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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Goodrich Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Goodrich Corporation
Four Coliseum Centre
2730 West Tyvola Road
Charlotte, NC 28217-4578
USA
www.goodrich.com
September 21, 2011
Dear Colleague:
Today marks an important milestone in our long and proud history. Earlier Goodrich announced that
our Board of Directors unanimously approved an agreement to combine with United Technologies.
Under the agreement, United Technologies will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of
Goodrich for $127.50 per share in cash a transaction valued at approximately $18.4 billion.
This announcement is a testament to what Goodrich and its employees have achieved over the last 140
years and is an exciting next step for our company. We have attached a list of frequently asked
questions that we hope will address some of your questions.
As I am sure many of you are aware, United Technologies is a diversified company that provides high
technology products and services to the aerospace and defense and building industries, and is based
in Hartford, Connecticut. The Board and management team are confident this transaction is the best
decision for our company and will provide compelling benefits to our shareholders, customers,
partners and especially to you, Goodrichs valued employees.
Since our founding in 1870, Goodrich has evolved into a global leader in the aerospace and defense
industry. We got here through a lot of hard work and a commitment to our underlying values of
entrepreneurship and innovation. Together, Goodrich and United Technologies will benefit from
increased scale, financial strength and complementary aerospace product lines and technologies.
Goodrichs established defense portfolio further diversifies the customers United Technologies
serves. In addition, the combined company will have significant and stable cash flows to support
organic growth and R&D efforts that will allow it to sustain its leadership position in innovation.
What This Means For You
Following completion of the transaction I will become Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of a
combined UTC Aerospace Systems business unit. The senior leadership team of the combined business
will be located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Both Goodrich and United Technologies Hamilton
Sundstrand brands will be maintained within this business unit.
As part of United Technologies which has a similar culture of mutual trust and respect,
accountability and teamwork we will have the opportunity to execute our strategy on a larger
scale and take advantage of the key capabilities and talent of each company. The combined company
will have an expanded product range, supported by the best talent in the industry. As always, we
will remain committed to running our business ethically and responsibly.
The transaction with United Technologies offers our employees the opportunity to be part of an
organization with a shared vision and the depth of resources that are increasingly beneficial for
sustained success in our industry. This combination will offer expanded opportunities for career
growth and advancement for employees of both companies. United Technologies looks forward to
working with our team to drive our combined businesses forward. Given the structure of the
transaction, and our similar cultures, we expect that this will be a seamless transition for our
employees. Over the coming weeks, we will be forming an integration team comprised of senior
executives from both companies to lead the integration effort and assist with the transition
process.
What Happens Next
At this point in the process, we will work on obtaining the regulatory and shareholder approvals
necessary to close this transaction, which we are targeting to occur in mid-2012. Until that time,
Goodrich and United Technologies will continue to operate as independent companies and it will be
business as usual here at Goodrich as we continue to execute on our strategic plan. I know I can
count on you to focus on our objectives, continue serving our customers with the same passion and
commitment that they have come to expect from Goodrich and continue competing vigorously in all
aspects of our business.
We have posted a brief webcast to our Enterprise Video Library on OneSite to provide additional
information about this transaction and what it means for you. Additionally, members of our
leadership team will be visiting Goodrich locations throughout the world in the coming weeks to
discuss this announcement.
It is likely that todays news will lead to increased interest in Goodrich, and it is important we
speak with one voice on this matter. If you receive any inquiries from investors, please refer
them to Paul Gifford, Vice President, Investor Relations, at +1 (704) 423-5517. If you receive
inquiries from the media or other interested parties, please refer them to Lisa Bottle, Vice
President, Corporate Communications, at +1 (704) 423-7060 or Andrew Martin, Media Relations
Manager, at +1 (704) 423-7048. We will make every effort to keep you informed throughout this
process with periodic updates.
We owe our success to your hard work and dedication. As we move through this process, well
continue to rely on you to focus on the work at hand, serve our partners and customers, and help
achieve our goals. Thank you for all you do to make our company successful.
I look forward to what lies ahead for Goodrich and hope you share my enthusiasm.
Sincerely,
Marshall Larsen
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Additional Information
In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will file a proxy statement with the SEC.
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE COMPANY. You will be able to obtain
the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about the Company, free of
charge, at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement and
other filings made by the Company with the SEC can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a
request to Goodrich Corporation, Four Coliseum Centre, 2730 West Tyvola Road, Charlotte, North
Carolina 28217, c/o Secretary.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities
laws. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect the
Companys expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events. These
statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as
believe, expect, anticipate, may, could, intend, intent, belief, estimate,
plan, likely, will, should or similar words or phrases. These statements are not
guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results, performance or
achievements to differ materially from those expressed or indicated by those statements. We cannot
assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved.
The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this
document and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect
subsequent events or circumstances.
Numerous factors could cause our actual results and events to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: demand for and
market acceptance of new and existing products; our ability to extend our commercial OE contracts
beyond the initial contract periods; cancellation or delays of orders or contracts by customers or
with suppliers; our ability to obtain price adjustments pursuant to certain of our long-term
contracts; the financial viability of key suppliers and the ability of our suppliers to perform
under existing contracts; the extent to which we are successful in integrating and achieving
expected operating synergies for recent and future acquisitions; successful development of products
and advanced technologies; the impact of bankruptcies and/or consolidations in the airline
industry; the health of the commercial aerospace industry, including the large commercial,
regional, business and general aviation aircraft manufacturers; global demand for aircraft spare
parts and aftermarket services; changing priorities or reductions in the defense budgets in the
U.S. and other countries, U.S. foreign policy and the level of activity in military flight
operations; the possibility of restructuring and consolidation actions; threats and events
associated with and efforts to combat terrorism; the extent to which changes in regulations
and/or assumptions result in changes to expenses relating to employee and retiree medical and
pension benefits; competitive product and pricing pressures; our ability to recover under
contractual rights of indemnification for environmental, asbestos and other claims arising out of
the divestiture of our tire, vinyl, engineered industrial products and other businesses; the effect
of changes in accounting policies or legislation, including tax legislation; cumulative catch-up
adjustments or loss contract reserves on long-term contracts accounted for under the percentage of
completion method of accounting; domestic and foreign government spending, budgetary and trade
policies; economic and political changes in international markets where we compete, such as changes
in currency exchange rates, interest rates, inflation, fuel prices, deflation, recession and other
external factors over which we have no control; the outcome of contingencies including completion
of acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, tax audits, litigation and environmental remediation
efforts; the impact of labor difficulties or work stoppages at our, a customers or a suppliers
facilities; other factors that are set forth in managements discussion and analysis of the
Companys most recently filed reports with the SEC; and uncertainties associated with the proposed
acquisition of the Company by United Technologies, including uncertainties relating to the
anticipated timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction, the expected timing of
completion of the transaction and the ability to complete the transaction. This list of factors is
illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with
the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and its directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies from the Companys shareholders with respect to the special meeting of shareholders that
will be held to consider the proposed transaction. Information about the Companys directors and
officers and their ownership of the Companys common stock is set forth in its Form 10-K which was
filed with the SEC on February 15, 2011 and the proxy statement for the Companys Annual Meeting of
shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 10, 2011. Shareholders may obtain additional
information regarding the interests of the Company and its directors and executive officers in the
proposed transaction, which may be different than those of the Companys shareholders generally, by
reading the proxy statement and other relevant documents regarding the proposed transaction, when
filed with the SEC.