-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, R/HG0wMvHx5DrqqkopHu512c2AtuJSAJtHm8xmzhylzh06hf4jwWimUogyAdz9o2 0zA4cZkbNjCExMXjYu+czA== 0000011454-00-500010.txt : 20010101 0000011454-00-500010.hdr.sgml : 20010101 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000011454-00-500010 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20000930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20001229 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000011454 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-DRUGS PROPRIETARIES & DRUGGISTS' SUNDRIES [5122] IRS NUMBER: 221444512 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-05110 FILM NUMBER: 798460 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 METROPOLITAN DR CITY: ORANGE STATE: CA ZIP: 92668 BUSINESS PHONE: 7143854000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 METROPOLITAN DRIVE CITY: ORANGE STATE: CA ZIP: 92668 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BERGEN DRUG CO INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19690409 10-K 1 form10-k.htm BBC FORM 10-K Bergen Brunswig Corporation Form 10-K


 

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

   


For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000

   


OR

   

 

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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     
   

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

Commission file number 1-5110

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey

22-1444512

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

   

4000 Metropolitan Drive, Orange, California

92868-3510

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

   

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

(714) 385-4000

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 


Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

 

Class A Common Stock -
par value $1.50 per share

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

7/8% Exchangeable Subordinated
Debentures due July 15, 2011

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

$150,000,000 7  3/8% Senior Notes
due 2003

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

7.80% Trust Originated Preferred
Securities
SM ("TOPrS SM")

 

New York Stock Exchange

 


(Cover page continued)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

7% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due March 1, 2006 - Durr-Fillauer Medical, Inc.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any

amendment to this Form 10-K.

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes 4 No__

At November 30, 2000, 134,932,834 shares of Class A Common Stock were outstanding. The aggregate market value of the Class A Common Stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant on November 30, 2000 was $1,950,823,860.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

List hereunder the following documents if incorporated by reference and the part of the Form 10-K into which the document is incorporated:

Within 120 days after September 30, 2000, the Company will either file a definitive proxy statement for its 2001 annual meeting of shareowners which will be incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or will file an amendment to this Annual Report to provide the information called for by such Part III.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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PART I

ITEM

 

PAGE

 
 

Forward-looking Statements

I - 1

 

1.

Business

I - 1

 

2.

Properties

I - 7

 

3.

Legal Proceedings

I - 8

 

4A.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

I - 17

 

PART II

 

5.

Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and

II - 1

   

Related Stockholder Matters

 
 

6.

Selected Financial Data

II - 1

 

7.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

II - 3

   

Condition and Results of Operations

 
 

7a.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

II - 22

 

8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

II - 23

 

9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants

II - 65

   

on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 
 

PART III

 

10.

Directors of the Registrant

III - 1

 

11.

Executive Compensation

III - 1

 

12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

III - 1

   

and Management

 
 

13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

III - 1

 

PART IV

 

14.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports

IV - 1

   

on Form 8-K

 
 
 

Signatures

IV - 7

 

 


 

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Portions of this Annual Report on Form 10-K include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to materially differ from those projected or implied. The most significant of such risks, uncertainties and other factors is described in Item 3 - Legal Proceedings and Exhibit 99(a) to this Annual Report.

 


 

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PART I

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

   
 

A.

General Development of Business

                                   Bergen Brunswig Corporation, a New Jersey corporation formed in 1956, and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") is a diversified drug and health care distribution organization. The Company is one of the nation's largest wholesalers of pharmaceuticals and specialty healthcare products to the managed care and retail pharmacy markets, and also distributes pharmaceuticals to long-term care and workers' compensation patients. The Company provides product distribution, logistics, pharmacy management programs, consulting services, and Internet fulfillment services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes.

                                   The Company has acquired a number of businesses during the past three fiscal years. Following is a summary of such acquisitions, which are more fully described under the caption "Business Acquisitions" in Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part II of this Annual Report:

 

Acquisition Date

Acquired Entity

Segment


April 1999

PharMerica, Inc.

PharMerica

February 1999

J.M. Blanco, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

January 1999

Stadtlander Operating Company, LLC

Discontinued Operations

December 1998

Medical Initiatives, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

September 1998

Ransdell Surgical, Inc.

Discontinued Operations

September 1998

Choice Systems, Inc.

Other Businesses

August 1998

The Lash Group, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

May 1998

Pacific Criticare, Inc.

Discontinued Operations

January 1998

Besse Medical Services, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

 

                                   The Company recently sold two significant businesses, as shown in the table below. Such dispositions are more fully described under the caption "Discontinued Operations" in Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part II of this Annual Report.

 

Disposition Date

Entity Sold


September 2000

Stadtlander Operating Company, LLC ("Stadtlander")

August 2000

Bergen Brunswig Medical Corporation,
Ransdell Surgical, Inc. and Pacific Criticare, Inc.
(collectively, "BBMC").

 

                                   In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recorded special items which in aggregate reduced pre-tax earnings by $598.0 million and net earnings by $561.3 million. The most significant special item was a $505.3 million non-cash charge to provide for the impairment of the goodwill of PharMerica, Inc.("PharMerica"). In addition, there was an aggregate $66.7 million provision for doubtful receivables relating to two customers in the long-term care industry. The other $26.0 million of special items was comprised of charges for the restructuring of Pharmaceutical Distribution operations, the abandonment of capitalized software, officer severance, and impairment of an investment. See Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion and Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part II of this Annual Report.

 

 

B.

Narrative Description of Business

                                   The Company is organized based upon the products and services it provides to its customers. The Company's operating businesses have been aggregated into three reportable segments: Pharmaceutical Distribution, PharMerica, and Other Businesses. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part II of this Annual Report.

 

Pharmaceutical Distribution

                                   The Pharmaceutical Distribution segment includes Bergen Brunswig Drug Company ("BBDC") and ASD Specialty Healthcare, Inc. ("ASD") (formerly known as Bergen Brunswig Specialty Company), which is comprised of the pharmaceutical alternate site distribution business, Integrated Commercialization Solutions ("ICS") and The Lash Group ("Lash").

                                   BBDC is one of the largest national distributors of products sold or used by institutional (hospital) and retail pharmacies. BBDC distributes a full line of products, including pharmaceuticals, proprietary medicines, cosmetics, toiletries, personal health products, sundries, and home healthcare supplies and equipment from 31 locations in 20 states and the Commonweath of Puerto Rico. These products are sold to hospital pharmacies, managed care facilities, health maintenance organizations ("HMOs"), independent retail pharmacies, pharmacy chains, supermarkets, food-drug combination stores and other retailers located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Territory of Guam.

                                   BBDC has been an innovator in the development and utilization of computer-based retail order entry systems and of electronic data interchange ("EDI") systems including computer-to-computer ordering systems with suppliers. During fiscal 2000, substantially all of BBDC's customer orders were received via electronic order entry systems. These systems, combined with daily delivery, are designed to improve customers' cash and inventory management, and profitability, by freeing them from the burden of maintaining large inventories. Although these systems require capital expenditures by the Company, benefits from these systems to BBDC are realized through increased productivity. BBDC is expanding its electronic interface with its suppliers and now electronically processes a substantial portion of its purchase orders, invoices and payments. BBDC has eight regional distribution centers ("RDCs") among its locations. RDCs help improve customer service levels because a wider product selection is more readily available. These facilities serviced 56% of BBDC's sales volume in fiscal 2000.

                                   In June 2000, BBDC launched iBergen.com, a web-enabled portal offering retail and health systems pharmacy customers a comprehensive platform for catalog and order entry, multi-site reporting, market share reports and other applications. iBergen is designed to maximize the synergies between manufacturer, distributor and healthcare provider to provide pharmacists with access to the products, service and cost control initiatives they need to improve their service and profitability.

                                   During fiscal 1999, BBDC established a website, myGNP.com, to strengthen branding opportunities and provide an Internet presence to its independent retail customers. BBDC operates an Internet fulfillment center for over-the-counter drugs, health and beauty aids, and other non-prescription products in Louisville, Kentucky.

                                   In June 1996, BBDC introduced its Generic Purchasing Program ("GPP"). Designed to reduce customers' generic pharmaceutical costs, GPP utilizes the products of a selected group of generic manufacturers and combines that benefit with substantial volume to leverage buying power for BBDC's customers.

                                   BBDC's PlusCareTM Provider network offers a nationwide presence to managed care organizations on behalf of independent and small chain pharmacies, allowing the pharmacists to focus on patient care while BBDC negotiates and maintains contracts and oversees compliance issues.

                                   BBDC utilizes RightPak, Inc. ("RightPak"), its repackaging facility located in Wisconsin, to repackage certain pharmaceuticals from manufacturers' bulk containers into standard bottle sizes and individual unit-of-use doses in order to meet the dispensing needs of pharmacies and healthcare providers.

                                   BBDC also provides a wide variety of promotional, advertising, merchandising, and marketing assistance to independent community pharmacies. For example, the Good Neighbor PharmacyR  program utilizes circular and media advertising to strengthen the consumer image of the independent pharmacy without sacrificing its local individuality. Other programs for the independent community pharmacy include in-store merchandising programs, private label products, shelf management systems, pharmacy computers and a fully-integrated point-of-sale system marketed under BBDC's trademark of OmniPhaseTM.

                                   Hospital and other institutional accounts are offered a wide variety of inventory management and information services by BBDC to better manage inventory investment and contain costs. The AccuLineTM software program, introduced in June 1995, provides an on-line, real-time, hospital inventory management system in a WindowsTM (a trademark of MicrosoftR  Corporation) environment and features local area network capability.

                                   ASD was established during fiscal 1994 to respond to the rapid growth in the pharmaceutical alternate site business. ASD is a leading supplier of pharmaceuticals and other products and services to physicians in the oncology, plasma, nephrology, vaccine and other specialty healthcare markets and has four principal distribution locations in four states.

                                   ICS provides distribution, accounting, marketing, education and other outsourcing services for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Lash provides consulting and management of reimbursement and patient-assistance programs.

 

PharMerica

                                   PharMerica is a leading provider of institutional pharmacy services to the elderly, chronically-ill and disabled in long-term care and alternate site settings, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, specialty hospitals, residential living communities and the home. PharMerica also provides mail order pharmacy services to workers' compensation patients and the catastrophically ill. Currently, PharMerica serves approximately 327,000 long-term care patients and 91,000 workers' compensation patients.

                                   PharMerica's institutional pharmacy business involves the purchase of bulk quantities of prescription and nonprescription pharmaceuticals, principally from BBDC, and the distribution of those products to residents in long-term care facilities. Unlike hospitals, most long-term care facilities do not have onsite pharmacies to dispense prescription drugs, but depend instead on institutional pharmacies such as PharMerica to provide the necessary pharmacy products and services and to play an integral role in monitoring patient medication. PharMerica's pharmacies dispense pharmaceuticals in patient-specific packaging in accordance with physician orders. In addition, PharMerica provides infusion therapy services and Medicare Part B products, as well as formulary management and other pharmacy consulting services.

                                   PharMerica's network of 141 institutional pharmacies covers a geographic area that includes over 85% of the nation's institutional/long-term care beds. Each PharMerica pharmacy typically serves customers within a 150-mile radius.

                                   PharMerica's workers' compensation business provides pharmaceutical claims administration and mail order distribution. PharMerica's services include home delivery of prescription drugs, medical supplies and equipment and an array of computer software solutions to reduce the payor's administrative costs.

 

Other Businesses

                                   The Other Businesses segment consists solely of Choice Systems, Inc. ("Choice"), which develops and markets inventory management systems and related software for hospitals and other healthcare providers.

 

Discontinued Operations

                                   BBMC distributed a variety of medical and surgical products to individual hospitals and alternate site healthcare providers through distribution centers located in every region of the United States except the northeast.

                                   Stadtlander provided disease-specific pharmaceutical care to people living with challenging health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, serious mental illness, and infertility. Stadtlander also provided pharmaceutical care to the privatized corrections market.

 

   

1.

Competition

                                   BBDC and ASD which represent some of the nation's largest pharmaceutical distributors measured by revenues, face intense competition from other national pharmaceutical distributors, as well as regional and local full-line and short-line distributors, direct selling manufacturers and specialty distributors. The principal competitive factors are service and price. Competition continues to drive down the gross profit markup percentage, thereby lowering distributors' gross profit margins.

                                   The institutional pharmacy market is fragmented and competition varies significantly among local geographic markets. PharMerica's competitors include independent retail pharmacies, retail pharmacy chains, long-term care company-owned captive pharmacies and national institutional pharmacies. Management believes that the competitive factors most important in PharMerica's lines of business are quality and range of service offered, competitive prices, reputation with referral sources, ease of doing business with healthcare providers, and the ability to develop and maintain referral sources. One of PharMerica's present competitors is larger (in terms of gross revenues) than PharMerica. In addition, there are relatively few barriers to entry in PharMerica's local markets. PharMerica's workers' compensation business primarily competes with local retail pharmacies and medical equipment supply companies, and competes primarily on the basis of the effectiveness of its cost containment services.

 

   

2.

Employees

                                   As of November 30, 2000, the Company employed approximately 10,300 people. The Company considers its relationship with its employees and the unions representing certain of its employees to be satisfactory.

 

   

3.

Government Regulation

                                   Certain pharmaceutical products and medical supplies sold by the Company are subject to federal and state statutes and regulations governing the sale, marketing, packaging and distribution of prescription drugs, including controlled substances, and medical devices. Furthermore, the Company (particularly in its PharMerica operations) and/or its customers are subject to extensive licensing requirements and comprehensive regulation governing various aspects of the healthcare delivery system, including the so called "fraud and abuse" laws. The fraud and abuse laws preclude, among other things, (a) persons from soliciting, offering, receiving or paying any remuneration in order to induce the referral of a patient for treatment or for inducing the ordering or purchasing of items or services that are in any way paid for by Medicare or Medicaid and (b) physicians from making referrals to certain entities with which they have a financial relationship. The fraud and abuse laws and regulations are broad in scope and are subject to frequent modification and varied interpretation. Significant criminal, civil and administrative sanctions may be imposed for violation of these laws and regulations.

                                   As part of various changes made to Medicare, in 1997 the United States Congress established the Prospective Payment System ("PPS") for Medicare patients in skilled nursing facilities under which such facilities are paid a federal daily rate for virtually all covered skilled nursing facility services. Under the PPS, PharMerica's skilled nursing facility customers are no longer able to pass through their costs for certain products and services provided by PharMerica. Instead, PharMerica's customers receive a federal daily rate to cover the costs of all eligible goods and services provided to Medicare patients, which may include certain pharmaceutical and other goods and services provided by PharMerica that were previously reimbursed separately under Medicare. Since the amount of skilled nursing facility Medicare reimbursement is limited by the PPS, facility customers now have an increased incentive to negotiate with PharMerica to minimize the costs of providing goods and services to patients covered under Medicare. PharMerica continues to bill skilled nursing facilities on a negotiated fee schedule. As disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999, and elsewhere, implementation of PPS has had a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of PharMerica.

                                   PharMerica's reimbursement for pharmaceuticals provided under state Medicaid programs are also subject to government regulation. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, PharMerica began to experience the negative impact of two recent regulatory events which reduced reimbursement under state Medicaid programs, and it is expected that such lower reimbursements will continue into future years. The first event was the announcement by approximately 34 states of a significant reduction in Average Wholesale Price (AWP) reimbursement levels for certain intravenous (IV) drugs provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. The second event was the Health Care Financing Administration's ("HCFA") reduction of Federal Upper Limit (FUL) prices, which are used to set the reimbursement levels for numerous pills and tablets dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries.

                                   As a result of a wide variety of political, economic and regulatory influences, the healthcare delivery industry in the United States is under intensive scrutiny and subject to fundamental changes. A variety of new approaches have been proposed, including mandated basic healthcare benefits and controls on healthcare spending through limitations on the growth of private health insurance premiums and Medicare and Medicaid spending. The Company anticipates that Congress and state legislatures will continue to review and assess alternative healthcare delivery systems and payment methods and that public debate with respect to these issues will likely continue in the future. Because of uncertainty regarding the ultimate features of reform initiatives and their enactment and implementation, the Company cannot predict which, if any, of such reform proposals will be adopted, when they may be adopted, or what impact they may have on the Company.

 

   

4.

Other

                                   While the Company's operations may show quarterly fluctuations, the Company does not consider its business to be seasonal in nature.

                                   Although the Company's computer service operations expend time and effort on the development and marketing of computer software used in support of services offered by the Company for its customers, which are described in part elsewhere herein, the Company has not, during the past three fiscal years, expended any material amounts on research and development of computer software for sale.

 

 


 

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ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

                       Because of the nature of the Company's business, office and warehousing facilities are operated in widely dispersed locations in the United States. Some of the facilities are owned by the Company, but most are leased on a long-term basis. The Company considers its operating properties to be in satisfactory condition and well utilized with adequate capacity for growth.

                       As of November 30, 2000, the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment operations were located in 38 leased and 15 owned locations ranging in size from approximately 1,000 to 220,000 square feet and have a combined area of approximately 3,949,000 square feet. The lease expiration dates of the leased facilities range from fiscal 2001 to fiscal 2008.

                       As of November 30, 2000, the PharMerica segment operations were located in 154 leased locations ranging in size from approximately 1,000 to 89,000 square feet and have a combined area of approximately 1,154,000 square feet. The lease expiration dates of the leased facilities range from fiscal 2001 through fiscal 2009.

                       As of November 30, 2000, the Other Businesses segment operations were located in one leased location comprising approximately 18,000 square feet. The lease expires in fiscal 2004.

                       The Company owns and leases an aggregate of approximately 249,000 square feet of general and executive offices in Orange, California and leases approximately 28,000 square feet of data processing offices in Montgomery, Alabama. The owned facility was purchased in October 1999. The lease expiration dates of the leased facilities range from fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2005.

                       The combined area of the Company's leased and owned facilities was approximately 3,360,000 and 2,038,000 square feet, respectively, as of November 30, 2000.

                       For additional information regarding the Company's lease obligations, see Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part II of this Annual Report.

 

 

 


 

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ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

                       There have been no new material matters in the legal proceedings as previously reported in Part I, Item 3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 1999 except as otherwise might be set forth below.

 

Section 1.

1.1         State Antitrust Actions

             1.1.1         As previously reported, between August 3, 1993 and February 14, 1994, the Company, along with various other pharmaceutical industry-related companies, was named as a defendant in eight separate state antitrust actions in three courts in California. These lawsuits are more fully detailed in "Item 1 - Legal Proceedings" of Part II of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference. In April 1994, these California state actions were all coordinated as Pharmaceutical Cases I, II and III, and assigned to a single judge in San Francisco Superior Court. On August 22, 1994, a Consolidated Amended Complaint ("California Complaint"), which supersedes and amends the eight prior complaints, was filed in these actions. The California Complaint alleges that the Company and 35 other pharmaceutical industry-related companies violated California's Cartwright Act, Unfair Practices Act, and the Business and Professions Code unfair competition statute. The California Complaint alleges that defendants jointly and separately engaged in secret rebating, price fixing and price discrimination between plaintiffs and plaintiffs' alleged competitors who sell pharmaceuticals to patients or retail customers. Plaintiffs seek, on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated California pharmacies, injunctive relief and treble damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The judge struck the class allegations from the Unfair Practices Act claims, and on June 26, 1995, granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification of the consolidated actions. On September 8, 1995, the court entered an order staying all proceedings in the consolidated actions pending resolution of the federal action. To date, the action is still stayed. As previously reported, on May 2, 1994, the Company and Durr Drug Company were named as defendants, along with 25 other pharmaceutical related-industry companies, in a state antitrust class action in the Circuit Court of Greene County, Alabama entitled Durrett v. UpJohn Company, et al., No. 94-029 ("Alabama Complaint"). The Alabama Complaint alleges on behalf of a class of Alabama retail pharmacies and a class of Alabama consumers that the defendants conspired to discriminatorily fix prices to plaintiffs at artificially high levels. The Alabama Complaint seeks injunctive relief and treble damages. On June 25, 1999, the Alabama Supreme Court held that plaintiffs' claims are not valid under the Alabama antitrust statute. On November 29, 1999 the trial court dismissed the entire action in accordance with the mandate of the Alabama Supreme Court. Similar actions were also filed against the Company and other wholesalers and manufacturers in Mississippi, Montgomery Drug v. UpJohn, et. al., No. 97-0103, and in Tennessee, Graves v. Abbott, et. al., No. 25,109-II. The various state actions have not yet been set for trial.

1.2         State Opt Out Antitrust Actions

             1.2.1         In addition to the above-mentioned state court actions in Section 1.1, the Company and other wholesaler defendants have been added as defendants in a series of related antitrust lawsuits brought by certain independent pharmacies who have opted out of the class action cases. After a successful motion by the Company and other wholesalers, the damage period in these cases was limited to October 1993 to the present. On July 17, 2000, the wholesaler defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. On November 6, 2000, the court granted the motion, dismissing all claims against the wholesalers. An Arkansas group of opt out plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration, requesting that their Arkansas state law claims not be dismissed. That motion is currently pending.

         On October 21, 1994, the Company entered into a sharing agreement with five other wholesalers and 26 pharmaceutical manufacturers. Among other things, the agreement provides that: (a) if a judgment is entered against both the manufacturer and wholesaler defendants, the total exposure for joint and several liability of the Company is limited to the lesser amount of either 1% of each shared judgment or an aggregate amount of $1 million on all shared judgments in all actions; (b) if a settlement is entered into by, between, and among the manufacturer and wholesaler defendants, the Company has no monetary exposure for such settlement amount; (c) the six wholesaler defendants will be reimbursed by the 26 pharmaceutical defendants for related legal fees and expenses in an amount agreed to by the manufacturers (of which the Company will receive a proportionate share); and (d) the Company is to release certain claims which it might have had against the manufacturer defendants for the claims presented by the plaintiffs in these cases. The agreement covers all antitrust actions raising the issues described above and which allege joint and several liability with at least one manufacturer, including the cases described in this Section.

1.3         Proposition 65 - Gottesfeld

             1.3.1         As previously reported, in February 1999, Perry Gottesfeld, an individual, filed a lawsuit against the Company and approximately sixteen other defendants in the case entitled, Perry Gottesfeld v. Alva-Amco, et. al., alleging that manufacturers and distributors of over the counter dandruff shampoos containing coal tar expose consumers to coal tar, a Proposition 65-listed carcinogen, without providing a warning. Shortly after Gottesfeld filed suit, the California Attorney General filed a separate action covering the same products. Under Proposition 65 and California's Business and Professions Code Section 17200 (Unfair Trade Practices), both Gottesfeld and the State are seeking substantial civil penalties, restitution, injunctive relief, attorney's fees and costs from the defendants. Both cases have been consolidated and are pending in San Francisco County Superior Court. The Company has filed an answer to both plaintiffs' claims and responded to discovery requests. Settlement discussions were ongoing until August 2000, but ceased when the plaintiffs demanded that defendants reformulate their products to below minimum levels set under the federal Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") Coal Tar Monograph, which defendants believe conflict irreconcilably with FFDCA requirements.

             1.3.2         On March 14, 2000, Gottesfeld filed a citizen's petition with the FDA requesting FDA to restrict the sale of pharmaceuticals containing coal tar to prescription only and to require additional warnings for cancer. The basis for the Gottesfeld Petition is an unvalidated scientific study concerning exposure to coal tar oil in mice, which is the same scientific evidence that both Gottesfeld and the Attorney General assert as the basis of their Proposition 65 claim.

             1.3.3         On September 22, 2000, the Court granted the Company's request for a stay of the action pending the FDA review of the Gottesfeld Petition, which is due by the end of January 2001. At the hearing on the stay, the Court evidenced a willingness to consider FDA's determination on the merits of plaintiffs' claims. Although the Company is cautiously optimistic that FDA will reaffirm its Monograph, and thereby uphold defendant's position that warnings are not required, the Company cannot guarantee that result. In any case, FDA's determination should provide an impetus for settlement, or reduce the duration of litigation.

             1.3.4         As of November 7, 2000, the court ordered a continuance of the Stay until January 31, 2001, at which time the parties will file a further status report.

1.4         EPA Butterworth Landfill Site

             1.4.1         As previously reported, on or about March 5, 1999, the Company was notified that it was a potentially responsible party ("PRP") in connection with the Butterworth Landfill Site ("Butterworth Site") located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and that the U.S. EPA had entered into a Court-ordered consent decree ("Decree") with five principal PRP's to spend approximately $9.6 million on immediate responsive activities at the Butterworth Site, including remedial investigation and feasibility studies. In addition and pursuant to Section 107 of the CERCLA, the U.S. Department of the Interior has asserted a claim for damages caused to natural resources ("NRD Liability"). The present value of the expected remedial action at the Butterworth Site over the next thirty years is in excess of $20 million.

             1.4.2         The Company has tendered $53,000 in exchange for statutory contribution protection and a covenant not to sue in the Decree. The Decree was expected to be entered in the Fourth Quarter of 1999, but as of December 2000, still has not been entered. Upon entering the Decree, all EPA claims and NRD Liability against the Company will be released and any future contribution or cost recovery actions by other PRP's against the Company will be barred.

             1.4.3         The lengthy delay in filing to enter the Decree has been caused by an opposition to the same by a group of approximately 18 non-settling parties, known as the Varnum Group (the "Group"). The members of the Group are allegedly liable as generators of hazardous materials. The Group maintains that the settlement is unfair to them primarily because it does not include them, thereby leaving them exposed to an order from EPA to perform a portion of the work at the Butterworth Site and, potentially, to claims in contribution from the settling parties.

             1.4.4         In May 1999, the U.S. filed a Memorandum in Support of the Decree, which the Group opposed. In August 2000, the U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Michigan granted the United State's Motion for Entry of the Decree. However, in October 2000, the Company received service of the Group's notice to appeal. As of November 2000, the Group filed a motion to stay the appeal for seven weeks, pending ongoing settlement negotiations.

1.5         EPA Casmalia Landfill Site

             1.5.1         In addition to the Butterworth Site and as previously reported, in January 1999, EPA identified the Company as a PRP at the Casmalia Superfund Site ("Casmalia Site") and sent the Company a demand for contribution of approximately $140,000. Working with a steering committee of counsel, the Company has negotiated a reduction in EPA's demands. On October 11, 1999, EPA revised its demands reducing the amounts demanded and providing two options through which PRPs may liquidate their liability. The current settlement demands range from $103,317 to $75,114. The Company has also asserted a defense that it should not be considered a PRP at the Casmalia Site on the ground that nearly all of the waste it sent to the Casmalia Site was covered by the so-called petroleum exclusion from the CERCLA. EPA has been considering the Company's claim to exclude this waste since June 9, 1999, and the Company does not expect a response in the foreseeable future.

             1.5.2         In December 1999, EPA set a "deadline" for the Company to indicate if it would accept one of the reduced settlement options. In June 2000, the Company conditionally accepted EPA's settlement terms. Both EPA and the PRP Steering Committee have entered into a tolling agreement to postpone the deadline for completing the settlement until EPA completes its review of the Company's claim that its waste was exempt from CERCLA.

1.6         PharMerica Securities Litigation

             1.6.1         As previously reported, in November 1998 and February 1999, two putative securities class actions were filed against PharMerica and certain individuals ("Defendants") in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Court consolidated the actions into one putative class action and appointed two groups as co-lead Plaintiffs for the proposed class, who filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint. The proposed classes consist of all persons who purchased or acquired stock of PharMerica between January 7, 1998 and July 24, 1998. The Consolidated Amended Complaint seeks monetary damages but does not specify an amount. In general, the Consolidated Amended Complaint alleges that the Defendants made material misrepresentations with respect to an alleged violation of generally accepted accounting principles, and omissions by withholding from the market information related to the costs associated with certain acquisitions. The Consolidated Amended Complaint alleges claims under Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Defendants' motion to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint with prejudice is pending before the Court.

1.7         PharMerica OIG Investigation

             1.7.1         As previously reported, prior to the acquisition of PharMerica by the Company, the United States Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS"), during the course of a Medicare Audit of various nursing homes, requested PharMerica to produce records related to intravenous pharmaceuticals provided to particular nursing homes in 1997 and 1998. PharMerica cooperated with the audit and complied with the request. PharMerica has learned that HHS auditors allege that during the 1997-98 time frame, certain nursing homes, primarily operating in Texas, improperly billed Medicare for intravenous pharmaceuticals and related services. The government has been made aware that PharMerica did not bill the Medicare program for the goods and services it sold to nursing homes. On or about June 1, 2000, the government filed a lawsuit against one former chain of thirteen Texas nursing homes, Sensitive Care, in which the government alleges that Sensitive Care filed false claims for Medicare reimbursement. The government has not quantified the extent of any damages it allegedly suffered. Sensitive Care has filed for bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas, thus, the government's complaint against Sensitive Care has been filed in bankruptcy court there, as a creditor's claim. In its Answer to the government's lawsuit, Sensitive Care has denied liability, but has further alleged that PharMerica is liable for any false claim liabilities that may be imposed against Sensitive Care under an indemnification clause contained in the pharmacy services contract(s) between PharMerica and the nursing homes Sensitive Care formerly operated. PharMerica was served with a copy of Sensitive Care's third-party complaint seeking indemnification and intends to defend vigorously against the imposition of any liability against it for fraudulent billings that an independent third-party organization, like Sensitive Care, may have submitted to the government.

1.8         Liliha Pharmacy/Hawaii

             1.8.1         As previously reported, PharMerica had been informed by the State of Hawaii Medicaid Fraud Division that it had initiated an investigation into possible violations of Medicaid regulations by a pharmacy operated by PharMerica in Honolulu, Hawaii. PharMerica conducted an internal investigation in conjunction with the State. After extensive discussions with the responsible State authorities, the Company believes a resolution of this matter is probable in the near future, which would include monetary liability in an amount not material to the Company on a consolidated basis.

             1.8.2         In addition, due to the nature of the business of PharMerica that involves payments under various federal and state programs, PharMerica is regularly subject to audit, review and investigation processes of government entities, quasi-governmental entities and third-party payors.

1.9         OIG Investigation of Stadtlander

             1.9.1         As previously reported, a United States federal investigation of Stadtlander with respect to possible violations of the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act is being conducted ("OIG Investigation"). The commencement of the investigation predated the ownership of Stadtlander by Counsel Corporation, the entity that sold Stadtlander to the Company. More specifically, the Office of Inspector General ("OIG") is investigating whether Stadtlander properly issued credits or refunds to the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs in cases where such credits or refunds may have been due. The Company has been advised that while owned by Counsel Corporation, Stadtlander cooperated fully with the authorities investigating this matter, and the Company continues to do so. As announced in or about September 2000, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement ("Stadtlander Sale Agreement") with ProCare Pharmacy, Inc. and certain of its designated affiliates to sell substantially all of the assets and business operations of Stadtlander (except for the Corrections Division). Notwithstanding the completion of the sale of such assets and business operations, according to the terms of the Stadtlander Sale Agreement, the Company continues to remain responsible for any and all fees, costs and expenses and any resulting liability arising from matters such as the OIG Investigation.

         Although the amount of liability at September 30, 2000 with respect to the referenced proceedings in Section 1 above cannot be ascertained, in the opinion of management, based upon information currently available to management, any resulting liability is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. This statement represents a forward-looking statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from management's opinion based on a variety of factors, including the uncertainties involved in the proof of legal and factual matters in complex legal proceedings.

 

Section 2.

2.1         Bergen Brunswig Corporation v. Counsel Corp.

             2.1.1         As previously reported, on October 14, 1999, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries commenced an action in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of the State of California against Counsel Corporation, Stadt Holdings, Inc., and certain of their officers and directors (the "Counsel defendants") in connection with the Company's acquisition of Stadtlander Drug Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Stadtlander") on January 21, 1999. In the Counsel action, the Company alleges that the Counsel defendants devised and perpetrated a joint venture scheme with the common purpose of selling Stadtlander at a grossly inflated price. The Company contends that, by means of fraudulent adjusting journal entries and related misrepresentations and omissions, the Counsel defendants provided inaccurate financial statements and other false and misleading information to the Company in order to fraudulently induce it to consummate the Stadtlander acquisition for an excessive sales price.

             2.1.2         In its complaint, the Company asserts causes of action against the defendants under California's securities and unfair competition laws, as well as common law and statutory claims for fraud. The Company requests the imposition of a constructive trust, an accounting, restitution and disgorgement of the defendants' ill-gotten profits and other damages, as well as other relief permitted under law, in addition to pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, costs and attorneys' fees.

             2.1.3         Certain of the defendants made a motion to compel arbitration of the Company's claims against them, which the Court denied in January 2000. The same defendants then made a renewed motion to compel arbitration, which the Court was tentatively inclined to deny on April 28, 2000. On June 6, 2000, the Counsel defendants voluntarily withdrew their arbitration request.

             2.1.4         On July 28, 2000, the Company filed and served upon the Counsel defendants a First Amended Complaint, wherein it provided additional details concerning the accounting irregularities committed by the Counsel defendants in connection with the sale of Stadtlander to the Company.

             2.1.5         The Company subsequently dismissed voluntarily defendant John Feehan without prejudice, and defendant Feehan's motion to quash service of summons, filed on September 11, 2000 was taken off calendar.

             2.1.6         Defendants Counsel Corporation, Stadt Holdings, Inc., Allan C. Silber, Morris A. Perlis and James Sas filed and served an Answer to the First Amended Complaint on September 15, 2000, and defendants Counsel Corporation and Stadt Holdings, Inc. filed and served a Cross-Complaint against the Company on September 15, 2000. The Cross-Complaint purports to state two causes of action against the Company, for breach of the Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement governing the Stadtlander acquisition, and for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. On October 13, 2000, the Company filed and served an Answer to the Cross-Complaint, in which it denied the material allegations of the Cross-Complaint and disputes that Counsel Corporation and Stadt Holdings, Inc. are entitled to any damages or other relief whatsoever.

             2.1.7         At a Status Conference on August 17, 2000, the parties stipulated to the appointment of the Honorable Eli Chernow as discovery referee to hear and decide any and all discovery motions and disputes relevant to discovery in the lawsuit. An order of reference for the discovery referee was filed on October 12, 2000 and was signed by the Court on that date.

             2.1.8         The Court has set a tentative trial date in the action for August 20, 2001. Written discovery and document discovery have commenced in earnest. Apart from the deposition of defendant John Feehan on jurisdictional issues, no other depositions have been noticed or taken to date.

             2.1.9         The Company believes its claims against the Counsel defendants have substantial merit, and intends to prosecute its claims vigorously against the Counsel defendants. However, due to the incipient stage of the litigation, its ongoing status, and the necessary uncertainties involved in all litigation, the Company does not believe it is feasible at this time to assess the likely outcome of the litigation, the timing of its resolution, or its ultimate impact, if any, on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

2.2         Bergen Securities, Trust and Derivative Actions

             2.2.1         As previously reported, following the Company's October 14, 1999 announcement that it would not meet analysts' consensus earnings estimates for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, due to, in part, lower than expected results at Stadtlander and PharMerica, and following the Company's disclosures, in its complaint against the Counsel defendants, reported by the press on October 15, 1999, regarding the accounting irregularities involved in the Stadtlander acquisition, 10 purported shareholder class action lawsuits were commenced against the Company and certain of its officers and directors in federal court in California. By order of the Court, pursuant to the parties' stipulation, the 10 cases have been consolidated into a single action in the Southern Division of the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the "Bergen securities action").

             2.2.2         The Bergen securities action is purportedly brought on behalf of a class of the Company's shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's common stock from March 16, 1999 through October 14, 1999, and were allegedly damaged thereby. The Bergen securities action asserts, among other things, various similar claims under sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act 1933, and under sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. In general, the Bergen securities action alleges that the Company and certain of its officers and directors made material omissions and misrepresentations in their PharMerica Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and in other public statements prior to October 14, 1999, by failing to disclose sooner certain accounting irregularities the Company uncovered at Stadtlander after its acquisition, and by allegedly failing to disclose sooner that the reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable at PharMerica were allegedly understated by approximately $35 million.

             2.2.3         On or about April 25, 2000, plaintiffs filed and served a consolidated amended complaint in the Bergen securities action. On June 23, 2000, the Company filed and served a motion to dismiss plaintiffs' consolidated amended complaint in the Bergen securities action. Plaintiffs have responded to the Company's motion, and the Company has filed and served its reply. The hearing currently is scheduled to take place on January 28, 2001.

             2.2.4         In addition to the Bergen securities action, two separate lawsuits alleging violations of certain federal securities laws were commenced in federal court in California, and another lawsuit was commenced in federal court in Delaware, that name as defendants, along with the Company and certain of its officers and directors, Bergen Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as well as various investment banks.

             2.2.5         By order of the Court, pursuant to the parties' stipulation, the Trust securities cases also have been consolidated into a single action in the Southern Division of the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the "Trust securities action"), and have been coordinated with the Bergen securities action as related cases for pre-trial purposes. The Trust securities action purportedly is brought on behalf of a class of persons who purchased shares of the Trust's Preferred Securities pursuant to the May 26, 1999 offering of such securities, including, in two of the cases, persons who thereafter acquired any such Preferred Securities on the open market prior to October 14, 1999.

             2.2.6         The Trust securities action asserts claims under sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as well as claims under sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. In general, the Trust securities action contends that the Trust and the Company failed to fulfill a purported duty to disclose in the Company's 1999 Registration Statement, and in related offering materials with respect to the issuance of the Trust's Preferred Securities, and that the financial data provided by the Company was supposedly unreliable because Stadtlander was suffering from accounting irregularities as a result of the fraud of the Counsel defendants. The complaint in the Trust securities action also alleges that the Company should have disclosed PharMerica's problems arising from uncollectible accounts receivable sooner than it did.

             2.2.7         On or about June 8, 2000, Plaintiffs filed and served a consolidated amended complaint in the Trust securities action. On August 1, 2000, the Company filed and served a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint in the Trust securities action. Plaintiffs have responded to the Company's motion, and the hearing currently is scheduled to take place on January 28, 2001.

             2.2.8         The Plaintiffs in the Bergen securities action and the Trust securities action seek damages in an unspecified amount, and/or rescission, as well as pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, costs and attorneys' fees. Pursuant to court order, "lead plaintiffs" and "lead counsel" have been appointed in the Bergen securities action and the Trust securities action under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). Except as set forth above, no motions are currently pending in any of the actions. No discovery has been commenced by any party to date in any of the actions, except for two third-party subpoenas issued to preserve evidence pending resolution of the pleadings. No trial dates have been set in any of the actions.

             2.2.9         On March 15, 2000, the Company accepted service of a purported shareholder derivative action pending in the Orange County Superior Court (the "Bergen derivative action"). The Bergen derivative action asserts several purported state law causes of action against the directors and certain senior officers of the Company (the "individual defendants"), and also against the Company (as a nominal defendant), alleging, in general terms, various alleged fiduciary breaches and related claims arising from the alleged failure of the individual defendants to conduct adequate due diligence before proceeding with the Stadtlander acquisition and causing Bergen to allegedly violate federal securities laws, as alleged in the Bergen securities action and Trust securities action.

             2.2.10         On Thursday, April 13, 2000, the Company and the individual defendants removed the Bergen derivative action to federal court, on the ground that the purported state law causes of action asserted in the complaint all derive from, and depend upon the resolution of, substantial questions of federal securities law. The plaintiff filed and served a motion to remand the Bergen derivative action to the Orange County Superior Court. The Company opposed plaintiff's motion to remand, to which the plaintiff replied. The Court issued an Order dated August 2, 2000, denying the plaintiff's motion to remand.

             2.2.11         The Company and the individual defendants requested that the derivative complaint be consolidated and/or coordinated with the Bergen securities action and the Trust securities action. To that end, the Bergen derivative action has been assigned to the same Court in which the Bergen securities action and the Trust securities action are pending.

             2.2.12         The Company filed and served a motion to dismiss the complaint in the Bergen derivative action. The plaintiff filed an opposition to that motion, to which the Company replied. On November 28, 2000, the Court issued an order granting the Company's motion to dismiss the derivative action, pursuant to which it dismissed the derivative complaint without leave to amend. On December 7, 2000, the plaintiff in the Bergen derivative action filed and served a motion for reconsideration of the Court's order dismissing the action. The hearing on plaintiff's motion for reconsideration is set for hearing on February 26, 2001. The Company intends to oppose the motion.

             2.2.13         The Company has reached a tentative settlement agreement with plaintiffs' counsel in the various actions, together with its directors' and officers' liability insurance carriers. The Company has submitted for filing and service a third party complaint against its carriers in connection with their settlement and indemnification obligations. The time for the carriers' response to the third party complaint will be set at the time of formal service of the complaint.

