SecuritiesCovenantsLimitations on Sale and Lease-Back, |
does not exceed the greater of (x) $250 million and (y) 15% of consolidated net tangible assets.
Limitation on Restricted Payments
We will not, and will not permit any of our subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any restricted payment if at the time of such restricted payment:
(a) | a default with respect to the notes shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof; | ||
(b) | after giving effect to such restricted payment (including, without limitation, the incurrence of any indebtedness to finance such restricted payment), the consolidated interest coverage ratio would be less than 2:00 to 1:00; or | ||
(c) | the amount of such restricted payment, when added to the aggregate amount of all other restricted payments made after the initial issue date of the notes (other than restricted payments made pursuant to clauses (b), (c), (d) or (e) of the next paragraph), exceeds the sum (the restricted payments basket) of (without duplication): |
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(i) | 50% of consolidated net income of us and all of our subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP for the period (taken as one accounting period) commencing on the first day of the first full fiscal quarter commencing after the initial issue date of the notes to and including the last day of the fiscal quarter ended immediately prior to the date of such calculation for which consolidated financial statements are available (or, if such consolidated net income shall be a loss, minus 100% of such aggregate loss), plus | ||||
(ii) | 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by us from the issuance and sale of qualified equity interests of us on or after the initial issue date of the notes except as set forth herein, other than any such proceeds, property or assets received from our subsidiaries, plus | ||||
(iii) | the aggregate amount by which indebtedness (other than any subordinated indebtedness) incurred by us or any subsidiary subsequent to the initial issue date of the notes is reduced on our balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by our subsidiaries) into qualified equity interests of us (less the amount of any cash, or the fair value of assets, distributed by us or any subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange to the holders (in their capacities as such) of equity interests of us). | ||||
The foregoing provisions will not prohibit: | |||||
(a) | the payment by us of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if on the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of the indenture; | ||||
(b) | the repurchase or redemption of any equity interests of us in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale (or an issuance or sale that occurs within 60 days of such repurchase or redemption) of, qualified equity interests; | ||||
(c) | payments by us to repurchase or redeem equity interests of us held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of us or our subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such repurchases or redemptions shall not exceed (A) $10 million per fiscal year since the initial issue date of the notes, plus (B) the amount of any net cash proceeds received by us from the issuance and sale after the initial issue date of the notes of qualified equity interests of us to officers, directors or employees of us or our subsidiaries that have not been applied to the payment of restricted payments pursuant to this clause (c), plus (C) the net cash proceeds of any key-man life insurance policies that have not been applied to the payment of restricted payments pursuant to this clause (c); | ||||
(d) | repurchases of equity interests in connection with vesting of equity-based awards issued to employees in order to satisfy tax withholding obligations; | ||||
(e) | repurchases of equity interests held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of us or our subsidiaries deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options or warrants if the equity interests represent all or a portion of the exercise price thereof; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such repurchases shall not exceed $10 million in any fiscal year; | ||||
(f) | restricted payments to the extent not otherwise permitted by the immediately preceding paragraph or any other clause of this paragraph in an amount not to exceed $60 million in any fiscal year; provided that if any portion of that $60 million is not used to make restricted payments pursuant to this clause during any fiscal year, such amount may be carried over to the next succeeding fiscal year; provided, further, that any amount carried over into the next succeeding fiscal year may not be carried forward again into any subsequent fiscal years and if restricted payments in the amount of $60 million or more are made in any fiscal year pursuant to this clause (f), no amount may be carried over from such fiscal year to the next succeeding fiscal year; and |
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(g) | other restricted payments if, at the time of the making of such payments, and after giving effect thereto (including, without limitation, the incurrence of any indebtedness to finance such payment), the total leverage ratio would not exceed 4.00 to 1.00; |
provided that (a) in the case of any restricted payment pursuant to clause (c), (f) or (g) above, no default with respect to the notes shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof and (b) the issuance and sale of qualified equity interests shall not increase the restricted payments basket to the extent the proceeds of such issuance and sale are used to make a restricted payment pursuant to clauses (b) or (c)(B) above.
The following definitions shall apply solely for purposes of this Limitation on Restricted Payments covenant.
Attributable indebtedness, when used with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at a rate borne by the notes, compounded on a semi-annual basis) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in any such sale and leaseback transaction.
Capitalized lease obligations of any person means the obligations of such person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges means, with respect to any person for any period:
(1) | the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of: | ||||
(a) | consolidated net income; | ||||
(b) | consolidated non-cash charges; | ||||
(c) | consolidated interest expense; and | ||||
(d) | consolidated income tax expense (other than income tax expense (either positive or negative) attributable to extraordinary gains or losses); | ||||
(2) | less non-cash items increasing consolidated net income for such period, other than (a) the accrual of revenue consistent with past practice, and (b) reversals of prior accruals or reserves for cash items previously excluded in the calculation of consolidated non-cash charges. |
In calculating consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges for any period, if any asset sale or asset acquisition (whether pursuant to a stock or an asset transaction) shall have occurred since the first day of any four fiscal quarter period for which the consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges is being calculated, such calculation shall give pro forma effect to such asset sale or asset acquisition.
For the purposes of calculating consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges, asset acquisition means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that constitutes all or substantially all of the assets of a business, unit or division of a person or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock (or equivalent) of a person; and asset sale means any disposition of property or series of related dispositions of property that involves all or substantially all of the assets of a business, unit or division of a person or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock (or equivalent) of a subsidiary.
Consolidated fixed charges for any period means the sum, without duplication, of (a) consolidated interest expense of us and our subsidiaries for such period, plus (b) the product of (a) all dividend payments on any series of disqualified equity interests of us or any subsidiary or any preferred stock of any subsidiary (other than any such disqualified equity interests or any preferred stock held by us or a subsidiary or to the extent paid in qualified
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equity interests) for such period, multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of us and our subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal.
Consolidated income tax expenses means, with respect to any person for any period the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of such person and its restricted subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated interest coverage ratio means the ratio of consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges of us and our subsidiaries during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available (the four-quarter period) ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the consolidated interest coverage ratio (the transaction date) to consolidated fixed charges of us and our subsidiaries for the four-quarter period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the definitions of consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges and consolidated interest expense (and all component definitions referenced in such definitions), for purposes of determining the consolidated interest coverage ratio, such definitions (and all component definitions referenced in such definitions) shall be calculated with respect to us and all of our subsidiaries, notwithstanding the use of the term restricted subsidiaries in such definitions, and otherwise in accordance with such definitions.
