This Transaction Statement also relates to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 10, 2011, by and between SAC and SonomaWest (the “Merger Agreement”). The Merger Agreement provides that upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and in accordance with Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, SAC will merge with and into SonomaWest (the “Merger”), the separate corporate existence of SAC shall thereupon cease and SonomaWest shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger. Upon completion of the Merger, each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, other than shares owned by SAC or SonomaWest, or by stockholders who have perfected appraisal rights, will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $10.05, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”)
Concurrent with the filing of this Transaction Statement, SonomaWest is filing a definitive Schedule 14C Information Statement (as amended from time to time, the “Information Statement”) under Regulation 14C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), relating to the action by written consent of the holder of approximately 86% of the shares of SonomaWest common stock adopting the Merger Agreement. A copy of the Information Statement is attached hereto as Exhibit (a)(3) and a copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as as Annex A to the Information Statement.
The cross references below are being supplied pursuant to General Instruction G to Schedule 13E-3 and show the location in the Information Statement of the information required to be included in response to the items of Schedule 13E-3. The information contained in the Information Statement, including all annexes thereto, is incorporated by reference herein, and the responses to each Item in this Transaction Statement are qualified in their entirety by the information contained in the Information Statement and the annexes thereto. All information contained in this Transaction Statement concerning SonomaWest, SAC and each individual member of the Stapleton Group has been provided by such person and not by any other person.
Item 1. Summary Term Sheet
Item 1001 of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 1 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “SUMMARY”, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 1 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Subject Company Information
Item 1002 of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 2 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 2 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “THE MERGER—The Companies”.
(b) “MARKET PRICE OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION”.
(c) “MARKET PRICE OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION”.
(d) “MARKET PRICE OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION”.
(e) No additional information.
(f) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”.
Item 3. Identity and Background of Filing Person
Item 1003(a)-(c) of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 3 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 3 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “THE MERGER—The Companies”.
(b) “THE MERGER—The Companies”.
(c) No additional information.
Item 4. Terms of the Transaction
Item 1004(a), (c)-(f) of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 4 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 4 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “INTRODUCTION”; “SUMMARY”; “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Structure of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”; and “THE MERGER—Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger”.
(c) “INTRODUCTION”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”; “THE MERGER—Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Plans for the Company”; “THE MERGER—Appraisal Rights” and “ANNEX C—SECTION 262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS”.
(d) “THE MERGER—Appraisal Rights” and “ANNEX C—SECTION 262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS”.
(e) No additional information.
(f) No additional information.
Item 5. Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements
Item 1005(a)-(c), (e) of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 5 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 5 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; and “THE MERGER— Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger”.
(b)-(c) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; and “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”.
(e) “THE MERGER— Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER— Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger”; and “THE MERGER AGREEMENT”.
Item 6. Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals
Item 1006(b), (c)(1)-(8) of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 6 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 6 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(b) “SUMMARY”; “THE MERGER—Plans for the Company”; “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Structure of the Merger”; and “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock”.
(c)(1)-(8) “INTRODUCTION”; “SUMMARY”; “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Certain Effects of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Plans for the Company”; “THE MERGER— Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger”; “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Structure of the Merger”; and “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock”.
Item 7. Purposes, Alternatives, Reasons and Effects
Item 1013 of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 7 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 7 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “INTRODUCTION”; “SUMMARY”; “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Plans for the Company”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; and “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”.
(b) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Plans for the Company”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; and “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”.
(c) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; and “THE MERGER—Plans for the Company”.
(d) “INTRODUCTION”; “SUMMARY”; “THE MERGER—Certain Effects of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Appraisal Rights”; “ANNEX C—SECTION 262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS”; “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Plans for the Company”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Structure of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”; “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock”; and “THE MERGER—Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger”.
Item 8. Fairness of the Transaction
Item 1014 of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 8 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 8 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; and “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”.
(b) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; and “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”.
(c) “INTRODUCTION”; “SUMMARY; “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”; and “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Conditions to the Merger”.
(d) “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”.
(e) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; and “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”.
(f) No additional information.
Item 9. Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations
Item 1015 of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 9 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 9 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a)-(c) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”; “THE MERGER—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor”; “and “ANNEX B—OPINION OF DUFF & PHELPS, LLC”.
The opinion of Duff & Phelps and its written presentation to the Special Committee are available for inspection and copying at SonomaWest’s principal executive offices during normal business hours by any interested stockholder or representative that has been designated in writing by an interested stockholder. In addition, upon written request by any interested stockholder or representative that has been designated in writing by an interested stockholder, SonomaWest will, at such stockholder’s expense, send such requesting party a copy of Duff & Phelps’ opinion and its written presentation to the Special Committee.
Item 10. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
Item 1007 of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 10 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 10 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a)-(b) “INTRODUCTION”; “SUMMARY”; “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Source and Amount of Funds”; and “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Conditions to the Merger”.
(c) “THE MERGER—Fees and Expenses”.
(d) “THE MERGER—Source and Amount of Funds”.
Item 11. Interest in Securities of the Subject Company
Item 1008 of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 11 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 11 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT”.
(b) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”.
Item 12. The Solicitation or Recommendation
Item 1012(d) and (e) of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 12 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 12 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(d) “THE MERGER— Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger” and “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT”.
(e) “THE MERGER—Background of the Merger”; “THE MERGER—Recommendation of the Board of Directors”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Board of Directors; “THE MERGER—April Special Committee Recommendation”; “THE MERGER—Reasons for the Recommendation by the Special Committee”.
Item 13. Financial Statements
Item 1010(a) and (b) of Regulation M-A
The information incorporated by reference into Item 13 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented with the information set forth in the Information Statement under the following captions, which amends and restates the information set forth in Item 13 of Amendment No. 4 to the Transaction Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:
(a) “THE MERGER—The Companies”.
(b) No additional information.
Item 14. Persons/Assets Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used
Item 1009 of Regulation M-A
No additional information.
Item 15. Additional Information
Item 1011(b) of Regulation M-A
No additional information.
Item 16. Exhibits
Item 1016(a)-(d), (f) and (g) of Regulation M-A
Item 16 of the Transaction Statement is amended and supplemented by deleting Exhibit (a)(3) and adding in its place the following exhibit:
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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(a)(3)
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Definitive Information Statement of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. on Schedule 14C, dated June 3, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. on June 3, 2011)
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