             2.2.14         The Company believes that it is likely that the cases will be settled in accordance with the parties' mediated settlement proposal, as modified by the Company's subsequent discussions with its insurance carriers. However, pending confirmation of the settlement and its approval by the Court, the Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims asserted in the various purported shareholder class action lawsuits and the Bergen derivative action. Due to the incipient stage of the litigation, its ongoing status, and the necessary uncertainties involved in all litigation, the Company does not believe it is feasible at this time to assess the likely outcome of the foregoing litigation, the timing of its resolution, or its ultimate impact, if any, on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The proceedings referenced in Section 2 are in their early stages and discovery has not been completed. The Company does not believe it is currently feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of these proceedings, or to estimate the amounts of, or potential range of, loss, if any, with respect to these proceedings.

 

 

 

 


 

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ITEM 4A.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

   

Identification of Executive Officers.

 

 

The

Executive

officers

of

the

Company

are

elected by,

and serve at the

pleasure of, the Board of Directors. Each executive officer holds office until the next election of officers which is generally held in December, January or February of each year. The current executive officers of the Company, and their respective principal occupations and employment during the last five years ended September 30, 2000, are listed alphabetically as follows:

 

Linda M. Burkett,

50,

Executive  Vice  President, Chief  Information  Officer

(since September 1996); Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Bergen Brunswig Drug Company (since 1995).

 

Charles J. Carpenter,

51,

President,    PharMerica,  Inc.  (since  April   1999);

Executive Vice President of the Company (since 1996); Chief Procurement Officer (1996-April 1999); Executive Vice President, Supplier Relations and Operations, Bergen Brunswig Drug Company (1995-1996).

 

Steven H. Collis,

39,

Executive   Vice  President  of  the  Company   (since

February 2000); President, ASD Specialty Healthcare, Inc. (since September 2000); Executive Vice President, ASD Specialty Healthcare, Inc. (1996-August 2000); General Manager, ASD Specialty Healthcare, Inc. (1994-1996).

 

Neil F. Dimick,

51,

Executive  Vice   President,  Chief Financial Officer  (since

1992); President, Bergen Brunswig Specialty Company (September 1996-August 2000). Mr. Dimick is also a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Brent R. Martini,

41,

Executive    Vice  President  of  the   Company   and

President, Bergen Brunswig Drug Company (since September 1996); Executive Vice President, Bergen Brunswig Drug Company, West Region (1994-1996). Brent R. Martini is the son of Robert E. Martini. Brent R. Martini is also a member of the Board of Directors (since December 1999).

 

Robert E. Martini,

68,

Chairman  of   the  Board  (since  1992); Chief Executive

Officer (since November 1999); a consultant to the Company (since January 1997); Chief Executive Officer (1990-January 1997). Mr. Martini is also a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Andrew P. McVay,

40,

Vice President and Controller of Bergen Brunswig Drug

Company (since July 1997); Controller, West Region, Bergen Brunswig Drug Company (1994-July 1997).

 

Michael A. Montevideo,

46,

Treasurer of the Company (since November 2000);

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Imagyn Medical Technologies, Inc. (October 1997-November 2000); several financial management positions with FHP International Corporation (1985-1997), most recently as its Vice President and Treasurer.

 

Milan A. Sawdei,

54,

Secretary (since July 1992);   Executive   Vice President

(since April 1992); Chief Legal Officer (since 1989).

 

Carol E. Scherman,

45,

Executive Vice President, Human Resources (since

September 1996); Executive Vice President, Human Resources (since 1994), Bergen Brunswig Drug Company.

 

 

 

 


 

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PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED

 

STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

                       For certain information regarding shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Common Stock"), including cash dividends per share, market prices per share, stock market information and number of shareowners, see "Selected Quarterly Results (unaudited)" as set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

                       On February 9, 1994, the Board adopted a Shareowner Rights Plan (which was amended and restated on December 17, 1999; see Exhibit 4(c) to this Annual Report) which provides for the issuance of one Preferred Share Purchase Right (the "Rights") for each outstanding share of Common Stock. The Rights are generally not exercisable until 10 days after a person or group (an "Acquiror") acquires 15% of the Common Stock or announces a tender offer which could result in a person or group owning 15% or more of the Common Stock (an "Acquisition"). Each Right, should it become exercisable, will entitle the owner to buy 1/100th of a share of a new series of the Company's Series A Junior Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $80.00.

                       In the event of an Acquisition without the approval of the Board, each Right will entitle the owner, other than an Acquiror, to buy at the Rights' then-current exercise price a number of shares of Common Stock with a market value equal to twice the exercise price. In addition, if, after an Acquisition, the Company were to be acquired by merger, shareowners with unexercised Rights could purchase common stock of the Acquiror with a value of twice the exercise price of the Rights. The Board may redeem the Rights for $0.01 per Right at any time prior to an Acquisition. Unless earlier redeemed, the Rights will expire on February 18, 2004.

 

 

 


 

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ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                       The following selected financial data for the five fiscal years in the period ended September 30, 2000 have been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. This information should be read in connection with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto appearing in Part II of this Annual Report:

 


 
 
Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts

 
  September 30,  
 
 
Years Ended:   2000 (g)     1999 (g)   1998 (g)   1997   1996  

 
Net sales and other revenues (a) :                        
  Excluding bulk shipments to                        
    customers' warehouses $ 18,725,611   $ 16,137,864 $ 12,943,739 $ 10,908,560 $ 9,321,645  
  Bulk shipments to customers'                        
    warehouses   4,217,291     4,056,479   3,401,651   2,837,646   2,476,110  
 
 
    Total net sales and other                        
      revenues   22,942,902     20,194,343   16,345,390   13,746,206   11,797,755  
                               
Earnings (loss) from continuing                        
  operations   (481,026 ) (b) 84,380 (c) 95,247 (d) 81,044 (f) 73,608  
                               
Earnings (loss) per share from                        
  continuing operations - diluted   (3.58 ) (b) 0.71 (c) 0.93 (d) 0.80 (f) 0.73  
                         
Cash dividends declared per                        
  Class A Common share   0.170     0.225   0.315 (e) 0.216   0.192  
 
 
At Years Ended:                        

                               
Total assets $ 4,571,424   $ 5,399,452 $ 2,929,622 $ 2,637,828 $ 2,426,892  
                         
Long-term obligations, net of                        
  current portion   1,096,161     1,041,983   464,778   437,956   419,275  
                         
Company-obligated mandatorily                        
  redeemable preferred                        
  securities of subsidiary trust                        
  holding solely subordinated                        
  notes of the Company   300,000     300,000   -   -   -  
                         
Shareowners' equity   723,249     1,495,490   629,064   644,861   578,966  
 

 
(a) Reclassified to include bulk shipments to customers' warehouses. For further information see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
   
(b) Includes special charges for goodwill impairment of $505.3 million, no income tax effect; provision for doubtful receivables of $40.4 million, net of
  income tax benefit of $26.3 million; restructuring charge of $6.5 million, net of income tax benefit of $4.2 million; abandonment of capitalized
  software of $3.8 million, net of income tax benefit of $2.5 million; officer severance of $2.4 million, net of income tax benefit of $1.6 million; and
  impairment of investment of $3.0 million, net of income tax benefit of $2.0 million. Earnings from continuing operations and diluted earnings per
  share from continuing operations excluding the special charges were $80.3 million and $0.60, respectively. See Item 7 of this Annual Report.
   
(c) Includes special provision for doubtful receivables of $27.8 million, net of income tax benefit of $18.2 million. Earnings from continuing operations
  and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding the special charge were $112.2 million and $0.94, respectively. See Item 7 of this Annual Report.
   
(d) Includes special charges for merger expenses of $8.6 million, net of income tax benefit of $6.0 million; and abandonment of capitalized software of
  $3.1 million, net of income tax benefit of $2.2 million. Earnings from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing
  operations excluding the special charges were $107.0 million and $1.04, respectively. See Item 7 of this Annual Report.
   
(e) Includes $0.075 per share declared September 24, 1998 and paid December 1, 1998. See Item 7 of this Annual Report.
   
(f) Includes special charges for merger expenses of $3.4 million, net of income tax benefit of $2.4 million, relating to the termination of the proposed
  IVAX merger. Earnings from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding the special charges were
  $84.5 million and $0.83, respectively.
   
(g) See Item 7 of this Annual Report for information regarding business acquisitions and dispositions during these fiscal years.
                                                                                                                         

 

 


 

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ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

 

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   

 
 

Results of Operations

                       The Company's revenues have increased significantly during the past three years due to internal growth and acquisitions. However, net earnings and diluted earnings per share trends were negatively affected by special items, higher interest expense associated with additional debt incurred or assumed in connection with certain acquisitions, and discontinued operations. The following table summarizes the Company's revenues and earnings during this period:

 

Dollars in millions, except for per share amounts


Years Ended September 30,

% Change



2000

1999

1998

2000

1999


Net sales and other revenues

$

22,942.9

$

20,194.3

$

16,345.4

14

%

24

%


Earnings from continuing operations,

before special items

$

80.3

$

112.2

$

107.0

(28

)

%

5

%

Special items

(561.3

)

(27.8

)

(11.8

)


Earnings (loss) from

continuing operations

(481.0

)

84.4

95.2

Discontinued operations

(271.8

)

(13.8

)

(92.1

)


Net earnings (loss)

$

(752.8

)

$

70.6

$

3.1


Diluted earnings per share:

Earnings from continuing operations,

before special items

$

0.60

$

0.94

$

1.04

(36

)

%

(10

)

%

Special items

(4.18

)

(0.23

)

(0.11

)


Earnings (loss) from

continuing operations

(3.58

)

0.71

0.93

Discontinued operations

(2.02

)

(0.12

)

(0.90

)


Net earnings (loss)

$

(5.60

)

$

0.59

$

0.03


 

                       Special items represent charges or asset impairments that management believes are unusual and not reflective of normal ongoing operations as described in the "Special Items" section herein. Such items are shown separately to facilitate analysis of the Company's operating trends. The results of operations excluding these special items are not intended to represent an alternative to the net earnings or losses defined by generally accepted accounting principles as presented in the accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements and may not be consistent with measures used by other companies.

                       Discontinued Operations refers to BBMC and Stadtlander, which were sold by the Company in August and September 2000, respectively. The amounts include (a) the operating results of these entities through June 30, 2000, which was the approximate date of management's decision to dispose of them and (b) the loss on the dispositions, including operating losses incurred after June 30, 2000 through the respective transaction closing dates. For further discussion, see the "Discontinued Operations" section herein.

                       Earnings per share from continuing operations declined in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999 despite revenue increases of 14% and 24% in the respective years. These earnings per share reductions principally relate to certain special items, as well as higher interest expense associated with the additional debt incurred or assumed in connection with certain acquisitions. Lower earnings per share also reflects the Company's issuance of additional shares of Common Stock, primarily in connection with certain acquisitions. There were increases of 13% in fiscal 2000 and 16% in fiscal 1999 in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Such increases were primarily related to the issuance of 24.7 million shares in connection with the acquisition of PharMerica in April 1999 and the issuance of 5.7 million shares in connection with the acquisition of Stadtlander in January 1999.

                       The Company's operating results include the results of acquired entities during the past three years. These acquisitions, which are described in more detail under the caption "Business Acquisitions" herein, are summarized as follows:

 

Acquisition Date

Acquired Entity

Segment


April 1999

PharMerica, Inc.

PharMerica

February 1999

J.M. Blanco, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

January 1999

Stadtlander Operating Company, LLC

Discontinued Operations

December 1998

Medical Initiatives, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

September 1998

Ransdell Surgical, Inc.

Discontinued Operations (BBMC)

September 1998

Choice Systems, Inc.

Other Businesses

August 1998

The Lash Group, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

May 1998

Pacific Criticare, Inc.

Discontinued Operations (BBMC)

January 1998

Besse Medical Services, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Distribution

 

                       Each of the acquired entities listed above is reflected in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements only from their respective acquisition date. Results for the entities which have been divested are included in the Discontinued Operations section of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

                       Of the acquired entities, PharMerica and Stadtlander have had the most significant impact on the Company's results of operations. Although Stadtlander is now classified as a discontinued operation, that acquisition nevertheless had a negative impact on earnings from continuing operations due to the effect of interest expense. The Company allocated interest to discontinued operations by applying the consolidated average bank borrowing rate to the expected proceeds from the dispositions, which approximated the amount of debt retired. However, since the aggregate debt incurred and assumed in connection with the Stadtlander acquisition significantly exceeded the proceeds from the disposition of that entity, a portion of related interest expense remained in continuing operations.

 

EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (BEFORE SPECIAL ITEMS)

                       The Company reported a 28% decrease in earnings from continuing operations before special items in fiscal 2000 and a 5% increase in such earnings in fiscal 1999, in comparison with the respective prior years. The following table provides a summarized statement of continuing operations before special items on a consolidated basis, including key line item growth rates and ratios. PharMerica, due to the nature of its prescription fulfillment business, has significantly higher gross margins and operating expense ratios than the Company's principal pharmaceutical distribution businesses. In addition, the Consolidated Financial Statements include twelve months of PharMerica's operating results in fiscal 2000 and only five months of PharMerica's operating results in fiscal 1999. Accordingly, certain ratios in the table have also been shown excluding PharMerica in order to present a more meaningful comparison with historical results.

 

Years Ended September 30,

% Change



Dollars in millions

2000

1999

1998

2000

1999


Revenues excluding bulk shipments

$

18,725.6

$

16,137.9

$

12,943.7

16

%

25

%

Bulk shipments

4,217.3

4,056.4

3,401.7

4

%

19

%


Net sales and other revenues

$

22,942.9

$

20,194.3

$

16,345.4

14

%

24

%



Continuing operations,

before special items:

Gross profit, LIFO basis

$

1,239.2

$

901.3

$

626.0

37

%

44

%

Operating expenses

955.8

640.0

417.4

49

%

53

%


Operating earnings

283.4

261.3

208.6

8

%

25

%

Net interest expense

112.0

59.2

29.6

89

%

100

%


Earnings from continuing operations

before income taxes and distributions

171.4

202.1

179.0

(15

)

%

13

%

Income taxes

77.0

85.0

72.0

(9

)

%

18

%

Distributions on trust

preferred securities (net of taxes)

14.1

4.9

-

188

%

0

%


Earnings from continuing operations,

before special items

$

80.3

$

112.2

$

107.0

(28

)

%

5

%



Percentage of revenues

excluding bulk shipments:

Gross profit, LIFO basis

6.62

%

5.58

%

4.84

%

Operating expenses

5.11

%

3.96

%

3.23

%

Operating earnings before special items

1.51

%

1.62

%

1.61

%

Percentages excluding PharMerica:

Gross profit, LIFO basis

4.22

%

4.54

%

4.84

%

Operating expenses

2.76

%

2.97

%

3.23

%

Operating earnings before special items

1.46

%

1.57

%

1.61

%

 

                       Revenues excluding bulk shipments increased 16% and 25% in fiscal 2000 and 1999, respectively. Of the fiscal 2000 increase, 13% represented internal growth while 3% represented the effect of acquired entities. Of the fiscal 1999 increase, 20% represented internal growth while 5% represented the effect of acquired entities.

                       Along with other companies in the drug distribution industry, the Company reports bulk shipments of pharmaceuticals in revenues and cost of sales. Bulk shipment transactions are arranged by the Company with its suppliers at the express direction of the customer, and involve either shipments from the supplier directly to customers' warehouse sites or shipments from the supplier to Company warehouses for immediate shipment to customers' warehouse sites. Bulk sales of pharmaceuticals do not impact the Company's inventory since the Company simply processes the orders that it receives from its suppliers directly to the customers' warehouses. The Company serves as an intermediary by paying the supplier and billing the customer for the goods. Due to the insignificant margins generated through bulk shipments, fluctuations in such revenues have only an immaterial impact on the Company's operating earnings.

                       Gross profit as a percentage of revenues excluding bulk shipments ("gross margin") was 4.22%, 4.54% and 4.84% in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively, excluding the effect of PharMerica. The decreases in gross margins are almost entirely attributable to the decline in Pharmaceutical Distribution margins, as described in the "Segment Information" section below.

                       Operating expenses include distribution, selling, general and administrative expenses ("DSG&A") and the provision for doubtful receivables. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues excluding bulk shipments were 2.76%, 2.97% and 3.23%, excluding the effect of PharMerica. The decreases in expense ratios are principally due to the Pharmaceutical Distribution operating efficiencies described in the "Segment Information" section below.

                       Operating expenses also include the amortization of goodwill from continuing operations, which increased significantly following the Company's acquisitions in fiscal 1999. Only a portion of goodwill amortization is tax deductible. Following is a summary of goodwill amortization from continuing operations by segment and its effect on net earnings and diluted earnings per share:

 

Years Ended September 30,


Dollars in millions, except for per share amounts

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution

$

7.6

$

7.4

$

6.7

PharMerica

24.1

10.1

-


 

Total goodwill amortization

 

31.7

   

17.5

   

6.7

 

Tax benefit of deductible portion

(4.0

)

(1.9

)

(0.3

)


 

Reduction of net earnings

$

27.7

 

$

15.6

 

$

6.4

 
 


Reduction of diluted earnings per share

$

0.21

$

0.13

$

0.06


 

Segment Information (Before Special Items)

                       The substantial majority of the Company's growth in operating earnings has been contributed by the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment. Following is a summary of revenues and operating earnings before special items for the Company's business segments:

 

Dollars in millions


Revenues Excluding Bulk Shipments

% Change



Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998

2000

1999


Pharmaceutical Distribution

$

18,141.7

$

15,925.1

$

12,942.2

14

%

23

%

PharMerica

1,273.9

475.3

-

Other Businesses

1.1

1.7

-

(35

)

%

Corporate

0.3

0.7

1.5

Intersegment Eliminations

(691.4

)

(264.9

)

-


   

Total

$

18,725.6

 

$

16,137.9

 

$

12,943.7

 

16

 

%

25

 

%



Operating Earnings,
Before Special Items

% Change



Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998

2000

1999


Pharmaceutical Distribution,

                             
 

FIFO basis

$

341.6

 

$

321.7

 

$

261.9

 

6

 

%

23

 

%

LIFO (charges) credits

 

(11.3

)

 

(18.2

)

 

5.3

             


Pharmaceutical Distribution,

                             
 

LIFO basis

 

330.3

   

303.5

   

267.2

 

9

 

%

14

 

%

PharMerica

 

18.4

   

12.0

   

-

             

Other Businesses

 

(3.4

)

 

(1.7

)

 

-

 

100

 

%

     

Corporate

 

(61.9

)

 

(52.5

)

 

(58.6

)

18

 

%

10

 

%


 

Total, LIFO basis before

                             
   

special items

$

283.4

 

$

261.3

 

$

208.6

 

8

 

%

25

 

%

 


 


Percentages of revenues excluding

                           
   

bulk shipments:

                           
                                 

Pharmaceutical Distribution:

                           
   

Gross profit, FIFO basis

 

4.28

%

 

4.64

%

 

4.78

%

         
   

Gross profit, LIFO basis

 

4.22

%

 

4.52

%

 

4.82

%

         
   

Operating expenses

 

2.40

%

 

2.61

%

 

2.76

%

         
   

Operating earnings, FIFO basis

 

1.88

%

 

2.02

%

 

2.02

%

         
   

Operating earnings, LIFO basis

 

1.82

%

 

1.91

%

 

2.06

%

         
                                 

PharMerica:

                           
   

Gross profit

 

37.11

%

 

37.55

%

 

n/a

           
   

Operating expenses

 

35.67

%

 

35.03

%

 

n/a

           
   

Operating earnings

 

1.44

%

 

2.52

%

 

n/a

           

 

Pharmaceutical Distribution:

                       Revenues increased 14% and 23% in fiscal 2000 and 1999, respectively, substantially all of which represented internal growth (only 1% resulted from acquisitions). BBDC's revenue increased 13% and 21%, respectively, reflecting increased volume across all geographic regions and in both the retail and health systems customer categories. During fiscal 2000, growth was strongest in the retail category, primarily due to the addition or expansion of business with several large regional drug store chains. Health systems revenue, however, was flat during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 and is expected to be adversely affected in fiscal 2001 due to the loss of business with Novation, a large group purchasing organization. ASD's alternate site distribution revenues increased 22% and 68%, respectively, primarily representing growth in its oncology business. The BBDC and ASD increases were comprised of higher shipments to existing customers as well as to a significant number of new customers. National industry economic conditions were also favorable, with increases in prescription drug usage and higher pharmaceutical prices contributing to this segment's revenue growth.

                       Operating earnings on a FIFO basis before special items increased 6% and 23% in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999, respectively; as a percentage of revenues, such earnings were 1.88%, 2.02% and 2.02% in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Operating earnings on a LIFO basis before special items increased 9% and 14% in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999, respectively; as a percentage of revenues, such earnings were 1.82%, 1.91% and 2.06% in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. During the past two years, this segment has been able to achieve operating expense efficiencies which have partially offset the reductions in gross margins it has experienced, as described below.

                       Gross margin on a FIFO basis was 4.28%, 4.64% and 4.78% in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The reductions of 36 basis points in fiscal 2000 and 14 basis points in fiscal 1999 reflect lower gross margins at both BBDC and ASD. BBDC's margins declined mainly due to intense price competition within the industry, as well as to a change in BBDC's sales mix, with a greater proportion of revenues coming from high-volume, low-margin drug store chain customers. In addition, BBDC's gross margins in fiscal 2000 were adversely impacted as BBDC did not fully participate in seasonal investment buying activity during the winter months due to the limited availability of funds preceding the refinancing of the Company's revolving credit facility (see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). Conversely, in fiscal 1999, the favorable effect of inventory investment buying profits partially offset the adverse effects of selling margin erosion. ASD's gross margins decreased in fiscal 2000 principally due to weakness in the plasma market and decreased in fiscal 1999 due to fewer investment buying opportunities in the oncology market.

                       In all of the Company's wholesale distribution businesses, it is customary to pass on manufacturers' price increases to customers. Investment buying enables distributors such as the Company to benefit by purchasing goods in advance of anticipated manufacturers' price increases. Consequently, the rate or frequency of future price increases by manufacturers, or the lack thereof, influences the profitability of the Company.

                       Management anticipates further downward pressure on gross margins in the pharmaceutical distribution businesses in fiscal 2001 because of continued selling price competition influenced by high-volume customers. Management expects that these pressures may be offset to some extent by an increased sales mix of more profitable products and services and continued reduction of operating expenses as a percentage of revenues. However, no assurance can be given that such improved sales mix or expense reduction can be achieved since many of the factors that impact such results (e.g. the effect of group purchasing agreements, competitive inroads, market conditions, etc.) are outside the Company's control.

                       The Company principally manages its operations on a FIFO (first-in, first-out) basis, in which inventories are valued at the most recent purchase costs. For external financial reporting purposes, however, the Company uses the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method for its BBDC subsidiary. Under the LIFO method, cost of sales is calculated at the most recent purchase costs and inventory is valued at the earlier purchase costs. Due to a history of generally-rising pharmaceutical prices, FIFO inventory is higher than LIFO inventory, and a LIFO reserve is maintained to adjust FIFO inventories to LIFO for external financial reporting purposes. The LIFO provision represents the non-cash earnings effect of adjusting the LIFO reserve during the year. The Company incurred LIFO (charges) credits of $(11.3) million, $(18.2) million and $5.3 million in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

                       Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues excluding bulk shipments were 2.40%, 2.61% and 2.76% in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The significant reductions were primarily attributable to continued operating efficiencies and the spreading of fixed costs over a larger revenue base. This segment's distribution infrastructure has been able to process increasing volume without a proportionate increase in operating expenses. Also, the aforementioned shift in the distribution businesses' mix towards high-volume customers reduced the operating expense ratio because these customers are generally less costly to service.

 

PharMerica:

                       PharMerica's fiscal 2000 revenues represented an increase of 11% over revenues recorded in the prior twelve months (including the seven months before the Company's acquisition of PharMerica in late April 1999). The majority of the increase is due to a 42% growth in revenues from the workers' compensation business. The long-term care business grew at a 6% rate, as the customer base continues to stabilize following the implementation of PPS (see below).

                       PharMerica's operating earnings, as a percentage of revenues, were lower in fiscal 2000 in comparison with fiscal 1999 principally due to selling price pressures and a higher bad debt provision, as its customers have continued to feel the adverse effects of PPS (see below). As part of its plan to address the bad debt situation, PharMerica's management has implemented new credit policies and guidelines, which have improved the quality of receivables on new revenues. These initiatives have resulted in a recent improvement in cash collected, a reduction in accounts receivable balances over 120 days old, and a reduction in days sales outstanding. However, no assurance can be given that such trends will continue as many of the factors that contribute to customer bad debt are outside the Company's control.

                       Over the past two years, PharMerica's operations have been adversely affected by negative industry trends resulting from dramatically lower reimbursement to nursing homes for Medicare patients under the Prospective Payment System ("PPS"). A negative consequence of these trends has been bankruptcy reorganization filings by several long-term care providers, including the filing by a significant customer of PharMerica (see below). The adverse effects of PPS included (1) lower occupancy by Medicare-funded patients at nursing facilities serviced by PharMerica, (2) significantly diminished acuity levels among residents of these facilities, which reduced the overall utilization of drugs, and (3) increased customer pricing pressure, thereby reducing PharMerica's gross margins.

                       While these trends in fiscal 2000 did stabilize to some extent, management expects that they will continue to affect PharMerica in fiscal 2001. However, Medicare admissions to PharMerica's customers' facilities may be increasing. Certain customers are also identifying new opportunities to expand their ability to service different acuity levels and increase the number of patient categories admitted to their facilities. Additional reimbursement that may be available as a result of recent legislative action may increase the number of high acuity admissions. On the other hand, approximately 34 states recently announced reductions in Medicaid reimbursement for certain intravenous (I.V.) drugs provided to Medicaid beneficiaries, and the HCFA has reduced Federal upper limit pricing for multi-source drugs; these factors have had, and are likely to continue to have, a negative effect on PharMerica's current and future gross margins.

                       As disclosed in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1999, a significant customer of PharMerica filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 2, 2000. This customer has not yet filed its plan of reorganization with the bankruptcy court. The Company has reviewed the relevant facts and circumstances available at this early stage and has provided an estimated reserve in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the portion of the receivable which management believes will ultimately be uncollectible from this customer, including the $25.7 million provision described in the "Special Items" section herein. PharMerica has continued to supply pharmaceuticals to this customer on a C.O.D. basis.

                       Management is continuing to implement its plan designed to improve PharMerica's earnings, including (1) strengthening of billing and credit and collections management, (2) enabling PharMerica to participate in the Company's generic purchasing programs in order to reduce drug costs, (3) outsourcing of delivery services, (4) conversion of disparate computer systems for PharMerica's long-term care pharmacies to a common proprietary AS400 computer system and (5) consolidation of pharmacies to streamline operations.

 

Other Businesses:

                       Revenues decreased by $0.6 million and operating losses increased by $1.7 million in fiscal 2000. These fluctuations reflect lower shipments and higher expenses incurred by Choice Systems in connection with its transition to a new line of software products.

 

Corporate:

                       Corporate expenses, net of revenue, increased $9.4 million in fiscal 2000 following a $6.1 million decrease in fiscal 1999. A portion of the increase in fiscal 2000 reflects the incremental costs of operating the Company's expanded businesses. In addition, fiscal 1999 expenses were unusually low due to (a) lower incentive compensation under the Company's bonus plans and (b) the recovery under an indemnity agreement of previously-incurred legal fees. As a percentage of consolidated revenues, Corporate expenses were .33%, .33% and .45% in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

 

Intersegment Eliminations:

                       These amounts represent the elimination of the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment's sales to PharMerica (BBDC is the principal supplier of pharmaceuticals to PharMerica). The $426.5 increase in fiscal 2000 is primarily due to the inclusion of twelve months of activity as compared to only five months of activity in fiscal 1999. In addition, the monthly volume of intersegment shipments increased during fiscal 2000 in order to support PharMerica's growth.

 

 

Interest Expense and Distributions on Preferred Securities

                       The Company's financing expenses for its continuing operations are comprised of two line items on the Statements of Consolidated Earnings:

 

 

Years Ended September 30,


Dollars in millions

2000

1999

1998


Net pre-tax interest expense

$

112.0

$

59.2

$

29.6

Distributions on preferred securities of subsidiary

trust (before tax benefit of $9.3 and $3.2,

respectively)

23.4

8.1

-


Total financing expenses for continuing operations

$

135.4

$

67.3

$

29.6


 

                       Total financing expenses increased $68.1 million in fiscal 2000 and $37.7 million in fiscal 1999 over the respective prior years. These increases were primarily due to higher borrowings under the Company's Senior Credit Agreement, Credit Facility, Credit Agreement, Commercial Paper Agreements, debt assumed in connection with the fiscal 1999 acquisitions, and the issuance of the Preferred Securities. In addition, the Company has incurred higher interest rates on its borrowings due to both (a) increases in the prime lending rate and (b) higher interest rates on borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreement versus borrowings under the previous bank facilities.

 

Taxes on Income

                       Taxes on income from continuing operations were as follows:

 

Years Ended September 30,


Dollars in millions

2000

1999

1998


Before special items:

Earnings from continuing operations before

taxes and preferred securities distributions

$

171.4

$

202.1

$

179.0

Taxes on income

$

77.0

$

85.0

$

72.0

Effective tax rate

44.9

%

42.1

%

40.2

%


 

                       The effective tax rate, before special items, increased 2.8% and 1.9% in fiscal 2000 and 1999, respectively, principally due to additional nondeductible goodwill amortization associated with PharMerica, J.M. Blanco, and certain other acquired entities. The Company's total goodwill amortization from continuing operations for fiscal 2000 was $31.7 million, of which approximately $21.5 million was non-deductible. The Company expects that its effective tax rate will be lower in fiscal 2001 due to the decrease in nondeductible goodwill amortization resulting from the $505.3 million PharMerica goodwill impairment charge recorded in September 2000 (see the "Special Items" section herein).

 

SPECIAL ITEMS

                       Following is a summary of special items during the past three years and their effect on net earnings:

 

Years Ended September 30,


Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution:

Special provision for doubtful receivables

$

(41.0

)

$

-

$

-

Restructuring charge

(10.7

)

-

-

Abandonment of capitalized software

(6.3

)

-

-


Total Pharmaceutical Distribution

(58.0

)

-

-


PharMerica:

Goodwill impairment

(505.3

)

-

-

Special provision for doubtful receivables

(25.7

)

(46.0)

-


Total PharMerica

(531.0

)

(46.0)

-


Corporate:

Officer severance

(4.0

)

-

-

Merger-related expenses

-

-

(14.6

)

Abandonment of capitalized software

-

-

(5.3

)


Total Corporate

(4.0

)

-

(19.9

)


Effect on operating earnings

(593.0

)

(46.0

)

(19.9

)

Impairment of investment

(5.0

)

-

-


Total special items

(598.0

)

(46.0

)

(19.9

)

Income tax benefit of special items

36.7

18.2

8.1


Effect on net earnings

$

(561.3

)

$

(27.8

)

$

(11.8

)


 

Pharmaceutical Distribution:

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, BBDC recorded a $41.0 million special provision for doubtful receivables relating to a customer in the long-term care industry which is experiencing cash flow difficulties mainly due to the adverse effects of the Medicare PPS reimbursement system. Although the customer has not indicated an intention to file for bankruptcy protection, in late August 2000 it suspended making payments on a significant balance owed to BBDC. Accordingly, after reviewing the relevant facts and circumstances available at this time, BBDC recorded a reserve for the estimated uncollectible portion of the receivable. BBDC has continued to supply pharmaceuticals to this customer on a C.O.D. basis.

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a $10.7 million restructuring charge representing the estimated cost of (a) consolidating four BBDC distribution centers into larger existing facilities over the next nine months, (b) outsourcing certain BBDC delivery functions and (c) streamlining certain Pharmaceutical Distribution selling and administrative functions. The distribution centers' consolidation is expected to result in operating efficiencies by reducing the number of facilities from 33 to 29. The Albuquerque division was consolidated into the Phoenix facility in October 2000 and the Portland division was consolidated into the Seattle facility in December 2000. By the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2001, the South Bend division is expected to be consolidated into the Williamston and Chicago facilities and the Raleigh division is expected to be consolidated into the Richmond facility.

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, BBDC recorded a $6.3 million charge primarily reflecting the write-off of capitalized software abandoned in favor of new technology.

 

PharMerica:

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, PharMerica recorded a $505.3 million impairment charge to write down the recorded amount of goodwill to its fair value, as determined by an analysis of discounted future operating cash flows. The principal factors which affected the amount and timing of the charge were changes in the regulatory environment which will cause PharMerica's gross margins for the foreseeable future to remain well below those anticipated when the Company acquired PharMerica in April 1999. As previously disclosed, the Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) has resulted in significantly lower drug reimbursement to the long-term care industry since its implementation in late 1998. The Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act, enacted in November 1999, provided minimal relief to the industry. Further efforts to provide legislative relief, including a proposal by the HCFA during late fiscal year 2000, were not successful, and it now appears unlikely that any significant legislative relief will be forthcoming. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, PharMerica began to experience the negative impact of two recent regulatory events which reduced reimbursement under state Medicaid programs, and it is expected that such lower reimbursements will continue into future years. The first event was the announcement by approximately 34 states of a significant reduction in AWP reimbursement levels for certain IV drugs provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. The second event was HCFA's reduction of FUL prices, which are used to set the reimbursement levels for numerous pills and tablets dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries. The lower estimated future cash flows due to the lower gross margins resulted in a reduction in the fair value of PharMerica's goodwill below book value, necessitating the impairment charge.

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, PharMerica recorded a $25.7 million special provision for doubtful receivables relating to nursing homes which are owned or operated by Integrated Health Services, Inc. ("I.H.S."), which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2000. I.H.S. has not yet issued its reorganization plan to the bankruptcy court, which has made it difficult for the Company to estimate its potential loss. However, during the fourth quarter, additional facts and circumstances became available which indicated that the uncollectible portion of the receivable would be significantly greater than expected at the time of the Chapter 11 filing; accordingly, the Company recorded the special provision. PharMerica has continued to supply pharmaceuticals to this customer on a C.O.D. basis, while it awaits disposition of I.H.S.'s reorganization.

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, PharMerica recorded a $46.0 million special provision for doubtful receivables, principally relating to pre-acquisition receivables and the adverse effect of Medicare PPS on PharMerica's customer base.

 

Corporate:

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a $4.0 million charge to reflect the cost associated with the negotiated determination of benefits payable to the Company's former chief executive officer under certain employment and severance agreements between the Company and such executive officer.

                       In the second and fourth quarters of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded an aggregate $14.6 million of expenses related primarily to the proposed merger with Cardinal Health, Inc., which was terminated on August 7, 1998. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a $5.3 million charge for the abandonment of capitalized software.

 

Impairment of Investment:

                       In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company fully-reserved its $5.0 million investment in the common stock of an Internet fulfillment entity which was in poor financial condition. In December 2000, substantially all of the assets of the Internet entity were sold to a third party. It is expected that all of the proceeds will be used to repay creditors and that there will be no return to the Company.

 

Income Tax Effect:

                       All of the aforementioned special items have a current or deferred income tax benefit (at an approximate 40% rate), except for the PharMerica goodwill impairment charge, which is related to nondeductible goodwill.

 

 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

                       On June 26, 2000, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell the stock of BBMC to Allegiance Corporation, a subsidiary of Cardinal Health, Inc., for approximately $181 million in cash before retention of certain liabilities and subject to post-closing accounting adjustments. The regulatory approvals and other closing conditions were satisfied during the fourth quarter, and the sale was consummated on August 16, 2000. The net proceeds from this divestiture were used to pay down a portion of the $200 million interim term loan maturing in October 2001 (See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

                       On July 5, 2000, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell the specialty pharmacy assets of Stadtlander to ProCare Pharmacy, Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Corporation, for approximately $124 million in cash before retention of certain liabilities and subject to post-closing accounting adjustments. The transaction was structured as a sale of assets and was consummated on September 18, 2000. In addition, the corrections division of Stadtlander, that portion of the business that provides pharmaceuticals to prison inmate populations, was sold to Secure Pharmacy Plus, Inc. for approximately $8 million in a cash transaction that was consummated on September 20, 2000. The net proceeds from the divestitures of the two Stadtlander businesses were used to pay off the remaining portion of the $200 million interim term loan and a portion of other debt. The Company expects to receive approximately $132 million of income tax refunds during fiscal 2001 and 2002 in connection with the losses recorded on the Stadtlander divestitures.

                       The Company has reclassified both BBMC (formerly the principal component of the Other Businesses segment) and the Stadtlander business segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

                       A summary of the Company's results relating to discontinued operations is set forth in the following table:

Years Ended September 30,


Dollars in millions

2000

1999

1998


Loss from operations

$

(20.8

)

$

(13.8

)

$

(92.1

)

Loss on dispositions

(251.0

)

-

-


 

Total discontinued operations

$

(271.8

)

$

(13.8

)

$

(92.1

)


 

Loss from Discontinued Operations

                       Net losses from operations increased by $7.0 million in fiscal 2000 in comparison with fiscal 1999. This increase is principally related to higher losses at Stadtlander, which continued to experience unprofitable operations due to low gross margins, high bad debt provisions, and the costs associated with a restructuring plan. BBMC reported lower operating income primarily due to lower buyside gross margin. Allocated interest expense was higher due to higher interest rates incurred under the Company's Senior Credit Agreement.

Net losses from operations decreased by $78.3 million in fiscal 1999 in comparison with fiscal 1998. The decrease primarily reflects an $87.3 million goodwill impairment charge recorded by BBMC in fiscal 1998.

 

Loss on Dispositions

                       In the third quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recognized a loss on the dispositions of BBMC and Stadtlander of approximately $251 million, net of income tax benefits of approximately $132 million. Substantially all of the loss is related to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge. Also included in the loss from dispositions are the operating losses including interest expense allocations from July 1, 2000 through the respective transaction closing dates. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

                       Following is a summary of the Company's capitalization at the end of the last three fiscal years.

 

 

September 30,


 

2000

1999

1998


Debt, net of cash

49%

44%

37%

Equity, including the Preferred Securities

51%

56%

63%

 

                       The fiscal 2000 reduction of the equity percentage is primarily due to the $753 million net loss (primarily consisting of $561 million in special items and $272 million in losses on discontinued operations) which reduced equity during the year. The Company reduced net debt by approximately $426 million during fiscal 2000, which partially offset the aforementioned equity decrease. The fiscal 1999 reduction of the equity percentage was primarily related to an increase in debt assumed or incurred in connection with acquisitions; this factor was partially offset by increases in equity resulting from the issuance of shares of the Company's Common Stock in connection with certain acquisitions, the issuance of the Preferred Securities, and the Company's net earnings.

                       On April 20, 2000, the Company replaced both its Credit Facility and Credit Agreement with the new $1.5 billion Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement originally consisted of an $800 million revolving facility maturing in April 2003, a $200 million interim term loan maturing in October 2001, a $300 million term loan maturing in March 2005 and a $200 million term loan maturing in March 2006. In August and September 2000, Bergen used the proceeds of the BBMC and Stadtlander dispositions to fully repay the Interim Term Loan and to repay an aggregate $54 million of the Term A and Term B loans. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets. The availability of revolving loans under the Senior Credit Agreement is tied to a borrowing base formula and certain covenants; the maximum amount of revolving loans outstanding may not exceed specified percentages of the Company's eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory. Interest accrues at specified rates based on the Company's debt ratings; such rates range from 2.5% to 3.5% over LIBOR or 1.5% to 2.5% over prime, with a weighted average rate of approximately 9.6% at September 30, 2000. The Senior Credit Agreement has loan covenants which require the Company to maintain certain financial statement ratios and places certain limitations on, among other things, acquisitions, investments, methods of operation, dividend payments and capital expenditures. Effective September 29, 2000, the Senior Credit Agreement was amended to exclude the effect of certain special items recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 from the calculation of the required ratios and covenants.