For purposes of this definition, consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges and consolidated fixed charges shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to the incurrence of any indebtedness or the issuance of any preferred stock of us or any subsidiary (and the application of the proceeds thereof) and any repayment of other indebtedness or redemption of other preferred stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) (other than the incurrence or repayment of indebtedness in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to any revolving credit arrangement) occurring during the four-quarter period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the four-quarter period and on or prior to the transaction date, as if such incurrence, repayment, issuance or redemption, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the four-quarter period.
In calculating consolidated fixed charges for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this consolidated interest coverage ratio:
(a) | interest on outstanding indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the transaction date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such indebtedness in effect on the transaction date; | ||
(b) | if interest on any indebtedness actually incurred on the transaction date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the transaction date will be deemed to have been in effect during the four-quarter period; and | ||
(c) | notwithstanding clause (a) or (b) above, interest on indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to hedging obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of these agreements. |
Consolidated interest expense means, with respect to any person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(1) | the interest expense of such person and its restricted subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and | ||
(2) | the interest component of capital lease obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by such person and its restricted subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. |
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Consolidated net income means, with respect to any person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such person and its restricted subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income, by excluding, without duplication:
(1) | all extraordinary gains or losses (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto); | ||
(2) | the portion of net income of such person and its restricted subsidiaries allocable to minority interests in unconsolidated persons to the extent that cash dividends or distributions have not actually been received by such person or one of its restricted subsidiaries; | ||
(3) | gains or losses in respect of any sales of capital stock or asset sales outside the ordinary course of business by such person or one of its restricted subsidiaries (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), on an after-tax basis; | ||
(4) | any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles; | ||
(5) | any fees and expenses paid in connection with the issuance of the debt securities or other indebtedness; | ||
(6) | nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses; | ||
(7) | the net after-tax effects of adjustments in the inventory, property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets line items in such persons consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof; | ||
(8) | any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, investment, asset sale, issuance or repayment of indebtedness, issuance of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including without limitation any such transaction undertaken but not completed); | ||
(9) | any gain or loss recorded in connection with the designation of a discontinued operation (exclusive of its operating income or loss); | ||
(10) | any non-cash compensation or other non-cash expenses or charges arising from the grant of or issuance or repricing of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards or any amendment, modification, substitution or change of any such stock, stock options or other equity-based awards; and | ||
(11) | any non-cash impairment, restructuring or special charge or asset write-off or write-down, and the amortization or write-off of intangibles. |
Consolidated non-cash charges means, with respect to any person for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles) and other non-cash expenses (including stock option expenses and any goodwill impairment charges) of such person and its restricted subsidiaries reducing consolidated net income of such person and its restricted subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such charges which require an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period).
Disqualified equity interests of any person means any class of equity interests of such person that, by its terms, or by the terms of any related agreement or of any security into which it is convertible, puttable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of any event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed by such person, whether or not at the option of the holder thereof, or matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date which is 91 days after the final maturity date of the notes; provided, however, that any class of equity interests of such person that, by its terms, authorizes such person to satisfy in full its obligations with respect to the payment of dividends or upon maturity, redemption (pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise) or repurchase thereof or otherwise by the delivery
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of equity interests that are not disqualified equity interests, and that is not convertible, puttable or exchangeable for disqualified equity interests or indebtedness, will not be deemed to be disqualified equity interests so long as such person satisfies its obligations with respect thereto solely by the delivery of equity interests that are not disqualified equity interests; provided, further, however, that any equity interests that would not constitute disqualified equity interests but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such equity interests are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require us to redeem such equity interests upon the occurrence of a change in control occurring prior to the 91st day after the final maturity date of the notes shall not constitute disqualified equity interests if the change of control applicable to such equity interests are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions described under Repurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control and such equity interests specifically provide that we will not redeem any such equity interests pursuant to such provisions prior to our purchase of the notes as required pursuant to the provisions described under —Repurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control.
Equity interests of any person means (1) any and all shares or other equity interests (including common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests and partnership interests) in such person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such shares or other interests in such person, but excluding any debt securities that are convertible into such shares or other interests in such person. For the avoidance of doubt, any payments or distributions in respect of or upon conversion of such convertible debt securities do not constitute restricted payments.
Indebtedness of any person at any date means, without duplication:
(a) | all liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or only to a portion thereof); | ||
(b) | all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; | ||
(c) | all reimbursement obligations of such person in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers acceptances and similar credit transactions; | ||
(d) | all obligations of such person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services; | ||
(e) | the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of all disqualified equity interests of such person; | ||
(f) | all capitalized lease obligations of such person; | ||
(g) | all indebtedness of others secured by a mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, or other security interest (each, a security interest) which secures payment or performance of an obligation, on any asset of such person, whether or not such indebtedness is assumed by such person; | ||
(h) | all indebtedness of others guaranteed by such person to the extent of such guarantee; provided that indebtedness of us or our subsidiaries that is guaranteed by us or our subsidiaries shall only be counted once in the calculation of the amount of indebtedness of us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; | ||
(i) | all attributable indebtedness with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction; | ||
(j) | to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, all obligations of such person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies (collectively, hedging obligations); and | ||
(k) | all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased by such person. |
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The amount of indebtedness of any person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above, the maximum liability of such person for any such contingent obligations at such date and, in the case of clause (g), the lesser of (a) the fair market value of any asset subject to a security interest securing the indebtedness of others on the date that the security interest attaches and (b) the amount of the indebtedness secured. For purposes of clause (e), the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of any disqualified equity interests that do not have a fixed redemption or repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such disqualified equity interests as if such disqualified equity interests were redeemed or repurchased on any date on which an amount of indebtedness outstanding shall be required to be determined pursuant to the indenture.
Preferred stock means, with respect to any person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other preferred equity interests (however designated) of such person whether now outstanding or issued after the initial issue date of the notes.
Qualified equity interests of any person means equity interests of such person other than disqualified equity interests; provided that such equity interests shall not be deemed qualified equity interests to the extent sold to a subsidiary of such person or financed, directly or indirectly, using funds (1) borrowed from such person or any subsidiary of such person until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid or (2) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by such person or any subsidiary of such person (including, without limitation, in respect of any employee stock ownership or benefit plan). Unless otherwise specified, qualified equity interests refer to qualified equity interests of Meritor, Inc.