                       On December 17, 1999, the Company entered into the Receivables Securitization Program with a bank. In February 2000, the Receivables Securitization program was amended to increase the maximum availability from $200 million to $350 million through the participation of two additional financial institutions. Through the Receivables Securitization Program, BBDC sells, on an ongoing basis, its accounts receivable to Blue Hill, a 100%-owned special purpose subsidiary. Blue Hill, in turn, sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in such receivables to various investors. The program qualifies for treatment as a sale of assets under SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities". As of September 30, 2000, the Company had received net proceeds of $168 million from the sale of such receivables under the Receivables Securitization Program, and accounts receivable has been reduced by this amount in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. On December 20, 2000, the Company replaced its Receivables Securitization Program by entering into a new Receivables Securitization Agreement with a financial institution. The new Agreement is more fully described in Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                       On May 26, 1999, the Company's Trust issued 12,000,000 shares of its Preferred Securities at $25 per security. The proceeds of such issuances were invested by the Trust in $300 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's Subordinated Notes due June 30, 2039. The Subordinated Notes represent the sole assets of the Trust and bear interest at the rate of 7.80% per annum, payable quarterly, and are redeemable at the option of the Company beginning in May 2004 at 100% of the principal amount thereof. The obligations of the Trust related to the Preferred Securities are guaranteed by the Company.

                       See Notes 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the Receivable Securitization Program, the Senior Credit Agreement, Credit Agreement, the Credit Facility and the Preferred Securities.

                       On September 24, 1998, the Company declared a 2-for-1 stock split on the Company's Common Stock, which was paid on December 1, 1998 to shareowners of record on November 2, 1998. All share and per share amounts presented herein have been restated to reflect the effect of this stock split.

                       Cash dividends declared on Common Stock amounted to $.170, $.225, and $.315 per share in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The fiscal 2000 dividends consisted of $.075 per share in each of the first and second quarters and $.01 per share in each of the third and fourth quarters. The fiscal 1998 amount includes a $.075 per share quarterly dividend which was declared on September 24, 1998 but not paid until December 1, 1998 to shareholders of record on November 2, 1998. The $.075 dividend constituted the Company's fiscal 1999 first quarter dividend; the declaration was made earlier than usual to coincide with the announcement of the aforementioned 2-for-1 stock split. Had the timing of the declaration been made in the usual manner, dividends for fiscal 1999 and 1998 would have been $.300 and $.240, respectively.

                       On November 17, 2000, the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $.01 per share, payable on December 6, 2000 to shareowners of record on November 28, 2000.

                       The Company's cash flows during the past three years are summarized in the following table:

 

Years Ended September 30,


Dollars in millions

2000

1999

1998


Earnings from continuing operations, excluding

non-cash charges

$

271.2

$

211.5

$

189.5

Increases in operating assets and liabilities

(124.5

)

(427.8

)

(121.3

)


Cash flows from operating activities

146.7

(216.3

)

68.2

Property acquisitions

(69.3

)

(40.9

)

(20.8

)

Acquisition of businesses, less cash acquired

-

(248.4

)

(22.6

)

Net proceeds from sale of accounts receivable

168.0

-

-

Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

298.0

-

-

Net proceeds from (repayment of) debt, other

obligations and trust preferred securities

(495.0

)

652.7

27.8

Cash dividends on Common Stock

(22.8

)

(36.0

)

(24.2

)

Discontinued operations

(20.1

)

(79.5

)

(7.2

)

Other - net

(27.8

)

5.8

3.3


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

$

(22.3

)

$

37.4

$

24.5


                       The Company generated $146.7 million of positive operating cash flows from its continuing operations in fiscal 2000, in comparison with $216.3 million of negative operating cash flows in fiscal 1999. The positive operating cash flows in fiscal 2000 are primarily attributable to earnings excluding non-cash charges, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable supporting the Company's revenue growth. Fiscal 1999 operating cash flows were adversely affected by unusual fluctuations in the timing of inventory purchases and the related payments.

                       During fiscal 2000, the Company significantly paid down its outstanding debt, principally with the proceeds of the BBMC and Stadtlander dispositions and the Asset Securitization program. During fiscal 1999, the Company increased its borrowings from debt and issued the trust preferred securities, principally to finance acquisitions.

                       The Company believes that internally generated cash flows, funding available under the Senior Credit Agreement, the Asset Securitization Program, trade credit extended by suppliers in the ordinary course of business, and funds potentially available in the private and public capital markets will be sufficient to meet anticipated cash and capital requirements. However, actual results could differ from this forward-looking statement as a result of unanticipated capital requirements, changes in supplier trade credit terms, or an inability to access the capital markets on acceptable terms when, and if, necessary. The Company's debt ratings are an important factor in its ability to access capital on acceptable terms.

                       Property acquisitions relate principally to the purchase of warehouse, pharmacy and data processing equipment, and to the purchase of the Company's previously-leased Corporate headquarters building in October 1999.

 

 

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

                       On April 26, 1999, the Company acquired PharMerica, one of the nation's largest providers of pharmaceutical products and pharmacy management services to long-term care and alternate site settings, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The Company issued approximately 24.7 million shares of Common Stock valued at approximately $665 million, acquired net assets (excluding debt) at fair value of approximately $315 million, assumed debt of approximately $600 million and incurred costs of approximately $10 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $960 million in the transaction.

                       On January 21, 1999, the Company acquired Stadtlander, a national leader in disease-specific pharmaceutical care delivery for transplant, HIV, infertility and serious mental illness patient populations and a leading provider of pharmaceutical care to the privatized corrections market, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Company paid approximately $195 million in cash and issued approximately 5.7 million shares of Common Stock, previously held as Treasury shares, valued at approximately $140 million. The Company acquired net assets (excluding debt) at fair value of approximately $40 million, assumed debt of approximately $100 million and incurred costs of approximately $10 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $405 million in the transaction. During September 2000, the Company sold substantially all of the assets and the liabilities of Stadtlander (see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

                       The Company is in disagreement with the seller and the seller's independent auditors regarding the valuation of the net assets of Stadtlander at January 21, 1999. Notwithstanding the sale of the two Stadtlander businesses (see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), the Company did not assign to the purchasers of the assets its claims against the seller. Any amounts realized from the sellers would be recorded as an adjustment to the Company's purchase price. See Part I, Item 3, "Legal Proceedings" of this Annual Report.

                       On February 10, 1999, the Company acquired J.M. Blanco, Inc. ("J.M. Blanco"), Puerto Rico's largest pharmaceutical distributor, headquartered in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, for a cash purchase price of approximately $30 million. The Company acquired net assets (excluding debt) at fair value of approximately $24 million, assumed debt of approximately $22 million and incurred costs of approximately $1 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $29 million in the transaction.

                       On December 31, 1998, the Company acquired Medical Initiatives, Inc. ("MII"), a pre-filler of pharmaceuticals for oncology centers, located in Tampa, Florida. The Company issued approximately 200,000 shares of Common Stock, previously held as Treasury shares, valued at approximately $6.0 million, acquired net assets at fair value of approximately $0.1 million and incurred costs of $0.2 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $6.1 million in the transaction.

                       Each of the aforementioned acquisitions was accounted for as a purchase for financial reporting purposes.

                       On September 30, 1998, the Company acquired Ransdell, a privately-held medical-surgical supply distributor, and its affiliate, Choice Systems, Inc. ("Choice"), a developer of supply channel management software for the healthcare industry, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. These acquisitions were accounted for as poolings of interests for financial reporting purposes. The Company issued approximately 716,000 shares of its Common Stock to the Ransdell and Choice shareowners.

                       On August 31, 1998, the Company acquired Lash, a privately-held healthcare reimbursement consulting firm then headquartered in Washington, D.C (now headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina). This acquisition was accounted for as a pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes and the Company issued approximately 980,000 shares of its Common Stock to the Lash shareowners.

                       The impact of the Ransdell, Choice and Lash acquisitions, on a historical basis, is not significant. Accordingly, prior period historical financial statements were not restated for these acquisitions. The above acquired entities' financial results are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company since their respective acquisition dates. The aggregate merger expenses incurred related to these acquisitions were not material.

                       On May 12, 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of Pacific Criticare, a privately-held distributor of medical-surgical products located in Waipahu, Hawaii for a cash purchase price of $4.0 million. The Company acquired net assets at fair value of approximately $0.4 million net and incurred costs of $0.3 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $3.9 million in the transaction.

                       Ransdell and Pacific Criticare were included in the sale of BBMC in August 2000 (see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

                       On January 2, 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the net assets of Besse, a privately-held distributor of injectables, diagnostics and medical supplies located in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a cash purchase price of $22.2 million. The Company acquired net assets at fair value of approximately $4.8 million and incurred costs of $0.4 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $17.8 million in the transaction.

 

 

TERMINATED MERGER

                       On August 23, 1997, the Company signed a definitive merger agreement with Cardinal, a distributor of pharmaceuticals and a provider of value-added pharmaceutical-related services, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. The merger agreement called for the Company to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cardinal and for shareowners of the Company to receive Cardinal Common Shares in exchange for shares of the Company's Common Stock. On July 31, 1998, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted the Federal Trade Commission's request for a preliminary injunction to halt the proposed merger. On August 7, 1998, the Company and Cardinal jointly terminated the merger agreement. As mentioned under "Special Charges" above, the Company recorded approximately $14 million in pre-tax charges during fiscal 1998 relating to legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with the terminated merger, net of a $7 million reimbursement received from Cardinal.

 

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

                       In fiscal 2001, the Company plans to adopt several new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission. These pronouncements are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's reported financial position or results of operations. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

 

 


 

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ITEM 7a.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT

 

MARKET RISK

                       The Company's most significant "market risk" exposure is the effect of changing interest rates. The Company manages its interest expense by using a combination of fixed and variable-rate debt. At September 30, 2000, the Company's debt consisted of approximately $589.1 million of fixed-rate debt with a weighted average interest rate of 7.86% and $500.5 million of variable-rate debt (consisting principally of bank borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreement) with a weighted average interest rate of 9.29%. The amount of the variable-rate debt fluctuates during the year based on the Company's cash requirements. If interest rates on the Senior Credit Agreement were to increase by 93 basis points (one-tenth of the rate at September 30, 2000), the impact on the pre-tax loss from continuing operations during fiscal 2000 would be an increase of approximately $4.7 million (after allocation to discontinued operations).

                       The Company is evaluating various financial instruments which would mitigate a portion of its exposure to variable interest rates.

                       The Company also believes that its interest rate exposure may be somewhat mitigated due to the favorable effect which inflation may have on the Company, specifically, manufacturers' price inflation which may accelerate concurrent with a general increase in interest rates, to the extent that the Company can take advantage of such inflation in purchasing and selling inventory. However, the Company's ability to take advantage of such factors has been impacted by constraints on the availability of cash resources.

 

 

 


 

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Item 8.          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA  
   
  a.   Supplementary Data  
   
   
SELECTED QUARTERLY RESULTS (unaudited)  
   
   
Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts  

  Year Ended September 30, 2000  
 
 
    First     Second     Third     Fourth       Fiscal  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter       Year  

 
Net sales and other revenues:                                
  Excluding bulk shipments to                                
    customers' warehouses $ 4,510,098   $ 4,572,727   $ 4,805,443   $ 4,837,343     $ 18,725,611  
  Bulk shipments to customers'                                
    warehouses   1,115,259     1,000,777     993,010     1,108,245       4,217,291  
 
    Total net sales and                                
      other revenues $ 5,625,357   $ 5,573,504   $ 5,798,453   $ 5,945,588     $ 22,942,902  
   
Gross profit from continuing                                
  operations $ 299,510   $ 315,708   $ 319,310   $ 304,619     $ 1,239,147  
   
Earnings (loss) from continuing                                
  operations $ 20,871   $ 23,725   $ 19,713   $ (545,335 ) (a) $ (481,026 )
Discontinued operations:                                
  Loss from operations   (6,220 )   (6,431 )   (8,199 )   -       (20,850 )
  Loss on dispositions   -     -     (250,962 )   -       (250,962 )
 
Net earnings (loss) $ 14,651   $ 17,294   $ (239,448 ) $ (545,335 )   $ (752,838 )
 
   
Earnings (loss) per share-                                
  diluted (b):                                
    Continuing operations $ 0.16   $ 0.18   $ 0.15   $ (4.05 ) (a) $ (3.58 )
    Discontinued operations:                                
      Loss from operations   (0.05 )   (0.05 )   (0.06 )   -       (0.15 )
      Loss on dispositions   -     -     (1.87 )   -       (1.87 )
 
Net earnings (loss) $ 0.11   $ 0.13   $ (1.78 ) $ (4.05 )   $ (5.60 )
 
   
Cash dividends declared per                                
  Class A Common share $ 0.075   $ 0.075   $ 0.010   $ 0.010     $ 0.170  
   
Market prices per Class A                                
  Common share $ 11 3/16-6 7/16   $ 10 7/8-4 1/2   $ 6 11/16-4 7/8   $ 11 15/16-5 9/16     $ 11 15/16-4 1/2  
                                       
   
   
   

  Year Ended September 30, 1999  
 
 
    First     Second     Third     Fourth       Fiscal  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter       Year  

 
Net sales and other revenues:                                
  Excluding bulk shipments to                                
    customers' warehouses $ 3,741,689   $ 4,030,346   $ 4,148,248   $ 4,217,581     $ 16,137,864  
  Bulk shipments to customers'                                
    warehouses   1,060,212     717,717     1,061,103     1,217,447       4,056,479  
 
    Total net sales and                                
      other revenues $ 4,801,901   $ 4,748,063   $ 5,209,351   $ 5,435,028     $ 20,194,343  
 
Gross profit from continuing                                
  operations $ 164,724   $ 198,557   $ 269,302   $ 268,726     $ 901,309  
 
Earnings (loss) from continuing                                
  operations $ 27,550   $ 37,115   $ 35,966   $ (16,251 ) (c) $ 84,380  
Discontinued operations   333     1,327     (3,181 )   (12,286 )     (13,807 )
 
Net earnings (loss) $ 27,883   $ 38,442   $ 32,785   $ (28,537 )   $ 70,573  
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share-                                
  diluted (b):                                
    Continuing operations $ 0.26   $ 0.34   $ 0.28   $ (0.12 ) (c) $ 0.71  
    Discontinued operations   0.01     0.01     (0.02 )   (0.09 )     (0.12 )
 
Net earnings (loss) $ 0.27   $ 0.35   $ 0.26   $ (0.21 )   $ 0.59  
 
 
Cash dividends declared per                                
  Class A Common share $ -   (d) $ 0.075   $ 0.075   $ 0.075     $ 0.225  
 
Market prices per Class A                                
  Common share $ 35 -21 1/16   $ 37 3/4-19 15/16   $ 25 5/8-14 3/8   $ 17 1/4-9 7/8     $ 37 3/4-9 7/8  
 

 
(a) Includes provision for goodwill impairment of $505.3 million, no income tax effect; provision for doubtful receivables of $40.4 million, net of  
  income tax benefit of $26.3 million; restructuring expenses of $6.5 million, net of income tax benefit of $4.2 million; abandonment of capitalized  
  software of $3.8 million, net of income tax benefit of $2.5 million; officer severance of $2.4 million, net of income tax benefit of $1.6 million; and  
  impairment of investment of $3.0 million, net of income tax benefit of $2.0 million.  
 
(b) Sum of quarterly EPS does not equal the EPS for the year. For the fourth quarters of both fiscal 2000 and 1999, diluted EPS was the same as  
  basic EPS; due to the Company's net losses in those quarters, the effect of stock options was anti-dilutive and, therefore, excluded from the  
  EPS calculations.  
 
(c) Includes special provision for doubtful receivables of $27.8 million, net of income tax benefit of $18.2 million.  
 
(d) The fiscal 1999 first quarter dividend was declared on September 24, 1998 and paid on December 1, 1998 and was recorded on the declaration  
  date in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998. See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  
     
  Bergen Brunswig Corporation Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. There were approximately 2,100 Class A  
  Common Stock shareowners of record on September 30, 2000.  
                                                                                                                                                  

 

 


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    b.   Financial Statements  
           
 
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS  
           
Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts  

 
Years Ended September 30,   2000     1999     1998  

 
Consolidated Earnings:                  
Net sales and other revenues:                  
  Excluding bulk shipments to customers' warehouses $ 18,725,611   $ 16,137,864   $ 12,943,739  
  Bulk shipments to customers' warehouses   4,217,291     4,056,479     3,401,651  
 
        Total net sales and other revenues   22,942,902     20,194,343     16,345,390  
 
 
Costs and expenses:                  
  Cost of sales   21,703,755     19,293,034     15,719,398  
  Distribution, selling, general and administrative expenses   879,189     625,470     406,771  
  Provision for doubtful receivables   143,306     60,549     10,612  
  Special charges   526,252     -     19,942  
 
        Total costs and expenses   23,252,502     19,979,053     16,156,723  
 
   
Operating earnings (loss) from continuing operations   (309,600 )   215,290     188,667  
Net interest expense   112,016     59,223     29,601  
Impairment of investment   5,000     -     -  
 
   
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before taxes on income                  
  and distributions on preferred securities of subsidiary trust   (426,616 )   156,067     159,066  
Taxes on income from continuing operations   40,306     66,811     63,819  
 
   
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before distributions                  
  on preferred securities of subsidiary trust   (466,922 )   89,256     95,247  
Distributions on preferred securities of subsidiary trust, net                  
  of income tax benefit of $9,296 in 2000 and $3,184 in 1999   (14,104 )   (4,876 )   -  
 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations   (481,026 )   84,380     95,247  
Discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit:                  
  Loss from operations   (20,850 )   (13,807 )   (92,145 )
  Loss on dispositions   (250,962 )   -     -  
 
        Net earnings (loss) $ (752,838 ) $ 70,573   $ 3,102  
 
   
 
Earnings (loss) per share:                  
  Basic:                  
    Continuing operations $ (3.58 )   .72   $ .94  
    Discontinued operations:                  
      Loss from operations   (.15 )   (.12 )   (.91 )
      Loss on dispositions   (1.87 )   -     -  
 
        Net earnings (loss) $ (5.60 ) $ .60   $ .03  
 
     
  Diluted:                  
    Continuing operations $ (3.58 ) $ .71   $ .93  
    Discontinued operations:                  
      Loss from operations   (.15 )   (.12 )   (.90 )
      Loss on dispositions   (1.87 )   -     -  
 
        Net earnings (loss) $ (5.60 ) $ .59   $ .03  
 
     
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:                  
  Basic   134,504     117,835     101,118  
   
  Diluted   134,504     119,095     102,620  
   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
                                                                                                                                                                     

 

 


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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
Dollars in thousands

   
September 30,   2000     1999  

 
ASSETS            
  CURRENT ASSETS:            
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 94,032   $ 116,356  
    Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for            
      doubtful receivables: 2000, $183,373; 1999, $96,793   1,232,300     1,292,609  
    Inventories   2,067,335     1,681,538  
    Income taxes receivable   72,189     37,918  
    Deferred income taxes   29,887     -  
    Prepaid expenses   21,783     17,066  
    Net assets of discontinued operations   -     684,445  
 
      Total current assets   3,517,526     3,829,932  
 
             
             
  PROPERTY - AT COST:            
    Land   17,210     9,540  
    Buildings and leasehold improvements   115,644     107,586  
    Equipment and fixtures   225,745     225,147  
 
      Total property   358,599     342,273  
    Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   150,091     148,982  
 
      Property - net   208,508     193,291  
 
             
             
  OTHER ASSETS:            
    Goodwill - net   658,640     1,210,770  
    Other investments   18,179     9,553  
    Noncurrent receivables   16,293     18,960  
    Deferred income taxes   25,153     15,229  
    Deferred charges and other assets   127,125     121,717  
 
      Total other assets   845,390     1,376,229  
 
   
  TOTAL ASSETS $ 4,571,424   $ 5,399,452  
 
     

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                                                                                                                                       

 

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
Dollars in thousands

 
September 30,   2000     1999  

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY            
  Current liabilities:            
    Accounts payable $ 2,017,130   $ 1,586,409  
    Accrued liabilities   249,712     202,553  
    Customer credit balances   161,420     170,594  
    Deferred income taxes   -     56,797  
    Current portion of long-term debt   22,364     544,260  
    Current portion of other long-term obligations   1,388     1,366  
 
        Total current liabilities   2,452,014     2,561,979  
 
 
  Long-term debt, net of current portion   1,067,282     993,344  
  Other long-term obligations, net of current portion   28,879     48,639  
 
        Total long-term obligations   1,096,161     1,041,983  
 
 
  Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable            
  preferred securities of subsidiary trust            
  holding solely subordinated notes of the Company   300,000     300,000  
 
 
  Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9 and 12)            
 
  Shareowners' equity:            
    Capital stock:            
      Preferred - Authorized: 3,000,000 shares; issued: none   -     -  
      Class A Common - Authorized: 300,000,000 shares;            
      issued: 2000, 137,899,552 shares; 1999, 137,316,182 shares   206,849     205,974  
    Paid-in capital   821,354     818,564  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   13     235  
    Retained earnings (deficit)   (279,754 )   495,930  
 
        Total   748,462     1,520,703  
 
    Treasury shares, at cost: 2000, 3,110,673 shares;            
      1999, 3,110,671 shares   (25,213 )   (25,213 )
 
  Total shareowners' equity   723,249     1,495,490  
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY $ 4,571,424   $ 5,399,452  
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  
                                                                                                                                                       

 

 


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STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY  
 

 
  Class A Common   Paid-in   Retained     Treasury Shares           Total  
 
      Earnings    
          Shareowners'  
Dollars and shares in thousands Shares   Amount   Capital   (Deficit)     Shares     Amount     Other     Equity  
   

   
Balance, September 30, 1997 111,740 $ 167,611 $ 72,555 $ 492,565     (10,910 ) $ (88,279 ) $ 409   $ 644,861  
Net earnings -   -   -   3,102     -     -     -     3,102  
Exercise of stock options 95   142   2,087   -     261     2,110     -     4,339  
Cash dividends declared, -   -   -   (31,939 )   -     -     -     (31,939 )
  $0.315 per share                                        
Change in accumulated other                                        
  comprehensive income,                                        
  net of income tax -   -   -   -     -     -     (541 )   (541 )
Acquisition of businesses -   -   5,589   (10,074 )   1,696     13,727     -     9,242  
   
 
 
Balance, September 30, 1998 111,835 $ 167,753 $ 80,231 $ 453,654     (8,953 ) $ (72,442 ) $ (132 ) $ 629,064  
Net earnings -   -   -   70,573     -     -     -     70,573  
Exercise of stock options and                                        
  issuance of restricted shares 791   1,185   9,689   -     -     -     -     10,874  
Employee stock purchase plan 32   48   419   -     -     -     -     467  
Cash dividends declared, -   -   -   (28,325 )   -     -     -     (28,325 )
  $0.225 per share                                        
Change in accumulated other                                        
  comprehensive income,                                        
  net of income tax -   -   -   -     -     -     367     367  
Acquisition of businesses 24,658   36,988   728,225   28     5,842     47,229     -     812,470  
   
 
 
Balance, September 30, 1999 137,316 $ 205,974 $ 818,564 $ 495,930     (3,111 ) $ (25,213 ) $ 235   $ 1,495,490  
Net loss -           (752,838 )   -     -     -     (752,838 )
Exercise of stock options and                                        
  issuance of restricted shares 175   263   1,055   -     -     -     -     1,318  
Employee stock purchase plan 409   612   1,735   -     -     -     -     2,347  
Cash dividends declared, -   -   -   (22,846 )   -     -     -     (22,846 )
  $0.170 per share                                        
Change in accumulated other                                        
  comprehensive income,                                        
  net of income tax -   -   -   -     -     -     (222 )   (222 )
   
 
Balance, September 30, 2000 137,900 $ 206,849 $ 821,354 $ (279,754 )   (3,111 ) $ (25,213 ) $ 13   $ 723,249  
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

 


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STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS  
 
Dollars in thousands  

 
Years Ended September 30,   2000     1999     1998  

 
Operating Activities                  
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations $ (481,026 ) $ 84,380   $ 95,247  
Adjustments to reconcile earnings (loss) from continuing                  
  operations to net cash flows from operating activities:                  
    Provision for doubtful receivables   143,306     60,549     10,612  
    Depreciation and amortization of property   45,594     29,877     22,230  
    Loss on dispositions of property   864     947     1,137  
    Amortization of intangible assets   37,104     21,165     9,756  
    Amortization of debt financing costs   12,228     1,180     500  
    Goodwill impairment   505,300     -     -  
    Abandonment of capitalized software   6,309     -     5,307  
    Investment impairment   5,000     -     -  
    Non-cash restructuring expenses   10,670     -     -  
    Deferred compensation   5,884     2,552     2,809  
    Deferred income taxes   (20,051 )   10,840     41,955  
    Effects of changes, net of acquisitions and dispositions:                  
      Receivables   (248,332 )   (221,872 )   (158,319 )
      Inventories   (385,797 )   (262,731 )   (133,813 )
      Income taxes receivable/payable   24,055     8,051     (31,888 )
      Prepaid expenses and other assets   (1,319 )   (33,414 )   (13,670 )
      Accounts payable   430,721     10,532     233,452  
      Accrued liabilities   65,385     38,351     21,706  
      Customer credit balances   (9,174 )   33,289     (38,805 )
 
        Net cash flows from operating activities   146,721     (216,304 )   68,216  
 
 
Investing Activities                  
Property acquisitions   (69,309 )   (40,918 )   (20,835 )
Net proceeds from sale of accounts receivable   168,002     -     -  
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations   297,995     -     -  
Acquisition of businesses, less cash acquired   -     (248,405 )   (22,578 )
Other   (13,891 )   2,456     (976 )
 
        Net cash flows from investing activities   382,797     (286,867 )   (44,389 )
 
 
Financing Activities                  
Net revolving unsecured bank loan activity   (249,717 )   79,717     30,000  
Net commercial paper activity   (692,891 )   692,891     -  
Net revolving secured bank loan activity   55,000     -     -  
Proceeds from secured bank term loans, net of issuance costs   668,000     -     -  
Proceeds from issuance of trust preferred securities,                  
  net of issuance costs   -     289,825     -  
Redemption of senior subordinated notes   -     (16,881 )   -  
Repayment of secured bank term loans   (254,436 )   -     -  
Repayment of other obligations, principally debt                  
  of acquired entities in 1999   (20,963 )   (392,812 )   (2,202 )
Distributions paid on trust preferred securities   (17,550 )   (8,060 )   -  
Shareowners' equity transactions:                  
  Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares   1,318     10,874     4,339  
  Employee stock purchase plan   2,347     467     -  
  Cash dividends paid on Common Stock   (22,846 )   (36,042 )   (24,223 )
 
        Net cash flows from financing activities   (531,738 )   619,979     7,914  
 
Discontinued operations   (20,104 )   (79,455 )   (7,231 )
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (22,324 )   37,353     24,510  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   116,356     79,003     54,493  
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 94,032   $ 116,356   $ 79,003  
 
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:                  
Cash paid during the year for:                  
  Interest $ 172,888   $ 67,714   $ 37,823  
  Income taxes, net of refunds   31,806     60,637     61,731  
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  
   
                                                                                                                                                                    
                           

 


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2000, 1999, and 1998

 

1.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

   
 

Basis of Presentation

            The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company"), after elimination of the effect of intercompany transactions and balances. Certain reclassifications have been made in the 1999 and 1998 consolidated financial statements and notes to conform to 2000 presentations.

            The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America necessarily requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

 

 

Cash Equivalents

            The Company considers all highly-liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

 

Inventories

            Inventories for certain subsidiaries of the Company's Pharmaceutical Distribution segment (approximately 97% of the Company's inventories at September 30, 2000) are valued at the lower of cost or market, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. If the Company had used the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of inventory valuation, which approximates current replacement cost, inventories would have been higher than reported by $159.0 million and $147.7 million at September 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

 

 

Property

            Depreciation and amortization of property are computed principally on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives or lease terms, if shorter. Generally, the estimated useful lives are 15 to 40 years for buildings and leasehold improvements, and 3 to 10 years for equipment and fixtures.

 

 

Goodwill

            Goodwill, defined as the excess of cost over net assets of acquired companies (net of accumulated amortization of $603.9 million at September 30, 2000 and $572.2 million at September 30, 1999), is amortized on a straight-line basis principally over 40 years. The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill using a fair value approach, based on discounted future operating cash flows, considering sales and operating earnings trends and other operating factors. See Note 13 for a charge the Company recorded in fiscal 2000 related to impairment of goodwill at PharMerica.

 

 

Noncurrent Receivables

            Noncurrent receivables include notes receivable from employees and officers due at the Company's discretion in the amount of $4.4 million and $5.5 million at September 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

 

 

Impairment of Other Long-Lived Assets

            The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted future cash flows are not sufficient to recover the assets' carrying amounts. An impairment loss is measured by comparing the asset's carrying amount to its fair value, generally using a discounted cash flow analysis.

 

 

Investments

            Investments consist principally of equity interests in entities in which the Company holds a 20%-to-50% ownership; these investments are accounted for under the equity method. The Company has two such investments at September 30, 2000: (a) an approximate 33% interest in an entity which provides medical management services and software primarily to healthcare providers in the oncology sector and (b) a 40% ownership interest in a healthcare provider network specializing in oncologist practitioners.

            The Company's investments in debt securities and equity securities in which the Company holds less than a 20% ownership interest are classified as "available for sale" securities and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings, and reported as a separate component of shareowners' equity. Realized gains and losses on such investments are determined by the specific identification method and are included in net earnings. Such realized gains and losses for the years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 were not material.

 

 

Revenue Recognition

            The Company records revenues when product is shipped and title passes, or services are provided to its customers. Along with other companies in the drug distribution industry, the Company reports as revenues the gross dollar amount of bulk shipments to customers' warehouses and the related costs in cost of sales. Bulk shipment transactions are arranged by the Company with its suppliers at the express direction of the customer, and involve either shipments from the supplier directly to customers' warehouse sites or shipments from the supplier to Company warehouses for immediate shipment to customers' warehouse sites. Gross profit earned by the Company on bulk shipments was not material in any year presented. During each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, the Company's Pharmaceutical Distribution segment made bulk shipments to one customer's warehouses which comprised approximately 16%, 16% and 14%, respectively, of the Company's consolidated total net sales and other revenues in those years.

 

 

Comprehensive Income

            Effective October 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", which establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. This statement defines comprehensive income as all changes in equity during a period from non-owner sources. The Company has no material differences between net earnings and comprehensive income. Therefore, statements of comprehensive income have not been presented.

 

 

Accounting Pronouncements

            In 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133") which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. SFAS 133 was later amended by SFAS No. 137 and SFAS No. 138. This standard requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The standard becomes effective in the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year 2001. The adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and any effect will generally be limited to the form and content of its disclosures.

            In December 1999, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 ("SAB 101"), "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements." SAB 101 provides guidance on applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition issues in financial statements. The Company will be required to adopt SAB 101 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2001. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SAB 101 will have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

            In March 2000, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 44 ("FIN 44"), "Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation". FIN 44 clarifies the application of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25 regarding (a) the definition of employee for purposes of applying APB Opinion No. 25, (b) the criteria for determining whether a stock option plan qualifies as a non-compensatory plan, (c) the accounting consequence of various modifications to the terms of a previously fixed stock option or award, and (d) the accounting for an exchange of stock compensation awards in a business combination. FIN 44 is effective July 1, 2000, but certain conclusions cover specific events that occurred after either December 15, 1998, or January 12, 2000. The Company believes that the adoption of FIN 44 will not have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

            In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities" ("SFAS 140"), a replacement of SFAS No. 125 which has the same title. SFAS 140 revises the standards for securitizations and other transfers of financial assets and expands the disclosure requirements for such transactions, but it carries over most of SFAS No. 125's provisions without change. Under SFAS 140, consistent standards are provided for distinguishing financial asset transfers which are sales from financial asset transfers which are secured borrowings. The provisions of SFAS 140 are effective for transfers of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities occurring after March 31, 2001, and is to be applied prospectively. Management is in the process of evaluating this standard, but does not believe that it will change the Company's treatment of financial asset transfers under its Asset Securitization program, which are accounted for as sales, or have any material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. It is expected that any effect will generally be limited to the form and content of the related financial statement disclosures.

            In September 2000, the FASB's Emerging Issues Task Force released its discussion on EITF Issue No. 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs". EITF No. 00-10 sets forth guidance on how a seller of goods should classify in the income statement (a) amounts billed to a customer for shipping and handling and (b) costs incurred for shipping and handling. The consensus guidance must be adopted by the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year 2001. Management is in the process of evaluating this standard, but believes that any effect will generally be limited to the form and content of its financial statement disclosures.

 

 


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2.

Discontinued Operations

            On June 26, 2000, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell the stock of Bergen Brunswig Medical Company ("BBMC") to Allegiance Corporation, a subsidiary of Cardinal Health, Inc., for approximately $181 million in cash before retention of certain liabilities and subject to post-closing accounting adjustments which the Company does not believe will have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements. The regulatory approvals and other closing conditions were satisfied during the fourth quarter, and the sale was consummated on August 16, 2000. The net proceeds from this divestiture were used to pay down a portion of the $200 million interim term loan maturing in October 2001 as required under the Senior Credit Agreement (See Note 4).

            On July 5, 2000, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell the specialty pharmacy assets of Stadtlander Operating Company, LLC ("Stadtlander") to ProCare Pharmacy, Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Corporation, for approximately $124 million in cash before retention of certain liabilities and subject to post-closing accounting adjustments, which the Company does not believe will have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements. The transaction was structured as a sale of assets and was consummated on September 18, 2000. In addition, the corrections division of Stadtlander, that portion of the business that provides pharmaceuticals to prison inmate populations, was sold to Secure Pharmacy Plus, Inc. for approximately $8 million in a cash transaction that was consummated on September 20, 2000. The net proceeds from the divestitures of the two Stadtlander businesses were used to pay off the remaining portion of the $200 million interim term loan and a portion of other debt as required under the Senior Credit Agreement. The Company expects to receive approximately $132 million of income tax refunds during fiscal 2001 and 2002 in connection with the losses recorded on the Stadtlander divestitures.

            The Company has reclassified both BBMC (formerly the principal component of the Other Businesses segment) and the Stadtlander business segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

            The loss from discontinued operations includes results through June 30, 2000 (including interest expense allocations based on the expected cash proceeds from the sale of the two businesses and the average bank interest rates incurred during the periods), net of income taxes. Discontinued operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:

 

In thousands

2000

1999

1998


Net sales and other revenues

$

873,816

$

1,051,195

$

776,278

Costs and expenses

889,774

1,058,432

859,046


Operating loss

(15,958

)

(7,237

)

(82,768

)

Net interest expense

18,101

14,920

10,395


Loss before income tax benefit

(34,059

)

(22,157

)

(93,163

)

Income tax benefit

(13,209

)

(8,350

)

(1,018

)


Loss from operations

$

(20,850

)

$

(13,807

)

$

(92,145

)


 

            The Company recognized a loss on the dispositions of BBMC and Stadtlander of approximately $251 million, net of income tax benefits of approximately $132 million, in the quarter ended June 30, 2000. Substantially all of the loss is related to the non-cash write-off of goodwill. Also included in the loss on dispositions are the operating losses of BBMC and Stadtlander, including interest expense allocations, from July 1, 2000 through the transaction closing dates. The loss on dispositions is detailed as follows:

 

In thousands


Net assets in excess of estimated

net proceeds of sale

$

(369,466

)

Estimated operating results through

transaction closing dates

(8,536

)

Write-off of unamortized debt financing costs

(5,394

)


Pre-tax loss on dispositions

(383,396

)

Income tax benefits

(132,434

)


Net loss on dispositions

$

(250,962

)


 

            The current asset section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes, as reclassified at September 30, 1999, net assets of discontinued operations which would normally appear in the following balance sheet categories:

 

In thousands


Accounts and notes receivable (net)

$

191,513

Inventories

132,178

Property (net)

47,154

Goodwill (net)

431,654

Prepaid expenses and other assets

17,916


Total assets

820,415


Accounts payable

107,282

Accrued liabilities

28,688


Total liabilities

135,970


Net assets of discontinued operations

$

684,445


 


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3.

Accounts Receivable Securitization

            On December 17, 1999, the Company entered into the Receivables Securitization Program with a bank. In February 2000, the Receivables Securitization program was amended to increase the maximum availability from $200 million to $350 million. Through the Receivables Securitization Program, Bergen Brunswig Drug Company ("BBDC") sells, on an ongoing basis, its accounts receivable to Blue Hill, a 100%-owned special purpose subsidiary. Blue Hill, in turn, sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in such receivables to various investors. The program qualifies for treatment as a sale of assets under SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities". Sales are recorded at the estimated fair value of the receivables sold, reflecting discounts for the time value of money based on specified interest rates and estimated credit losses; the weighted average rate for the program was approximately 7.45% at September 30, 2000.

            As of September 30, 2000, the Company had outstanding net proceeds of $168.0 million from the sale of such receivables under the Receivables Securitization Program, and accounts receivable has been reduced by this amount in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. As sold receivables are collected, additional receivables may be sold under the program. Aggregate discount and fees of approximately $17.0 million on the sold receivables are included in net interest expense in the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Earnings for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000.

            On December 20, 2000, the Company replaced its Receivables Securitization Program by entering into a new Receivables Securitization Agreement with a financial institution (see Note 17).

 

 


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4.

Long-Term Debt

            Long-term debt at September 30, 2000 and 1999 consisted of the following:

 

Dollars in thousands

 

2000

 

1999

 


7 3/8% senior notes due 2003

$

149,744

$

149,633

 

7 1/4% senior notes due 2005

 

99,837

 

99,802

 

8 3/8% senior subordinated notes due 2008

 

308,119

 

308,119

 

Revolving credit facilities averaging 7.12%

         
 

and 6.00%, respectively

 

55,000

 

249,717

 

Term loan due 2005, at 9.21%

 

254,637

 

-

 

Term loan due 2006, at 10.03%

 

190,927

 

-

 

Commercial paper averaging 5.72%

 

-

 

692,891

 

7% convertible subordinated debentures due 2006

 

20,609

 

20,609

 

6 7/8% exchangeable subordinated

         
 

debentures due 2011

 

8,425

 

8,425

 

10% unsecured promissory note

 

-

 

4,500

 

Other

 

2,348

 

3,908

 

 

Total

 

1,089,646

 

1,537,604

 


Less current portion (see below)

 

22,364

 

544,260

 


 

Total

$

1,067,282

$

993,344

 


 

            On April 20, 2000, the Company replaced both its Credit Facility and Credit Agreement with a new $1.5 billion Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement originally consisted of an $800 million revolving facility maturing in April 2003, a $200 million interim term loan maturing in October 2001, a $300 million term loan maturing in March 2005 and a $200 million term loan maturing in March 2006. In August and September 2000, Bergen used the proceeds of the BBMC and Stadtlander dispositions to fully repay the Interim Term Loan and to repay an aggregate $54 million of the Term A and Term B loans. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets. The availability of revolving loans under the Senior Credit Agreement is tied to a borrowing base formula and certain covenants; the maximum amount of revolving loans outstanding may not exceed specified percentages of the Company's eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory. There were no outstanding revolving loans at September 30, 2000. Interest accrues at specified rates based on the Company's debt ratings; such rates range from 2.5% to 3.5% over LIBOR or 1.5% to 2.5% over prime, with a weighted average rate of approximately 9.6% at September 30, 2000. The Company pays monthly commitment fees to maintain the availability of revolving loans under the Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement has loan covenants which require the Company to maintain certain financial statement ratios and places certain limitations on, among other things, acquisitions, investments, methods of operation, dividend payments and capital expenditures. Effective September 29, 2000, the Senior Credit Agreement was amended to exclude the effect of certain special items recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 from the calculation of the required ratios and covenants.

            One of the Company's subsidiaries has a $55 million bank revolving credit facility which expires on May 20, 2001. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at 0.5% above LIBOR and are secured by a standby letter of credit under the Senior Credit Agreement for which the Company incurs a fee of 2.75%.

            The Company's Credit Facility, which expired in April 2000, allowed borrowings of up to $600 million under a revolving line of credit and also allowed borrowings under discretionary credit lines ("discretionary lines"), as available, outside of the Credit Facility.

            The Company's Credit Agreement, which was effective through March 2001, allowed borrowings of up to $400 million and also allowed borrowings under discretionary lines, as available, outside of the Credit Agreement.

            The Company's unsecured commercial paper dealer agreements (the "Commercial Paper Agreements") provided for the private placement of short-term commercial paper notes of the Company (the "Notes"), as available, up to a maximum of $1 billion outstanding. The Commercial Paper Agreements expired on April 11, 2000.

            Aggregate borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreement, Credit Facility, Credit Agreement, other revolving credit facilities, discretionary lines and the Commercial Paper Agreements amounted to approximately $501 million and $943 million at September 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively. An aggregate of $21 million of such outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2000 has been classified in the current portion of long-term debt based on the scheduled future repayments within the next year as required under the Senior Credit Agreement.

            The maximum outstanding borrowings at any quarter end under the Senior Credit Agreement, Credit Facility, Credit Agreement, other revolving credit facilities, discretionary lines and the Commercial Paper Agreements for the years ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 were $865 million and $943 million, respectively.

            On June 25, 1999, PharMerica, Inc. ("PharMerica"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, completed an offer to purchase its unsecured 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "8 3/8% Senior Notes"). Holders tendered an aggregate principal amount of $16.9 million in response to PharMerica's offer to purchase the 8 3/8% Senior Notes at a cash price equal to $1,010 per $1,000 principal amount, plus interest. The offer was required as a result of the acquisition of PharMerica by the Company on April 26, 1999 according to the terms of the indenture under which the 8 3/8% Senior Notes were issued.

            During November 1999, a $4.5 million 10% unsecured promissory note, which the Company assumed in connection with the acquisition of PharMerica, was repaid when PharMerica agreed to offset the $4.5 million against the outstanding accounts receivable balance of the noteholder, who is a PharMerica customer.

            On May 23, 1995, the Company sold $100 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured
7
1/4% Senior Notes due June 1, 2005 (the "7 1/4% Notes"). On January 14, 1993, the Company sold $150 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7 3/8% Senior Notes due January 15, 2003 (the "7 3/8% Notes"). The 7 1/4% Notes and 7 3/8% Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity and are not entitled to any sinking fund. Interest on the 7 1/4% Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Interest on the 7 3/8% Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The carrying value of the 7 1/4% Notes and 7 3/8% Notes represents gross proceeds plus amortization of the original issue discount ratably over the life of each issue.

            In July 1986, the Company issued $43.0 million of unsecured 6 7/8% Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures due July 2011 (the "6 7/8% Debentures") and during March 1990, $32.1 million principal amount of the 6 7/8% Debentures was tendered and purchased pursuant to an offer from the Company. Since March 1990, the Company has redeemed an additional $2.5 million aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest. The remaining unredeemed 6 7/8% Debentures receive interest on January 15 and July 15 of each year.

            In connection with the acquisition of Durr-Fillauer Medical Inc. and subsidiaries ("Durr") in September 1992, the Company assumed $69.0 million of Durr's unsecured 7% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due March 1, 2006 (the "7% Debentures"). Since September 1992, the Company has redeemed $48.4 million aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest. The remaining unredeemed 7% Debentures receive interest on March 1 and September 1 of each year.

            Scheduled future principal payments of long-term debt are $22.3 million in fiscal 2001, $47.5 million in fiscal 2002, $270.3 million in fiscal 2003, $84.7 million in fiscal 2004, $236.5 million in 2005, and $428.3 million thereafter.

 

 


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5.

Preferred Securities of Trust

            During the year ended September 30, 1999, the Company formed Bergen Capital I (the "Trust") which was established to sell preferred securities to the public; sell common securities to the Company; use the proceeds from these sales to buy an equal amount of subordinated debt securities of the Company; and distribute the cash payments it receives on the subordinated debt securities it owns to the holders of its preferred and common securities. In turn, the Company will pay principal, premium (if any) and interest on its subordinated debt securities; and will guarantee certain payments relating to the preferred securities.

            On May 26, 1999, the Trust, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued 12,000,000 shares of 7.80% Trust Originated Preferred Securities (SM) (TOPrS(SM)) (the "Preferred Securities") at $25 per security. The proceeds of such issuances were invested by the Trust in $300 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's 7.80% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due June 30, 2039 (the "Subordinated Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the Trust for general corporate purposes, principally retirement of a portion of its outstanding debt. The Subordinated Notes represent the sole assets of the Trust and bear interest at the annual rate of 7.80%, payable quarterly, and are redeemable by the Company beginning in May 2004 at 100% of the principal amount thereof. The obligations of the Trust related to the Preferred Securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.

            Holders of the Preferred Securities are entitled to cumulative cash distributions at an annual rate of 7.80% of the liquidation amount of $25 per security beginning June 30, 1999. The Preferred Securities will be redeemable upon any repayment of the Subordinated Notes at 100% of the liquidation amount beginning in May 2004.

            The Company, under certain conditions, may cause the Trust to defer the payment of distributions for successive periods of up to 20 consecutive quarters. During such periods, accrued distributions on the Preferred Securities will compound quarterly at an annual rate of 7.80%. Also, during such periods, the Company may not declare or pay distributions on its capital stock; may not redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment on any of its capital stock; and may not make interest, principal or premium payments on, or repurchase or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes.

            The Subordinated Notes and the related Trust investment in the Subordinated Notes have been eliminated in consolidation and the Preferred Securities are reflected as outstanding in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 


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6.

Capital Stock, Paid-in Capital and Stock Options

            The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 300,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $1.50 per share (the "Common Stock"); and 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock without nominal or par value (the "Preferred Stock").

            The Board of Directors (the "Board") is authorized to divide the Preferred Stock into one or more series and to determine the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of any such series. In addition, the Board may give the Preferred Stock (or any series) special, limited, multiple or no voting rights.

            Subject to the preferences and other rights of the Preferred Stock, the Common Stock may receive stock or cash dividends as declared by the Board and each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share at every meeting of shareowners. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, the holders of the Preferred Stock may be entitled to a liquidation preference as compared with the rights of owners of the Common Stock.

            On February 9, 1994, the Board adopted a Shareowner Rights Plan (which was amended on December 17, 1999; see Exhibit 4(c) to this Annual Report) which provides for the issuance of one Preferred Share Purchase Right (the "Rights") for each outstanding share of Common Stock. The Rights are generally not exercisable until 10 days after a person or group ("Acquiror") acquires 15% of the Common Stock or announces a tender offer which could result in a person or group owning 15% or more of the Common Stock (an "Acquisition"). Each Right, should it become exercisable, will entitle the owner to buy 1/100th of a share of a new series of the Company's Series A Junior Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $80.00.

            In the event of an Acquisition without the approval of the Board, each Right will entitle the owner, other than an Acquiror, to buy at the Rights' then-current exercise price a number of shares of Common Stock with a market value equal to twice the exercise price. In addition, if, after an Acquisition, the Company were to be acquired by merger, shareowners with unexercised Rights could purchase common stock of the Acquiror with a value of twice the exercise price of the Rights. The Board may redeem the Rights for $0.01 per Right at any time prior to an Acquisition. Unless earlier redeemed, the Rights will expire on February 18, 2004.

 

            During fiscal 1999, the Company's shareowners approved the following stock-related compensation plans:

*

the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP")

*

the 1999 Management Stock Accumulation Plan ("MSAP")

*

the 1999 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan ("NDSP")

*

the 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP")

*

the 1999 Management Stock Incentive Plan ("MSIP")

 

            The ESPP, under which 500,000 shares of Common Stock can be sold to employees, is a payroll-deduction based plan under which eligible participants may elect semiannually to withhold up to 25% of base salary to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price equal to 85% of the fair market value of the stock on the start date of a purchase period or on the purchase date, whichever is lower. A participant is granted a purchase right on the start date of each purchase period in which he or she participates. The purchase right provides the Participant with the right to purchase shares of Common Stock on the purchase date. Each purchase period has a duration of six months and runs from the first business day in January to the last business day in June and from the first business day in July to the last business day in December. The purchase date is defined as the last business day of each purchase period.

            Unless terminated sooner by the Board, the ESPP will terminate upon the earliest of (i) January 1, 2009; (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the ESPP have been sold pursuant to the purchase rights exercised under the ESPP; or (iii) the date on which all purchase rights are exercised in connection with certain other transactions as defined in the ESPP. During fiscal 2000 and 1999, 408,317 and 31,801 shares, respectively, of Common Stock were sold under the ESPP at weighted average prices of $5.750 and $14.662 per share, respectively. At September 30, 2000, 59,882 shares remained available for sale.

            The MSAP allows the Company to grant interest-bearing loans to eligible key executives, in order to facilitate their purchase of Common Stock. Loans can be granted for terms of between one and five years, up to an aggregate of $1.0 million per eligible employee, in an amount not in excess of three times the eligible employee's salary in effect on the date the loan is issued; provided that the eligible employee agrees to use the proceeds of such loan, as fully as possible, to purchase Common Stock on the open market. Common Stock purchased with the proceeds of any loan serves as collateral securing repayment of the loan.

            During the term of each loan, the Company may award credits to participants based on the attainment of certain specified corporate performance goals selected by the Company and established at the commencement of the loan term. The dollar equivalent of any credits earned and accumulated by a participant are applied to the repayment of the loan at the loan expiration date. To the extent that a participant's accumulated credits are insufficient to repay the loan in full, the participant remains responsible for full repayment which must occur no later than 90 days after the loan's expiration date. MSAP remains in effect for as long as there is a loan outstanding. No loan may be issued under the MSAP after September 30, 2004. There were no loans outstanding under the MSAP at September 30, 2000.

            The NDSP, under which 750,000 shares of Common Stock can be issued to non-employee directors of the Board, requires each non-employee director to receive an award of restricted shares in an amount equivalent to 25% of his or her annual fees in lieu of cash compensation. The number of restricted shares awarded to each non-employee director is determined by dividing 25% of such annual fees by the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of the award. Each award of restricted shares fully vests and becomes nonforfeitable as of the first anniversary following the award.

            Additionally, prior to the commencement of each fiscal year, each non-employee director may elect to receive in unrestricted shares an additional specified percentage of his or her director fees for such year greater than the required 25% described above, in lieu of cash compensation for such portion. The number of shares so awarded are determined by dividing the portion of such director fees to be paid in such shares by the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the first business day of the Company's fiscal year to which such fees relate. Such shares are immediately vested upon grant and are not to be forfeitable to the Company.

            In addition to the awards described above, the NDSP provides that each non-employee director receives awards of stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock. Upon election to the Board, each non-employee director receives an initial award of an option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock. Each non-employee director who was a member of the Board on the adoption date of the NDSP was also awarded an option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock. Subsequent to the initial award, each non-employee director receives an annual award of an option to purchase 6,000 shares of Common Stock. Options awarded pursuant to the NDSP generally vest and become exercisable in equal installments as of each of the first three Annual Shareowners' meetings following the date of grant. During 2000 and 1999, non-employee directors were awarded 9,411 and 3,318 restricted shares, respectively, of Common Stock at $8.75 and $24.91 per share, respectively, and were awarded options to purchase 54,000 and 180,000 shares, respectively, of Common Stock at $5.53 and $21.38 per share, respectively. At September 30, 2000, 503,271 shares remained available for issuance. Unless terminated earlier by the Board, the NDSP will terminate on April 22, 2009.

            The DCP, an unfunded plan, under which an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance, allows eligible officers, directors and key management employees, to defer a portion of his or her annual compensation in the form of cash or stock credits. Stock credits, including dividend equivalents, are equal to the full and fractional number of shares of Common Stock that could be purchased with the participant's compensation allocated to stock credits based on the average of closing prices of Common Stock during each month, plus, at the Board's discretion, up to one-half of a share of Common Stock for each full share credited. Stock credit distributions are made in shares of Common Stock. No shares of Common Stock have been issued under the DCP at September 30, 2000.

            The MSIP, under which 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock could be issued to eligible individuals who are officers, key employees or consultants of the Company, authorizes certain stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights and conditional performance share awards. Stock options awarded under the MSIP entitle the participant to acquire a specified number of shares of Common Stock at an exercise price determined by the Company's Compensation / Stock Option Committee. Such options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. At September 30, 2000, there were 3,022,617 option shares outstanding, including 240,646 shares converted from options under PharMerica's stock option plans, and 6,977,383 shares available for grant under the MSIP. No other stock awards were outstanding at September 30, 2000.

            At September 30, 2000, there were outstanding options to purchase 5,464,967 shares of Common Stock under the amended and restated 1989 stock incentive and 1983 stock option plans at prices per share not less than the fair market value on the dates the options were granted. No additional options may be granted under these plans.

            Stock appreciation rights may be offered to some or all of the employees who hold or receive options granted under the stock option plans. No stock appreciation rights were outstanding as of September 30, 2000, 1999, or 1998.

            The Company accounts for its stock option plans under APB No. 25. However, the Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). No compensation cost has been recognized for the Company's NDSP or stock option plans. Had compensation cost for the Company's NDSP, MSIP and 1989 stock incentive plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for grants in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998 consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, the Company's net earnings and diluted earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

   

2000

 

1999

 

1998


 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net earnings (loss) - as reported

$

(752,838

)

$

70,573

$

3,102

Net earnings (loss) - pro forma

$

(761,521

)

$

63,790

$

576

Diluted earnings (loss) per share - as reported

$

(5.60

)

$

0.59

$

0.03

Diluted earnings (loss) per share - pro forma

$

(5.66

)

$

0.54

$

0.01

 

            The fair value of options granted under the NDSP, MSIP and the 1989 stock incentive plan during fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998 were used to calculate the pro forma net earnings and diluted earnings per share above, on the various grant dates, using a binomial option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 


Dividend yield

.3

%

2.0

%

2.0

%

Expected volatility

68.8

%

60.3

%

46.9

%

Risk-free interest rate

6.6

%

5.6

%

4.9

%

Expected life

4 years

 

4 years

 

4 years

 

Fair value of grants

$3.60

 

$12.00

 

$8.65

 

 

            Changes in the number of shares represented by outstanding options under the Company's stock-related compensation plans during the years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are summarized as follows:

 

2000

1999

1998




Weighted

Weighted

Weighted

Average

Average

Average

Exercise

Exercise

Exercise

Shares

Price

Shares

Price

Shares

Price


Outstanding at beginning of year

8,235,638

$

15.21

7,065,460

$

15.21

4,467,584

$

9.13

Options granted ($5.53 to

$24.91 per share)

2,791,640

6.40

859,060

19.57

3,105,716

23.06

Options converted from

PharMerica plans ($12.29 to $43.78

$43.78 per share)

-

-

1,534,646

31.96

-

-

Options exercised ($2.97 to

$24.91 per share)

(165,642

)

7.02

(786,269

)

8.54

(355,546

)

7.97

Options canceled ($2.97 to

$43.78 per share)

(2,140,052

)

22.89

(437,259

)

31.18

(152,294

)

13.65


Outstanding at end of year (2000,

$5.53 to $40.00 per share)

8,721,584

$

13.83

8,235,638

$

18.56

7,065,460

$

15.21


Exercisable at end of year

4,665,784

$

15.34

4,462,949

$

16.80

2,772,161

$

8.26


Available for grant at end of year

8,477,726

 

9,128,875

 

327,488

 




 

            The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options at September 30, 2000:

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable



   

Weighted

Weighted

   

Weighted

   

Average

Average

   

Average

 

Number

Remaining

Exercise

 

Number

Exercise

Range of exercise prices

Outstanding

Life

Price

 

Exercisable

Price


$

5.53

       

1,804,000

9.48

$

5.53

   

-

$

-

 

$

5.72

-

$

8.90

 

1,893,044

2.72

 

7.65

   

1,188,084

 

7.13

 

$

9.77

-

$

13.00

 

1,675,234

5.64

 

11.27

   

1,531,129

 

11.10

 

$

14.57

-

$

21.37

 

1,615,515

7.82

 

20.04

   

749,853

 

19.92

 

$

24.91

-

$

40.00

 

1,733,791

7.89

 

25.89

   

1,196,718

 

26.02

 


 

8,721,584

6.63

$

13.83

   

4,665,784

$

15.34

 


 

            At September 30, 2000, an aggregate of 20,890,407 shares of Class A Common Stock were reserved for the exercise of stock options and for issuance under the ESPP, NDSP, DCP and the elective retirement savings plan (see Note 11).

 

 


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7.

Business Acquisitions

            Fiscal 1999:

            On April 26, 1999, the Company acquired PharMerica, one of the nation's largest providers of pharmaceutical products and pharmacy management services to long-term care and alternate site settings, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The Company issued approximately 24.7 million shares of Common Stock valued at approximately $665 million, acquired net assets (excluding debt) at fair value of approximately $315 million, assumed debt of approximately $600 million and incurred costs of approximately $10 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $960 million in the transaction.

            If the acquisition of PharMerica had occurred as of the beginning of the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, unaudited pro forma net sales and other revenues, earnings from continuing operations, and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations would have been as follows:

 





Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

Fiscal Year
Ended
September 30,
1999


Net sales and other revenues

$

20,427.3

 


       

Earnings from continuing operations

$

89.2

 


       

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.66

 


 

            The pro forma operating results above include the results of operations for PharMerica for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 with increased goodwill amortization along with other relevant adjustments to reflect fair value of the acquired assets. Pro forma operating results above include the special after-tax charge of $27.8 million (see Note 13). Additionally, the pro forma operating results include the effect of decreased interest expense attributable to PharMerica becoming a co-borrower under the Company's credit facilities; pro forma adjustments to the provision for taxes on income to reflect, primarily, higher non-deductible goodwill amortization; and pro forma issuance of the Company's Common Stock reflected in the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the computations of pro forma diluted earnings per share.

            The results of operations reflected in the pro forma information above are not necessarily indicative of the results which would have been reported if the PharMerica acquisition had been effected at the beginning of the 1999 fiscal year.

            On January 21, 1999, the Company acquired Stadtlander, a national leader in disease-specific pharmaceutical care delivery for transplant, HIV, infertility and serious mental illness patient populations and a leading provider of pharmaceutical care to the privatized corrections market, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Company paid approximately $195 million in cash and issued approximately 5.7 million shares of Common Stock, previously held as Treasury shares, valued at approximately $140 million. The Company acquired net assets (excluding debt) at fair value of approximately $40 million, assumed debt of approximately $100 million and incurred costs of approximately $10 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $405 million in the transaction. During September 2000, the Company sold substantially all of the assets and the liabilities of Stadtlander (see Note 2).

            The Company is in disagreement with the seller and the seller's independent auditors regarding the valuation of the net assets of Stadtlander at January 21, 1999. Notwithstanding the sale of the two Stadtlander businesses (see Note 2), the Company did not assign to the purchasers of the assets its claims against the seller. Any amounts realized from the sellers would be recorded as an adjustment to the Company's purchase price. See Part I, Item 3, "Legal Proceedings" of this Annual Report.

            On February 10, 1999, the Company acquired J.M. Blanco, Inc. ("J.M. Blanco"), Puerto Rico's largest pharmaceutical distributor, headquartered in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, for a cash purchase price of approximately $30 million. The Company acquired net assets (excluding debt) at fair value of approximately $24 million, assumed debt of approximately $22 million and incurred costs of approximately $1 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $29 million in the transaction.

            On December 31, 1998, the Company acquired Medical Initiatives, Inc. ("MII"), a pre-filler of pharmaceuticals for oncology centers, located in Tampa, Florida. The Company issued approximately 200,000 shares of Common Stock, previously held as Treasury shares, valued at approximately $6.0 million, acquired net assets at fair value of approximately $0.1 million and incurred costs of $0.2 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $6.1 million in the transaction.

            Had the acquisitions of J.M. Blanco and MII occurred at the beginning of fiscal 1999, the pro forma inclusion of their operating results would not have had a significant effect on the reported consolidated net sales and other revenues and earnings from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999.

            Each of the aforementioned acquisitions was accounted for as a purchase for financial reporting purposes.

 

            Fiscal 1998:

            On September 30, 1998, the Company acquired Ransdell, a privately-held medical-surgical supply distributor, and its affiliate, Choice Systems, Inc. ("Choice"), a developer of supply channel management software for the healthcare industry, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. These acquisitions were accounted for as poolings of interests for financial reporting purposes. The Company issued approximately 716,000 shares of its Common Stock to the Ransdell and Choice shareowners.

            On August 31, 1998, the Company acquired Lash, a privately-held healthcare reimbursement consulting firm then headquartered in Washington, D.C (now headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina). This acquisition was accounted for as a pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes and the Company issued approximately 980,000 shares of its Common Stock to the Lash shareowners.

            The impact of the Ransdell, Choice and Lash acquisitions, on a historical basis, is not significant. Accordingly, prior period historical financial statements were not restated for these acquisitions. The above acquired entities' financial results are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company since their respective acquisition dates. The aggregate merger expenses incurred related to these acquisitions were not material.

            On May 12, 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of Pacific Criticare, a privately-held distributor of medical-surgical products located in Waipahu, Hawaii for a cash purchase price of $4.0 million. The Company acquired net assets at fair value of approximately $0.4 million net and incurred costs of $0.3 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $3.9 million in the transaction.

            Ransdell and Pacific Criticare were included in the sale of BBMC in August 2000 (see Note 2).

            On January 2, 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the net assets of Besse, a privately-held distributor of injectables, diagnostics and medical supplies located in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a cash purchase price of $22.2 million. The Company acquired net assets at fair value of approximately $4.8 million and incurred costs of $0.4 million. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $17.8 million in the transaction.

            Had the acquisition of Besse occurred at the beginning of fiscal 1998, the pro-forma inclusion of its operating results would not have had a significant effect on the Company's reported consolidated net sales and other revenues and earnings from continuing operations in fiscal 1998.

 

 


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8.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

            The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

 

In thousands, except EPS

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 


Numerator for both basic and diluted EPS:

             
 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

$

(481,026

)

$

84,380

$

95,247

 
 

Discontinued operations:

             
   

Loss from operations

 

(20,850

)

 

(13,807

)

(92,145

)

   

Loss on dispositions

 

(250,962

)

 

-

 

-

 


       

Net earnings (loss)

$

(752,838

)

$

70,573

$

3,102

 


Denominator:

   
 

Denominator for basic EPS - weighted average

             
   

shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding

 

134,504

 

117,835

 

101,118

 
 

Effects of dilutive employees' stock options

             
   

(dilutive potential common shares)

 

-

 

1,260

 

1,502

 


 

Denominator for diluted EPS - adjusted weighted

             
   

average shares and assumed conversions

 

134,504

 

119,095

 

102,620

 


Earnings per share:

   
 

Basic

             
   

Continuing operations

$

(3.58

)

$

.72

 

$

.94

 
   

Discontinued operations:

             
     

Loss from operations

 

(.15

)

(.12

)

(.91

)

     

Loss on dispositions

 

(1.87

)

-

 

-

 


       

Net earnings (loss)

$

(5.60

)

$

.60

$

.03

 


 

Diluted:

             
   

Continuing operations

$

(3.58

)

$

.71

 

$

.93

 
   

Discontinued operations:

             
     

Loss from operations

 

(.15

)

(.12

)

(.90

)

     

Loss on dispositions

 

(1.87

)

-

 

-

 


       

Net earnings (loss)

$

(5.60

)

$

.59

$

.03

 


 

            For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000, the effect of employees' stock options was anti-dilutive, and therefore, excluded from the EPS calculation.

 

 


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9.

Leases

            The Company conducts most of its operations from leased warehouse and office facilities and uses certain data processing, transportation, and other equipment under lease agreements expiring at various dates through fiscal 2009, excluding renewal options. Future minimum rental commitments at September 30, 2000, under operating leases having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, aggregated $75.6 million, with rental payments during the five succeeding fiscal years of $27.9 million, $19.9 million, $12.1 million, $7.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, and $4.0 million thereafter. Future minimum rentals to be received under noncancelable subleases at September 30, 2000 were not material. Net rental expense for the years ended September 30, 2000, 1999, and 1998, was $40.5 million, $29.2 million and $19.0 million, respectively. Sublease income was not material in any of these years.

 

 


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10.

Taxes on Income

            The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities at tax rates expected to be in effect when such assets or liabilities are realized or settled.

            Total taxes on income from continuing operations (excluding the tax benefit related to discontinued operations and the Company's distributions on preferred securities of subsidiary trust) for the years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are summarized as follows:

 

Dollars in thousands

2000

 

1999

 

1998


Currently payable

           
 

Federal

$

50,031

$

46,937

$

18,489

 

State

 

9,386

 

8,564

 

3,375

 

Puerto Rico

 

940

 

470

 

-

Deferred (principally Federal)

 

(20,051

)

10,840

 

41,955


Total

$

40,306

$

66,811

$

63,819


 

            Taxes on income from continuing operations vary from the statutory Federal income tax rate applied to earnings (loss) from continuing operations before taxes on income as the result of the following:

 

Dollars in thousands

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 


Statutory Federal income tax rate applied to

 
 

earnings (loss) from continuing operations

               
 

before taxes on income

$

(149,316

)

$

54,623

$

55,673

 

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:

 
 

Amortization of goodwill

 

7,469

   

4,306

 

2,212

 
 

State income taxes - net of Federal benefits

 

3,928

   

6,638

 

6,511

 
 

Goodwill impairment charge

 

176,855

   

-

 

-

 
 

Other

 

1,370

   

1,244

 

(577

)


Total

$

40,306

 

$

66,811

$

63,819

 


 

            The Company has not provided for withholding taxes on the earnings of its Puerto Rican subsidiary because it is currently anticipated that these earnings will be permanently reinvested.

            The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's net deferred tax liabilities (assets) as of September 30, 2000 and 1999 are as follows:

 

Dollars in thousands

2000

1999


Deferred tax liabilities:

Inventory basis difference due to LIFO

methods and uniform capitalization

$

122,867

$

118,096

Accelerated depreciation

11,830

11,742

Mark to market receivables

2,512

5,023

Goodwill amortization

12,559

3,732

Other

9,126

6,826



Total deferred tax liabilities

158,894

145,419

 


 


 

Deferred tax assets:

Reserves for doubtful receivables

86,350

48,112

Acquisition and restructuring expenses not

currently deductible

8,894

10,500

Vacation pay not currently deductible

6,094

5,948

Employee benefits

2,383

944

Accrued liabilities not currently deductible

43,078

23,281

AMT credit carryforward

28,803

-

Net operating loss carryforwards

43,232

16,110

Deferred income

4,227

8,083

Capital loss carryforward

5,835

-



Total

228,896

112,978

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

(14,962

)

(9,127

)



Total deferred income tax assets

213,934

103,851



Net deferred tax liabilities (assets)

$

(55,040

)

$

41,568



 

            The Company has approximately $44 million of net operating loss carryforwards related to an acquisition that can be used to reduce future taxable income. These net operating losses can only be used to offset income of the acquired entity, and, if not utilized, will begin expiring in fiscal 2009. The Company also has a $15 million capital loss carryforward that can be used to offset future capital gains and if not utilized will begin to expire in fiscal 2006. The Company has provided a valuation allowance on the portion of the deferred tax asset related to the pre-acquisition net operating losses and the capital loss at September 30, 2000 due to the uncertainty regarding realization.

 

 


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11.

Retirement and Savings Plans

            The Company provides for retirement benefits through an elective retirement savings plan and supplemental retirement plans.

            The Company has an elective retirement savings plan generally available to all employees with 30 days of service. Under the terms of the plan, the Company guarantees a contribution of $1.00 for each $1.00 invested by the participant up to the participant's investment of 3% of salary, and $0.50 for each additional $1.00 invested by the participant up to the participant's investment of an additional 2% of salary, subject to plan and regulatory limitations. The Company may also make additional cash or stock contributions to the plan at its discretion. All participants vest immediately in the Company's contributions from the first day of participation in the plan. The Company made contributions of $9.0 million, $6.6 million, and $4.5 million to the plan in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

            The supplemental retirement plans provide benefits for certain officers and key employees. The Company has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") for officers and key employees. Effective in fiscal 1999, the SERP was amended to provide certain additional benefits to participants. SERP is a "target" benefit plan, with the annual lifetime benefit based upon a percentage of salary during the final five years of pay at age 62, offset by several other sources of income including benefits payable under a prior supplemental retirement plan.

            The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the supplemental retirement plans:

 

Dollars in thousands

 

2000

 

1999

 


Change in benefit obligations

         
 

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

$

22,581

$

24,475

 
 

Service cost

 

1,718

 

1,313

 
 

Interest cost

 

1,628

 

1,480

 
 

Disbursements

 

(4,139

)

(5,701

)

 

Actuarial (gains) losses

 

978

 

(4,667

)

 

Plan amendments

 

-

 

5,681

 


   

Projected benefit obligation end of year

$

22,766

$

22,581

 


Change in plan assets

 
 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

$

2,928

$

2,919

 
 

Actual return on plan assets

 

157

 

131

 
 

Disbursements

 

(92

)

(92

)

 

Administrative expenses

 

(58

)

(30

)


   

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

$

2,935

$

2,928

 


Unfunded Status

 
 

Unfunded status at end of year

$

19,831

$

19,653

 
 

Unrecognized net obligation at transition

 

(2,483

)

(2,786

)

 

Unrecognized prior service cost

 

(6,614

)

(7,312

)

 

Unrecognized net actuarial losses

 

(4,378

)

(3,656

)


   

Accrued benefit liability

$

6,356

$

5,899

 


 

            The following table provides the amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2000 and 1999:

 

Dollars in thousands

 

2000

 

1999

 


Accrued benefit cost

$

6,356

$

5,899

 

Additional minimum cost

 

6,286

 

6,478

 

Intangible asset

 

(3,171

)

(3,336

)

Other

 

(3,115

)

(3,142

)


 

Net liability recognized

$

6,356

$

5,899

 


 

            The assumed rates used to measure the benefit obligations and the expected earnings on plan assets for the supplemental retirement plans for fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998 were as follows:

 

Weighted average assumptions as of September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Discount rate

8.00

%

7.75

%

6.75

%

Rate of salary increase

4.00

%

4.00

%

5.50

%

 

            The following table provides the components of net periodic pension expense for the supplemental retirement plans for fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998:

 

Dollars in thousands

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998


Service cost

$

1,718

$

1,313

$

916

Interest cost

 

1,628

 

1,480

 

1,482

Amortization of:

           
 

Transition obligation

 

303

 

303

 

303

 

Prior service cost

 

698

 

251

 

251

 

Net actuarial losses

 

158

 

420

 

322


   

Total

$

4,505

$

3,767

$

3,274


 

            The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for supplemental retirement plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $22.8 million, $15.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2000; and $22.6 million, $15.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively, as of September 30, 1999.

            At September 30, 2000 and 1999, the Company owned life insurance in the aggregate amounts of $52.5 million and $51.5 million, respectively, covering substantially all of the participants in the supplemental retirement plans. The Company intends to keep this life insurance in force until the demise of the participants.

            Contributions are also made to multi-employer defined benefit plans administered by labor unions for certain union employees. Approximately $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million were charged to pension expense and contributed to these plans in the years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

 

 


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12.

Contingencies

Section 1.

State and Opt-Out Antitrust Actions

            Between August 3, 1993 and February 14, 1994, the Company, along with various other pharmaceutical industry-related companies, was named as a defendant in eight separate state antitrust actions in three courts in California and as previously reported, on May 2, 1994, the Company and Durr Drug Company were named as defendants, along with 25 other pharmaceutical related-industry companies, in a state antitrust class action in the Circuit Court of Greene County, Alabama entitled Durrett v. UpJohn Company, et al., No. 94-029. Similar actions were also filed against the Company and other wholesalers and manufacturers in Mississippi, Montgomery Drug v. UpJohn, et. al., No. 97-0103, and in Tennessee, Graves v. Abbott, et. al., No. 25,109-II. The various state actions have not yet been set for trial. In addition to the state antitrust actions, the Company and others have been named in a series of related antitrust lawsuits brought by independent pharmacies. On October 21, 1994, the Company entered into a sharing agreement with five other wholesalers and 26 pharmaceutical manufacturers. Among other things, the agreement provides that if a judgment is entered against both the manufacturer and wholesaler defendants, the total exposure for joint and several liability of the Company is limited to the lesser amount of either 1% of each shared judgment or an aggregate amount of $1 million on all shared judgments in all actions. This agreement covers all antitrust actions raising the issues described above and which allege joint and several liability with at least one manufacturer, including the cases described in this Section.

Proposition 65 - Gottesfeld

            In February 1999, Perry Gottesfeld, an individual, and the California Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the Company and approximately sixteen other defendants alleging that manufacturers and distributors of over the counter dandruff shampoos containing coal tar expose consumers to coal tar, a Proposition 65-listed carcinogen, without providing a warning.

EPA Butterworth Landfill Site and Casmalia Landfill Site

            On or about March 5, 1999, the Company was notified that it was a potentially responsible party ("PRP") in connection with the Butterworth Landfill Site ("Butterworth Site") located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Casmalia Superfund Site located in Santa Barbara, California.

PharMerica Securities Litigation

            In November 1998 and February 1999, two putative securities class actions were filed against PharMerica and certain individuals ("Defendants") in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The proposed classes consist of all persons who purchased or acquired stock of PharMerica between January 7, 1998 and July 24, 1998. In general, the Consolidated Amended Complaint alleges that the Defendants made material misrepresentations with respect to an alleged violation of generally accepted accounting principles, and omissions by withholding from the market information related to the costs associated with certain acquisitions. Defendants' motion to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint with prejudice is pending before the Court.

PharMerica OIG Investigation

            Prior to the acquisition of PharMerica by the Company, the United States Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS"), during the course of a Medicare Audit of various nursing homes, requested PharMerica to produce records related to intravenous pharmaceuticals provided to particular nursing homes in 1997 and 1998. PharMerica has learned that HHS auditors allege that during the 1997-98 time frame, certain nursing homes, primarily operating in Texas, improperly billed Medicare for intravenous pharmaceuticals and related services. On or about June 1, 2000, the government filed a lawsuit against one former chain of thirteen Texas nursing homes, Sensitive Care, in which the government alleges that Sensitive Care filed false claims for Medicare reimbursement. The government has not quantified the extent of any damages it allegedly suffered. Sensitive Care has filed for bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas, thus, the government's complaint against Sensitive Care has been filed in bankruptcy court there, as a creditor's claim. In its Answer to the government's lawsuit, Sensitive Care has denied liability, but has further alleged that PharMerica is liable for any false claim liabilities that may be imposed against Sensitive Care under an indemnification clause contained in the pharmacy services contract(s) between PharMerica and the nursing homes Sensitive Care formerly operated. PharMerica was served with a copy of Sensitive Care's third-party complaint seeking indemnification and intends to defend vigorously against the imposition of any liability against it for fraudulent billings that an independent third-party organization, like Sensitive Care, may have submitted to the government.

Liliha Pharmacy/Hawaii

            PharMerica had been informed by the State of Hawaii Medicaid Fraud Division that it had initiated an investigation into possible violations of Medicaid regulations by a pharmacy operated by PharMerica in Honolulu, Hawaii. PharMerica conducted an internal investigation in conjunction with the State. In addition, due to the nature of the business of PharMerica that involves payments under various federal and state programs, PharMerica is regularly subject to audit, review and investigation processes of government entities, quasi-governmental entities and third-party payors.

OIG Investigation of Stadtlander

            A United States federal investigation of Stadtlander with respect to possible violations of the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act is being conducted ("OIG Investigation"). The commencement of the investigation predated the ownership of Stadtlander by Counsel Corporation, the entity that sold Stadtlander to the Company. More specifically, the Office of Inspector General ("OIG") is investigating whether Stadtlander properly issued credits or refunds to the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs in cases where such credits or refunds may have been due.

            Although the amount of liability at September 30, 2000 with respect to the referenced proceedings in Section 1 above cannot be ascertained, in the opinion of management, based upon information currently available to management, any resulting liability is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Section 2.

Bergen Brunswig Corporation v. Counsel Corp.

            On October 14, 1999, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries commenced an action in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of the State of California against Counsel Corporation, Stadt Holdings, Inc., and certain of their officers and directors (the "Counsel defendants") in connection with the Company's acquisition of Stadtlander Drug Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Stadtlander") on January 21, 1999. The Company alleges that the Counsel defendants devised and perpetrated a joint venture scheme with the common purpose of selling Stadtlander at a grossly inflated price. The Company contends that, by means of fraudulent adjusting journal entries and related misrepresentations and omissions, the Counsel defendants provided inaccurate financial statements and other false and misleading information to the Company in order to fraudulently induce it to consummate the Stadtlander acquisition. In its complaint, the Company asserts causes of action against the defendants under California's securities and unfair competition laws, as well as common law and statutory claims for fraud. Defendants Counsel Corporation, Stadt Holdings, Inc., Allan C. Silber, Morris A. Perlis and James Sas filed and served an Answer to the First Amended Complaint on September 15, 2000, and defendants Counsel Corporation and Stadt Holdings, Inc. filed and served a Cross-Complaint against the Company on September 15, 2000. The Cross-Complaint purports to state two causes of action against the Company, for breach of the Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement governing the Stadtlander acquisition, and for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. On October 13, 2000, the Company filed and served an Answer to the Cross-Complaint, in which it denied the material allegations of the Cross-Complaint and disputes that Counsel Corporation and Stadt Holdings, Inc. are entitled to any damages or other relief whatsoever. The Court has set a tentative trial date in the action for August 20, 2001.

Bergen Securities, Trust and Derivative Actions

            Following the Company's October 14, 1999 announcement that it would not meet analysts' consensus earnings estimates for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, due to, in part, lower than expected results at Stadtlander and PharMerica, and following the Company's disclosures, in its complaint against the Counsel defendants, reported by the press on October 15, 1999, regarding the accounting irregularities involved in the Stadtlander acquisition, 10 purported shareholder class action lawsuits were commenced against the Company and certain of its officers and directors in federal court in California. By order of the Court, pursuant to the parties' stipulation, the 10 cases have been consolidated into a single action in the Southern Division of the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the "Bergen securities action"). The Bergen securities action is purportedly brought on behalf of a class of the Company's shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's common stock from March 16, 1999 through October 14, 1999, and were allegedly damaged thereby. The Bergen securities action asserts, among other things, various similar claims under sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act 1933, and under sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. In general, the Bergen securities action alleges that the Company and certain of its officers and directors made material omissions and misrepresentations in their PharMerica Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and in other public statements prior to October 14, 1999, by failing to disclose sooner certain accounting irregularities the Company uncovered at Stadtlander after its acquisition, and by allegedly failing to disclose sooner that the reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable at PharMerica were allegedly understated by approximately $35 million. In addition to the Bergen securities action, two separate lawsuits alleging violations of certain federal securities laws were commenced in federal court in California, and another lawsuit was commenced in federal court in Delaware, that name as defendants, along with the Company and certain of its officers and directors, Bergen Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as well as various investment banks (the "Bergen derivative action"). The Bergen derivative action asserts several purported state law causes of action against the directors and certain senior officers of the Company (the "individual defendants"), and also against the Company (as a nominal defendant), alleging, in general terms, various alleged fiduciary breaches and related claims arising from the alleged failure of the individual defendants to conduct adequate due diligence before proceeding with the Stadtlander acquisition and causing Bergen to allegedly violate federal securities laws, as alleged in the Bergen securities action and Trust securities action.

            The Company has reached a tentative settlement agreement with plaintiffs' counsel in the various actions described in the Bergen Securities, Trust and Derivative Actions paragraph above, together with its directors' and officers' liability insurance carriers. The Company has submitted for filing and service a third party complaint against its carriers in connection with their settlement and indemnification obligations. The time for the carriers' response to the third party complaint will be set at the time of formal service of the complaint. The Company believes that it is likely that the cases will be settled in accordance with the parties' mediated settlement proposal, as modified by the Company's subsequent discussions with its insurance carriers .

            The proceedings referenced in Section 2 are in their early stages and little or no discovery has been completed. The Company does not believe it is currently feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of these proceedings, or to estimate the amounts of, or potential range of, loss with respect to these proceedings should the tentative settlement agreement not come to fruition.

 

 


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13.

Special Items

            Following is a summary of special items recorded during the past three fiscal years:

 

Years Ended September 30,


Dollars in thousands

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution:

Special provision for doubtful receivables*

$

(41,000

)

$

-

$

-

Restructuring charge

(10,670

)

-

-

Abandonment of capitalized software

(6,309

)

-

-


Total Pharmaceutical Distribution

(57,979

)

-

-


PharMerica:

Goodwill impairment

(505,300

)

-

-

Special provision for doubtful receivables*

(25,700

)

(46,000

)

-


Total PharMerica

(531,000

)

(46,000

)

-


Corporate:

Officer severance

(3,973

)

-

-

Merger-related expenses

-

-

(14,635

)

Abandonment of capitalized software

-

-

(5,307

)


Total Corporate

(3,973

)

-

(19,942

)


Effect on operating earnings

(592,952

)

(46,000

)

(19,942

)

Impairment of investment

(5,000

)

-

-


Total special items

(597,952

)

(46,000

)

(19,942

)

Income tax benefit of special items

36,598

18,170

8,178


Effect on net earnings

$

(561,354

)

$

(27,830

)

$

(11,764

)


   

*

Included in the provision for doubtful receivables in the Statements of Consolidated Earnings.