Restricted payment means any of the following:
(a) | the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other distribution on equity interests of us or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of equity interests of us, including, without limitation, any payment to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of equity interests of us in connection with any merger or consolidation involving us, but excluding dividends or distributions payable solely in qualified equity interests of us or through accretion or accumulation of such dividends on such equity interests; or | ||
(b) | the repurchase or redemption of any equity interests of us, including, without limitation, any payment to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of equity interests of us in connection with any merger or consolidation involving us. |
Total debt means, at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of all outstanding indebtedness of us and our subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Total leverage ratio means, as of the date of determination, the ratio of (a) the total debt of us and our subsidiaries to (b) consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges of us and our subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarter period ending immediately prior to such date for which financial statements are available. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the definition of consolidated cash flow available for fixed charges (and all component definitions referenced in such definitions), for purposes of determining the total leverage ratio, such definition (and all component definitions referenced in such definition) shall be calculated with respect to all of us and our subsidiaries, notwithstanding the use of the term restricted subsidiaries in such definitions, and otherwise in accordance with such definitions.
In the event that we or any subsidiary incurs, redeems, retires or extinguishes any total debt (other than the incurrence or repayment of indebtedness in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to any revolving credit arrangement) subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the total leverage ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the total leverage ratio is made, then the total leverage ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, redemption, retirement or extinguishment of total debt as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
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Reports to the Trustee
We will file with the trustee copies of any information, documents and reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act within 15 days after we file the same with the SEC.
Defeasance
The provisions of the indenture relating to defeasance described under Description of Debt SecuritiesDefeasance and Covenant Defeasance in the accompanying prospectus apply to the notes.
Events of Default
The provisions of the indenture relating to events of default described under Description of Debt SecuritiesDefaults and Certain Rights on Default in the accompanying prospectus apply to the notes.
Book-Entry System
The notes will be initially issued in global form, and definitive certificated notes will not be issued except in the limited circumstances described below. One or more fully registered global certificates representing the notes (the global securities) will be issued for the notes, in the aggregate principal amount thereof, and will be deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (DTC), as depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as DTCs nominee. The provisions set forth under Description of Debt SecuritiesGlobal Securities in the accompanying prospectus will apply to the notes.
Investors may elect to hold interests in the global securities through:
if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in those systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers securities accounts in Clearstreams and Euroclears names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers securities accounts in the depositaries names on the books of DTC. Citibank, N.A. currently acts as U.S. depositary for Clearstream and JP Morgan Chase Bank currently acts as U.S. depositary for Euroclear (in such capacities, the U.S. depositaries).
DTC
DTC advises that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants (DTC participants) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among DTC participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in DTC participants accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTCs system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear transactions through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and DTC participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Clearstream
Clearstream advises that it is incorporated under Luxembourg law as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (Clearstream participants) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Clearstream participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to other institutions, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies, that clear transactions through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream participant, either directly or indirectly.
Distributions with respect to interests in the notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.
Euroclear
Euroclear advises that it was created to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (Euroclear participants) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the Euroclear operator). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear operator. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear transactions through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (the terms and conditions). The terms and conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear operator acts under the terms and conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.
Distributions with respect to the notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the terms and conditions of Euroclear, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.
Book-Entry System Procedures
Purchases of notes under DTCs system must be made by or through direct DTC participants, which will receive a credit for those notes on DTCs records. The ownership interest of the actual purchasers of the notes represented by a global security, who are the beneficial owners of the notes, is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect DTC participants records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect DTC participants through which the
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beneficial owners entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in any global security representing notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of DTC participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners of any global security representing notes will not receive notes in definitive form representing their ownership interests in the notes, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the notes is discontinued or certain other events described herein occur.
The deposit of global securities with or on behalf of DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the global securities representing the notes. DTCs records reflect only the identity of the direct DTC participants to whose accounts such notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. DTC participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct DTC participants, by direct DTC participants to indirect DTC participants, and by direct DTC participants and indirect DTC participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time. Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the notes are being redeemed, DTCs practice is to determine by lot the interest of each DTC participant in the notes to be redeemed.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to the global securities representing the notes. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.s consenting or voting rights to those direct DTC participants to whose accounts the notes are credited on the applicable record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
Principal and interest payments on the global securities representing the notes will be made to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTCs practice is to credit direct DTC participants accounts on the applicable payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTCs records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that date. Payments by DTC participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of those DTC participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. is our responsibility or the responsibility of the trustee, disbursement of those payments to direct DTC participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct and indirect DTC participants. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the disbursements of payments in respect of ownership interests in the notes by DTC or the direct or indirect DTC participants or for maintaining or reviewing any records of DTC or the direct or indirect DTC participants relating to ownership interests in the notes or the disbursement of payments in respect of the notes.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the trustee. If that occurs and a successor securities depositary is not obtained, notes in definitive form are required to be printed and delivered. Additionally, we may decide to discontinue use of a system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depositary). In that event, notes in definitive form will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear and DTCs book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable and we do not take any responsibility for its accuracy. This information is subject to any changes to the arrangements between or among us, DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear and any changes to procedures that may be instituted unilaterally by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear. We will not have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear or their respective participants under the rules and procedures governing them.
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Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures
Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTCs rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using the depositarys Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream participants or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream participants or Euroclear participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTCs rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary. However, these cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). If the transaction meets its settlement requirements, the relevant European international clearing system will deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving notes in DTC and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream participants and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to DTC.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and will be credited the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in the notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear participant or Clearstream participant on that business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of notes by or through a Clearstream participant or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.
Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of beneficial interests in the notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time.
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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following summary describes the material United States federal income and estate tax consequences of buying, owning and disposing of the notes by beneficial owners of the notes. We have based this summary on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein (possibly with retroactive effect). The summary below is limited to initial beneficial owners who hold the notes as capital assets (generally, property held for investment) and who purchase the notes at their issue price (as defined below).
For purposes of this discussion, a United States Holder means a beneficial owner of a note other than a partnership that is, or is treated as, for United States federal income tax purposes:
A Non-United States Holder means a beneficial owner of a note that is not a partnership and that is not a United States Holder.
If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership or other pass through entity for United States federal income tax purposes) is a holder of a note, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such persons should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular United States federal income tax consequences to them.
This summary does not discuss the particular United States federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of such holders particular circumstances or if such holder is subject to special rules under United States federal income tax laws. Special rules apply, for example, to:
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This discussion does not address the tax consequences to Non-United States Holders that are subject to United States federal income tax on a net basis on income realized with respect to a note because such income is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. Such holders are generally taxed in a similar manner to United States Holders; however, certain special rules apply.
Prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.