 

Pharmaceutical Distribution:

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, BBDC recorded a $41.0 million special provision for doubtful receivables relating to a customer in the long-term care industry which is experiencing cash flow difficulties mainly due to the adverse effects of the Medicare PPS reimbursement system. Although the customer has not indicated an intention to file for bankruptcy protection, in late August 2000 it suspended making payments on a significant balance owed to BBDC. Accordingly, after reviewing the relevant facts and circumstances available at this time, BBDC recorded a reserve for the estimated uncollectible portion of the receivable. BBDC has continued to supply pharmaceuticals to this customer on a C.O.D. basis.

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a $10.7 million restructuring charge representing the estimated cost of (a) consolidating four BBDC distribution centers into larger existing facilities over the next nine months, (b) outsourcing certain BBDC delivery functions and (c) streamlining certain BBDC and other Pharmaceutical Distribution selling and administrative functions. The distribution centers' consolidation is expected to result in operating efficiencies by reducing the number of facilities from 33 to 29. The Albuquerque division was consolidated into the Phoenix facility in October 2000 and the Portland division was consolidated into the Seattle facility in December 2000. By the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2001, the South Bend division is expected to be consolidated into the Williamston and Chicago facilities and the Raleigh division is expected to be consolidated into the Richmond facility.

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, BBDC recorded a $6.3 million charge primarily reflecting the write-off of capitalized software abandoned in favor of new technology.

 

PharMerica:

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, PharMerica recorded a $505.3 million impairment charge to write down the recorded amount of goodwill to its fair value, as determined by an analysis of discounted future operating cash flows. The principal factors which affected the amount and timing of the charge were changes in the regulatory environment which will cause PharMerica's gross margins for the foreseeable future to remain well below those anticipated when the Company acquired PharMerica in April 1999. As previously disclosed, the Medicare Prospective Payment System ("PPS") has resulted in significantly lower drug reimbursement to the long-term care industry since its implementation in late 1998. The Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act, enacted in November 1999, provided minimal relief to the industry. Further efforts to provide legislative relief, including a proposal by the Health Care Financing Administration ("HCFA") during late fiscal year 2000, were not successful, and it now appears unlikely that any significant legislative relief will be forthcoming. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, PharMerica began to experience the negative impact of two recent regulatory events which reduced reimbursement under state Medicaid programs, and it is expected that such lower reimbursements will continue into future years. The first event was the announcement by approximately 34 states of a significant reduction in Average Wholesale Price ("AWP") reimbursement levels for certain intravenous ("IV") drugs provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. The second event was HCFA's reduction of Federal Upper Limit ("FUL") prices, which are used to set the reimbursement levels for numerous pills and tablets dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries. The lower estimated future cash flows due to the lower gross margins resulted in a reduction in the fair value of PharMerica's goodwill below book value, necessitating the impairment charge.

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, PharMerica recorded a $25.7 million special provision for doubtful receivables relating to nursing homes which are owned or operated by Integrated Health Services, Inc. ("I.H.S."), which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2000. I.H.S. has not yet issued its reorganization plan to the bankruptcy court, which has made it difficult for the Company to estimate its potential loss. However, during the fourth quarter, additional facts and circumstances became available which indicated that the uncollectible portion of the receivable would be significantly greater than expected at the time of the Chapter 11 filing; accordingly, the Company recorded the special provision. PharMerica has continued to supply pharmaceuticals to this customer on a C.O.D. basis, while it awaits disposition of I.H.S.'s reorganization.

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, PharMerica recorded a $46.0 million special provision for doubtful receivables, principally relating to pre-acquisition receivables and the adverse effect of Medicare PPS on PharMerica's customer base.

 

Corporate:

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a $4.0 million charge to reflect the cost associated with the negotiated determination of benefits payable to the Company's former chief executive officer under certain employment and severance agreements between the Company and such executive officer.

            In the second and fourth quarters of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded an aggregate $14.6 million of expenses related primarily to the proposed merger with Cardinal Health, Inc., which was terminated on August 7, 1998. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a $5.3 million charge for the abandonment of capitalized software.

 

Impairment of Investment:

            In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company fully-reserved its $5.0 million investment in the common stock of an Internet fulfillment entity which was in poor financial condition. In December 2000, substantially all of the assets of the Internet entity were sold to a third party. It is expected that all of the proceeds will be used to repay creditors and that there will be no return to the Company.

 

Income Tax Effect:

            All of the aforementioned special items have a current or deferred income tax benefit (at an approximate 40% rate), except for the PharMerica goodwill impairment charge, which is related to nondeductible goodwill.

 

 


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14.

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

            The recorded amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, noncurrent receivables, accounts payable and loans outstanding under the Senior Credit Agreement, the 6 7/8% Debentures and the 7% Debentures at September 30, 2000 approximate fair value. The fair values of the Company's 7 3/8% Notes, 7 1/4% Notes, 8 3/8% Notes and 7.80% Preferred Securities are estimated as follows, based on the market prices of these instruments as of September 30, 2000:

 


Dollars in thousands

Recorded
Amount


Fair Value


7 3/8% Notes

$

149,744

$

140,250

7 1/4% Notes

99,837

86,875

8 3/8% Notes

308,119

228,393

7.80% Preferred Securities

300,000

191,280

 

 


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15.

Business Segment Information

            The Company is organized based upon the products and services it provides to its customers. The Company's continuing operating segments have been aggregated into three reportable segments: Pharmaceutical Distribution, PharMerica and Other Businesses.

            The Pharmaceutical Distribution segment includes Bergen Brunswig Drug Company ("BBDC"), ASD Specialty Healthcare ("ASD"), Integrated Commercialization Solutions ("ICS") and The Lash Group, Inc. ("Lash"). BBDC sells pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, health and beauty aids, and other health-related products to hospitals, managed care facilities, independent and chain retail pharmacies, and food/drug combination stores. ASD sells specialty pharmaceutical products to physicians, clinics and other providers in the nephrology, oncology, plasma and vaccines sectors. BBDC and ASD also provide promotional, inventory management and information services to their customers. ICS provides commercial outsourcing services to healthcare product manufacturers, while Lash provides healthcare reimbursement consulting services.

            The PharMerica segment consists solely of the Company's PharMerica operations. PharMerica provides institutional pharmacy products and services to patients in long-term care and alternate site settings, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and residential living communities. It also provides mail order and on-line pharmacy services to injured workers who are receiving workers' compensation benefits, homebound catastrophically-ill patients, and other consumers.

            The Other Businesses segment consists solely of Choice Systems, which sells inventory management software to hospitals and other healthcare providers.

            The segment structure described herein is different from that previously reported due to (a) the elimination of Stadtlander and BBMC, which are now classified as discontinued operations, and (b) realignment of several of the Company's smaller subsidiaries. All fiscal 1999 and 1998 data shown below has been restated to be consistent with the new organizational structure.

            All of the Company's operations are located in the United States or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

            The following tables present segment information for the past three fiscal years (dollars in thousands):

 

Net Sales and Other Revenues


Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution

$

18,141,676

$

15,925,076

$

12,942,180

PharMerica

1,273,928

475,290

-

Other Businesses

1,062

1,720

-

Corporate

343

692

1,559

Intersegment Eliminations

(691,398

)

(264,914

)

-


Revenues excluding bulk shipments

18,725,611

16,137,864

12,943,739

Bulk shipments of pharmaceuticals to

customers' warehouses

4,217,291

4,056,479

3,401,651


Total net sales and other revenues

$

22,942,902

 

$

20,194,343

 

$

16,345,390


 

            Management evaluates segment performance based on revenues excluding bulk shipments to customers' warehouses. For further information regarding the nature of bulk shipments, which only occur in the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment, see Note 1.

            Intersegment eliminations represent the elimination of the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment's sales to PharMerica (BBDC is the principal supplier of pharmaceuticals to PharMerica). The $426.5 million increase in fiscal 2000 is primarily due to the inclusion of twelve months of activity as compared to only five months of activity in fiscal 1999. In addition, the monthly volume of intersegment shipments increased during fiscal 2000 in order to support PharMerica's growth.

 

Operating Earnings Before Special Items


Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution - FIFO Basis

$

341,613

$

321,717

$

261,953

LIFO (charges) credits

(11,261

)

(18,163

)

5,300


Pharmaceutical Distribution - LIFO Basis

330,352

303,554

267,253

PharMerica

18,351

11,999

-

Other Businesses

(3,368

)

(1,731

)

-

Corporate

(61,983

)

(52,532

)

(58,644

)


Total operating earnings, LIFO

basis before special items

283,352

261,290

208,609

Effect of special items on operating earnings

(592,952

)

(46,000

)

(19,942

)


Total operating earnings (loss), LIFO

basis including special items

$

(309,600

)

$

215,290

$

188,667


 

Operating Earnings Including Special Items


Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution - LIFO Basis

$

272,373

$

303,554

$

267,253

PharMerica

(512,649

)

(34,001

)

-

Other Businesses

(3,368

)

(1,731

)

-

Corporate

(65,956

)

(52,532

)

(78,586

)


Total operating earnings (loss), LIFO

basis including special items

(309,600

)

215,290

188,667

Net interest expense

(112,016

)

(59,223

)

(29,601

)

Impairment of investment

(5,000

)

-

-


Earnings (loss) before taxes on income

and distributions on preferred

securities of subsidiary trust

$

(426,616

)

$

156,067

$

159,066


 

            Segment operating profit is evaluated on both a FIFO and LIFO basis, and both including and excluding special items. Accordingly, two presentations are shown in the tables above. The only operating unit which uses LIFO is BBDC. Certain corporate office expenses of a direct operational nature are charged to the segments, but general corporate overhead is not allocated. Also, interest expense is not allocated to the segments.

            The Pharmaceutical Distribution segment recorded special items aggregating $58.0 million in fiscal 2000. PharMerica recorded special items aggregating $531.0 million in fiscal 2000 and $46.0 million in fiscal 1999. Corporate recorded special items aggregating $4.0 million in fiscal 2000 and $19.9 million in fiscal 1998. For a summary and description of the special items incurred in each segment, see Note 13.

 

Identifiable Assets


Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution

$

3,476,887

$

3,166,996

$

2,567,905

PharMerica

756,734

1,351,807

-

Other Businesses

1,486

1,918

786

Corporate

336,317

194,286

172,517

Net Assets of Discontinued Operations

-

684,445

188,414


 

Total identifiable assets

$

4,571,424

 

$

5,399,452

 

$

2,929,622

 


 

            Segment assets consist principally of accounts receivable, inventory, property, goodwill and other intangibles, and certain prepaid expenses and other assets. Corporate assets consist principally of cash, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes, and certain other assets.

 

Depreciation and Amortization of Property


Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution

$

24,513

$

20,314

$

20,335

PharMerica

18,107

7,717

-

Other Businesses

356

144

-

Corporate

2,618

1,702

1,895


Total depreciation and amortization

$

45,594

$

29,877

$

22,230


 

Amortization of Intangibles


Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution

$

11,195

$

10,046

$

9,155

PharMerica

25,909

11,101

-

Other Businesses

-

-

-

Corporate

-

18

601


Total amortization of intangibles

$

37,104

$

21,165

$

9,756


 

            Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation and amortization of property and intangible assets, as shown on the accompanying Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows.

 

Property Acquisitions


Years Ended September 30,

2000

1999

1998


Pharmaceutical Distribution

$

26,495

$

23,770

$

18,559

PharMerica

19,586

11,213

-

Other Businesses

 

268

 

1,287

 

-

Corporate

22,960

4,648

2,276


Total property acquisitions

$

69,309

$

40,918

$

20,835


 

            Corporate property acquisitions in fiscal 2000 include $21.2 million for the purchase of the Company's previously-leased headquarters building in Orange, California. Corporate property acquisitions in fiscal 1999 include leasehold improvements, equipment and furniture purchased in connection with a relocation of certain personnel to a supplemental leased facility in Orange, California.

 

 


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16.

Concentration of Credit Risk

            The Company's trade accounts receivables are concentrated in the health care industry.

            BBDC serves both the retail pharmacy and health systems sectors. Customers in the retail sector principally include independent pharmacies, drug store chains, food/drug combination stores and mail order fulfillment entities. Customers in the health systems sector principally include hospitals, alternative care facilities, health maintenance organizations, and long-term care pharmaceutical providers. During fiscal 2000, BBDC's revenues were comprised of approximately 50% from the retail sector and 50% from the health systems sector. ASD primarily serves physicians in various specialty health systems markets. PharMerica's revenues are principally concentrated with nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other customers in the long-term care health systems sector.

            Credit risk, especially in the health systems sector, can be affected by changes in government reimbursement policies as well as other economic pressures in the healthcare industry. In particular, PharMerica's long-term care customers have been adversely affected by reductions in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement levels during the past two years.

            The Company's overall credit risk is moderated because the customer base is diverse and geographically widespread. At September 30, 2000, the largest receivables balance from a single customer comprised approximately 7% of gross accounts receivable as shown on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 


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17.

Subsequent Event

            On December 20, 2000, the Company replaced its Receivables Securitization program (see Note 3) by entering into a new Receivables Securitization agreement with a financial institution. The new agreement, which has a five-year term, provides for a longer commitment by the financial institution than did the prior agreement, which had a one-year term. In addition, the new agreement is designed to give the Company additional availability, improved pricing and more flexibility in the timing of receivable sales. Availability is subject to specified percentages of eligible receivables, as defined in the agreement. The initial maximum availability under the program is $350 million, but the Company has the option to increase the maximum up to $450 million upon payment of an additional fee. If the Company increases the maximum availability above $358 million, the Company will make a corresponding reduction in maximum availability of bank borrowings pursuant to the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 


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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

 

 

 

To the Directors and Shareowners of
Bergen Brunswig Corporation:

 

            We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2000 and 1999, and the related statements of consolidated earnings, shareowners' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2000. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

            We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

            In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Bergen Brunswig Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP


Costa Mesa, California

November 1, 2000 (except for Note 17 as

to which the date is December 20, 2000)

 

 

 


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ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON

 

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   
 

None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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PART III

 

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS OF THE REGISTRANT

            The registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2001 annual meeting of shareowners that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item. If such proxy statement is not mailed to shareowners and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the registrant's most recently completed fiscal year, the registrant will provide such information by means of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 


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ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

            The registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2001 annual meeting of shareowners that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item. If such proxy statement is not mailed to shareowners and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the registrant's most recently completed fiscal year, the registrant will provide such information by means of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 


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ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND

 

MANAGEMENT

            The registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2001 annual meeting of shareowners that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item. If such proxy statement is not mailed to shareowners and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the registrant's most recently completed fiscal year, the registrant will provide such information by means of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 


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ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

            The registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2001 annual meeting of shareowners that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item. If such proxy statement is not mailed to shareowners and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the registrant's most recently completed fiscal year, the registrant will provide such information by means of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 


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PART IV

ITEM 14.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON

 

FORM 8-K

(a)

Documents filed as part of this report:

         
 

1.

Financial Statements

         
     

The following Consolidated Financial Statements of

   

Bergen Brunswig Corporation and Subsidiaries are included in Part II, Item 8:

         
     

Statements of Consolidated Earnings for the Years

       

Ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998

         
     

Consolidated Balance Sheets, September 30, 2000

       

and 1999

         
     

Statements of Consolidated Shareowners' Equity for the

       

Years Ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998

         
     

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the Years

       

Ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998

         
     

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

         
     

Independent Auditors' Report

       
       
 

Financial statements and schedules not listed are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because all material information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

 

2.

Financial Statement Schedule

         
     

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

IV - 9

 

 

 


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ITEM 14.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON

 

FORM 8-K (Continued)

 

 

3.

Exhibits

         
   

*2

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 11, 1999 by and among Bergen Brunswig Corporation, Peacock Merger Corp. and PharMerica, Inc. is set forth as Annex A to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file no. 333-74445) dated as of March 16, 1999.

         
   

*3

(a)

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 7, 1999, and the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, is set forth as Exhibit 3 in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.

         
   

3

(b)

The By-laws as amended and restated, dated as of October 2, 2000.

         
   

*4

(a)

The Indenture for Senior Debt Securities and Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities, both dated as of May 14, 1999, between the Company and Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee are set forth as Exhibits 4.5 and 4.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3/A dated May 14, 1999 (file no. 333-74349)

         
   

*4

(b)

The Senior Indenture for $400,000,000 of Debt Securities dated as of December 1, 1992 between the Company and Chemical Trust Company of California as Trustee is set forth as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated December 1, 1992 (file no. 33-55136).

         
       

The Company agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, a copy of each instrument with respect to other issues of long-term debt of the Company, the authorized principal amount of which does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company on a consolidated basis.

         
   

*4

(c)

Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999, between Bergen Brunswig Corporation and Chase Mellon Shareholder Services, Inc. , as Rights Agent, including all exhibits thereto is set forth as Exhibit 4(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999.

         

 


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ITEM 14.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON

 

FORM 8-K (Continued)

 

3.

Exhibits (Continued)

         
   

*10

(a)

Credit Agreement dated as of April 20, 2000, among Bergen Brunswig Corporation; Bergen Brunswig Drug Company; PharMerica, Inc.; Wachovia Bank, N.A.; First Union National Bank and Fleet National Bank; CIT Financial Group; and The Chase Manhattan Bank is set forth as Exhibit 10(a) in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

   

10

(b)

First Amendment dated September 29, 2000 to the Credit Agreement dated April 20, 2000 among Bergen Brunswig Corporation; Bergen Brunswig Drug Company; PharMerica, Inc.; Wachovia Bank, N.A.; First Union National Bank and Fleet National Bank; CIT Financial Group; and the Chase Manhattan Bank.

   

*10

(c)

Amended and Restated Receivables Sale Agreement dated as of February 29, 2000 among Blue Hill, Inc., Bergen Brunswig Drug Company and Wachovia Bank, N.A. and others.

   

*10

(d)

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Sale Agreement dated April 19, 2000 among Blue Hill, Inc., Bergen Brunswig Drug Company and Wachovia Bank, N.A. and others.

       

Exhibits 10(c) and 10(d) are set forth as Exhibit 10(b) and 10(c) in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

   

*10

(e)

Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of June 23, 2000, by and among Bergen Brunswig Medical Corporation, Ransdell Surgical, Inc., Durr Fillauer Medical Inc., Bergen Brunswig Corporation, Allegiance Corporation and Cardinal Health Inc.

   

*10

(f)

Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 3, 2000, by and among ProCare Pharmacy, Inc., Stadtlander Operating Company, L.L.C., Stadtlander Licensing Company, LLC, Stadtlander Drug of California, L.P., Stadtlander Drug of Hawaii, L.P. and Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

       

Exhibits 10(e) and 10(f) are set forth as Exhibit 10(a) and 10(b) in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000.

 


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ITEM 14.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON

 

FORM 8-K (Continued)

 

3.

Exhibits (Continued)

         
   

10

(g)

Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of September 20, 2000, by and among Secure Pharmacy Plus, Inc., Stadtlander Operating Company, L.L.C., Stadtlander Licensing Company, LLC, Stadtlander Drug of California, L.P., Stadtlander Drug of Hawaii, L.P. and Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

         
   

10

(h)

Bergen Brunswig Pre-Tax Investment Retirement Account Plus Employer Contribution Plan, amended and restated as of November 16, 2000.

         
   

10

(i)

Bergen Brunswig Third Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as of September 24, 1998.

         
   

*10

(j)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan.

         
   

*10

(k)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Management Stock Incentive Plan.

         
   

*10

(l)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan

         
   

*10

(m)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Management Stock Accumulation Plan.

         
   

*10

(n)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

         
       

Exhibits 10(j), 10(k), 10(l), 10(m) and 10(n) are set forth as Annexes E, F, G, H and I respectively, to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file no. 333-7445) dated as of March 16, 1999.

         
   

**10

(o)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan.

         
   

**10

(p)

Director Indemnification Agreement and Amendment to Director Indemnification Agreement.

         
   

*10

(q)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation Bonus Plan as adopted September 1, 1977 and amended October 19, 1990.

         
   

*10

(r)

Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Incentive Plan of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and Subsidiary Companies.

         

 


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ITEM 14.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON

 

FORM 8-K (Continued)

 

3.

Exhibits (Continued)

         
   

*10

(s)

Retired Officers' Medical Plan

         
       

Exhibit 10(q), 10(r) and 10(s) are set forth as Exhibits 10(e), 10(g) and 10(o) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.

         
   

**10

(t)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation Stock Option Plans, other than the Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1999 Management Stock Incentive Plan.

         
   

*10

(u)

Form of Amended and Restated Capital Accumulation Plan is set forth as Exhibit 10.2 in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 and Amendment No. 1 thereto relating to a shelf offering of $400 million in securities filed February 1, 1996 and March 19, 1996, respectively (file no. 333-631).

         
   

*10

(v)

Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Capital Accumulation Plan is set forth as Exhibit 10(m) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

         
   

*10

(w)

Amended and Restated Executive Loan Program dated March 3, 1995 is forth as Exhibit 10(g) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995.

         
   

*10

(x)

Employment Agreement and Schedule.

         
   

*10

(y)

Severance Agreement and Schedule

         
       

Exhibits 10(x) and 10(y) above are set forth as Exhibit 10(q) and 10(r) in the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994.

         
   

*10

(z)

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 1998, by and among Stadtlander Drug Co., Counsel Corporation, Stadt Holdings Inc., and the Company is set forth as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Report on Schedule 13D, dated November 18, 1998, filed with respect to PharMerica, Inc.

   

*10

(aa)

Indenture dated March 13, 1998 related to PharMerica's 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes is set forth as Exhibit 4.9 to PharMerica's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed May 15, 1998.

 


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ITEM 14.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON

 

FORM 8-K (Continued)

 

3.

Exhibits (Continued)

         
   

21

 

List of subsidiaries of Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

   

23

 

Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule.

   

24

 

Power of Attorney is set forth on the Signature pages in Part IV of this Annual Report.

   

27

 

Financial Data Schedule for the year ended September 30, 2000.

   

99

(a)

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.

   

*99

(b)

Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Robert E. Martini is set forth as Exhibit 99(b) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.

   

*99

(c)

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings of Part II of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994, are incorporated herein by reference in Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report.

 
 

*

Document has heretofore been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

   

**

Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed as part of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-5530) and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 thereto relating to an offering of $43,000,000 principal amount of
6 7/8% Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures due 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, July 1, and July 8, 1986, respectively.

   
   

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K:

   
 

There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the three months ended September 30, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION

     

December 27, 2000

By /s/

Robert E. Martini


 

Robert E. Martini

 

Chairman of the Board and

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

              KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below, hereby constitutes and appoints Robert E. Martini and Milan A. Sawdei and each of them singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including pre-effective amendments and post-effective amendments) to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

TITLE

DATE

         
         

/s/

Robert E. Martini

 

Chairman of the Board

December 27, 2000

Robert E. Martini

and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 
         
         
         

/s/

Neil F. Dimick

 

Executive Vice President,

December 27, 2000

Neil F. Dimick

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

and Director (Principal

 
     

Financial Officer and

 
     

Principal Accounting Officer)

 
     

 
         
         
         
         

/s/

Jose E. Blanco, Sr.

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

Jose E. Blanco, Sr.

     
         
         

/s/

Rodney H. Brady

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

Rodney H. Brady

     
         
         

/s/

Charles C. Edwards, M.D.

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

Charles C. Edwards, M.D.

     
         
         

/s/

Charles J. Lee

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

Charles J. Lee

     
         
         

/s/

George R. Liddle

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

George R. Liddle

     
         
         

/s/

Brent R. Martini

 

Executive Vice President

December 27, 2000

 

Brent R. Martini

 

and President, Bergen

 
     

Brunswig Drug Company

 
     

and Director

 
         

/s/

James R. Mellor

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

James R. Mellor

     
         
         

/s/

George E. Reinhardt, Jr.

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

George E. Reinhardt, Jr.

     
         
         

/s/

Francis G. Rodgers

 

Director

December 27, 2000

 

Francis G. Rodgers

     
         
         

 

 

 

 


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BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, 1999 AND 1998

Dollars in thousands

Additions


Balance at

Charged to

Charged to

Balance at

Beginning

Costs and

Other

End

of Period

Expenses (1)

Accounts (2)

Deductions (3)

of Period






Year Ended September 30, 2000:

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables*

$

96,793

$

143,306

$

-

$

(56,726)

$

183,373






Year Ended September 30, 1999:

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables*

$

28,823

$

60,549

$

39,405

$

(31,984)

$

96,793






Year Ended September 30, 1998:

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables*

$

27,696

$

10,612

$

24

$

(9,509)

$

28,823






*

Excludes discontinued operations.

(1)

Represents the provision for doubtful receivables, as shown on the Statements of Consolidated Earnings.

(2)

Represents the allowances of acquired entities at the respective acquisition dates (principally $38.3 million

related to PharMerica in April 1999).

(3)

Represents write-offs of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries.

 

 

 

 

 


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NO.

 

PAGE NO.

   

*2

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 11, 1999 by and among Bergen Brunswig Corporation, Peacock Merger Corp. and PharMerica, Inc. is set forth as Annex A to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file no. 333-74445) dated as of March 16, 1999.

 
     

*3(a)

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 7, 1999, and the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, is set forth as Exhibit 3 in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.

 
     

3(b)

The By-laws as amended and restated, dated as of October 2, 2000.

102

     

*4(a)

The Indenture for Senior Debt Securities and Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities, both dated as of May 14, 1999, between the Company and Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee are set forth as Exhibits 4.5 and 4.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3/A dated May 14, 1999 (file no. 333-74349)

 
     

*4(b)

The Senior Indenture for $400,000,000 of Debt Securities dated as of December 1, 1992 between the Company and Chemical Trust Company of California as Trustee is set forth as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated December 1, 1992 (file no. 33-55136).

 
     
 

The Company agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, a copy of each instrument with respect to other issues of long-term debt of the Company, the authorized principal amount of which does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company on a consolidated basis.

 
     

4(c)

Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999, between Bergen Brunswig Corporation and Chase Mellon Shareholder Services, Inc. , as Rights Agent, including all exhibits thereto is set forth as Exhibit 4(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999.

 
     

*10(a)

Credit Agreement dated as of April 20, 2000, among Bergen Brunswig Corporation; Bergen Brunswig Drug Company; PharMerica, Inc.; Wachovia Bank, N.A.; First Union National Bank and Fleet National Bank; CIT Financial Group; and The Chase Manhattan Bank is set forth as Exhibit 10(a) in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

 

10(b)

First Amendment dated September 29, 2000 to the Credit Agreement dated April 20, 2000 among Bergen Brunswig Corporation; Bergen Brunswig Drug Company; PharMerica, Inc.; Wachovia Bank, N.A.; First Union National Bank and Fleet National Bank; CIT Financial Group; and the Chase Manhattan Bank.

 

*10(c)

Amended and Restated Receivables Sale Agreement dated as of February 29, 2000 among Blue Hill, Inc., Bergen Brunswig Drug Company and Wachovia Bank, N.A. and others.

 

*10(d)

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Sale Agreement dated April 19, 2000 among Blue Hill, Inc., Bergen Brunswig Drug Company and Wachovia Bank, N.A. and others.

 
     
 

Exhibits 10(c) and 10(d) are set forth as Exhibit 10(b) and 10(c) in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

 
     

*10(e)

Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of June 23, 2000, by and among Bergen Brunswig Medical Corporation, Ransdell Surgical, Inc., Durr Fillauer Medical Inc., Bergen Brunswig Corporation, Allegiance Corporation and Cardinal Health Inc.

 
     

*10(f)

Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 3, 2000, by and among ProCare Pharmacy, Inc., Stadtlander Operating Company, L.L.C., Stadtlander Licensing Company, LLC, Stadtlander Drug of California, L.P., Stadtlander Drug of Hawaii, L.P. and Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

 
     
 

Exhibits 10(e) and 10(f) are set forth as Exhibit 10(a) and 10(b) in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000.

 
     

10(g)

Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of September 20, 2000, by and among Secure Pharmacy Plus, Inc., Stadtlander Operating Company, L.L.C., Stadtlander Licensing Company, LLC, Stadtlander Drug of California, L.P., Stadtlander Drug of Hawaii, L.P. and Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

119

     

10(h)

Bergen Brunswig Pre-Tax Investment Retirement Account Plus Employer Contribution Plan, amended and restated as of November 16, 2000.

162

     

10(i)

Bergen Brunswig Third Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as of September 24, 1998.

226

     

*10(j)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan.

 
     

*10(k)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Management Stock Incentive Plan.

 
     

*10(l)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan.

 
     

*10(m)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Management Stock Accumulation Plan.

 
     

*10(n)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 
     
 

Exhibits 10(j), 10(k), 10(l), 10(m) and 10(n) are set forth as Annexes E, F, G, H and I respectively, to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file no. 333-7445) dated as of March 16, 1999.

 
     

**10(o)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan.

 
     

**10(p)

Director Indemnification Agreement and Amendment to Director Indemnification Agreement.

 
     

*10(q)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation Bonus Plan as adopted September 1, 1977 and amended October 19, 1990.

 
     

*10(r)

Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Incentive Plan of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and Subsidiary Companies.

 
     

*10(s)

Retired Officers' Medical Plan.

 
     
 

Exhibit 10(q), 10(r) and 10(s) are set forth as Exhibits 10(e), 10(g) and 10(o) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.

 
     

**10(t)

Bergen Brunswig Corporation Stock Option Plans, other than the Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1999 Management Stock Incentive Plan.

 
     

*10(u)

Form of Amended and Restated Capital Accumulation Plan is set forth as Exhibit 10.2 in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 and Amendment No.1 thereto relating to a shelf offering of $400 million in securities filed February 1, 1996 and March 19, 1996, respectively (file no. 333-631).

 
     

*10(v)

Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Capital Accumulation Plan is set forth as Exhibit 10(m) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

 
     

*10(w)

Amended and Restated Executive Loan Program dated March 3, 1995 is set forth as Exhibit 10(g) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995.

 
     

*10(x)

Employment Agreement and Schedule.

 
     

*10(y)

Severance Agreement and Schedule.

 
     
 

Exhibits 10(x) and 10(y) above are set forth as Exhibit 10(q) and 10(r) in the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994.

 
     

*10(z)

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 1998, by and among Stadtlander Drug Co., Counsel Corporation, Stadt Holdings Inc., and the Company is set forth as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Report on Schedule 13D, dated November 18, 1998, filed with respect to PharMerica, Inc.

 
     

*10(aa)

Indenture dated March 13, 1998 related to PharMerica's 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes is set forth as Exhibit 4.9 to PharMerica's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed May 15, 1998.

 
     

21

List of subsidiaries of Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

263

     

23

Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule

264

     

24

Power of Attorney is set forth on the Signature pages in Part IV of this Annual Report.

 
     

27

Financial Data Schedule for the year ended September 30, 2000.

265

     

99(a)

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.

266

     

*99(b)

Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Robert E. Martini is set forth as Exhibit 99(b) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.

 
     

*99(c)

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings of Part II of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994, are incorporated herein by reference in Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report.

 
     
   

*

Document has heretofore been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

     

**

Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed as part of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
33-5530) and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 thereto relating to an offering of $43,000,000 principal amount of 6 
7/8% Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures due 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, July 1, and July 8, 1986, respectively.

EX-3 2 exh3b.htm EXHIBIT 3(B) Exhibit 3(b) - Amended and Restated By-Laws

Exhibit 3(b)

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION

AS OF OCTOBER 2, 2000

__________________________________

 

 

ARTICLE I

Office

 

                Section 1.         Principal Office. The principal office of the corporation is hereby fixed and located at 4000 Metropolitan Drive, in the City of Orange, County of Orange, and State of California. The board of directors is hereby granted full power and authority to change said principal office to another office within or without the State of California.

                Section 2.         Other Offices. Branch or subordinate offices may at any time be established by the board of directors at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.

 

ARTICLE II

Meeting of Shareholders

 

                Section 1.         Place of Meetings. All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or at such other place as may be designated by the board of directors or its executive committee and stated in the notice of the meeting.

                Section 2.         Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of the shareholders of the corporation shall be held on such day and at such hour as shall be fixed by the board of directors and designated in the notice of the meeting.

                Section 3.         Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose and at any time by the chairman of the board, the president or by the board of directors or as provided in the certificate of incorporation.

                Section 4.         Notice of Meetings. Written notice of the time, place and purposes of annual and special meetings of shareholders shall be given to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting at least ten (10) days and not more than sixty (60) days before the date of such meeting, either personally or by mail, charges prepaid, addressed to such shareholder at his address appearing on the books of the corporation.

                Section 5.         Record Date. The board of directors shall fix the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any annual or special meeting of shareholders. Such record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.

                Section 6.         Nominations of Directors and Proposals of Business To Be Considered. (a) Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at an annual meeting of shareholders (i) pursuant to the corporation's notice of such annual meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (iii) by any shareholder of the corporation who was a shareholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Article II, Section 6 and who is entitled to vote at the meeting, provided that such shareholder has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 6.

                                (b)         For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Article II, Section 6, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a shareholder's notice shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days or delayed by more than sixty (60) days from such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such shareholder's notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (including, without limitation, such person's name, address and principal occupation and such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (ii) as to any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any financial or other interest in such business of such shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (iii) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner and (2) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner.

                                (c)         Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (b) of this Article II, Section 6 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the board of directors of the corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased board of directors made by the corporation at least seventy (70) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a shareholder's notice required by this Article II, Section 6 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

                                (d)         Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 6 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 6; provided, however, that the presiding officer of the meeting may elect, for good cause shown, to waive one or more of the procedures of this Article II, Section 6. The presiding officer of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 6 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Article II, Section 6 and the presiding officer elects not to waive such non-compliance, to declare that such defective proposed business or nomination shall be disregarded.

                                (e)         For purposes of this Article II, Section 6, "public announcement" shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

                                (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article II, Section 6, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Article II, Section 6. Nothing in this Article II, Section 6 shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

                Section 7.         Quorum. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of any class or series voting separately at a meeting and a majority of any two or more classes voting together as a class at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; if any matter to come before the meeting requires a vote of less than all the outstanding classes, then the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the class or classes or series having the right to vote on such matter or matters shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of such business. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

                Section 8.         Adjourned Meetings and Notice Thereof. Any shareholders' meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares the holders of which are either present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting, but in the absence of a quorum no other business may be transacted at such meeting; provided, however, that if a quorum of any class or series is present and objects to such adjournment, the meeting shall not be adjourned.

                                When any shareholders' meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for more than thirty days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. If any such meeting is adjourned for thirty days or less, however, and the time and place of the adjourned meeting is announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, and the only business transacted at the adjourned meeting is such as might have been transacted at the original meeting, no further notice of the adjourned meeting need be given to shareholders. If after the adjournment, the board of directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, however, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record on the new record date.

                Section 9.         Voting. Shareholders shall vote their stock in the manner provided in the certificate of incorporation as amended from time to time. Shares held by the corporation shall not be voted at any meeting of shareholders for any purpose.

                Section 10.         Proxies. Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy. Every proxy shall be executed in writing by the shareholder or his agent, except that a proxy may be given by a shareholder or his agent by telegram or cable or by any means of electronic communication which results in a writing. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution unless a longer time is expressly provided therein. Unless it states that it is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest either in the stock itself or in the corporation, a proxy shall be revocable at will. A proxy shall not be revoked by the death or incapacity of the shareholder but the proxy shall continue to be in force until revoked by the personal representative or guardian of the shareholder. The presence at a meeting of any shareholder who has given a proxy does not revoke the proxy unless the shareholder files written notice of the revocation with the secretary of the meeting prior to the voting of the proxy or votes the shares subject to the proxy by written ballot. A person named in a proxy as the attorney or agent of a shareholder may, if the proxy so provides, substitute another person to act in his place, including any other person named as an attorney or agent in the same proxy. The substitution shall not be effective until an instrument effecting it is filed with the secretary of the corporation.

                Section 11.         Officers of Meetings. The chairman of the board, if present, shall preside at all meetings of shareholders. In his absence, the president, if present, shall preside. In his absence, the vice president of the corporation who has held that office for the longest period of those present at the meeting shall preside. The secretary of the corporation shall, if present, act as secretary of all meetings of shareholders. In his absence, any assistant secretary of the corporation who is present shall act as secretary of the meeting. If no assistant secretary is present, a temporary secretary for that particular meeting shall be elected.

                Section 12.         Order of Business. The order of business at all meetings of the shareholders, unless changed by a majority vote of the shares entitled to vote at such meeting, shall be as follows: (i) call to order; (ii) proof of mailing of notice of meeting, proxy and proxy statement; (iii) report on presence of a quorum; (iv) reading or waiver of minutes of preceding meeting; (v) election of directors; (vi) vote on other proposals; (vii) report of officers; and (viii) other business and adjournment.

                Section 13.         Voting List. The secretary or any assistant secretary shall produce at each shareholders' meeting a list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Such list shall (a) be arranged alphabetically within each class and series, with the address of, and the number of shares held by, each shareholder, (b) be subject to the inspection of any shareholder for reasonable periods during the meeting, and (c) be prima facie evidence as to persons who are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or to vote at the meeting.

                Section 14.         Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting. In order that the corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting pursuant to Section 14A:5-6 of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, any shareholder of record seeking to have the shareholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the secretary, request that the board of directors set a record date. Upon receipt of such written notice, or in the absence of such written notice at any time at its election, the board of directors may, as it deems appropriate and in the best interests of the corporation, adopt a resolution setting a record date for purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting. Any record date set by the board of directors pursuant to this Section 14 shall not precede, and shall not be more than ten (10) days after, the date on which the resolution setting the record date is adopted by the board of directors.

 

ARTICLE III

Board of Directors

 

                Section 1.         Number of Directors. The board of directors of the corporation shall be composed of not less than nine (9) nor more than fifteen (15) until changed by an amendment of the certificate of incorporation duly adopted by the shareholders of the corporation.

                                The board of directors, following the adoption of these amended by-laws, shall consist of eleven (11) members and one Director Emeritus. The number of directors may be increased or decreased within the foregoing limitations by an amendment to this Section 1 of Article III duly adopted by the board of directors.

                Section 2.         Term of Office; Classification of Directors. The board shall be divided into three classes, which shall be denominated Classes I, II and III, respectively. The number of directors in each class shall be as nearly equal as possible

                                                At each meeting of shareholders, directors shall be elected to fill the directorships of the Class of directors whose terms have expired. Those directors shall hold office until the third successive annual meeting of shareholders after their election and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified, so that directors elected at annual meetings of shareholders shall each be elected for a three year term, and that the term of one class of directors shall expire at each annual meeting.

                Section 3.         Resignation and Removal. Any director may resign at any time. Any director may be removed with or without cause as provided in the certificate of incorporation. A special meeting for the purpose of removing a director may be called for by the chairman of the board, the president or the board of directors. Notice of such meeting shall be given to all the shareholders of Class A Common Stock in the manner provided by these by-laws for any annual or special meeting. A new director to fill the vacancy caused by resignation or removal may be elected at the special meeting called for the purpose of removing such director, at any subsequent annual or special meeting of shareholders, or by the board of directors. If such director is elected at a special meeting of shareholders, he shall serve until the term of the removed director would have expired and thereafter until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

                Section 4.         Vacancies. If any vacancy should occur in the board of directors for any reason whatsoever, such vacancy may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors. Each director so elected shall hold office until the next succeeding annual or special meeting of the shareholders and thereafter until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

                                A vacancy or vacancies in the board of directors shall be deemed to exist in the case of the death, resignation or removal of any director, or if the authorized number of directors be increased, or if the shareholders fail at any special meeting of the shareholders at which any director or directors are elected to elect the authorized number of directors to be voted for at that meeting. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of his term of office.

                                Subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, the shareholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors. If the board of directors accepts the resignation of a director tendered to take effect at a future time, the board or the shareholders shall have the power to elect a successor to take office when the resignation is to become effective.

                                If the chairman of the board, the president or the board of directors shall so direct, the secretary shall promptly call a special meeting of shareholders to elect a director to fill such vacancy. Any director so elected shall hold office for a term which is not inconsistent with Section 2 of Article III of these by-laws, and thereafter until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

                                If a vacancy of all directors shall occur, the president or secretary shall promptly call a special meeting of the shareholders to elect directors to fill such vacancies. The persons so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and thereafter until their respective successors shall have been elected and qualified.

                Section 5.         Place of Meeting. The board of directors may hold its meetings at such place or places within or without the State of New Jersey as the board may from time to time determine.

                Section 6.         Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held on such day in March or April, June or July and September or October as shall be determined from time to time by the board, at 10:00 a.m. or at such other time designated by the board on such day; provided, however, that should said day fall upon a legal holiday, then any such meeting shall be held at the same hour and place on the next succeeding day which is not a legal holiday. A fourth regular meeting of the board of directors shall take place immediately following the conclusion of the annual meeting of shareholders. At the regular meeting of the board held immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders, the board of directors shall organize and elect officers.

                Section 7.         Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, or by any three (3) directors.

                Section 8.         Notice of Meetings. Notice of the place of each regular meeting of the board, and notice of the time and place of each special meeting of the board, shall be given in writing to each director either by hand delivery, facsimile transmission, mail or national courier service such as Federal Express, to the address or facsimile number, as the case may be, of such director as shown upon the records of the corporation. If such notice is delivered by hand or by facsimile transmission, it shall be delivered or transmitted, as the case may be, at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. If such notice is delivered by mail or national courier service, it shall be sent either by overnight mail or national courier service (next day delivery), in which case it shall be deposited with the overnight mail or national courier service at least two days prior to the time of the holding of the meeting, or by airmail, in which case it shall be deposited in the United States Mails at least one week prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. Such hand delivery, facsimile transmission, mailing or national courier service delivery, as above provided, shall be due, legal and personal notice to such director.

                Section 9.         Waiver of Notice and Consent. The transactions of any meeting of the board, however called and noticed or wherever held, shall be as valid as though such meeting had been duly held after a regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of such meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

                Section 10.         Action without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors by law or these by-laws may be taken without a meeting, if, prior or subsequent to such action, all members of the board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Each such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of such directors, for all purposes.

                Section 11.         Quorum. A majority of the entire board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

                Section 12.         Voting. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the board of directors. In determining the presence of a quorum and the result of a vote taken by the board, no distinction shall be made among the directors with respect to the class or classes or series of shareholders which elected them.

                Section 13.         Presiding Officer. The chairman of the board shall preside at all meetings of the board at which he is present. In the absence of the chairman of the board, the president shall preside. If the secretary of the corporation or any assistant secretary is present, he shall record the minutes of the meeting, and if neither of them is present the board shall designate a secretary to record the minutes of the meeting.

                Section 14.         Adjournment. A quorum of the directors may adjourn any directors' meeting to meet again at a time and place fixed in the resolutions adjourning such meeting, and no notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting need be given if the period of adjournment does not exceed ten days in any one adjournment. A meeting of directors at which less than a quorum is present may also be adjourned until the next regular meeting of the board.

                Section 15.         Directors Emeritus. The title of director emeritus may be conferred by the board of directors upon any former director of the corporation or of a corporation acquired by the corporation who, in the judgment of the board, has brought credit and distinction to this corporation, or such acquired corporation, through long and faithful service. The title hereby created is honorary only and does not carry with it the powers, duties or obligations of a director of this corporation or any other power, duty or obligation. The title may be conferred upon as many persons as the board deems appropriate. A director emeritus shall not be deemed a director or member of the board of directors but may attend meetings of the board and, upon invitation of the chairman, may take part in the deliberative proceedings of the board, but may not vote.

                Section 16.         Fees and Compensation. Directors shall receive for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the board a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, and an annual fee for service as a director, such as may be allowed by resolution of the board. The board of directors may, if it so desires, fix one fee for directors who are officers or employees of the corporation (or who are receiving retirement benefits from it or a subsidiary or under a pension trust of a subsidiary) and a higher fee for other directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

ARTICLE IV

Committees

 

                Section 1.         Establishment of Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board, designate an executive committee, consisting of the chairman of the board, and ten (10) other directors, and may at any time designate additional committees, each of which shall consist of two (2) or more directors. Subject to the limitations contained in Section 8 of this Article IV, the executive committee shall have the maximum authority permitted by law in effect at the time of the exercise of such authority and each other committee shall have such authority, not exceeding the authority of the executive committee, as is provided by the board of directors in the resolutions creating such committee.

                Section 2.         Presiding Officer and Secretary. The Board of Directors shall select a member of the board to be chairman of the executive committee. Each other committee of the board of directors shall choose one of its members to act as chairman. Each committee shall, from time to time, designate a secretary of the Committee who shall keep a record of its proceedings.

                Section 3.         Vacancies. Vacancies occurring from time to time in the membership of any committee may be filled by a majority of the entire board for the unexpired term of the member whose death, resignation, removal or disability causes such vacancy, and shall be so filled, if, as the result of such vacancy, there shall be less than three (3) directors on the executive committee or less than two (2) directors on any other committee, or, in the case of the executive committee, if the chief executive officer should be the one whose death, resignation, removal or disability causes such vacancy.

                Section 4.         Meetings. Each committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure and shall meet at such stated time as it may, by resolution, appoint, and shall also meet whenever called together by the chairman of the board or the chief executive officer.

                Section 5.         Notice of Meetings. If the committee established regular meeting dates, it shall not be necessary to give notice of any such regular meeting. Notice of every special meeting shall be given in the manner and within the time periods specified in Section 8 of Article III with respect to notices of special meetings of the board of directors. Notice of any special meeting may be waived in writing by all of the absent members of the committee either before or after the meeting.

                Section 6.         Quorum. A quorum at any meeting of any committee shall be not less than one-half (1/2) of the entire committee. In the case of the executive committee, however, a quorum shall be not less than three (3) members. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a committee meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the committee.

                Section 7.         Reports. Actions taken at a meeting of any committee shall be reported to the board at its next meeting following such committee meeting, except that when the meeting of the board is held within two (2) days after the committee meeting, such report shall, if not made at the first meeting, be made to the board at the second meeting following such committee meeting.

                Section 8.         Limitation of Powers. No committee of the board of directors shall have authority to do any of the following:

                                (a)         make, alter or repeal any by-law of the corporation;

                                (b)         elect or appoint any director, or remove any officer or director;

                                (c)         submit to shareholders any action that requires shareholders' approval;

                                (d)         amend or repeal any resolution theretofore adopted by the board which by its terms is amendable or repealable only by the board;

                                (e)         fix the compensation of any officer who is a member of the committee for serving as an officer of the corporation.

                Section 9.         Additional Powers of the Board. The board shall have the power, with respect to existing committees, to

                                (a)         fill any vacancy in any such committee;

                                (b)         appoint one or more directors to serve as alternative members of any such committee to act in the absence or disability of members of any such committee with all the powers of such absent or disabled members;

                                (c)         abolish any such committee at its pleasure; and

                                (d)         remove any director from membership on such committee at any time, with or without cause.

 

ARTICLE V

Officers

 

                Section 1.         Officers Enumerated. The Board of Directors shall designate and elect the officers of the corporation which shall include but shall not be limited to a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, [ a President,] two or more members of the office of the President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a Secretary and one or more Assistant Secretaries. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except that no officer shall execute, acknowledge, or verify any instrument in more than one capacity as such instrument is required by law or by the By-Laws to be executed, acknowledged, or verified by two or more officers. The Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall be directors. The office of the President shall initially have four members, each of whom shall be an Executive Vice President of the Corporation who shall have the duties and powers normally pertaining to the President of the Corporation but shall be limited to those divisions or subsidiaries for which he or she is responsible.

                Section 2.         Additional Officers. The board of directors may from time to time elect such other officers as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and have such powers and perform such duties as shall be prescribed from time to time by the board.

                Section 3.         Election and Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office until the next annual election of officers, and until his successor has been elected and qualified, unless he is earlier removed. All officers of the corporation shall hold office at the pleasure of the board of directors.

                Section 4.         Vacancies. Any vacancy in an enumerated office or in any other office may be filled by the board of directors.

                Section 5.         Removal and Resignation. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by a majority of the directors at any regular or special meeting of the board or by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board. Removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to his or her contract rights, if any. Election to a corporate office shall not, in and of itself, create contractual rights. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the board or to the president. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

                Section 6.         Powers and Duties. The officers shall each have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the corporation as from time to time may be prescribed by the board of directors or the executive committee and as may be delegated by the chairman of the board or the Chief Executive Officer. Without limiting the foregoing,

                                (a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of shareholders and at all meetings of the directors. He shall generally possess such powers and perform such duties as usually pertain to the office of the Chairman and to the office of the Chief Executive Officer.

                                (b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall, subject only to the direction and control of the Chairman of the Board and the Board of Directors, have general charge of, supervision over and responsibility for the business and affairs of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall generally possess such powers and perform such duties as usually pertain to the office of a President of a New Jersey business corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of Shareholders and of the Board of Directors.

                                (c)         President. The president shall generally possess such powers and perform such duties as usually pertain to the office of the president of a New Jersey business corporation, including power to supervise the business and activities of the corporation and to instruct, direct and control its other officers, agents and employees, and shall perform such other duties as the chairman of the board or the chief executive officer shall direct. In the absence of the chairman of the board and the chief executive officer, he shall preside at all meetings of shareholders and of the board of directors.

                                (d) Members of the Office of the President. Each member of the Office of the President shall generally possess such powers and perform such duties as usually pertain to the Office of the President but shall be limited to the divisions or businesses for which he or she has responsibility. Such powers and duties shall include the power to supervise the businesses and activities of such divisions and to instruct, direct and control the other officers, agents and employees of those divisions and to perform such other duties as the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall direct.

                                (e)         Vice President. The corporation shall have one or more vice presidents as determined by the board of directors. The board of directors may designate one or more of such vice presidents as executive vice president or senior vice president. All vice presidents shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as may be delegated from time to time by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or the board of directors. Unless otherwise ordered by the board of directors, any vice president may sign contracts or other instruments authorized either generally or specifically by the board of directors.

                                (f)         Secretary. The secretary or any assistant secretary shall cause notices of all meetings to be served as prescribed in these by-laws and shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the shareholders, board of directors and all committees of the board of directors or shareholders, and shall have charge of the seal of the corporation. He shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as pertain to his office or as are assigned to him by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the board of directors.

                                (g)         Treasurer. The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the corporation and shall keep or cause to be kept regular books of account for the corporation. He shall account to the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or the board of directors whenever they may require concerning all his transactions as treasurer and concerning the financial condition of the corporation. The treasurer shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as are incident to his office or as shall be assigned to him by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, or the board of directors.

                                (h)         Controller. The Controller shall have the immediate responsibility for the corporation's accounting practices, maintenance of its fiscal records, preparation of its financial reports and the responsibility for general accounting, cost accounting and budgetary controls functions of the corporation. He shall be under the broad administrative direction of the Vice President, Financial and Chief Financial Officer, and shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as are incident to his office or as shall be assigned to him by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, or the board of directors.

 

ARTICLE VI

Capital Stock and Other Securities

 

                Section 1.         Issuance of Stock and Other Securities. Certificates of any class of capital stock of the corporation and certificates representing any other securities of the corporation shall be signed by the president or any vice president and may be countersigned by the secretary or the treasurer or the assistant secretary. Any or all signatures upon a certificate may be a facsimile. Such certificates shall be sealed with the seal of the corporation, or shall bear a facsimile of such seal; and such certificates shall be registered in such manner as the board of directors may by resolution prescribe.

                Section 2.         Lost, Stolen and Destroyed Certificates. In case of lost, stolen or destroyed certificates, new certificates may be issued to take their place upon receipt by the corporation of such bond of indemnity and under such regulations as shall be prescribed by the board of directors, but the giving of a bond of indemnity may be waived by the board.

                Section 3.         Transfer of Securities. Shares of capital stock or any other registered securities of the corporation shall be transferable on the books of the corporation by the holder thereof in person or by his authorized attorney upon surrender for cancellation to the transfer agent for such security of an outstanding certificate or certificates for the same number of shares or other security with an assignment and authorization to transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, together with such proof of the authenticity of the signature and of the power of assignor to transfer such securities as the corporation or its agents may require.

                Section 4.         Record Date for Dividends or Rights. The board of directors may fix a record date in advance as of which shares of stock shall be held of record to entitle a shareholder to the payment of any dividend, to the allotment of rights, or to exercise rights in respect to any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock of the corporation. Such record date shall not precede by more than sixty (60) days the date of such dividend payment, or such allotment of rights, or the date when such change, conversion or exchange of capital stock shall take effect. Only shareholders of record on such record date shall be entitled to receive or exercise such rights or benefits when they shall accrue, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation subsequent to the record date which is fixed.

                Section 5.         Issue of New Shares or Sale of Treasury Stock. Shares of the capital stock of the corporation which have been authorized but not issued and treasury shares may be issued or sold from time to time and for such consideration as may be determined by the board of directors.

 

ARTICLE VII

Corporate Seal

 

                Section 1.         Form and Use. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its incorporation, and the words "Corporate Seal, New Jersey". The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or reproduced on a document or instrument, or affixed thereto.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Fiscal Year

 

                Section 1.         Time. The fiscal year of the corporation shall commence on October 1 of each calendar year.

 

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

 

                Section 1.         Amendments by Shareholders. These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be added by the shareholders.

                Section 2.         Amendments by the Board of Directors. Subject to the right of the shareholders provided in Section 1 of this Article IX to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws, the board of directors may adopt, amend or repeal these by-laws; provided, however, that a by-law or amendment thereto changing the number of directors may be adopted, amended or repealed by the board of directors only for the purpose of fixing the exact number of directors within the limits specified in Article III, Section 1, hereof.

 

ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous

 

                Section 1.         Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner, manually or by facsimile signature, as shall be determined from time to time by the board of directors.

                Section 2.         Execution of Contracts. The board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances and, unless so authorized by the board of directors, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

                Section 3.         Voting Shares of Other Corporations. The chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or any vice president is hereby authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of stock of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised on behalf of the corporation by such officers either in person or by proxy.

                Section 4.         Employee Benefit Plans. The corporation, by resolution of the board of directors, may adopt any one or more of the following plans for the benefit of some or all employees, as hereinafter defined, and their families, dependents or beneficiaries:

                                (a)         plans providing for the sale or distribution of its shares of any class or series, held by it or issued or purchased by it for the purpose, including stock option, stock purchase, stock bonus, profit-sharing, savings, pension, retirement, deferred compensation and other plans of similar nature, whether or not such plans also provide for the distribution of cash or property other than its shares;

                                (b)         plans providing for payments solely in cash or property other than shares of the corporation, including profit-sharing, bonus, savings, pension, retirement, deferred compensation and other plans of similar nature; and

                                (c)         plans for the furnishing of medical service, life, sickness, accident, disability or unemployment insurance or benefits; education; housing, social and recreational service; and other similar aids and services.

                The term "employees" as used in this Section means employees, officers, directors, and agents of the corporation or any subsidiary thereof, or other persons who are or have been actively engaged in the conduct of the business of the corporation or any subsidiary thereof, including any who have retired, become disabled or died prior to the establishment of any plan heretofore or hereafter adopted.

                Section 6.         Director Loans. The corporation may lend money to or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any director of the corporation or of any subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the board of directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. Any such loan, guarantee or other assistance may be made only when authorized by a majority of the entire board of directors and may be made with or without interest and whether unsecured or secured in such manner as the board shall approve, including, without limitation, by a pledge of shares of the corporation, and may be made upon such other terms and conditions as the board may determine. A director shall be disqualified from voting on any loan, guarantee or other assistance proposed to be made to him or her pursuant to this section. The statutory power of the board of directors to make such loans and guarantees and to provide other assistance to employees of the corporation other than directors shall not in any way be limited to this section.

                                By order of the board of directors of Bergen Brunswig Corporation this 2nd day of October, 2000.

 

 

 

Secretary

 

 

[ Seal ]

 

EX-10 3 exh10b.htm EXHIBIT 10(B) Exhibit 10(b) - Credit Agreement

Exhibit 10(b)

 

 

 

                FIRST AMENDMENT dated as of September 29, 2000 (this "Amendment"), to the Credit Agreement dated as of April 20, 2000 (the "Credit Agreement") among BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION (the "Company") BERGEN BRUNSWIG DRUG COMPANY, PHARMERICA, INC., the other BORROWING SUBSIDIARIES party hereto, the LENDERS party hereto, and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Administrative Agent.

   

                A.         Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks have extended credit to the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries, and have agreed to extend credit to the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries, in each case pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

                B.         The Company has informed the Administrative Agent that it seeks an amendment of the Credit Agreement as set forth herein.

                C.         The Required Lenders are willing to agree to such amendment pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

                D.         Each capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement.

                Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                SECTION 1.         Amendments to the Credit Agreement.

 

                (a)         The definition of "Consolidated Cash Interest Expense" in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

   
 

                                ""Consolidated Cash Interest Expense" means, for any period, the excess of (a) the sum of (i) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and including all distributions in respect of the Trust Preferred) of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (ii) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP, (iii) all discount, interest, fees, premiums and other charges in respect of all Securitizations for such period, plus (iv)  any cash payments made during such period in respect of obligations referred to in clause (b)(B) below that were amortized or accrued in a previous period, minus (b) the sum, to the extent included in such consolidated interest expense for such period, of (A) non-cash amounts attributable to amortization of financing costs paid in a previous period, (B) non-cash amounts attributable to amortization of debt discounts or accrued interest payable in kind for such period, and (C)  all fees incurred on or prior to the Effective Date in respect of the financing hereunder and all expenses incurred in connection with the closing hereunder on the Effective Date. In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary shall have completed an acquisition or disposition of any material Person, division or business unit since the beginning of the relevant period, Consolidated Cash Interest Expense shall be determined for such period on a pro forma basis as if such acquisition or disposition, and any related incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of such period. For periods including fiscal quarters ending prior to the Effective Date, Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such periods shall be deemed to be the amounts set forth on Schedule 1.01, as adjusted to give pro forma effect to any acquisition or disposition that occurred since the beginning of the relevant period by an increase or decrease, as appropriate, in Consolidated Cash Interest Expense equal to the actual amount attributable to the Person or assets acquired or disposed of.".

   
 

                (b)         The definition of "Consolidated EBITDA" in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

   
 

                                ""Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) consolidated interest expense for such period, (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period, (iv) any special one-time or extraordinary non-cash charges for such period (except that such add back for charges against the receivables of PharMerica and Stadtlander Operating Company, L.L.C., and their subsidiaries for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, shall be limited to $40,596,000), and (v) any LIFO adjustment (if negative to earnings) or charge for such period, and minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, any extraordinary gains for such period and any LIFO adjustment (if positive to earnings) or credit, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be added back to Consolidated EBITDA $66,700,000 of the provision for accounts receivable reported in the Company's financial statements for its fourth fiscal quarter of 2000. In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary shall have completed an acquisition or disposition of any material Person, division or business unit since the beginning of the relevant period, Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined for such period on a pro forma basis as if such acquisition or disposition, and any related incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of such period. For periods including fiscal quarters ending prior to the Effective Date, Consolidated EBITDA for such periods shall be deemed to be the amounts set forth on Schedule 1.01, as adjusted to give pro forma effect to any acquisition or disposition that occurred since the beginning of the relevant period by an increase or decrease, as appropriate, in Consolidated EBITDA equal to the actual amount attributable to the Person or assets acquired or disposed of.".

   
 

                (c)         The definition of "Consolidated EBITDAR" in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

   
 

                                ""Consolidated EBITDAR" means, for any period, Consolidated EBITDA for such period plus rental payments in respect of real property, delivery equipment and pharmacy equipment of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period (other than under capital leases), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For periods including fiscal quarters ending prior to the Effective Date, Consolidated EBITDAR shall be deemed to be the amounts set forth on Schedule 1.01, as adjusted to give pro forma effect to any acquisition or disposition that occurred since the beginning of the relevant period by an increase or decrease, as appropriate, in Consolidated EBITDAR equal to the actual amount attributable to the Person or assets acquired or disposed of.".

   
 

                (d)         The definition of "Consolidated Net Worth" in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

   
 

                                ""Consolidated Net Worth" means, on any date, consolidated shareholders' equity of the Company and the Subsidiaries shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of such date in accordance with GAAP; provided that (i) up to an aggregate amount of $525,000,000 of charges against goodwill associated with PharMerica reported in Company's financial statements for its fourth fiscal quarter of 2000 may be added back in the calculation of Consolidated Net Worth and (ii) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Worth, up to an aggregate amount of $66,700,000 of the provision for accounts receivable may be added back in calculating Consolidated Net Worth.".

   
 

                (e)         The definition of "Permitted Investments" in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

   
 

                                ""Permitted Investments" means:

   

                (a)         direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

     
   

                (b)         investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody's (within which there may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing), and investments in master notes that are rated (or that have been issued by an issuer that is rated with respect to a class of short-term debt obligations, or any security within that class, that is comparable in priority and security with said master note) by S&P or Moody's in the highest rating categories for short-term debt obligations (within which there may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing);

     
   

                (c)         investments in certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

     
   

                (d)         fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above (or subsidiaries or Affiliates of such financial institutions); and

     
   

                (e)         money market funds.".

 

                (f)         Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following language at the end thereof:

   

"Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company may sell one or more Subsidiaries or all or any portion of the assets of such Subsidiaries for consideration not less than the fair market value thereof in a transaction (an " Excluded Transaction") in which less than 90% of the consideration consists of cash, provided that (i) the Subsidiary, business unit or assets being sold in each Excluded Transaction do not contribute in excess of $1,000,000 per year in EBITDA to the Company and (ii) the net book value of the assets being sold is less than $10,000,000 per Excluded Transaction; provided further that the aggregate net book value of the assets sold in all transactions effected in reliance on this sentence shall not exceed $40,000,000. Any Equity Interests received pursuant to the previous sentence shall be treated as a Permitted Investment (and shall not be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 6.04(k) and (l)), provided that such Equity Interests are pledged to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement.".

 

                                SECTION 2.         Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

 

                (a)         This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and except as enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

   
 

                (b)         Before and after giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as if made on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.

   
 

                (c)         After giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

                                SECTION 3.         Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective as of the date set forth above on the date (the "Amendment Effective Date") that the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received the Amendment Fee and (b) the Administrative Agent or its counsel shall have received counterparts of this Amendment that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the Company and the Required Lenders.

 

                                SECTION 4.         Amendment Fee. The Company agrees to pay to each Lender that executes and delivers a copy of this Amendment to the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) on or prior to 12:00 noon on October 20, 2000 an amendment fee (the "Amendment Fee") in an amount equal to 0.075% of such Lender's Revolving Commitment (whether used or unused) and outstanding Term Loans, in each case as of the Amendment Effective Date; provided that the Company shall have no liability for any such amendment fee if this Amendment does not become effective. The Amendment Fee shall be payable in immediately available funds on the Amendment Effective Date. Once paid, the Amendment Fee shall not be refundable.

 

                                SECTION 5.         Effect of Amendment. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle the Company to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances. This Amendment shall constitute a "Loan Document" for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

                                SECTION 6.         Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of any executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

                                SECTION 7.         Applicable Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

                                SECTION 8.         Headings. The headings of this Amendment are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

 

 


 

 

 

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Eric Schmitt


   

Name:

Eric Schmitt

   

Title:

VP, Corporate Treasurer

       
       
 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG DRUG COMPANY,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Eric Schmitt


   

Name:

Eric Schmitt

   

Title:

VP, Corporate Treasurer

       
       
 

PHARMERICA, INC.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Eric Schmitt


   

Name:

Eric Schmitt

   

Title:

VP, Corporate Treasurer

       
       
 

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
individually and as Administrative Agent,
Collateral Agent and Issuing Bank,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Bruce Borden


   

Name:

Bruce Borden

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       


Signature Page to First
Amendment to Bergen Brunswig
Corporation Credit Agreement

 

 

AMSOUTH BANK,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Kevin R. Rogers


   

Name:

Kevin R. Rogers

   

Title:

Attorney-In-Fact

       
       
 

BANK ONE, N.A.

       
       
 

by

/s/

Stephanie A. Mack


   

Name:

Stephanie A. Mack

   

Title:

Commercial Banking Officer

       
       
 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

       
       
 

by

/s/

R.P. Reynolds


   

Name:

R.P. Reynolds

   

Title:

Director

       
       
 

THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Patrick Lee


   

Name:

Patrick Lee

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

CITIZENS BUSINESS CREDIT COMPANY,
a division of Citizens Leasing Corp.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Vincent P. O' Leary


   

Name:

Vincent P. O' Leary

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       

 

 

COMERICA BANK,

       
       
 

by

/s/

David Weismiller


   

Name:

David Weismiller

   

Title:

Corporate Banking Officer

   
   
 

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Mary Jo Jolly


   

Name:

Mary Jo Jolly

   

Title:

Assistant Vice President

       
       
 

DIME COMMERICAL CORP.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Dan Bueno


   

Name:

Dan Bueno

   

Title:

Assistant Treasurer

       
       
 

FLEET NATIONAL BANK,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Carol P. Castle


   

Name:

Carol P. Castle

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       
 

FOOTHILL INCOME TRUST, L.P.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

M.P. Sadilek


   

Name:

M.P. Sadilek

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       
 

FOOTHILL INCOME TRUST II, L.P.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

M.E. Stearns


   

Name:

M.E. Stearns

   

Title:

Managing Member of FIT II

     

GP, LLC, its general partner

       
       

 

 

FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION,

       
       
 

by

/s/

M.P. Sadilek


   

Name:

M.P. Sadilek

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       
 

GMAC COMMERCIAL CREDIT LLC

       
       
 

by

/s/

Sam Cirelli


   

Name:

Sam Cirelli

   

Title:

Executive Vice President

       
       
 

HELLER FINANCIAL, INC.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Albert J. Forzano


   

Name:

Albert J. Forzano

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

IBJ WHITEHALL BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION

       
       
 

by

/s/

Edward A. Jesser


   

Name:

Edward A. Jesser

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       
 

LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Michael Richmond


   

Name:

Michael Richmond

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       
 

MELLON BANK, N.A.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Timothy K. Turner


   

Name:

Timothy K. Turner

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       

 

 

NATEXIS BANQUE,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Gary Kania


   

Name:

Gary Kania

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

by

/s/

Frank H. Madden, Jr.


   

Name:

Frank H. Madden, Jr.

   

Title:

Vice President & Group Manager

       
       
 

NATIONAL CITY BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA,

       
       
 

by

/s/

David G. Hammon


   

Name:

David G. Hammon

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

ORIX BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Michael J. Cox


   

Name:

Michael J. Cox

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       
 

PNC BUSINESS CREDIT,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Thomas Stoltz


   

Name:

Thomas Stoltz

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.
By: PPM Finance, Inc. as its Attorney-in-Fact

       
       
 

by

/s/

Michael Molenda


   

Name:

Michael Molenda

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       

 

 

THE PROVIDENT BANK,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Jose V. Garde


   

Name:

Jose V. Garde

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

SIEMENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Frank Amodio


   

Name:

Frank Amodio

   

Title:

Vice President - Credit

       
       
 

TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT
CORPORATION

       
       
 

by

/s/

Perry Vavoules


   

Name:

Perry Vavoules

   

Title:

Senior Vice President

       
       
 

WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.

       
       
 

by

/s/

Eero H. Maki


   

Name:

Eero H. Maki

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

BOEING CAPITAL CORPORATION,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Daniel O. Anderson


   

Name:

Daniel O. Anderson

   

Title:

Vice President

       
       
 

JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

       
       
 

by

/s/

Stephen J. Blewitt


   

Name:

Stephen J. Blewitt

   

Title:

Managing Director

       
       

 

 

JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Stephen J. Blewitt


   

Name:

Stephen J. Blewitt

   

Title:

Authorized Signatory

       
       
 

INVESTORS PARTNER LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Stephen J. Blewitt


   

Name:

Stephen J. Blewitt

   

Title:

Authorized Signatory

       
       
 

TEXTRON FINANCIAL CORPORATION,

       
       
 

by

/s/

Stuart


   

Name:

Stuart

   

Title:

Managing Director

       

EX-10 4 exh10g.htm EXHIBIT 10(G) Exhibit 10(g)- Assets Purchase Agreement

Exhibit 10(g)

 

 

 

 

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and among

SECURE PHARMACY PLUS, INC.,

STADTLANDER OPERATING COMPANY, L.L.C.,

STADTLANDER LICENSING COMPANY, LLC,

STADTLANDER DRUG OF CALIFORNIA, L.P.

and

STADTLANDER DRUG OF HAWAII, L.P.

 

FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF
STADTLANDERS CORRECTIONS DIVISION

Dated as of September 20, 2000

 

 

 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Not a part of the Agreement)

1.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS

1

1.1

Purchase And Sale Of Assets

1

1.1.1

Leased Real Property

1

1.1.2

Tangible Personal Property

1

1.1.3

Inventories And Supplies

2

1.1.4

Contract Rights

2

1.1.5

Intellectual Property

2

1.1.6

Governmental Licenses, Permits and Approvals

2

1.1.7

Computer Software

2

1.1.8

Business Data

2

1.1.9

Web Sites

3

1.1.10

Claims

3

1.1.11

Other Assets

3

1.2

Excluded Assets

3

1.2.1

Ordinary Course of Business Dispositions; ProCare/CVS Transaction

3

1.2.2

Cash

3

1.2.3

Nonassignable Permits

3

1.2.4

Rights Under This Agreement

3

1.2.5

Minute Books and Stock Ledger

3

1.2.6

Accounts Receivable

4

1.2.7

Employee Benefit Plans

4

1.2.8

Prepaid Expenses

4

1.2.9

Inter- or Intra-Company Receivables

4

1.3

Conveyance

4

2.

PURCHASE PRICE

4

2.1

Closing Payment

4

2.2

Purchase Price Adjustment

4

2.3

Method of Payment

6

2.4

Allocation

6

3.

ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

6

3.1

Assumed Liabilities

6

3.2

Purchaser's Obligations

7

3.3

Excluded Liabilities

7

3.4

Breach of Representations

7

3.5

Insurance

7

4.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

9

4.1

Representations and Warranties of Sellers

9

4.1.1

Corporate Organization

9

4.1.2

Authorization and Effect of Agreement

9

4.1.3

No Restrictions Against Sale of the Assets

9

4.1.4

Financial Statements

9

4.1.5

No Material Adverse Change Relating to the Business

9

4.1.6

Compliance with Laws

9

4.1.7

Assets used in the Business

9

4.1.8

Assets other than Real Property

9

4.1.9

Real Property

10

   

4.1.10

Insurance

10

4.1.11

Intellectual Property

10

4.1.12

Litigation; Decrees

11

4.1.13

Contract Rights

11

4.1.14

Employee Contracts, Union Agreements and Benefit Plans

13

4.1.15

Labor Relations

14

4.1.16

Divisional Personnel

15

4.1.17

No Undisclosed Liabilities

15

4.1.18

Environmental Protection

15

4.1.19

Tax Matters

16

4.1.20

Brokers' and Finders' Fees

17

4.1.21

Licenses and Permits

17

4.1.22

Books and Records

17

4.1.23

[Intentionally omitted.]

18

4.1.24

Major Suppliers and Customers

18

4.1.25

Inventory

18

4.1.26

Pharmaceutical Regulation

18

4.2

Representations, Warranties And Certain Covenants of Purchaser

19

4.2.1

Corporate Organization

19

4.2.2

Authorization And Effect Of Agreement

20

4.2.3

No Restrictions Against Purchase Of The Assets

20

4.2.4

Brokers' and Finders' Fees

20

5.

COVENANTS

20

5.1

Employees

20

5.2

Transfer Taxes

21

5.3

Press Release

21

5.4

Pharmacy Licenses

21

6.

CLOSING DELIVERIES

6.1

Deliveries of Sellers

6.1.1

Transfer Documents

22

6.1.2

Certificates

22

6.1.3

Consents Under Key Agreements

22

6.1.4

Power of Attorney

22

6.1.5

Termination Statements

22

6.1.6

Employment Agreements

22

6.1.7

Non-Competition Agreements

22

6.1.8

Accounts Receivable Collection Agreement

22

6.1.9

Transition Services Agreement

22

6.1.10

BBC Guaranty

22

6.2

Deliveries of Purchaser

22

6.2.1

Instruments Of Assumption

23

6.2.2

Purchase Price

23

6.2.3

Certificates

23

6.2.4

Prime Vendor Contract

23

6.2.5

ASG Guaranty

23

7.

THE CLOSING

23

7.1

The Closing

23

8.

SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION

23

8.1

Survival

23

8.1.1

Survival of Representations And Warranties

23

8.1.2

Survival of Covenants

23

8.2

Limitations On Indemnification; Right of Offset

24

8.2.1

With Respect To Certain Representations And Warranties

24

8.2.2

With Respect To Sellers' Obligations

24

8.3

Indemnification

24

8.3.1

Indemnification By Sellers

24

8.3.2

Indemnification By Purchaser

24

8.3.3

Cumulative Rights

25

8.3.4

Indemnity Payment; Indemnitee; Indemnifying Party

25

8..4

Defense of Claims

25

8.4.1

Third Party Claims

25

8.4.2

Direct Claims

26

8.4.3

Failure to Give Timely Notice

26

8.4.4

Subrogation

26

8.4.5

Payment

27

8.4.6

Limitation on the Scope of Indemnification

27

9.

OTHER POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

27

9.1

General Post-Closing Matters

27

9.1.1

Post-Closing Notifications

27

9.1.2

Access

27

9.1.3

Guarantees, Etc.

27

9.1.4

Rights of Endorsement

27

9.2

Nonassignable Contracts

28

9.2.1

Nonassignability

28

9.2.2

Sellers To Use Reasonable Efforts

28

9.2.3

If Waivers Or Consents Cannot Be Obtained

28

9.2.4

Obligation of Purchaser To Perform

29

10.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

29

10.1

Notices

29

10.2

Expenses

30

10.3

Successors And Assigns

30

10.4

Waiver

30

10.5

Entire Agreement

31

10.6

Amendments, Supplements, Etc.

31

10.7

Rights Of The Parties

31

10.8

Further Assurances

31

10.9

Bulk Sales

31

10.10

Transfer

32

10.11

Governing Law

32

10.12

Execution in Counterparts

32

10.13

Titles And Headings

32

10.14

Certain Interpretive Matters And Definitions

32

10.15

Cross-References

32

10.16

Severability

33

10.17

Arbitration

33

 


 

 

Table of Schedules

   
   

Schedule 1.1.1

Leased Real Property

Schedule 1.1.2

Tangible Personal Property

Schedule 1.1.5

Intellectual Property

Schedule 1.1.6

Permits

Schedule 1.1.7A

Owned Software

Schedule 1.1.7B

Licensed Software

Schedule 1.2.3

Non-Assignable Permits

Schedule 2.2(b)

Inventory Methodology and Costing

Schedule 2.4

Purchase Price Allocation

Schedule 3.1

Assumed Software Liabilities

Schedule 4.1.1

Corporate Organization

Schedule 4.1.3

Restrictions on Sale

Schedule 4.1.4

Financial Statements

Schedule 4.1.5

Material Adverse Changes

Schedule 4.1.6

Violations of Law

Schedule 4.1.7

Excluded Assets

Schedule 4.1.8

Liens

Schedule 4.1.10

Insurance Matters

Schedule 4.1.12

Litigation

Schedule 4.1.13

Contracts

Schedule 4.1.14(a)

Employee Benefit Plans

Schedule 4.1.15

Labor Relations Matters

Schedule 4.1.16

Divisional Personnel

Schedule 4.1.18(b)

Environmental Matters

Schedule 4.1.19(b)

Tax Matters

Schedule 4.1.21

Permits

Schedule 4.1.24

Suppliers and Customers

Schedule 4.1.25

Inventory Claims

Schedule 4.1.26

Pharmaceutical Regulation

Schedule 4.2.3

Purchaser's Restrictions

Schedule 6.1.1

Transfer Documents

Schedule 6.1.4

Form of Power of Attorney

Schedule 6.1.5

Required Termination Statements

Schedule 6.1.6(a)

Form of Employment Agreement for Trey Hartman

Schedule 6.1.6(b)

Form of Employment Agreement for Grant Bryson

Schedule 6.1.6(c)

Form of Employment Agreement for Larry Brown

Schedule 6.1.7

Form of Noncompetition Agreement

Schedule 6.1.8

Form of Accounts Receivable and Payable Management Agreement

Schedule 6.1.9

Form of Transition Services Agreement

Schedule 6.1.10

Form of BBC Guaranty

Schedule 6.2.1

Assumption Instruments

Schedule 6.2.4

Form of Prime Vendor Contract

Schedule 6.2.5

Form of ASG Guaranty

Schedule 9.1.3

Seller Guarantees

 


 

 

Table of Defined Terms

   

Term

Page

   

Accounts Receivable Collection Agreement

25

Affiliate

37

Agreement

1

Ancillary Documents

8

Apportioned Amounts

5

Arbitrator

5

ASG

1

ASG Guaranty

26

Assets

1

Assumed Liabilities

7

Assumed Liability Claim

27

Assumption Instruments

26

BBC

1

BBC Guaranty

26

Business

1

Business Data

3

Closing

26

Closing Date

26

Code

6

Consents

32

Contracts

2

DEA

7

Direct Claim

30

Division

1

Employee Benefit Plans

14

Environmental Laws

17

ERISA

14

ERISA Affiliate

15

Estimated Purchase Price Increase

4

Estimated Purchase Price Reduction

4

Excluded Assets

3

FDA

21

Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule

5

Financial Statements

9

FMLA

15

GAAP

9

Governmental Agency

37

Hazardous Substances

17

Indemnifiable Losses

28

Indemnifying Party

29

Indemnitee

29

Indemnity Payment

29

Insurance

8

Intellectual Property Rights

2

Inventory

2

Inventory Valuation

5

Key Agreements

25

Key Licenses

25

Laws

37

Leased Real Property

1

License Fee Amount

5

Licensed Software

11

Licenses

19

Liens

10

NLRB

15

OSHA

16

Patent and Trademark Rights

11

Permits

2

Permitted Liens

10

Pharmaceutical Products

20

Pre-Billed Amounts

5

Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule

4

Proprietary Software

11

Purchase Price

4

Purchase Price Increase

5

Purchase Price Reduction

5

Purchaser

1

Records

31

Related Person

20

Retained A/P Amount

5

Securities Act

37

Sellers

1

Sellers' Guarantees

32

Software

11

Subsidiary

37

Tangible Personal Property

2

Taxes

18

Third Party Claim

29

Transfer

1

Upfront Collection Fee

5

Transfer Documents

24

WARN Act

16

Work-in-Process Amount

5

 


 

 

 

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

               This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 20th day of September, 2000, by and among SECURE PHARMACY PLUS, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("Purchaser"), STADTLANDER OPERATING COMPANY, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, STADTLANDER LICENSING COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, STADTLANDER DRUG OF CALIFORNIA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and STADTLANDER DRUG OF HAWAII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (collectively, the "Sellers");

RECITALS

               A.        Sellers, through Stadtlanders Corrections Division (the "Division"), presently conduct the business of providing pharmaceutical services to correctional facilities in several states (the "Business").

                B.        Sellers desire to sell and assign to Purchaser, and Purchaser desires to purchase and assume from Sellers, the assets and specified liabilities of the Business on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

               C.        America Service Group Inc., a Delaware corporation ("ASG") and the parent corporation of Purchaser, has guaranteed all obligations of Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.

               D.        Bergen Brunswig Corporation, a New Jersey corporation ("BBC") and the parent corporation of Sellers, has guaranteed all obligations of Sellers pursuant to this Agreement.

               NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.          PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS

                1.1.         Purchase And Sale Of Assets. On the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined), Sellers will sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver ("Transfer") to Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase and accept from Sellers, all of Sellers' right, title and interest in and to the assets and properties, associated with the Division described in this Section 1.1 (the "Assets"):

                                1.1.1 Leased Real Property. Subject to Section 9.2, all rights and incidents of interest of Sellers as of the Closing in and to the real property leases listed on Schedule 1.1.1 and all of Sellers' rights in and to the real property leased by Sellers pursuant thereto, including all buildings, structures, fixtures and improvements located thereon to the extent subject to such leases (the "Leased Real Property");

                                1.1.2. Tangible Personal Property. All furniture, fixtures, equipment, vehicles, office supplies, advertising materials and other tangible personal property (other than Inventory (as hereinafter defined)), (including without limitation, all transportation, laboratory, testing, office, computing, data processing and telecommunications equipment) held or owned by Sellers as of the Closing which is used primarily in the Business, including, without limitation, those items of tangible personal property described on Schedule 1.1.2 (collectively, the "Tangible Personal Property");

                                1.1.3. Inventories And Supplies. All pharmaceutical and medical supplies owned by Sellers for resale in connection with the Business as of the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date (collectively, "Inventory").