United States Federal Tax Consequences to United States Holders
Payments of Interest
Interest paid on a note generally will be taxable to a United States Holder as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is received, in accordance with the United States Holders method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. If the stated redemption price at maturity of a note exceeds the issue price of such note by more than a de minimis amount (as explained below), such note will be deemed to have original issue discount (OID). The issue price of a note will be the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes are sold to the public (i.e., excluding sales to any agent, wholesaler or similar persons), and the stated redemption price at maturity of a note is its principal amount. However, a note will not be deemed to have OID if its stated redemption price at maturity exceeds its issue price by less than a de minimis amount equal to one-fourth of one percent (0.25%) of its stated redemption price at maturity, multiplied by the number of full years to its maturity. If a note meets this de minimis exception, a United States Holder of that note is generally required to include the de minimis OID amount in income (as capital gain), as principal payments are made on the note, unless the United States Holder elects to apply the constant yield method which otherwise applies to an instrument with more than de minimis OID. If the OID on a note is more than de minimis, a United States Holder will be required to include the OID in income for United States federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on interest compounding and in advance of the cash payments attributable to the income. Since the issue price of the notes is expected to be at par or within the de minimis exception, it is expected, and the rest of this disclosure assumes, that the notes should not be considered to have OID.
In certain circumstances (i.e., the exercise of the change of control put as described under Description of the NotesRepurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control above), we may pay amounts in excess of stated interest or principal on the notes or pay amounts other than stated interest prior to maturity of the notes. The potential to make such payments may implicate the provisions of United States Treasury Regulations relating to contingent payment debt instruments. If the notes were deemed to be contingent payment debt instruments, a United States Holder might be required to accrue income on the holders notes in excess of stated interest, and would be required to treat as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, any gain realized on the taxable disposition of a note. The possibility that we may pay such excess amounts upon exercise of a change of control put will not cause the notes to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments if there is only a remote chance as of the date the notes were issued that such payments will be made. We believe that the likelihood that we will be obligated to make any such change of control put payments is remote. Therefore, we do not intend to treat the potential payment of these amounts as subjecting the notes to the contingent payment debt rules. Our determination that this change in control put contingency is remote is binding on a United States Holder unless such holder discloses its contrary position to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the manner required by applicable United States Treasury Regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS, and if the IRS were to challenge this determination, the tax consequences to a holder could differ materially and adversely from those discussed herein. In the event such a contingency were to occur, it would affect the amount and timing of the income recognized by a United States Holder. The remainder of this disclosure assumes that the notes will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments.
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Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Notes
Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note, a United States Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of the cash plus the fair market value of all other property received on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition and (ii) the United States Holders adjusted tax basis in the note. A United States Holders adjusted tax basis in a note will equal the cost of the note to the United States Holder and increased by any de minimis OID previously included in income under the election described above. For these purposes, the amount realized does not include any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest. Amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest are treated as interest as described under Payments of Interest above.
Gain or loss recognized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition the note has been held for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate holders are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. For corporate holders, all capital gains are currently subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same rate. The deductibility of any capital losses is subject to limitations.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
A United States Holder generally will be subject to United States backup withholding at the applicable rate with respect to interest, principal or redemption premium, if any, paid on a note, and the proceeds from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note, if the United States Holder fails to provide its taxpayer identification number to the paying agent and comply with certain certification procedures or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. In addition, the payments of interest, principal or redemption premium to, and the proceeds of a sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition by, a United States Holder that is not an exempt recipient generally will be subject to information reporting requirements. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a United States Holder will be allowed as a credit against the United States Holders United States federal income tax liability and may entitle the United States Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
United States Federal Tax Consequences to Non-United States Holders
Payments of Interest
Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), interest paid on a note to a Non-United States Holder that is not engaged in a trade or business in the United States generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax provided that:
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Interest paid to a Non-United States Holder not satisfying the conditions described above will be subject to United States withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent, unless an income tax treaty applies to reduce or eliminate withholding and the Non-United States Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or suitable substitute form) claiming the exemption or reduction in withholding.
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Notes
Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, any gain realized by a Non-United States Holder that is not engaged in a trade or business in the United States on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless the Non-United States Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of interest on the notes. Unless the Non-United States Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a United States person, information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with any payment of proceeds from a sale or other disposition of a note and the Non-United States Holder may be subject to United States backup withholding on payments on the note or on the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the note. The certification procedures required to claim the exemption from withholding tax on interest described above will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-United States Holder will be allowed as a credit against the Non-United States Holders United States federal income tax liability and may entitle the Non-United States Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Estate Tax
Subject to benefits provided by an applicable estate tax treaty, a note held by an individual who at the time of death is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specifically defined for United States federal estate tax purposes) may be subject to United States federal estate tax upon the individuals death unless, at such time:
Medicare Tax on Investment Income
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a 3.8% Medicare tax is generally imposed with respect to net investment income above a certain threshold of certain United States citizens and residents, and on the undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts. Among other things, net investment income generally includes gross income from interest on, and net gains from the disposition of the notes, less certain deductions. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of this legislation.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Under certain circumstances, FATCA will impose a 30% withholding tax on any payments on an issuers obligations made to a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or entity is acting as an intermediary), and on the gross proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the issuers obligations, unless various U.S. information reporting requirements are satisfied (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) or an exemption applies. Under certain circumstances, an investor might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
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Pursuant to recently finalized regulations, however, FATCAs withholding regime will not apply to debt obligations issued before (and not materially modified on or after) January 1, 2014. Accordingly, so long as the notes are not materially modified on or after January 1, 2014, payments on, and gross proceeds on the disposition of, the notes will not be subject to the FATCA withholding described above. Investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on an investment in the notes.
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UNDERWRITING
Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, RBS Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite the underwriters name.
Principal Amount | |||||
Underwriter | of Notes | ||||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | $ | 66,000,000 | |||
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | 66,000,000 | ||||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | 38,500,000 | ||||
RBS Securities Inc. | 27,500,000 | ||||
UBS Securities LLC | 27,500,000 | ||||
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. | 8,250,000 | ||||
PNC Capital Markets LLC | 8,250,000 | ||||
Comerica Securities, Inc. | 8,250,000 | ||||
The Huntington Investment Company | 8,250,000 | ||||
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. | 8,250,000 | ||||
Fifth Third Securities, Inc. | 8,250,000 | ||||
Total | $ | 275,000,000 |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the notes if they purchase any of the notes.
Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $10.50 per note. Any such securities dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $6.30 per note. If all the notes are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.
We have agreed that, for a period of 30 days following the date of the underwriting agreement, we will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer or establish an open put equivalent position within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any of our public debt securities (including securities offered pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act) having a tenor of more than one year or securities exchangeable for or convertible into our public debt securities (including securities offered pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act) having a tenor of more than one year (other than as contemplated by the underwriting agreement).
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).
Paid by Meritor | ||
Per note | 1.750% |
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $900,000.
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In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell notes in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases.
Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes. They may also cause the price of the notes to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
Conflicts of Interest
The underwriters are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is acting as dealer manager and solicitation agent for our pending offer to purchase any and all of our 8-1/8% notes due 2015. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold our 8-1/8% notes due 2015 or may be lenders and/or agents under other of our indebtedness and may receive a portion of the proceeds of this offering. See Use of Proceeds.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates have in the past performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses and may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments.
If the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, the underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of notes described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:
provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For purposes of this provision, the expression an offer of securities to the public in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state. The expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.
The sellers of the notes have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of notes through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the notes as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the notes, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the notes on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the Order) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a relevant person). This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and their respective contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on these documents or any of their contents.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The notes may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to professional investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a prospectus within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or
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the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The notes offered in this prospectus supplement have not been registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan. The notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan, except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the SFA), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be passed on for us by Chadbourne & Parke LLP, New York, New York, as to New York law, and by Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, Indianapolis, Indiana, as to Indiana law. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed on for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in the accompanying prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, as amended, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports dated November 21, 2012 (which reports (1) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedule and (2) express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting), which are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. Such financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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P R O S P E C T U S
Meritor,
Inc.
$750,000,000
Debt
Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities
Warrants to
Purchase Common Stock
Warrants to Purchase Preferred Stock
Guarantees of
Debt Securities
____________________
We may use this prospectus at any time or from time to time to offer, in one or more offerings, our debt securities, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, or warrants to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. Any or all of the securities may be offered and sold separately or together. This prospectus also covers guarantees, if any, of our payment obligations under any debt securities, which may be given by certain of our subsidiaries, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for other securities. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer them. We will provide the specific terms of these securities, and the manner in which these securities will be offered, in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplements before you invest.
We may sell these securities directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see Plan of Distribution in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MTOR.
Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See Risk Factors on page 4. You should carefully consider the risk factors described in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement before you decide to purchase these securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
____________________
The date of this prospectus is November 29, 2012.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | 2 | |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 2 | |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE | 3 | |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT | 3 | |
OUR COMPANY | 4 | |
RISK FACTORS | 4 | |
USE OF PROCEEDS | 5 | |
CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES | 5 | |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES | 5 | |
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK | 14 | |
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS | 17 | |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 18 | |
LEGAL MATTERS | 21 | |
EXPERTS | 21 |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, our debt securities, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock or any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $750,000,000. This prospectus also covers guarantees, if any, of our payment obligations under any debt securities, which may be given by certain of our subsidiaries, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer and the manner in which we may offer them. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of those securities and the manner in which they will be offered. The applicable prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplements together with the additional information described below under the headings Where You Can Find More Information and Documents Incorporated by Reference.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement. In the event the information set forth in a prospectus supplement differs in any way from the information set forth in this prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in the prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document or that the information we have filed and will file with the SEC that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the filing date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
References in this prospectus to Meritor, the company, we, us and our are to Meritor, Inc., its subsidiaries and its predecessors, unless the context indicates otherwise. The term you refers to a prospective investor.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information, including the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and exhibits to the registration statement, with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public from the SECs web site at http://www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SECs public reference room in Washington, D.C. located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of any document we file at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at that address. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Information about us, including our SEC filings, is also available on our website at http://www.meritor.com. The information contained on and linked from our Internet site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
You may also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus specified documents that we file with the SEC, which means:
We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus:
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating any document or information furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules. Upon written or oral request, we will provide you with a copy of any of the incorporated documents without charge (not including exhibits to the documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents). You may submit such a request for this material to Meritor, Inc., 2135 West Maple Road, Troy, Michigan 48084-7186, Attention: Investor Relations, (248) 435-1000.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This prospectus, and documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, contain statements relating to our future results (including certain projections and business trends) that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, should, are likely to be, will and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to reduced production for certain military programs and our ability to secure new military programs as our primary military programs wind down by design in future years; reliance on major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and possible negative outcomes from contract negotiations with our major customers, including failure to negotiate acceptable terms in contract renewal negotiations; our ability to successfully manage rapidly changing volumes in the commercial truck markets and work with our customers to adjust their demands in view of rapid changes in production levels; global economic and market cycles and conditions, including a slower than anticipated recovery from the recent global economic crisis; availability and sharply rising costs of raw materials, including steel, and our ability to manage or recover such costs; our ability to manage possible adverse effects on our European operations, or financing arrangements related thereto, in the event one or more countries exit the European monetary union; risks inherent in operating abroad (including foreign currency exchange rates, implications of foreign regulations relating to pensions and potential disruption of production and supply due to terrorist attacks or acts of aggression); rising costs of pension and other postretirement benefits; the ability to achieve the expected benefits of restructuring actions; the demand for commercial and specialty vehicles for which we supply products; whether our liquidity will be affected by declining vehicle productions in the future; OEM program delays; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; labor relations of our company, our suppliers and customers, including potential disruptions in supply of parts to our facilities or demand for
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our products due to work stoppages; the financial condition of our suppliers and customers, including potential bankruptcies; possible adverse effects of any future suspension of normal trade credit terms by our suppliers; potential difficulties competing with companies that have avoided their existing contracts in bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings; potential impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill; potential adjustment of the value of deferred tax assets; competitive product and pricing pressures; the amount of our debt; our ability to continue to comply with covenants in our financing agreements; our ability to access capital markets; credit ratings of our debt; the outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, including any litigation with respect to environmental or asbestos-related matters; the outcome of actual and potential product liability, warranty and recall claims; and possible changes in accounting rules; as well as other substantial costs, risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012 and from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. See also the following portions of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012: Item 1. Business, Customers; Sales and Marketing; Competition; Raw Materials and Supplies; Employees; Environmental Matters; International Operations; and Seasonality; Cyclicality; Item 1A. Risk Factors; Item 3. Legal Proceedings; and Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the respective dates on which they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
OUR COMPANY
We are a premier global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket for the commercial vehicle, transportation and industrial sectors. We serve commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, military, bus and coach and other industrial OEMs and certain aftermarkets.
Meritor was incorporated in Indiana in 2000 in connection with the merger of Meritor Automotive, Inc. and Arvin Industries, Inc. On March 30, 2011, we announced that we officially changed the company name from ArvinMeritor, Inc. to Meritor, Inc. and on that date, began trading our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MTOR. Our executive offices are located at 2135 West Maple Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. Our telephone number is (248) 435-1000.
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest September 30. Our fiscal quarters end on the Sundays nearest December 31, March 31 and June 30. All year and quarter references relate to our fiscal year and fiscal quarters, unless otherwise stated. For ease of presentation, September 30, December 31, March 31 and June 30 are sometimes used in this prospectus to represent our fiscal year end, fiscal first quarter end, fiscal second quarter end and fiscal third quarter end, respectively.