                                1.1.4 Contract Rights. Subject to Section 9.2, all rights and incidents of interest of Sellers as of the Closing in and to all personal property leases, licenses, agreements, proposals or other contracts or contractual rights or obligations, including any security deposits provided by the Sellers with respect thereto (collectively "Contracts") of Sellers which relate primarily to the Business, including, without limitation, (i) those Contracts which are listed on Schedule  4.1.13 (unless indicated to the contrary thereon), or are of a type which would have been listed on Schedule 4.1.13 except that they provide for payments in an amount less than the applicable amount set forth in Section 4.1.13 and (ii) any non-disclosure letters executed by Sellers and certain other potential purchasers of the Division, to the extent assignable by Sellers, true and complete copies of which will be delivered to Purchaser prior to Closing.

                                1.1.5. Intellectual Property. The right to use the trade name "StadtRelease" for a period of six months following the Closing, and all trade secrets (including customer and supplier lists), personnel and marketing databases, know-how, manuals, processes, techniques and any and all applications for any of the foregoing, together with any and all rights to use any or all of the foregoing, and any and all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing (collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights") of Sellers used primarily in the Business, including without limitation, those listed or described on Schedule 1.1.5.

                                1.1.6. Governmental Licenses, Permits and Approvals. All rights and incidents of interest of Sellers as of Closing in and to all transferable licenses, permits and approvals ("Permits") issued to Sellers by any Governmental Agency (as hereinafter defined) relating primarily to the Business and in effect as of the Closing, including without limitation, those listed or described on Schedule 1.1.6.

                                1.1.7. Computer Software. All computer software programs owned by any Seller and used primarily in the Business, including those items listed on Schedule 1.1.7A, and a license, as described in Section 6.1.7, to use all other computer software programs licensed to any Seller and used primarily in the Business, including those items listed on Schedule 1.l.7B.

                                1.1.8. Business Data. The original documents representing all current and historical information, files, correspondence, records, marketing data and plans related to the Business, including, without limitation, all client financial information and all client reports in both hard and electronic form, all books and records, pending proposals and any lists of historical, current and potential customers, personnel and supplies of the Business (collectively, the "Business Data").

                                1.1.9. Web Sites. All rights and incidents of interest of Sellers in and to all world wide web or Internet sites and domain names related primarily to the Business, including, without limitation www.Stadtcorrections.com.

                                1.1.10 Claims. All claims, causes of action, choses in action, rights of recovery, rights of setoff and guarantees, including without limitation, any rights to the payment of rebates, any liens, mechanic's liens or any rights to payment or warranties or to enforce payment or warranties in connection with work performed for the Division or goods delivered to the Division on or prior to the Closing Date, and any and all claims to insurance proceeds due or to become due under any Seller's applicable insurance policies in connection with any Assumed Liabilities.

                                1.1.11 Other Assets. All other tangible or intangible properties and assets that are carried on the books of the Division that are owned or held by Sellers wherever located and that are used primarily in the Business as of the Closing, whether or not of a type falling within any of the categories of assets or properties described in Subsections 1.1.1 to 1.1.10, other than the Excluded Assets.

                1.2.         Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, and with the exception of any rights of the Purchaser with respect to any transition services provided by Sellers, the following properties, assets and rights (the "Excluded Assets") will not be included in the Assets:

                                1.2.1. Ordinary Course of Business Dispositions; ProCare/CVS Transaction. All of the properties and assets which shall have been transferred or disposed of by Sellers or any Affiliate of Sellers prior to the Closing in the ordinary course of business without violation of this Agreement, or which are being sold to ProCare Pharmacy, Inc. or its affiliates pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated July 3, 2000.

                                1.2.2 Cash. All cash or cash equivalents of Sellers on hand, in lock boxes in financial institutions or elsewhere.

                                1.2.3. Nonassignable Permits. Any Permits that are incapable of being Transferred with or without the consent, approval, novation or waiver of a third person or entity (including without limitation of a Governmental Agency), if the Transfer or attempted Transfer of such would constitute a breach of such Permit or a violation of any Law (as hereinafter defined) and if such consent, approval, novation or waiver is not obtained, including, without limitation, the Permits listed or described on Schedule 1.2.3.

                                1.2.4. Rights Under This Agreement. All consideration received and rights of Sellers under this Agreement and other agreements between the parties entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                1.2.5 Minute Books and Stock Ledger. The corporate minute books and stock ledger records of Sellers.

                              1.2.6 Accounts Receivable. Any right, title and interest of Sellers in and to any accounts and other receivables related to the Business, to the extent attributable to invoices sent or goods shipped or services performed prior to the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date.

                              1.2.7 Employee Benefit Plans. All Employee Benefit Plans (as hereinafter defined), including, without limitation, all assets held pursuant to such Employee Benefit Plans.

                               1.2.8 Prepaid Expenses. Any prepaid expenses.

                               1.2.9 Inter- or Intra-Company Receivables. Any receivables related to any transactions between or among the Sellers.

                1.3.         Conveyance. Subject to the provisions of Article 6 and Section 9.2, at the Closing Sellers will Transfer to Purchaser good and marketable title to the Assets, in each case free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens (each as hereinafter defined).

2.         PURCHASE PRICE

                2.1.         Closing Payment. In consideration of the Transfer of the Assets and the other undertakings of Sellers hereunder, (i) Purchaser will pay to Sellers at Closing $6,250,000 U.S. Dollars, plus the amount of the Estimated Purchase Price Increase or less the amount of the Estimated Purchase Price Reduction (each as hereinafter defined), as the case may be (the "Purchase Price") and (ii) Purchaser will assume the Assumed Liabilities.

                2.2.         Purchase Price Adjustment.

                (a)         Not later than 5:00 p.m. Nashville time on September 18, 2000, the parties shall agree on the approximate amount of the Purchase Price Increase (as hereinafter defined) or the Purchase Price Reduction (as hereinafter defined), as the case may be. Such estimated amount is hereinafter referred to as the "Estimated Purchase Price Increase" or the "Estimated Purchase Price Reduction," as the case may be. If Purchaser and Sellers are unable to reach an agreement regarding the Estimated Purchase Price Increase or Reduction, as the case may be, Purchaser and Sellers agree that the Closing shall nevertheless occur and that Purchaser shall pay to Seller an amount equal to $6,250,000 U.S. Dollars, plus the amount of the Purchase Price Increase estimated by Purchaser or less the amount of the Purchase Price Reduction estimated by Purchaser, as the case may be, and Purchaser shall place in escrow an amount of money equal to the difference between the amount estimated by Sellers and the amount estimated by Purchaser (which deposit shall constitute partial payment of the Purchase Price).

                (b)         As promptly as practical following the Closing Date, Sellers will provide to Purchaser a schedule (the "Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule") setting forth the following valuations as of the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date: (i) the total collections by the Division with respect to services not yet performed or products not yet delivered by the Division (the "Pre-Billed Amounts"); (ii) the revenue attributable to customer contracts with respect to which invoices have not been sent (the "Work-in-Process Amount"); (iii) the pro rata share of the amounts previously paid by Sellers with respect to real property taxes and assessments, leases with respect to leased real and personal property, utilities, service and maintenance contracts and other contracts included in the Assets, to the extent that the same relate to periods after the Closing Date and any security deposits with respect to leased property (the "Apportioned Amounts"); (iv)  the estimated amount of the accounts payable of the Division as of the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date (the "Retained A/P Amount"); and (v) the estimated net book value of the Inventory on hand as of the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date calculated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Schedule 2.2(b) (the "Inventory Valuation"). The excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the Pre-Billed Amounts, the Retained A/P Amount, the fee payable to Purchaser pursuant to Section 3.1 of that certain Accounts Receivable and Payable Management Agreement ($175,000) (the "Upfront Collection Fee") and the amount attributable to unpaid software license fees ($82,500) (the "License Fee Amount") over (ii) the sum of the Work-in-Process Amount, the Apportioned Amounts and the Inventory Valuation shall constitute a "Purchase Price Reduction." The excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the Work-in-Process Amount, the Apportioned Amounts and the Inventory Valuation over (ii) the sum of the Pre-Billed Amount, the Retained A/P Amount, the Upfront Collection Fee and the License Fee Amount shall constitute a "Purchase Price Increase."

                (c)         Sellers shall deliver the Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule to Purchasers as promptly as practical after Closing. Purchaser shall have 20 calendar days following receipt of the Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule during which to notify Sellers of any dispute of any item contained in the Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for such dispute. During such 20-day period, the Sellers shall give the Purchaser and its accountants access on reasonable notice to all books, records, personnel and work papers of the Sellers that relate to the preparation of the Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule. If the Purchaser does not notify the Sellers of any dispute within such 20 calendar-day period, the Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule shall be deemed to be the "Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule". The Purchaser and the Sellers shall cooperate in good faith to resolve any dispute as promptly as possible, and upon such resolution, the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule shall be prepared in accordance with the agreement of the Purchaser and the Sellers. If the Purchaser and the Sellers are unable to resolve any dispute regarding the Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule within 15 calendar days (or such longer period as the Purchaser and the Sellers shall mutually agree in writing) of notice of a dispute, the Purchaser and the Sellers shall engage a mutually agreeable "Big 5" accounting firm, other than Ernst & Young LLP (the "Arbitrator") to determine the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule and such determination shall be final and binding on the parties. If the parties are unable to agree upon an accounting firm to serve as the Arbitrator, a representative of Ernst & Young LLP selected by Purchaser and a representative of the Sellers' independent accounting firm selected by Sellers shall select a "Big 5" accounting firm (other than themselves) to be such Arbitrator. The Arbitrator shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete its work within 30 calendar days of its engagement. The expenses of the Arbitrator shall be shared equally by Purchaser and Sellers.

                (d)         Within five business days after the determination of the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule, and absent any dispute regarding the Estimated Purchase Price Increase or Reduction, as the case may be, Purchaser shall pay Sellers an amount equal to (x) the amount by which the Purchase Price Increase as set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule exceeds the Estimated Purchase Price Increase or (y) the amount by which the Estimated Purchase Price Reduction exceeds the Purchase Price Reduction set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule, or Sellers shall pay Purchaser an amount equal to (x) the amount by which the Estimated Purchase Price Increase exceeds the Purchase Price Increase shown on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule or (y) the amount by which the Purchase Price Reduction as set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule exceeds the Estimated Purchase Price Reduction. In the event a dispute regarding the Estimated Purchase Price results in a deposit of funds into escrow, then within five (5) business days after the determination of the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule, the Purchaser or the Sellers shall pay the other the amount determined as follows:

                (A) (i)         if the Purchase Price Increase set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule exceeds the amount estimated by Purchaser; (ii) if the amount of the Purchase Price Reduction estimated by Purchaser exceeds the amount of the Purchase Price Reduction set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule; or (iii) if Purchaser estimated a Purchase Price Reduction and the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule sets forth a Purchase Price Increase, Purchaser shall pay Sellers (which payment may be made in whole or in part by the disbursement of the amount placed in escrow to Sellers, with any remainder being returned to Purchaser) an amount equal to the excess of (x) the Purchase Price Increase set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule over the amount of the Purchase Price Increase or Purchase Price Reduction, as the case may be, estimated by Purchaser or (y) the Purchase Price Reduction estimated by Seller over the Purchase Price Reduction set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule; or

                (B) (i)         if the Purchase Price Reduction set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule exceeds the amount estimated by Purchaser; (ii) if the Purchase Price Increase estimated by Purchaser exceeds the Purchase Price Increase set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule; or (iii) if Purchaser estimated a Purchase Price Increase and the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule sets forth a Purchase Price Reduction, the amount placed in escrow shall be paid to Purchaser and Sellers shall pay Purchaser an amount equal to the excess of (x) the Purchase Price Reduction set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule over the amount of the Purchase Price Increase or Reduction, as the case may be, estimated by Purchaser or (y) the Purchase Price Increase set forth on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Schedule; and

                (C)         Interest on the amount placed in escrow shall be disbursed to Purchaser or Sellers in proportion to the respective amounts disbursed to them.

                2.3.         Method of Payment. All payments from one party to another under this Agreement shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available federal funds to an account designated in writing by the person or entity to receive such payment at least two business days prior to the applicable payment date.

                2.4.         Allocation. For purposes of determining both Purchaser's basis in the Assets and Sellers' gain or loss with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the "Code"), and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, certain of the Assets will be valued in accordance with Schedule 2.4. Purchaser and Sellers will use such values (subject to such changes as may be hereafter agreed to by Purchaser and Sellers in writing) in preparing and filing their respective Forms 8594 with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.         ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

                3.1.         Assumed Liabilities. As partial consideration for the purchase of the Assets, Purchaser shall assume as of the Closing Date the following liabilities of the Sellers to the extent arising on or after the Closing Date: (i) all obligations of Sellers pursuant to the real property leases listed on Schedule 1.1.1 to the extent that the same are disclosed on the face of such real property lease or otherwise disclosed to Purchaser in writing at the time of the execution of this Agreement; (ii) all obligations of Sellers pursuant to the Contracts to the extent that the same are disclosed on the face thereof or otherwise disclosed to Purchaser in writing at the time of the execution of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the obligation of the applicable Seller to pay all amounts unpaid on the Closing Date with respect to the sorter equipment recently installed in the Division's Franklin, Tennessee headquarters; (iii) all obligations of Sellers pursuant to the Permits to the extent disclosed to Purchaser in writing at the time of the execution of this Agreement; (iv) all obligations of Sellers pursuant to any customer proposals outstanding on the Closing Date to the extent that the same are disclosed on the face thereof or otherwise disclosed to Purchaser in writing at the time of the execution of this Agreement; (v) the obligations of BBC with respect to the Division set forth in the Transition Support Agreement, by and between BBC and ProCare Pharmacy, Inc.; and (vi) the obligations of Sellers to pay license fees with respect to Sellers' unlicensed use of the software products named on Schedule 3.1 prior to the Closing Date (collectively, the "Assumed Liabilities"). Except to the extent specified in the previous sentence, Purchaser shall not assume any liability or obligation of Sellers whatsoever, and Sellers shall retain responsibility for all liabilities and obligations accrued or incurred prior to the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date, whether known or unknown, and all liabilities and obligations arising from Sellers' operation of the Business prior to the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date, whether or not accrued or whether or not disclosed. Sellers agree to pay and settle all of such liabilities and obligations (other than the Assumed Liabilities) in a timely manner.

                3.2.         Purchaser's Obligations. Purchaser hereby assumes and agrees to pay, discharge or perform, as appropriate, when due, the Assumed Liabilities. Purchaser shall also be responsible for any claim, loss, liability, damage, cost or expense which arises out of the conduct of the Business by Purchaser on or subsequent to the Closing Date.

                3.3.         Excluded Liabilities. Except for the Assumed Liabilities, in no event shall Purchaser assume, agree to pay, satisfy or discharge or otherwise have any responsibility for any liabilities or obligations of Sellers, and Assumed Liabilities shall not include any liabilities or obligations in respect of the following: (i) for accrued salary, severance pay, paid time off, officers' incentive sales bonuses, any other bonuses and the like related to employee compensation for any period or portion of a period prior to the Closing Date; (ii) for Taxes (as hereinafter defined) of Sellers or any prior owner of the Business of any kind or for any period; (iii) any liability or obligation of Sellers whatsoever which accrued at any time prior to the Closing Date, whether or not such liability or obligation arises prior or subsequent to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any distributions payable, debt or notes payable (including, without limitation, bank overdrafts), insurance related liabilities (whether known or unknown), including workers' compensation claims (asserted or unasserted, whether or not reported and whether or not reserved for, and including liability for the payment of deductible amounts), and litigation or claims (including, without limitation, EEOC and employment practices claims); (iv) any liability or obligation of Sellers relating to or arising from Sellers' breach of, default under or failure to comply with, at any time prior to the Closing Date, whether or not such liability or obligation arises prior or subsequent to the Closing Date, any Assumed Liability or Sellers' failure in a timely manner to pay or perform any other liability or obligation which accrued at any time prior to the Closing Date, whether or not such liability or obligation arises prior to or subsequent to the Closing Date; (v) any liability or obligation of Sellers (whether or not such liability or obligation arises prior to or subsequent to the Closing Date) arising solely out of or with respect to any third party or governmental claim pending on the Closing Date or thereafter initiated based on or arising out of the operation of the Business prior to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any liability or obligation of Sellers relating to any investigation by any governmental agency of any of the Division's facilities or operations that is pending on the Closing Date; (vi) any liability or obligation of Sellers relating to the breach of any Law (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws (as hereinafter defined) and labor laws); (vii) any liability or obligation of Sellers under or relating to any Employee Benefit Plan (including, without limitation, any employment agreements outstanding with Sellers), whether or not such liability or obligation arises prior to or subsequent to the Closing Date; (viii) any liability or obligation of Sellers arising out of or incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and any fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, brokers, financial advisors or other experts of Sellers; and (ix) except for the Assumed Liabilities, any other claim, loss, liability, obligation, damage, cost or expense of Sellers.

                3.4.         Breach of Representations. Subject to Article 8, nothing in Section 3.1 shall limit Purchaser's right to indemnification for the breach by Sellers of any of its representations and warranties contained herein.

                3.5.         Insurance. With respect to any loss, liability or damage relating to, resulting from or arising out of the conduct of the Business of Sellers prior to the Closing Date for which Purchaser may be liable pursuant to Section 3.1 and for which Sellers would be entitled to assert, or cause any other person or entity to assert, a claim for recovery under any policy of insurance maintained by or for the benefit of Sellers ("Insurance"), at the request of Purchaser, Sellers will use reasonable efforts to assert, or to assist Purchaser to assert, one or more claims under such Insurance covering such loss, liability or damage, provided that all of Sellers' or any of Sellers' Affiliates' costs and expenses incurred with respect to third parties in connection with the foregoing are promptly reimbursed by Purchaser. Notwithstanding Section 3.1, Sellers will be deemed, solely for the purpose of asserting claims for Insurance pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, to have retained liability for such loss, liability or damage to the extent of the policy limits of the applicable policy of Insurance.

4.         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                4.1.         Representations and Warranties of Sellers. Sellers, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to Purchaser as follows:

                                4.1.1. Corporate Organization. Schedule 4.1.1 sets forth a complete and accurate list for Sellers of their respective names and jurisdictions of organization. Each Seller is a corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of its organization and has all requisite corporate power and authority and all Permits necessary to own, lease or otherwise hold the Assets and to carry on the Business as presently conducted. Insofar as is related to the Business, each Seller is duly licensed and qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or other entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction listed in Schedule 4.1.1.

                                4.1.2. Authorization and Effect of Agreement. Sellers have all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all of the other agreements, certificates and other documents delivered or to be delivered on or after the date hereof and at or prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Ancillary Documents") to which each is or will be a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by Sellers of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which each is or will be a party and the consummation by Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to be consummated by the Sellers have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Sellers, including, without limitation, all requisite approval by the stockholders of the Sellers pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws or other organizational documents of Sellers or otherwise. This Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which each Seller is or will be a party have been or will be, as the case may be, duly executed and delivered by each Seller and constitute or will constitute, as the case may be, valid and binding obligations of Sellers, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights or by general principles of equity limiting the availability of equitable remedies (whether applied in a proceeding at law or equity).

                                4.1.3. No Restrictions Against Sale of the Assets. The execution and delivery by the Sellers of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which each Seller is or will be a party do not, and the performance by each Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to be performed by it will not, conflict with, or result in any violation of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, any provision of the organizational documents of any Seller or any Contract, Permit or Law applicable to the Division, the Business or the Assets, or give rise to any right by any third party to terminate or accelerate the performance or payment under any Contract, other than any such conflicts, violations, defaults or rights (i) which are listed or described on Schedule 4.1.3 or (ii) which individually or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business. Except as listed or described on Schedule 4.1.3, no material consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Agency is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to any Seller in connection with the execution and delivery by the Sellers of this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents to which each Seller is or will be a party or the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to be consummated by the Sellers.

                                4.1.4. Financial Statements. Attached hereto as Schedule 4.1.4 are true and complete copies of the unaudited financial statements of the Division, consisting of: (i) the pro forma balance sheet of the Division together with the related statement of income of the Division for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 and (ii) the pro forma statement of income of the Division for the period ended on August 31, 2000 (collectively, the "Financial Statements.")  The Financial Statements referred to above are correct and complete, in all material respects, and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Business and the results of its operations as of and for the periods indicated, subject to year-end audit adjustments which are solely of a normal, recurring and immaterial nature. The Financial Statements are based on the books and records of the Business, which have been kept, and such Financial Statements have been prepared, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), consistently applied. The monthly pro forma financial statements for the Division for each month in the period of January through July, 2000 provided to Purchaser were prepared on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements.

                                4.1.5. No Material Adverse Change Relating to the Business. Except as described on Schedule 4.1.5, since August 31, 2000, the Business has been conducted in the ordinary course and Sellers have not (a) suffered, individually or in the aggregate, any material adverse change in the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business; (b) suffered any damage, destruction or casualty loss which individually or in the aggregate materially and adversely affects the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business; (c) incurred or discharged any material obligation or liability except in the ordinary course of business; or (d) entered into any material transaction or made any material expenditures or commitments not in the ordinary course of its business consistent with past practice except as specified in or contemplated by other sections of this Agreement.

                                4.1.6. Compliance with Laws. Except as listed or described on Schedule 4.1.6, the Business is not being conducted in violation of, and none of Sellers nor any of Sellers' Affiliates has received any notice of any current violation of, any applicable Law, other than violations which do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business.

                                4.1.7. Assets used in the Business. Except for the Excluded Assets, the Assets constitute all of the material assets and properties used primarily in the conduct of the Business as presently conducted. Except for the Excluded Assets, there are no assets or properties used in the conduct of the Business as presently conducted which, individually or in the aggregate, are material to the conduct of the Business, or necessary for its operation, or customarily used in the Business, and are not included in the Assets. Except for the Excluded Assets and except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.7, the Assets include all assets and properties reflected in any account set forth on the Schedule of Balance Sheet Accounts and all assets and properties from which any income of the Business was derived, other than assets and properties disposed of by Sellers or any Affiliate of Sellers since August 31, 2000, in the ordinary course of business without violation of this Agreement, including Section 5.6.

                                4.1.8. Assets other than Real Property. Sellers have good and marketable title to the Assets free and clear of all mortgages, liens, security interests, imperfections of title or other encumbrances (collectively, "Liens"), except for (a)  Liens that are listed or described on Schedule 4.1.8, (b) mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's or other like Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business and (c) Liens for real estate taxes, assessments and other similar governmental charges which are not currently due and payable or which may thereafter be paid without penalty or which are being contested in good faith. The Liens referred to in clauses (b) and (c) of the exception in the immediately preceding sentence are hereinafter referred to as "Permitted Liens". Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.8, all Tangible Personal Property is in good operating condition, having been maintained in accordance with the practices followed by comparable businesses, and is reasonably adequate for the operation of the Business as presently conducted, normal wear and tear excepted.

                                4.1.9. Real Property. Except for the Leased Real Property, Sellers do not own any fee or leasehold or other interests in any real property used in the conduct of the Business or necessary for the continued conduct of the Business as presently conducted. Schedule 1.1.1 lists the present lessor and lessee under each lease of the Leased Real Property. The condition of the Leased Real Property is such that it will not materially adversely affect the operations of the Business on or from such Leased Real Property. All of the improvements on land intended to be included in the Assets are in good operating condition, having been maintained in accordance with the practices followed by comparable businesses, in view of the purpose for which such improvements are being used, free of any material structural or engineering defects known to Sellers, normal wear and tear excepted.

                                4.1.10. Insurance. Schedule 4.1.10 sets forth a list and description, including policy numbers, names and addresses of insurers and expiration dates, of all material policies of fire, liability and other forms of insurance in effect as of the date hereof maintained by Sellers or any of Sellers' Affiliates with respect to the Business or the Assets (all of which (or similar policies) will be maintained in effect until the Closing). All such policies are in full force and effect and all premiums due and payable in respect thereof have been paid. Since the respective dates of such policies, no notice of cancellation or non-renewal with respect to any such policy has been received by Sellers. Schedule 4.1.10 sets forth a list of all pending claims and the status as of the date of this Agreement of all deductibles with respect to all such policies as of the date of this Agreement, and loss runs since January 1, 1999, with respect to such policies. No insurance coverage or insurance policy, or any interest therein, relating to the Business or the Assets will be conveyed by Sellers to Purchaser in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                4.1.11. Intellectual Property.

                                (a)         There are no material United States and foreign patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights or applications therefor (hereinafter the "Patent and Trademark Rights") owned by Sellers and used primarily in the Business. To the knowledge of Sellers, the Business as now conducted does not conflict with and has not been alleged to conflict with any patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks or copyrights of others.

                                (b)         Schedules 1.1.7A and 1.1.7B set forth a complete and correct list of (i) all computer software programs that are proprietary to Sellers (the "Proprietary Software") and used primarily in the Business; (ii) all computer software programs licensed to Sellers that are material to the conduct of the Business (other than "off-the-shelf" software licensed to Sellers) (the "Licensed Software" and together with the Proprietary Software, collectively, the "Software"); (iii) all agreements relating to Licensed Software; and (iv) all agreements relating to the use by third parties of any Software. Sellers own or possess valid license rights to all Licensed Software. There are no infringement suits, actions or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened against Sellers with respect to any Software. To the knowledge of the Sellers, there are no infringement suits, actions or proceedings pending or threatened against the owner of any Licensed Software. Sellers' license, sublicense, agreement or permission covering the Licensed Software is (i) legal, valid, binding and enforceable and is in full force and effect and (ii) has not been breached by any Sellers or, to the knowledge of the Sellers, the third-party. Subject to receipt of any consents described in Section 4.1.3 that are applicable to the Licensed Software, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the loss or impairment of Sellers' right to use any Licensed Software that is material to the operations of the Business following the Closing.

                                4.1.12. Litigation; Decrees. Except as listed or described on Schedule 4.1.12, there are no lawsuits, claims, administrative or other proceedings and investigations pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened by, against or affecting Sellers or any of Sellers' Affiliates, arising out of or relating to the conduct of the Business or otherwise which, if determined adversely, could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business. Sellers are not aware of any facts or circumstances that could be reasonably expected to give rise to any such suits, claims, investigations or proceedings. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.12, no Seller is in default under any judgment, order or decree to which any Seller is a party, or that, to Sellers' knowledge, is applicable to the conduct of the Business or the Assets. There is no material condemnation proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened against any of the Real Property.

                                4.1.13. Contract Rights. Except as listed or described on Schedule 1.1.1, 4.1.13, or 4.1.14, no Seller is a party to or bound by any Contract relating to the Business that is of a type described below:

                               (a)         Any written employment or consulting Contract (other than an Employee Benefit Plan (as hereinafter defined)) with an Employee that is not terminable at will by a Seller and that will require aggregate future payments in excess of $50,000 in the case of any one Contract or $100,000 in the aggregate for all Contracts of such type;

                                 (b)         Any collective bargaining or other Contract with any labor union;

                             (c)         Any Contract for capital expenditures or the acquisition, construction or modification of fixed assets which requires aggregate future payments of $50,000 or more in the case of any one Contract or $100,000 or more in the aggregate for all Contracts of such type;

                               (d)         Any Contract (other than a Contract of the type referred to in clause (a) or (c) of this Section 4.1.13) (i) for the purchase of Inventory or (ii) for the purchase, maintenance or acquisition of materials, supplies, merchandise, equipment or other property or services (including consulting services) that, in the case of clause (ii), is not terminable at will and requires aggregate future payments or expenses in excess of $100,000;

                               (e)         Any Contract for the sale of Inventory to customers and/or the provision of services to customers in connection with the Business (i) entered into in the ordinary course and for an amount of $50,000 or more, (ii) not entered into in the ordinary course of business or (iii) which is for a term of 12 months or more;

                               (f)         Any purchase order not terminable at will by a Seller and requiring aggregate future payments of $50,000 or more;

                               (g)         Any service contract not terminable at will by a Seller and for an amount of $50,000 or more;

                               (h)         Any Contract relating to clean-up, abatement or other actions in connection with the remediation of any existing environmental liabilities or relating to the performance of any environmental audit or study;

                               (i)         Any Contract not terminable at will by a Seller and granting to any person a right at such person's option to purchase or acquire any asset or property of the Business (or any interest therein) with a value in excess of $50,000 in the case of any one Contract or $100,000 in the aggregate for all Contracts of such type;

                               (j)         Any license or royalty Contract providing for aggregate future payments in excess of $50,000 in the case of any one Contract or $100,000 in the aggregate for all Contracts of such type;

                               (k)         Any Contract with any independent contractor or other agent having a remaining term in excess of one year and which by its terms is not terminable without penalty on 90 calendar days' or less notice;

                               (l)         Any lease under which a Seller (i) is a lessee of, or holds or uses, any machinery, equipment, vehicle or other tangible personal property owned by a third party or (ii) is a lessor of, or makes available for use by any third party, any tangible personal property owned by a Seller, in either such case which lease requires aggregate annual payments in excess of $100,000;

                              (m)         Any Contract with any manufacturer, supplier or customer with respect to discounts or allowances or extended payment terms, except for Sellers' standard discount terms;

                               (n)         Any Contract that would restrict the Purchaser from conducting the Business;

                               (o)         Any Contract giving any party the right to renegotiate prices or require a reduction in prices or the repayment of any amount previously paid and involving potential payments in excess of $50,000 in the case of any one Contract or $100,000 in the aggregate for all such Contracts; and

                               (p)         Any other Contract which involves future payment or performance valued at $100,000 or more.

                                True and complete copies of all the Contracts required to be listed on Schedule 4.1.13 or any other Schedule hereto (including, without limitation, Schedules 1.1.1 and 4.1.14) have been furnished or made available to Purchaser. Except as set forth on Schedule 1.1.1 or 4.1.13, (i) Sellers and (to the knowledge of Sellers) the other parties thereto, have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by them to date under the Contracts (including without limitation those listed on Schedule 1.1.1, Schedule 4.1.13 or on any other Schedule hereto) and are not (with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both) in breach or default in any respect thereunder, except for such failures to perform, breaches and defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and, insofar as reasonably can be foreseen, in the future will not, have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business, and (ii) all Contracts required to be listed on Schedule 4.1.13 or on any other Schedule hereto (including, without limitation, Schedule 1.1.1) are valid, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except where the failure thereof does not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business.

                                4.1.14. Employee Contracts, Union Agreements and Benefit Plans.

                               (a)         Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.14(a), there are no material Employee Benefit Plans (as hereinafter defined) that cover current or former employees or independent contractors of the Division. Except as described on Schedule 4.1.14(a), the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any additional or accelerated payments to, or increase the vested interest of, any current or former officer, employee or director of the Division or their dependents under any Employee Benefit Plan. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.14(a), all of the Employee Benefit Plans that cover current or former employees of the Division are currently in effect. All Employee Benefit Plans that cover current or former employees of the Division and that are welfare plans providing or offering benefits to retirees or are retirement plans intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code are identified as such on Schedule 4.1.14(a). Sellers do not and Sellers' "ERISA Affiliates" (as hereinafter defined) do not maintain, contribute to, or participate in, or have within the past six months contributed to, or participated in a multiemployer plan within the meaning of "ERISA" (as hereinafter defined)  Section 4001(a)(3). No fact exists that could subject Purchaser to any liability after the Closing under Title IV of ERISA in connection with an Employee Benefit Plan. "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. "Employee Benefit Plans" means any plans, programs, agreements, arrangements, commitments, policies or understandings of any kind that provide compensation, remuneration or benefits of any kind or description whatsoever (whether current or deferred and whether paid in cash or in kind) in any way, including all employment, consulting or collective bargaining contracts, and deferred compensation, pension (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), multiemployer (as defined in Section 3(37)(A) of ERISA), profit sharing, thrift, stock ownership, severance, stock appreciation rights, bonus, stock option, stock purchase or other nonqualified or compensation commitments, arrangements or plans, including all welfare plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), of or pertaining to the present or former officers, directors, independent contractors or employees (including retirees), or their dependents, of Sellers and any ERISA Affiliate or any predecessors in interest thereto, that are currently in effect or as to which any Sellers, or any ERISA Affiliate, has any ongoing liability or obligation whatsoever. "ERISA Affiliate" means each trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that together with the Sellers is treated as a single employer pursuant to Sections 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Code.

                               (b)         Each Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has, as currently in effect, been determined to be so qualified by the IRS and, to the knowledge of Sellers, has been maintained in compliance in all material respects with its terms and continues to satisfy the requirements for such qualification.

                               (c)         To the knowledge of Sellers, no action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation with respect to the administration or investment of assets of any Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code that covers employees of the Division (other than routine claims for benefits) is pending or threatened, and no, to the knowledge of Sellers, audit or investigation by any domestic or foreign governmental or law enforcement agency is pending or has been proposed with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan that covers employees of the Division.

                                4.1.15. Labor Relations.

                               (a)         Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.15, (i) the employees of the Business have not been and are not represented by a labor organization which was either National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB") certified or voluntarily recognized; (ii)  no Seller has been and is not a signatory to a collective bargaining agreement with any labor organization that relates in any way to the Business; (iii) no representation election petition has been filed by employees of the Business or is pending with the NLRB and, to Sellers' knowledge, no union organizing campaign involving employees of the Business has occurred or is in progress; (iv) no NLRB unfair labor practice claims relating to the Business have been filed and/or are presently pending against any Seller or any labor organization representing the employees of the Business; (v) no grievance or arbitration demand, whether or not filed pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, is pending against any Seller with respect to the employees of the Business; (vi) to Sellers' knowledge, no hand billing, picketing, work stoppage (sympathetic or otherwise), or other "concerted action" involving the employees of the Business has occurred or is in progress; (vii) no breach of contract and/or denial of fair representation claim relating to the Business is pending against any Seller and/or any labor organization representing the employees of the Business; (viii) no claim for unpaid wages or overtime or for child labor or record keeping violations is pending under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Davis-Bacon Act, Walsh-Healey Act or Service Contract Act or any other federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or ordinance with respect to the Business; (ix) no discrimination and/or retaliation claim has been filed or is pending against any Seller under the 1866 or 1964 Civil Rights Acts, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA"), the Fair Labor Standards Act, ERISA or any other federal law or any comparable state fair employment practices act or foreign law regulating discrimination in the workplace with respect to the Business; (x) if any Seller is a federal or state contractor obligated to develop and maintain an affirmative action plan, no discrimination claim, show cause notice, conciliation proceeding, sanctions or debarment proceeding has been filed or is pending with Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs or any other federal agency or any comparable state or foreign agency or court and no desk audit or on-site review is in progress with respect to the Business; (xi) no citation has been issued or threatened by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") against any Seller with respect to the Business and no notice of contest or OSHA administrative enforcement proceeding involving any Seller has been filed since January 1, 1999, or is pending with respect to the Business; (xii) no workers' compensation or retaliation claim has been filed or is pending against any Seller with respect to the Business; (xiii) to Sellers' knowledge, no group of the Division's employees has any plans to terminate his or its employment; (xiv) no citation of the Sellers has occurred since January 1, 1999, and no enforcement proceeding has been initiated, threatened, or is pending under Federal or foreign immigration law; and (xv) except for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no Seller has taken any action that would constitute a "mass layoff" or "plant closing" within the meaning of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the "WARN Act") or otherwise trigger notice requirements or liability under any local or state plant closing notice law. Each Seller is in compliance with respect to the Division in all material respects with all federal, state and local laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours, and is not engaged in any unfair labor or unlawful employment practice.

                               (b)         Sellers have made all filings required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Executive Order 11246 and other similar federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders, including all filings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and any other filings relating to affirmative action or similar programs with respect to the Business. Sellers have previously delivered or made available to Purchaser all material reports and filings made or filed by them with respect to such matters.

                                4.1.16. Divisional Personnel. Schedule 4.1.16 sets forth the names, locations of service, salary or rate of pay and classification of all personnel employed with respect to the Business as of the date of this Agreement. Schedule 4.1.16 sets forth the date and amount of the last salary or rate of pay increase for each such person whose 1999 annual compensation exceeded $25,000. No Seller has received a claim from any Governmental Agency to the effect that such Seller has improperly classified as an independent contractor any person listed on Schedule 4.1.16, or any similarly situated person.

                                4.1.17. No Undisclosed Liabilities. No Seller and no Affiliate of Seller has any liability, obligation or commitment of any nature (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) in respect of the Assets or the Business except (i) a liability which is fully reflected as a liability or reserved for in an account included on the Financial Statements at August 31, 2000, to the extent required by generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) a liability which has been incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and without violation of this Agreement, since August 31, 2000, and (iii) a liability which is disclosed in a Schedule hereto. The terms "liability," "obligation" and "commitment" as used in this Section 4.1.17 shall have the meanings accorded to them by generally accepted accounting principles.

                                4.1.18. Environmental Protection.

                               (a)         Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                               "Environmental Laws" means federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, regulations and codes, and other applicable Laws relating to pollution, protection of the environment, public health and safety, or pharmacy practice as amended or reauthorized, including without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. S 9601 et seq.); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. S 6901 et seq.); the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. S 2601 et seq.); the Controlled Substances Act, as amended (21 U.S.C. S 801 et seq.); the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. S 951 et seq.) and any applicable state pharmacy practice laws; and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. S 301 et seq.) and any equivalent state laws.

                               "Hazardous Substances" means, without limitation, any explosive or radioactive material, asbestos, wastewater and sludges derived from wastewater, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum and petroleum based products, methane, hazardous waste, toxic or hazardous substances or related materials, or any controlled substances, as defined in the Environmental Laws.

                               (b)         Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.18(b):

              (i)         Sellers are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the properties, assets (including the Assets) and operations comprising the Business.

              (ii)         Sellers have obtained and adhered, in all material respects, to all permits and other approvals, necessary to conduct the Business as presently conducted and to store, dispose of and otherwise handle Hazardous Substances and, to Sellers' knowledge have reported, to the extent required by Environmental Laws, all past and present sites owned, leased or operated by them where Hazardous Substances have been treated, stored or disposed.

              (iii)         Except in accordance with applicable Environmental Laws: (i) no Hazardous Substance has been released (as that term is defined in the applicable Environmental Laws) by Sellers at or on any of the property owned, leased or operated by Sellers in the Business during the period in which Sellers have owned, leased or operated such property, and (ii) to the knowledge of Sellers, no Hazardous Substance has ever been released at or on any of the property owned, leased or operated in the Business by Sellers.

              (iv)         Sellers have not received any written notice, claim or request for information relating to any on-site or off-site locations to which any of them has transported Hazardous Substances or arranged for the transportation of Hazardous Substances, alleging that any of them is liable for any clean-up cost, remedial work, damage to natural resources or personal injury.

              (v)         There is no claim for violation of any Environmental Law pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened against Sellers with respect to the Business.

              (vi)         Sellers have made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of all documents in their possession or under their control pertaining to all of the matters described in paragraphs (i) through (v) of this Section 4.1.18(b), including all environmental audits or assessments prepared by and for Sellers or, to Sellers' knowledge, any governmental authority or any third party (including any financial institution).

                                4.1.19. Tax Matters.

                               (a)         For purposes of this Agreement, "Taxes" shall mean all taxes (including any taxes attributable to any Seller ceasing to be a member of an affiliated group as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code), assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other governmental charges (including interest, penalties or additions associated therewith), including federal, state, city, county, foreign or other income, franchise, capital stock, real property, personal property, tangible, withholding, FICA, unemployment compensation, disability, transfer, sales, use, excise, gross receipts and all other taxes of any kind for which Sellers may have any liability imposed by the United States or any state, county, city, country or foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof, whether disputed or not.

                               (b)         Except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.1.19(b), (i) all returns, including estimated returns and reports of every kind, with respect to income and franchise Taxes to the extent imposed on Sellers with respect to the Business, which are due to have been filed in accordance with any applicable law, have been duly filed or extensions have been duly granted therefor, (ii) all income and franchise Taxes, deposits or other payments for which Sellers may have any liability through the Effective Date with respect to the Business, have been paid in full or are accrued as liabilities for such Taxes on the books and records of Sellers (excluding any part of such accrual established to reflect timing differences between book and tax income); (iii) the amounts so paid on or before the Effective Date, together with any amounts accrued as liabilities for income and franchise Taxes (whether accrued as currently payable or deferred Taxes but excluding any part of any such accrual established to reflect timing differences between book and tax income) on the books of Sellers with respect to the Business will be adequate to satisfy all liabilities for such Taxes of Sellers through the Effective Date, including such Taxes accruable upon income earned through the Effective Date; (iv) there are not now any extensions of time in effect with respect to the dates on which any returns or reports of income and franchise Taxes with respect to the Business were or are due to be filed; (v) all deficiencies asserted as a result of any examination of any return or report of income and franchise Taxes with respect to the Business have been paid in full, accrued on the books of Sellers or finally settled, and no issue has been raised in any such examination which, by application of the same or similar principles, reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any other period not so examined; (vi) no claims have been asserted and, to the knowledge of Sellers, no proposals or deficiencies for any income or franchise Taxes with respect to the Business are being asserted, proposed or threatened, and no audit or investigation of any return or report of such Taxes is currently underway, pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened; (vii) to the knowledge of Sellers, no claims have been asserted and no proposals or deficiencies for any Taxes other than income or franchise Taxes with respect to the Business are being asserted, proposed or threatened, and no audit or investigation of any return or report of such Taxes is currently underway, pending or threatened; (viii) there are no outstanding waivers or agreements by Sellers for the extension of time for the assessment of income or franchise Taxes with respect to the Business or deficiency thereof; (ix) there are no Liens for income or franchise Taxes with respect to the Business upon the Assets, except such Liens for current such Taxes not yet due, nor are there any such Liens which, to the knowledge of Sellers, are pending or threatened; and (x) to the knowledge of Sellers, there are no Liens for Taxes other than income and franchise taxes with respect to the Business, except for current Liens for such Taxes not yet due, nor are there any such Liens which are pending or threatened.