RISK FACTORS
Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you decide to purchase these securities, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, as updated by periodic and current reports that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. Any of these risks could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results or could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in these securities. Please also refer to the section above entitled Cautionary Statement.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we anticipate that the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested before use.
CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | ||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 2.27 | 2.29 | 1.33 | N/A(1) | 2.08 |
For purposes of this table: Earnings are defined as pre-tax income from continuing operations, adjusted for undistributed earnings of less than majority owned subsidiaries and fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges are defined as interest on borrowings (whether expensed or capitalized), the portion of rental expense applicable to interest, and amortization of debt issuance costs.
(1) | The ratio coverage was less than 1:1. The company would have needed to generate additional pretax earnings of $42 million to achieve coverage of 1:1. |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue the debt securities offered by this prospectus under an existing indenture dated as of April 1, 1998, as supplemented as of July 7, 2000, June 23, 2006 and March 3, 2010, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee. We have summarized certain provisions of this indenture below. The summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. The indenture has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement for these securities that we have filed with the SEC. In addition to our existing indenture described below, we may issue subordinated and/or convertible debt securities, pursuant to another indenture to be entered into after the date of this prospectus, the form of which has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement for the securities that we have filed with the SEC. If we elect to issue debt securities under another indenture, we will describe certain provisions of that indenture in a prospectus supplement. To the extent that debt securities are guaranteed, the guarantees will be set forth in the applicable indenture or supplements thereto.
When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a prospectus supplement.
We encourage you to carefully read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplements and the indenture.
General
Our existing indenture provides that we may issue debt securities in one or more series and does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities that we have previously issued. We may also issue additional amounts of a series of debt securities without the consent of the holders of that series.
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The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any series of debt securities being offered, including the following:
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We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. If there are any material special U.S. federal income tax considerations or other material special considerations applicable to debt securities we sell at an original issue discount, we will describe them in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material special U.S. federal income tax considerations and any other material special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars.
Other than the protections which may otherwise be afforded holders of debt securities as a result of the operation of the covenants described under Covenants below or as may be made applicable to the debt securities as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, there are no covenants or other provisions contained in the indenture that may afford holders of debt securities protection if there is a leveraged buyout or other highly leveraged transaction involving us.
Form and Denominations
We may issue a particular series of debt securities as registered securities, bearer securities or as both registered and bearer securities. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue registered securities denominated in U.S. dollars in multiples of $1,000 and bearer securities denominated in U.S. dollars in multiples of $10,000. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities in global form and in any denomination. Please see Global Securities below. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, bearer securities (other than global securities) will have interest coupons attached.
Registration, Transfer and Exchange
A holder may exchange registered debt securities for other registered debt securities of the same series, in authorized denominations and with the same principal amount and terms. If debt securities of any series may be issued in both registered and bearer form, the holder may, subject to applicable laws, exchange bearer debt securities for registered debt securities of the same series, in authorized denominations and with the same principal amount and terms. All unmatured coupons, and all matured coupons in default, must be surrendered with the bearer debt security, with one exception. If a holder surrenders bearer debt securities in exchange for registered debt securities of the same series after a record date for the payment of interest and before the interest payment date, the bearer debt securities will be surrendered without the coupon relating to the interest payment. Interest will not be payable in respect of the registered debt security issued in exchange for the bearer debt security, and will be payable only to the holder of the coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series, bearer debt securities will not be issued in exchange for registered debt securities.
Debt securities may be exchanged, and a transfer of registered debt securities may be registered, at the office of the security registrar. We may also designate a transfer agent for this purpose for any series of debt securities. No service charge will be made for any exchange or transfer, but payment of any taxes or other governmental charges will be required. We may change the place for exchange and registration of transfer, and may rescind any designation of a transfer agent, at any time. If debt securities of a series are issuable in registered form, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for that series. If debt securities of a series are issuable in bearer form, we will be required to maintain (in addition to the security registrar) a transfer agent in a place of payment for that series located outside the United States. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.
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If debt securities of a particular series are to be redeemed, we will not be required to issue, exchange or register the transfer of:
Global Securities
We may issue one or more series of the debt securities in the form of global securities that will be deposited with a depositary. This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder of debt securities of that series. Instead, one or more global securities will be issued to the depositary, which will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased these debt securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased these debt securities.
Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of those interests will be made only through, records maintained by the depositary and its participants. We will make payments on the debt securities represented by a global security only to the depositary, as the registered holder of these debt securities. All payments to the participants are the responsibility of the depositary, and all payments to the beneficial holders of the debt securities are the responsibility of the participants.
Certificates for the debt securities of the series in question may be issued to beneficial holders in some circumstances, including termination of the depositary arrangements by us or the depositary.
If debt securities are to be issued as global securities, the prospectus supplement will name the depositary and will describe the depository arrangements and other applicable terms.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payments for registered debt securities will be made at the office of the trustee in New York, New York. However, we may choose instead to pay principal by check to the registered owner against surrender of the debt securities or to pay interest on registered debt securities by (i) check mailed to the address of the registered owner or (ii) transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the registered owner. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each interest payment on registered debt securities will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest payment.
We may from time to time designate additional offices or agencies for payment with respect to any debt securities, approve a change in the location of any such office or agency and, except as provided above, rescind the designation of any such office or agency.
Payments on any debt securities that are payable in a currency other than dollars may be made in dollars in certain circumstances when that currency is no longer used. The prospectus supplement for any such debt securities will describe the circumstances in which this will occur.
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Any moneys we deposit with the trustee or paying agent for the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any debt security or coupon that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the payment is due and payable will be repaid to us upon our request. Thereafter, the holder of the debt security or coupon will look only to us for that payment.
Guarantees
Certain subsidiaries of ours named as registrants in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or any combination of them, may guarantee any or all of the series of debt securities. Guarantees may be full or limited, senior or subordinated, secured or unsecured, or any combination thereof. In all cases, however, the obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee from being rendered voidable under fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. The guarantees will not place a limitation on the amount of additional indebtedness that may be incurred by the guarantors.
Certain Definitions
The following is a summary of certain defined terms used in the restrictive covenants contained in the indenture. We refer you to the indenture for a full description of all of these terms, as well as any other terms used for which no definition is provided.
Unrestricted subsidiaries will not be restricted by the various provisions of the indenture applicable to restricted subsidiaries, and the debt of unrestricted subsidiaries will not be consolidated with that of us or our restricted subsidiaries in calculating consolidated funded debt under the indenture.
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Covenants
Limitations on Liens. We and our restricted subsidiaries may not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any secured debt without equally and ratably securing the outstanding debt securities. These restrictions do not apply to:
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In addition, we and our restricted subsidiaries may have secured debt not otherwise permitted without equally and ratably securing the outstanding debt securities if the sum of:
Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back. Sale and lease-back transactions are prohibited unless:
Limitations on Certain Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. We may consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, or convey or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other entity, so long as certain specified conditions are met, including:
If, upon our merger or consolidation or any conveyance or transfer of our properties and assets, any principal property of ours or a restricted subsidiary would become subject to any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance not otherwise permitted under the indenture, we will, prior to the transaction, secure the outstanding debt securities, equally and ratably with any other indebtedness then entitled to be so secured, by a direct lien on the principal property and certain other properties. The successor corporation formed by the consolidation
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or merger, or to which the conveyance or transfer is made, shall succeed to and be substituted for us under the indenture and thereafter we will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the indenture, the debt securities and any coupons.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Defeasance. The prospectus supplement will state whether the indentures defeasance provisions apply to the series of debt securities being offered. If these provisions do apply, we will be discharged from our obligations in respect of the debt securities of the series if we irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money or U.S. government securities to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, and any other sums payable on the debt securities when due. We must also deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to the same federal income tax consequences as if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. The opinion must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law that occurred after April 1, 1998. In the event of the deposit and discharge, the holders of the debt securities would thereafter be entitled to look only to the trust fund for payments on the debt securities.
Covenant Defeasance. The prospectus supplement will state whether the indentures covenant defeasance provisions apply to the series of debt securities being offered. If these provisions apply, (i) we may omit to comply with certain covenants (including the limitations on liens and sale and lease-back transactions) and (ii) the noncompliance will not be deemed to be an event of default under the indenture and the debt securities, if we irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money or U.S. government securities to pay the principal of (and premium, if any), interest, if any, and any other sums payable on the debt securities when due. We must also deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to the same federal income tax consequences as if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. Our obligations under the indenture and debt securities other than with respect to the covenants referred to above and the events of default other than the event of default referred to above will remain in full force and effect.
Modification of Indenture and Waiver of Certain Covenants
Without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of each series affected, we and the trustee may execute a supplemental indenture for limited purposes, including adding to our covenants or events of default, curing ambiguities, appointing a successor trustee and other changes that do not adversely affect the rights of a holder of debt securities.
With the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected, we and the trustee may also execute a supplemental indenture to change the indenture or modify the rights of the holders of debt securities of any series. However, the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected is required for execution of a supplemental indenture that would (i) change the maturity of principal of or interest, if any, on any debt security, reduce the amount of any principal, premium or interest payment, change the currency in which any debt security is payable or impair the right to bring suit to enforce any payment rights, or (ii) reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of the series whose consent is required to authorize the supplemental indenture.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series may waive our compliance with certain covenants in the indenture with respect to that series.
The indenture contains provisions for determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of outstanding principal amount of a series of debt securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of debt securities, in cases where debt securities were issued at a discount, where the principal amount was denominated in a foreign
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currency, or where the principal amount is determined with reference to an index. In addition, for these purposes, debt securities owned by us or our affiliates are deemed not to be outstanding. The indenture also contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of a series issuable as bearer debt securities, which may be called by the trustee and also by us or the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series.
Defaults and Certain Rights on Default
An event of default with respect to any series of debt securities is defined in the indenture as any of the following events:
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series. We are required to deliver to the trustee annually a written statement as to the fulfillment of our obligations under the indenture.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of the series to be immediately due and payable. The declaration may, under certain circumstances, be rescinded by the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of the series.
Other than its duties in case of an event of default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the holders offer to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnity, subject to certain limitations described in the indenture, the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to debt securities of the series except a default in payment on any of the debt securities of the series or a default with respect to a covenant that cannot be modified without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected.
Conversion Rights
If applicable, the terms of debt securities of any series that are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities or property will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. These terms will describe whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These terms may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or other securities or property to be received by the holders of debt securities would be subject to adjustment.
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Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning the Trustee
The trustee is an affiliate of one of a number of banks with which we maintain ordinary banking relationships.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock, as amended or superseded by any applicable prospectus supplement, includes a summary of certain provisions of our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and our amended by-laws. This description is subject to the detailed provisions of, and is qualified by reference to, our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and our amended by-laws, copies of which have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We are authorized to issue (1) 500,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $1 per share, of which 96,524,636 shares were outstanding as of November 7, 2012 and (2) 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, of which 2,000,000 shares are designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. The authorized shares of our common stock and preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our shareowners, unless the action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. If the approval of our shareowners is not so required, our board of directors may determine not to seek shareowner approval.
Certain of the provisions described below could have the effect of discouraging transactions that might lead to a change of control of us. These provisions:
Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for such purpose. Dividends may not be paid on common stock unless all accrued dividends on preferred stock, if any, have been paid or declared and set aside. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share pro rata in the assets remaining after payment to creditors and after payment of the liquidation preference plus any unpaid dividends to holders of any outstanding preferred stock.
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Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock outstanding in the holders name. No holder of common stock is entitled to cumulate votes in voting for directors. Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, provide that, unless otherwise determined by our board of directors, no holder of our common stock has any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any stock of any class which we may issue or sell.
Computershare (successor to The Bank of New York Mellons Shareowner Services business) is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Preferred Stock
General. Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, permit us to issue up to 30,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or more series and with rights and preferences that may be fixed or designated by our board of directors without any further action by our shareowners. The designations and the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by an amendment to our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, relating to each series adopted by our board, including:
Although our board of directors has no intention at the present time of doing so, it could issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt.
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, authorize us to issue up to 2,000,000 shares designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, none of which are outstanding as of the date hereof. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock was created in connection with our shareholder rights plan which is now expired.
Holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are entitled, in preference to holders of common stock, to such dividends as the board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for the purpose. Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock is entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1 per share but is entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per share of common stock whenever such dividend is declared. In the event of liquidation, the holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $100 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of common stock. Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will have 100 votes, voting together with common stock. In the event
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of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of common stock are exchanged, each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per share of common stock. These rights will be protected by customary antidilution provisions. Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock is not redeemable.
Because of the nature of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stocks dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of a one one-hundredth interest in a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock should approximate the value of one share of common stock.
Certain Provisions in our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as Amended, and Amended By-Laws
Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and amended by-laws contain various provisions intended to (1) promote the stability of our shareowner base and (2) render more difficult certain unsolicited or hostile attempts to take us over which could disrupt us, divert the attention of our directors, officers and employees and adversely affect the independence and integrity of our business.
Pursuant to our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, the number of directors is fixed by our board of directors. Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, provide that other than directors elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock or any other series or class of stock except common stock, our directors are divided into three classes, each class to consist as nearly as possible of one-third of the directors. The Indiana Business Corporation Law was amended effective July 1, 2009, to require every corporation that has a class of voting shares registered with the SEC under Section 12 of the Exchange Act to maintain a classified board structure whereby its directors are elected for staggered terms in office. Corporations that were publicly-held at the time the classified board mandate became effective had until July 31, 2009, to amend their by-laws to elect not to be subject to this requirement. We did not amend our amended by-laws within the prescribed time and, accordingly, we are required to maintain our current classified board structure. Our amended by-laws provide that directors elected by shareowners at an annual meeting of shareowners will be elected by a plurality of all votes cast. Under our majority voting policy (which is not part of our by-laws), any nominee for director who is elected but who receives a greater number of withheld votes than for votes in an uncontested election is required to tender his or her resignation after the certification of the shareowner vote. Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers the resignation and recommends to our board of directors what action should be taken. Under our majority voting policy, our board of directors is required to take action and publicly disclose the decision and its underlying rationale within 90 days of the shareowner vote. Currently, the terms of office of the three classes of directors expire, respectively, at our annual meetings in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The term of the successors of each such class of directors expires three years from the year of election.
Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, contains a fair price provision pursuant to which a business combination (as defined in our restated articles of incorporation, as amended) between us or one of our subsidiaries and an interested shareowner (as defined in our restated articles of incorporation, as amended) requires approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80 percent of the voting power of all of our outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, unless the business combination is approved by at least two-thirds of the continuing directors (as defined in our restated articles of incorporation, as amended) or certain fair price criteria and procedural requirements specified in the fair price provision are met.
Any amendment or repeal of the fair price provision, or the adoption of provisions inconsistent therewith, must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80 percent of the voting power of all of our outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, unless the amendment, repeal or adoption were approved by at least two-thirds of the continuing directors.
Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and amended by-laws provide that a special meeting of shareowners may be called only by a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which we would have if there were no vacancies. Shareowners are not permitted to call, or to require that the board of directors call, a special meeting of shareowners. Moreover, the business permitted to be conducted at any special
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meeting of shareowners is limited to the business brought before the meeting pursuant to the notice of the meeting given by us. Our amended by-laws establish an advance notice procedure for shareowners to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before meetings of our shareowners.
Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, provide that the affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of all of our outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, would be required to amend or repeal the provisions of our articles with respect to the election or removal of directors, the right to call a special shareowners meeting, business combinations, or the right to adopt any provision inconsistent with the preceding provisions. In addition, our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, provide that our board of directors has exclusive authority to make, alter, amend and repeal our by-laws and that our shareowners have no power to do so.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and amended by-laws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC.
Indiana Restrictions on Business Combinations
The Indiana Business Corporation Law contains a statutory antitakeover defense that restricts the ability of a resident domestic corporation to engage in any business combination with an interested shareholder for five years after the interested shareholders date of acquiring shares unless the business combination or the purchase of shares by the interested shareholder on the interested shareholders share acquisition date is approved by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation before that date. If the combination was not previously approved, the interested shareholder may effect a combination after the five-year period only if the shareholder receives approval from a majority of the disinterested shares or the offer meets certain fair price criteria. For purposes of these provisions, resident domestic corporation means an Indiana corporation that has 100 or more shareholders. Interested shareholder means any person, other than the resident domestic corporation or its subsidiaries, who is (1) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the resident domestic corporation or (2) an affiliate or associate of the resident domestic corporation and at any time within the five-year period immediately before the date in question was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of the resident domestic corporation. These provisions do not apply to a corporation that so elects in its original articles of incorporation or in an amendment to its articles of incorporation approved by a majority of the disinterested shares. Such an amendment, however, would not become effective for 18 months after its passage and would apply only to stock acquisitions occurring after its effective date. Our restated articles of incorporation, as amended, do not exclude us from these provisions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
The following summarizes the terms of the debt warrants, common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants we may issue. This description is subject to the detailed provisions of a warrant agreement that we will enter into with a warrant agent we select at the time of issue.
General
We may issue warrants evidenced by warrant certificates under the warrant agreement independently or together with any securities we offer by any prospectus supplement. If we offer warrants, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including:
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Rights as Holders of Debt Securities
Debt warrant holders, as such, will not have any of the rights of holders of debt securities, except to the extent that the consent of debt warrant holders may be required for certain modifications of the terms of an indenture or form of the debt security, as the case may be, and the series of debt securities issuable upon exercise of the debt warrants. In addition, debt warrant holders will not be entitled to payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the debt securities.
No Rights as Shareowners
Holders of stock warrants, as such, will not be entitled to vote, to consent, to receive dividends or to receive notice as shareowners with respect to any meeting of shareowners, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as our shareowners.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
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The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus, including:
The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:
Offerings of our equity securities under this prospectus may also be made into an existing trading market for the securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:
The at-the-market offerings, if any, will be conducted by underwriters, dealers or agents acting as our principal or agent, who may also be third-party sellers of securities as described above.
Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Sales through Underwriters or Dealers
Underwriters or the third parties described above may offer and sell the offered securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters obligations to purchase the
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securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement in connection with any particular offering of securities.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
Some or all of the securities that we offer through this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell the offered securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
We may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus through:
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities directly. Direct sales to investors may be accomplished through subscription offerings or through subscription rights distributed to our shareowners. In connection with subscription offerings or the distribution of subscription rights to shareowners, if all of the underlying offered securities are not subscribed for, we may sell such unsubscribed offered securities to third parties directly and, in addition, whether or not all of the underlying offered securities are subscribed for, we may concurrently offer additional offered securities to third parties directly.
If indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may sell the securities through agents from time to time, which agents may be affiliated with us. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Remarketing Arrangements
Offered securities may also be offered and sold in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Institutional Purchasers
We may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The applicable prospectus supplement will provide any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.
Indemnification; Other Relationships
Agents, underwriters and other third parties described above may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, underwriters and such other third parties may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed on for us by Chadbourne & Parke LLP, New York, New York, as to New York law, and by Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, Indianapolis, Indiana, as to Indiana law, and if the securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, the validity of the securities will be passed on for the underwriters by their own counsel, who will be named in the prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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$275,000,000
Meritor, Inc.
6-3/4% Notes due 2021
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P R O S P E C T U S S U P P L E M E N T
May 28, 2013
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Citigroup
J.P. Morgan
BofA Merrill Lynch
RBS
UBS Investment Bank
BNP PARIBAS
PNC Capital Markets LLC
Comerica Securities
Huntington Investment Company
Deutsche Bank Securities
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.