                                4.1.20. Brokers' and Finders' Fees. Other than the engagement of Merrill Lynch & Co., no Seller nor anyone acting on behalf of any Seller, has done anything to cause or incur any liability to any party for any brokers' or finders' fees or the like in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

                                4.1.21. Licenses and Permits. Schedule 4.1.21 contains a true and complete list of all material notifications, licenses, permits (including, without limitation, environmental, construction, operation, pharmacy, and controlled substance permits), franchises, certificates, approvals, exemptions, classifications, registrations and other similar documents and authorizations, and applications therefor (collectively, the "Licenses") necessary to the conduct of the Business or the lack of which would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Business. The Sellers own or possess all Licenses that are necessary to enable the Division to carry on the Business as presently conducted. All such Licenses are valid, binding, and in full force and effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not adversely affect any such License (subject to the receipt of any consent necessary). Sellers have taken all necessary action to maintain each such License, except where the failure to so act is not likely to have a material adverse effect. No loss or expiration of any such License is pending or reasonably foreseeable (other than expiration upon the end of any term) or, threatened.

                                4.1.22. Books and Records. All the books, records and accounts included in the Assets are in all material respects true and complete, are maintained in all material respects in accordance with all Laws applicable to the Business, and accurately present and reflect in all material respects the transactions of the Business and the dispositions of the assets of the Business.

                                 4.1.23. [Intentionally omitted.]

                                4.1.24. Major Suppliers and Customers. Schedule 4.1.24 sets forth a list of each supplier of goods or services to, and each customer of, the Division to whom Sellers paid or billed in the aggregate more than $50,000 during the 12-month period ended August 31, 2000, together with, in each case, the amount paid or billed during such period. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.24, no Seller has suffered any change in its relationship with any of such suppliers or customers which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the revenues projected for such customer during Sellers' fiscal year 2000 as set forth on Schedule 4.1.24. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.24, no Seller has knowledge that the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder will have any adverse effect on its business relationship with any such customer, which, if such adverse effect occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in the loss of $50,000 or more of revenues from such customer during the 12-month period following the Closing Date. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.24, none of the officers or directors of any Seller, nor, to any Sellers' knowledge, any Related Person (as hereinafter defined), has any material financial interest in any supplier or customer of the Division. "Related Person" means, with respect to any director or officer of any Seller, a lineal ancestor or descendant of such director or officer, the spouse of such director or officer and any entity, partnership or joint venture in which such director or officer, or any of the other persons referred to in this sentence, owns 10% or more of the equity interests.

                                4.1.25. Inventory. All Inventory reflected on the balance sheet of the Business as of August 31, 2000 was acquired and has been maintained in the ordinary course of business; is of good and merchantable quality; consists substantially of a quality, quantity and condition usable, or saleable within six months in the ordinary course of business; is valued at the lower of cost or market on a weighted average basis and otherwise in accordance with GAAP and consistent with past practices; and is not subject to any material write-down or write-off for which an appropriate reserve was not included in the balance sheet of the Business as of August 31, 2000. Except as described on Schedule 4.1.25 hereto, no Seller is under any liability or obligation with respect to the return of inventory in the possession of its customers. Except as listed and described on Schedule 4.1.25 hereto, no Seller has any obsolete or slow-moving inventory used in connection with the Business (i.e., inventory which, based upon the historical sales rate of such items could not reasonably be expected to be sold within six (6) months) or inventory which is not fit for the purpose for which it is intended to be used. Since August 31, 2000, no inventory item of any Seller used in connection with the Business has been sold or disposed of except in the ordinary course of business.

                                4.1.26. Pharmaceutical Regulation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.26, with respect to the Division:

                               (a)         The Sellers possess currently valid registrations, licenses and other permits from the DEA, relevant state boards of pharmacy, and any other relevant agencies to receive, store, and dispense pharmaceutical products, including pharmaceutical products regulated as controlled substances (collectively, the "Pharmaceutical Products"), at and from the Division's facilities.

                               (b)         The Sellers have provided or made available to the Purchaser all Form FDA-483, Establishment Inspection Reports, or other regulatory agency forms, reports or correspondence received during the last five years describing inspectional observations by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), DEA, relevant state boards of pharmacy, and any other agencies related to the Division's pharmacy activities.

                               (c)         The Sellers have provided or made available to the Purchaser all responses to documents identified in paragraph (b) submitted to FDA, DEA, relevant state boards of pharmacy, or any other agencies related to the Division's pharmacy activities during the last five years.

                               (d)         The Sellers have provided or made available to the Purchaser all warning letters, letters of admonition, other regulatory letters, notices of violation, notices of hearing or adverse findings received by such Company during the last five years identifying potential violations of, or deviations from laws or regulations administered by FDA, DEA, state boards of pharmacy, or any other agencies related to the Division's pharmacy activities.

                               (e)         The Sellers have provided or made available to the Purchasers all responses to documents identified in paragraph (d) submitted to FDA, DEA, relevant state boards of pharmacy, or any other agencies related to the Division's pharmacy activities during the last five years.

                               (f)         The Sellers perform internal regulatory compliance audits on a regular basis with respect to the Division and have implemented any corrective actions recommended by such reports, except to the extent that the failure to implement such corrective actions would not have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Business.

                               (g)         The Sellers have had one or more regulatory audits by an outside auditor with respect to the Division during the last five years and have provided or made available to the Purchaser any written information regarding these audits.

                              (h)         The Sellers are in compliance with FDA, DEA, relevant state board of pharmacy, and other agency regulations related to the Division's pharmacy activities, including, but not limited to, requirements for the receipt, security, inventory, and dispensing of pharmaceutical products and recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

                              (i)         The Sellers have signed, up-to-date, written policies that reflect the actual FDA, DEA, and state regulatory compliance procedures with respect to the Division.

                              (j)         The Sellers have no knowledge of any acts that furnish a reasonable basis for a warning letter or other regulatory letter, other adverse regulatory communication or action, or civil or criminal investigation or action.

                4.2.         Representations, Warranties And Certain Covenants of Purchaser. Purchaser represents and warrants to and covenants with Sellers as follows:

                                4.2.1. Corporate Organization. Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Tennessee and has all requisite corporate power and authority and possesses all material Permits necessary to own, lease or otherwise hold its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently being conducted. Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority (i) to purchase, own, hold or lease the Assets it is purchasing, (ii) to assume, pay and satisfy the Assumed Liabilities and (iii) to carry on the Business upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Purchaser will, at or before the Closing, deliver to Sellers complete and correct copies of (i) Purchaser's Charter and all amendments thereto (certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Purchaser) and (ii) its By-Laws and all amendments thereto (certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Purchaser).

                                4.2.2. Authorization And Effect Of Agreement. Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which it is or will be a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by Purchaser of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which it is or will be a party and the consummation by Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to be consummated by it have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Purchaser. This Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which Purchaser is or will be a party have been or will be, as the case may be, duly executed and delivered by Purchaser and constitute valid and binding obligations of Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights or by general principles of equity limiting the availability of equitable remedies (whether applied in a proceeding in equity or at law).

                                4.2.3. No Restrictions Against Purchase Of The Assets. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.2.3, the execution and delivery by Purchaser of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which Purchaser is or will be a party do not, and the performance by Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to be performed by it will not, conflict with, or result in any violation of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, any provision of the Charter or By-Laws of Purchaser or any Contract, Permit or Law applicable to Purchaser or its assets, other than any such conflicts, violations or defaults which individually or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of Purchaser. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.2.3, no material consent, approval order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Agency is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to Purchaser in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by it or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to be consummated by it.

                                4.2.4. Brokers' and Finders' Fees. Neither Purchaser, nor anyone acting on behalf of Purchaser, has done anything to cause or incur any liability to any party for any brokers' or finders' fees or the like in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

5.         COVENANTS

                5.1.         Employees.

                              (a)         Purchaser shall offer employment, commencing as of the Closing Date, on an at will basis, to all employees of the Business who are actively employed, or are on an approved leave of absence, on the Closing Date (the "Employees") at the same rate of base compensation and at a comparable job title with the Business as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date. Each such Employee who accepts such offer of employment is hereinafter referred to as a "Hired Employee." All Hired Employees shall be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans, programs and policies, and fringe benefits of Purchaser on the same basis (after application of paragraph (c) below) as such plans, programs, policies and benefits are offered to similarly situated employees of Purchaser.

                              (b)         Sellers shall release all Employees as of the Closing Date to accept employment by Purchaser as provided under paragraph (a) above. Sellers shall pay such Employees all amounts due them with respect to earned and accrued salaries, wages and bonuses to the extent attributable to service with Sellers prior to the Closing Date. Sellers shall also pay each Employee his or her Accrued Paid Time Off, if any. "Accrued Paid Time Off" means for such purpose all accrued unused vacation, holiday, sick and personal time of an Employee as of the Closing Date, determined in accordance with Sellers' paid-time off policy.

                              (c)         Purchaser shall credit all Hired Employees for all service with Sellers prior to the Closing Date for purposes of eligibility under all employee benefit plans, programs and policies, and fringe benefits of Purchaser and for purposes of vesting in the Purchaser's pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), subject to the applicable pension plan break-in-services rules under the Code and ERISA. Purchaser shall pay Hired Employees all amounts due them with respect salaries, wages and bonuses (under any bonus plan adopted by Purchaser with respect to the Hired Employees) to the extent attributable to service with Purchaser on and after the Closing Date.

                              (d)         Sellers shall be responsible for the payment of severance pay, if any, pursuant to any applicable employee related contract, agreement, plan or policy, attributable to the termination of any Employee.

                            (e)         Sellers shall provide the Purchaser with all services and compensation information for periods prior to the Closing Date for employees of the Business who are hired by the Purchaser that is necessary or appropriate for Purchaser to cover such employees under Purchaser's employee benefit plans.

                5.2.         Transfer Taxes. Any real property transfer or gains taxes, recording fees or any other taxes payable as a result of the sale of the Assets or any other action contemplated by this Agreement will be paid by Purchaser. Purchaser and Sellers will cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications, or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp taxes, any transfer, recording, registration and other fees, and any similar taxes which become payable in connection with the transfer of the Assets that are required or permitted to be filed on or before the Closing. Except as provided above, (a) Purchaser will pay its own fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, the fees, costs and expenses of its financial advisors, accountants and counsel and (b) Sellers will pay the fees, costs and expenses of Sellers incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, the fees, costs and expenses of Sellers' financial advisors, accountants and counsel.

                5.3.         Press Release. On the Closing Date, the Purchaser and the Seller shall be permitted to release a mutually agreed upon press release with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                5.4.         Pharmacy Licenses. Sellers agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to aid the Purchaser in obtaining all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of Government Agencies after the Closing Date and to take all reasonable actions to avoid the entry of any order or decree by any Governmental Agency against the Purchaser with respect to such necessary government consents after the Closing Date.

6.         CLOSING DELIVERIES

                6.1.         Deliveries of Sellers. Sellers shall deliver all of the following documents at Closing:

                                6.1.1. Transfer Documents. Sellers shall have delivered to Purchaser the bills of sale, assignments, deeds and other instruments of transfer (the "Transfer Documents") in substantially the form set forth in Schedule 6.1.1, relating to the Assets, which (as to the Leased Real Property and the leases relating thereto) shall be in recordable form to the extent that recordation thereof is necessary or desirable, in Purchaser's judgment, to effect the Transfer of such Assets, Transferring to Purchaser good and marketable title to the Assets, in each case free of any Liens other than Permitted Liens.

                                6.1.2. Certificates. Sellers shall have delivered certified evidence of corporate actions taken in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Sellers of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which Sellers are a party and an incumbency certificate of each Seller.

                                6.1.3. Consents Under Key Agreements. Sellers shall have delivered all consents, approvals, novations, authorizations, exemptions or waivers from parties to the Contracts listed on Schedule 6.1.3 (collectively, the "Key A greements") to the extent required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder without any violation or breach thereof or default, termination or acceleration occurring thereunder.

                                6.1.4. Power of Attorney. The Sellers shall have delivered to the Purchaser a power of attorney substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.1.4.

                              6.1.5. Termination Statements. Sellers shall have delivered to Purchaser UCC-3 Termination Statements, or other appropriate instruments of termination, in form and substance satisfactory to Purchaser, with respect to each UCC financing statement or other lien or encumbrance referred to on Schedule 6.1.5.

                               6.1.6. Employment Agreements. Messrs. Trey Hartman, Grant Bryson and Larry Brown shall have entered into employment agreements in favor of Purchaser in substantially the forms set forth in Schedules 6.1.6(a), (b) and (c).

                                6.1.7. Non-Competition Agreements. The Sellers and the Affiliates of Sellers named therein shall have entered into noncompetition agreements in favor of Purchaser in substantially the form set forth in Schedule 6.1.7.

                                6.1.8. Accounts Receivable Collection Agreement. The Purchaser and Sellers shall have entered into the agreement with respect to the collection by Purchaser of Sellers' accounts receivable and payment by Purchaser, on behalf of Sellers, of their accounts payable (the "Accounts Receivable and Payable Management Agreement") substantially in the form set forth in Schedule 6.1.8.

                                6.1.9. Transition Services Agreement. The Purchaser and Sellers shall have entered into an agreement with respect to the provision of certain transition services by Sellers to Purchaser (the "Transition Services Agreement") substantially in the form set forth in Schedule 6.1.9.

                                6.1.10. BBC Guaranty. Sellers shall deliver to Purchaser a guaranty from BBC, the parent corporation of the Sellers guaranteeing all obligations of the Sellers pursuant to this Agreement (the "BBC Guaranty"), substantially in the form set forth on Schedule 6.1.10.

                6.2.         Deliveries of Purchaser. Purchaser shall deliver all of the following documents at Closing:

                               6.2.1. Instruments Of Assumption. There shall have been delivered to Sellers by Purchaser the instruments of assumption (the "Assumption Instruments"), in substantially the form set forth in Schedule 6.2.1.

                                6.2.2. Purchase Price. Purchaser shall have delivered to Sellers the Purchase Price, in the manner specified in Section 2.3 and all other payments required by Section 2.

                                6.2.3. Certificates. Sellers shall have received certified evidence of corporate actions taken in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which Purchaser is or will be a party and an incumbency certificate of Purchaser.

                                6.2.4. Prime Vendor Contract. The Purchaser and the Sellers shall enter into a prime vendor contract substantially in the form set forth in Schedule 6.2.4.

                                6.2.5. ASG Guaranty. Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a guaranty from ASG, the parent corporation of the Purchaser, guaranteeing all obligations of the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement (the "ASG Guaranty"), substantially in the form set forth on Schedule 6.2.5.

7.         THE CLOSING

                7.1.         The Closing. The consummation of the purchase and sale of the Assets and the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities contemplated hereby (the "Closing") will take place on September 20, 2000, or such other date (but not later than September 29, 2000) and time as the parties may mutually agree (the "Closing Date"). The Closing shall be effective as of 12:01 a.m. Nashville time on the Closing Date. The Closing will take place at the offices of King & Spalding, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036-4003.

8.         SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION

                8.1         Survival.

                                8.1.1. Survival of Representations And Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties contained herein or in any Ancillary Document (except as otherwise specifically provided in such Ancillary Document) will survive and remain in full force and effect until March 31, 2002, except for (i) representations and warranties made in Sections 4.1.14 [Employee Contracts, Union Agreements and Benefit Plans]; 4.1.15 [Labor Relations]; 4.1.18 [Environmental Protection]; and 4.1.19 [Tax Matters]; which shall remain in effect for the applicable statute of limitations period and (ii) the Excluded Representations (as hereinafter defined), which shall survive the Closing and remain in effect indefinitely. The term "Excluded Representations" shall mean and include the representations and warranties of Sellers made in Sections 4.1.1 [Corporate Organization]; 4.1.2 [Authorization and Effect of Agreement]; 4.1.3 [No Restrictions Against Sale of the Assets]; and 4.1.21 [Brokers' and Finders' Fees].

                                8.1.2. Survival of Covenants. Unless a specified period is set forth in this Agreement (in which event such specified period will control), all covenants contained in this Agreement will survive the Closing and remain in effect indefinitely.

                8.2         Limitations On Indemnification; Right of Offset.

                                8.2.1. With Respect To Certain Representations And Warranties. No Indemnitee (as hereinafter defined) will be entitled to make a claim against an Indemnifying Party (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to Section 8.3.1 or 8.3.2 unless and until the aggregate amount of claims which may be asserted for Indemnifiable Losses (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to such Sections exceeds $100,000, and in the event the Indemnifiable Losses exceed $100,000, Purchaser shall be entitled to indemnification from Sellers of all Indemnifiable Losses; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) claims made with respect to the Excluded Representations; (ii) claims by Purchaser related to Sellers' breach of its covenant set forth in the third sentence of Section 3.1; (iii) claims by Sellers related to Purchaser's breach of its covenant set forth in Section 3.2; or (iv) claims asserted pursuant to clauses (iii), (iv) or (vi) of Section 8.3.1.

                                8.2.2. With Respect To Sellers' Obligations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the indemnification obligations of Sellers under Section 8.3.1(i), other than indemnification obligations arising by reason of Sellers' breach of its covenant set forth in the third sentence of Section 3.1, shall not exceed the Purchase Price in the aggregate; provided, however, that such limitation on Sellers' liability shall not apply to Indemnifiable Losses (as hereinafter defined)  resulting from Sellers' fraud or willful breach.

                8.3         Indemnification.

                                8.3.1. Indemnification By Sellers. Subject to Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4, Sellers will, jointly and severally, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives from and against any and all claims, demands or suits (by any person or entity, including without limitation any Governmental Agency), losses, liabilities, actual or punitive damages, fines, penalties, obligations, payments, costs and expenses, paid or incurred, whether or not relating to, resulting from or arising out of any Third Party Claim (as hereinafter defined), including without limitation the costs and expenses of any and all investigations, actions, suits, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, remediation, settlements and compromises relating thereto and reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and other experts in connection therewith (individually and collectively, "Indemnifiable Losses") relating to, resulting from or arising out of any of the following: (i) the inaccuracy as of the Closing of any of the representations or warranties of Sellers contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document; (ii) any breach by Sellers of any covenant of Sellers contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Document; (iii) any liability associated with a violation of the WARN Act which occurs as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) any liability or obligation associated with any investigation by any governmental agency of any of the Division's facilities or operations that is pending on the Closing Date; (v) any liability other than an Assumed Liability, including, without limitation, Sellers' failure or alleged failure to pay or satisfy any liability for which it is responsible hereunder other than an Assumed Liability; and (vi) any liability, cost or expense incurred by Purchaser with respect to any Lien imposed on the Assets with respect to Taxes of Sellers or any prior owner of the Business of any kind or for any period.

                                8.3.2. Indemnification By Purchaser. Subject to Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4, Purchaser will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sellers, each of Sellers' Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses relating to, resulting from or arising out of any of the following: (i) the inaccuracy as of the Closing of any of the representations or warranties of Purchaser contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document; (ii) any breach by Purchaser of any covenant of Purchaser contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Document; (iii) any Assumed Liability, including, without limitation, Purchaser's failure or alleged failure to pay or satisfy any Assumed Liability; and (iv) any liability or obligation relating to the Business incurred after the Closing.

                                8.3.3. Cumulative Rights. The rights of Purchaser under each of the clauses of Section 8.3.1 and the rights of Sellers under each of the clauses of Section 8.3.2 are not mutually exclusive.

                                8.3.4. Indemnity Payment; Indemnitee; Indemnifying Party. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) "Indemnity Payment" means any amount of Indemnifiable Losses required to be paid pursuant to this Section 8.3, (ii) "Indemnitee" means any person or entity entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, and (iii) "Indemnifying Party" means any person or entity that may be required to provide indemnification under this Agreement.

                8.4         Defense of Claims.

                                8.4.1. Third Party Claims.

                              (a)         If any Indemnitee receives notice of the assertion of any claim or of the commencement of any action or proceeding by any entity that is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of such a party (a "Third Party Claim") against such Indemnitee, against which an Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnitee will give such Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event in sufficient time to permit the Indemnifying Party to defend against the Third Party Claim. Such notice will describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail, and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Indemnifiable Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnitee. The Indemnifying Party will have the right to participate in or, by giving written notice to the Indemnitee no later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the above-described notice of such Third Party Claim, to elect to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim at such Indemnifying Party's own expense and by such Indemnifying Party's own counsel (reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee), and the Indemnitee will cooperate in good faith in such defense. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense, the Indemnitee will have the right to participate in the defense of any Third Party Claim assisted by counsel of its own choosing and at its expense, provided that, if the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party proposes that the same counsel represent both the Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnitee shall have the right to retain its own counsel at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, if representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between them that are material. If the Indemnitee has not received written notice within such 30 calendar day period that the Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, the Indemnitee may, at its option, elect to settle or assume such defense, assisted by counsel of its own choosing, and the Indemnifying Party will be liable for all costs, expenses, settlement amounts or other Indemnifiable Losses paid or incurred in connection therewith.

                              (b)         If, within the 30 calendar days set forth above, an Indemnitee receives written notice from an Indemnifying Party that such Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim as provided in Section 8.4.1(a), the Indemnifying Party will not be liable for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof (except as provided in paragraph (a) above); provided, however, that if the Indemnifying Party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently such Third Party Claim within 30 calendar days after receiving written notice from the Indemnitee that the Indemnitee believes the Indemnifying Party has failed to take such steps, the Indemnitee may, at its option, elect to settle or assume its own defense, assisted by counsel of its own choosing, and the Indemnifying Party will be liable for all costs, expenses, settlement amounts or other Indemnifiable Losses paid or incurred in connection therewith.

                              (c)         Without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party will not enter into any settlement of any Third Party Claim or cease to defend against such claim, if pursuant to or as a result of such settlement or cessation, injunctive or other equitable relief would be imposed against the Indemnitee. Without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, which will not be unreasonably withheld, the Indemnifying Party will not enter into any settlement of any Third Party Claim or cease to defend against such claim, if such settlement or cessation would lead to liability or create any financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnitee for which the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder or is not in fact indemnified therefor. The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to each Indemnitee of a release from all liability in respect of such claim. The Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to control, and the Indemnitee shall be entitled to have sole control over, the defense or settlement of any claim to the extent that claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnitee which, if successful, could materially interfere with the business, operations, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Indemnitee (and the cost of such defense shall constitute an amount for which the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder). Except under the circumstances described above in this paragraph (c), the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to control the defense and settlement of any claims the defense of which it has assumed in accordance with this Section 8.4.1.

                                8.4.2. Direct Claims. Any claim by an Indemnitee for indemnification other than indemnification against a Third Party Claim (a "Direct Claim") will be asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, and the Indemnifying Party will have a period of 30 calendar days within which to respond in writing to such Direct Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not so respond within such 30 calendar day period, the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to have rejected such claim, in which event the Indemnitee will be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnitee under this Article VIII.

                                8.4.3. Failure to Give Timely Notice. A failure to give timely notice as provided in this Section 8.4 will not affect the rights or obligations of any party hereunder except and only to the extent that, as a result of such failure, any party which was entitled to receive such notice was deprived of its right to recover any payment under its applicable insurance coverage or was otherwise directly and materially prejudiced as a result of such failure.

                                8.4.4. Subrogation. If the amount of any Indemnifiable Loss, at any time subsequent to the making of an Indemnity Payment, is reduced by recovery, settlement or otherwise under or pursuant to any insurance coverage, or pursuant to any claim, recovery, settlement or payment by or against any other entity, the amount of such reduction, less any costs, expenses or premiums incurred in connection therewith, will promptly be repaid by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party will, to the extent of any Indemnity made by it, be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnitee against any third party that is not an Affiliate of the Indemnitee in respect of the Indemnifiable Loss to which the Indemnity Payment relates. Without limiting the generality or effect of any other provision hereof, each such Indemnitee and Indemnifying Party will duly execute upon request all instruments reasonably necessary to evidence and perfect the above-described subrogation rights.

                                8.4.5. Payment. With regard to Third Party Claims for which indemnification is payable hereunder, such indemnification shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party promptly upon (i) the entry of a judgment against the Indemnitee and the expiration of any applicable appeal period or (ii) the entry of an unappealable judgment or final appellate decision against the Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, provided that there is no dispute as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, expenses of the Indemnitee for which the Indemnifying Party is responsible shall be reimbursed on a current basis by the Indemnifying Party.

                                8.4.6. Limitation on the Scope of Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 8, no Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification with respect to punitive damages, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct of the Indemnifying Party.

9.         OTHER POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

                9.1         General Post-Closing Matters.

                               9.1.1. Post-Closing Notifications. Purchaser and Sellers will, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, comply with any applicable post-Closing notification or other requirements of any Law of any Governmental Agency having jurisdiction over the Business.

                                9.1.2. Access.

                              (a)         On the Closing Date or as soon thereafter as practicable, but in no event later than 15 calendar days after the Closing Date, Sellers will deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser all original agreements, documents, books, records and files in the possession of Sellers and their Affiliates relating to the Business or the Assets (collectively, "Records"), or any other asset or property included in the Assets, to the extent not then located on the Leased Real Property, subject to the following exception: Purchaser recognizes that certain Records may contain only incidental information relating to the Business or may primarily relate to Sellers or the businesses of Sellers other than the Business or may be required by Law to be retained by Sellers and that Sellers and their Affiliates may retain such Records and instead deliver copies of the Records required to be retained by Law and appropriately excised copies of the other Records.

                              (b)         After the Closing, upon reasonable notice given in accordance with this Agreement, Purchaser and Sellers will give, or cause to be given, to the representatives, employees, counsel and accountants of the other access, during normal business hours, to Records relating to periods prior to the Closing, and will permit such persons to examine and copy such Records to the extent reasonably requested by the other party in connection with the preparation of Tax and financial reporting matters (including without limitation any return or report relating to state or local real property transfer or gains taxes), audits, legal proceedings, governmental investigations and other business purposes; provided, however, that nothing herein will obligate any party to take actions that would unreasonably disrupt the normal course of its business, violate the terms of any Contract to which it is a party or to which it has released any of its proprietary, confidential or classified information. Purchaser will use reasonable efforts to ensure that such information and assistance can be provided to Sellers in the event that Purchaser disposes of any portion of the Business.

                                9.1.3. Guarantees, Etc. Schedule 9.1.3 sets forth a list of guarantees, letters of credits and other agreements guaranteeing or securing liabilities and obligations relating to the Business under which Sellers or any of their Affiliates have any liability and which constitute Assumed Liabilities (collectively, the "Sellers' Guarantees"). Purchaser will cooperate with Sellers (each Party acting at its own expense) to obtain and have issued replacements for each of the Sellers' Guarantees and to obtain any amendments, novations, releases, waivers, consents or approvals necessary to release Sellers and each of their Affiliates from all liability thereunder, in each case as promptly as practicable.

                                9.1.4. Rights of Endorsement. After the Closing Date, Purchaser shall have the right and authority to endorse, without recourse, the name of Sellers on any check or any other evidence of indebtedness received by Purchaser on account of any Assets transferred by Sellers pursuant hereto, and Sellers shall deliver to Purchaser at the Closing letters of instruction sufficient to permit Purchaser to deposit such checks or other evidence of indebtedness in bank accounts in the name of Purchaser. In addition, any payment received by Sellers or any of its Affiliates in respect of the Assets shall be remitted to Purchaser within 15 days of receipt by Sellers and any payment received by Purchaser in respect of Excluded Assets shall be remitted to Sellers within 15 days of receipt by Purchaser.

                9.2         Nonassignable Contracts.

                                9.2.1. Nonassignability. Without limiting the generality or effect of any provision of Articles 6, 8 or 9, to the extent that any Contract or lease with respect to Leased Real Property to be Transferred pursuant to the terms of Section 1.1.4 is not capable of being Transferred without the consent, approval, novation or waiver (collectively, the "Consents") of a third person or entity (including without limitation a Governmental Agency), or if such Transfer or attempted Transfer would constitute a breach thereof or a violation of any Law, nothing in this Agreement will constitute a Transfer or an attempted Transfer thereof.

                                9.2.2. Sellers To Use Reasonable Efforts. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, but without limiting the generality or effect of Articles 6, 8 or 9, Sellers will not be obligated to Transfer to Purchaser any of its rights and obligations in and to any of the Contracts or leases referred to in Section 9.2.1 without first having obtained all of the Consents necessary for such Transfers.

                                9.2.3. If Waivers Or Consents Cannot Be Obtained. To the extent that the Consents referred to in Section 9.2.2 are not obtained by Sellers, Sellers will, during the one-year period commencing with the Closing Date or such longer period as Purchaser may desire (but, as to any particular Contract or lease, not longer than the term thereof), (a) use reasonable efforts, with costs and expenses of Sellers related thereto (other than the obligations of Sellers under the Contract required to be paid by Purchaser pursuant to Section 9.2.4) to be borne by Sellers, to provide to Purchaser the benefits (and the burdens) of any Contract or lease to the extent relating to the Business, (b) cooperate in any reasonable and lawful arrangement designed to provide such benefits (and burdens) to Purchaser, without incurring any obligation to any other person or entity other than to provide such benefits to Purchaser, and (c) enforce, at the request of Purchaser, for the account of Purchaser, any rights of Sellers arising from any such Contract or lease (including without limitation the right to elect to terminate in accordance with the terms thereof upon the advice of Purchaser). Purchaser agrees to cooperate with Sellers in connection with the foregoing. At the end of such one-year period (or such longer period as Purchaser may desire), Sellers will have no further obligations hereunder with respect to any such Contract or lease and the failure to obtain any necessary Consent with respect thereto will not be a breach of this Agreement; provided that nothing contained in this Section 9.2 shall affect the liability of Sellers, if any, pursuant to this Agreement if it has failed to disclose the need for such Consent or to use its reasonable efforts in accordance with the provisions hereof to obtain such Consent.

                                9.2.4. Obligation of Purchaser To Perform. Provided (and for so long as) Sellers obtain the benefits of such Contract or lease for Purchaser, Purchaser will perform the obligations of Sellers under or in connection with any Contract or lease referred to in Section 9.2 (to the extent permitted thereunder) for the benefit of the other party or parties thereto.

                                9.1.5. Certain Fees and Expenses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, Sellers shall reimburse Purchaser for one-half of any amount required to be paid by Purchaser to the lessor of the Hanover, Maryland facility as a condition to the lessor's consent to the assignment of the lease of such facility to the Purchaser.

10.         MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

               10.1         Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person or when sent by facsimile (confirmed in writing by mail simultaneously dispatched) if sent on a business day and otherwise on the next business day or one business day after having been dispatched by a nationally recognized overnight courier service to the appropriate party at the address specified below or three business days after having been deposited in the United States mail, if sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid:

(a)

If to Purchaser, to:

 

America Service Group Inc.

 

105 Westpark Drive

 

Suite 300

 

Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

 

Facsimile No.:

615-376-1309

 

Attention:

Jean Byassee

   

General Counsel

   
 

with a copy to:

   
 

King & Spalding

 

191 Peachtree Street

 

Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1763

 

Facsimile No.:

404-572-5100

 

Attention:

Philip A. Theodore, Esq.

   

 

(b)

If to Sellers to:

 

Stadtlanders Pharmacy

 

Bergen Brunswig Corporation

 

600 Penn Center Boulevard

 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15235-5810

 

Attention:

Steve Collis

 

Facsimile No.:

412-825-8419

   
 

with a copy to:

   
 

Lowenstein Sandler PC

 

65 Livingston Avenue

 

Roseland, New Jersey 07068

 

Facsimile No.:

973-597-2399

 

Attention:

Laura R. Kuntz, Esq.

 

or to such other address or addresses as any party may from time to time designate as to itself by like notice.

               10.2         Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whether or not a Closing shall occur, the parties shall each bear its own expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents or incident to the Transfer of the Assets and the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation all expenses required in connection with the delivery of the Transfer Documents provided for in Section 6.1.2 and the Assumption Instruments provided for in Section 6.2.2, and all expenses required to comply with the procedures required by Section 9.1.

               10.3         Successors And Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, but will not be assignable or delegable by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that Purchaser may assign all of its rights hereunder to any Affiliate of Purchaser that is a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ASG, Purchaser's parent corporation; provided, however, that such assignment shall not relieve Purchaser of any of its obligations or liabilities hereunder or ASG of any of its obligations or liabilities under its guaranty of Purchaser's obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that Purchaser Transfers the Business, Purchaser may assign to the transferee all or any rights which Purchaser may have with respect to Sellers' covenants which are contained herein or in any Ancillary Document and are to be performed by Sellers after the Closing; provided, however, that such assignment shall not relieve Purchaser of any of its obligations or liabilities hereunder or ASG of any of its obligations or liabilities under its guaranty of Purchaser's obligations hereunder; and provided, further, however, that such transferee shall agree in writing to assume Purchaser's obligations hereunder and under any such Ancillary Document.

               10.4         Waiver. Purchaser and Sellers, by written notice to the other, may (a) extend the time for performance of any of the obligations or other actions of the other under this Agreement, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations or warranties of the other contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Documents, (c) waive compliance with any of the conditions or covenants of the other contained in this Agreement, or (d) waive or modify performance of any of the obligations of the other under this Agreement; provided, however, that no such party may, without the prior written consent of such other party, make or grant such extension of time, waiver of inaccuracies or compliance or waiver or modification of performance with respect to its own obligations, representations, warranties, conditions or covenants hereunder and provided, further, however, that the Closing shall be deemed to constitute the waiver by the Purchaser and Sellers of the conditions to their respective obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which waiver shall be without prejudice to the right of Purchaser or Sellers to assert a claim against the other for any Indemnifiable Loss. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement will be deemed to constitute a waiver of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement. No waiver of any breach will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.

               10.5         Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Schedules and Exhibits hereto) supersedes any other agreement, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by Purchaser or Sellers (or by any director, officer or representative thereof) relating to the matters contemplated hereby, other than the Confidentiality Agreement (which will survive the execution, delivery and/or termination of this Agreement unless and until the Closing occurs). This Agreement (together with the Confidentiality Agreement, dated July 17, 2000, by and between BBC and ASG, and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto) constitute the entire agreement by and among such parties and their Affiliates except as expressly set forth herein.

               10.6         Amendments, Supplements, Etc. This Agreement may be amended or supplemented at any time by additional written agreements, as may mutually be determined by the parties hereto.

               10.7         Rights Of The Parties. Except as expressly provided in Sections 8.3, 11.3 and 11.9, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or will be construed to confer upon or give any person or entity other than the parties hereto and their respective Affiliates any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

               10.2         Further Assurances.

                              (a)         After the Closing, Sellers will from time to time, at Purchaser's request and without further cost to Purchaser, execute and deliver to Purchaser such other instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other action as Purchaser may reasonably request so as more effectively to transfer the Assets to Purchaser free of Liens other than Permitted Liens. In the event that Sellers fail to execute any such document or take any such action, Sellers hereby appoint Purchaser as their lawful attorney-in-fact for purposes of executing such documents and taking such actions. This appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

                              (b)         After the Closing, Purchaser will from time to time, at Sellers' request and without further cost to Sellers, execute and deliver to Sellers such other instruments of assumption and take such other action as Sellers may reasonably request so as more effectively to assume the Assumed Liabilities.

               10.9         Bulk Sales. Purchaser waives compliance by Sellers with the provisions of the so-called bulk sales Law of any jurisdiction, if applicable. Without limiting the generality of Section 8.3.1 but subject to Article 8, Sellers will, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless Purchaser and its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives from and against any Indemnifiable Losses relating to, resulting from or arising out of any non-compliance by Sellers with any applicable bulk sales Law.

               10.10         Transfer. Purchaser and Sellers will cooperate and take such action as may be reasonably requested by the other in order to effect an orderly transfer of the Assets and the Business with a minimum of disruption to the operations and employees of the Business and of the other businesses of Sellers.

               10.11         Governing Law. The validity, performance and enforcement of this Agreement and all Ancillary Documents, unless expressly provided to the contrary, shall be governed by the Laws of the State of Tennessee, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof, except that with respect to matters regarding the transfer of right, title to and interest in any Contract or Permit, the Laws governing such Contract or Permit shall govern, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

               10.12         Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

               10.13         Titles And Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

               10.14         Certain Interpretive Matters And Definitions.

                              (a)         Unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references to Sections, Articles, Exhibits or Schedules are to the Sections, Articles, Exhibits or Schedules of or to this Agreement, (ii) each accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP, (iii) "or" is disjunctive and (iv) words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.

                              (b)         No provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in favor of, or against, any of the parties hereto by reason of the extent to which any such party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof.

                              (c)         As used in this Agreement, (i) the term "Subsidiary" has the meaning given to that term in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); (ii) the term "Affiliate" has the meaning given to the term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and will include without limitation any Subsidiary; (iii) the term "Governmental Agency" means the United States or any state, local or foreign government, or any subdivision, agency or authority of any thereof; and (iv) the term "Laws" means all federal, state and local laws, codes, and ordinances and all rules and regulations promulgated by any Governmental Agency thereunder.

                              (d)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of this Agreement, the term "knowledge of Sellers" or variations thereof shall mean the actual knowledge of Trey Hartman, Grant Bryson, Larry Brown, Steve Collis, Kim Harbaugh and Kelli Ellis.

               10.15         Cross-References. If a document or matter is disclosed in any Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement in connection with a representation or warranty made herein, it shall be deemed to be disclosed with respect to the same matter addressed elsewhere in this Agreement but only if the reference provides fair disclosure of the matter in question.

               10.16         Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof.

               10.17         Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Document (other than a dispute that is subject to Section 2.2 of this Agreement which shall be resolved in accordance with Section 2.2)  shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the following provisions:

                              (a)         Disputes Covered. The agreement of the parties to arbitrate covers all disputes of every kind relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Disputes include actions for breach of contract with respect to this Agreement or the Ancillary Document, as well as any claim based on tort or any other causes or action relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement such as claims based on an allegation of fraud or misrepresentation and claims based on a federal or state statute. In addition, the arbitrators selected according to procedures set forth below shall determine the arbitrability of any matter brought to them, and their decision shall be final and binding on the parties.

                               (b)         Forum. The forum for the arbitration shall be Washington, D.C.

                              (c)         Law. The governing law for the arbitration shall be the law of the State of Tennessee, without reference to its conflicts of laws provisions.

                              (d)         Selection. There shall be three arbitrators, unl ess the parties are able to agree on a single arbitrator. In the absence of such agreement within ten days after the initiation of an arbitration proceeding, the Representative shall select one arbitrator and the Purchaser shall select one arbitrator, and those two arbitrators shall then select within ten days a third arbitrator. If those two arbitrators are unable to select a third arbitrator within such ten day period, a third arbitrator shall be appointed by the commercial panel of the American Arbitration Association. The decision in writing of at least two of the three arbitrators shall be final and binding upon the parties.

                              (e)         Administration. The arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association.

                              (f)         Rules. The rules of arbitration shall be the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as modified by any other instructions that the parties may agree upon at the time, except that each party shall have the right to conduct discovery in any manner and to the extent authorized by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as interpreted by the federal courts. In the event of any conflict between those rules and the provisions of this Section, the provisions of this Section shall prevail.

                              (g)         Substantive Law. The arbitrators shall be bound by and shall strictly enforce the terms of this Agreement and may not limit, expand or otherwise modify its terms. The arbitrators shall make a good faith effort to apply substantive applicable law, but an arbitration decision shall not be subject to review. The arbitrators shall be bound to honor claims of privilege or work product doctrine recognized at law, but the arbitrators shall have the discretion to determine whether any such claim of privilege or work product doctrine applies.

                              (h)         Decision. The arbitrators' decision shall provide a reasoned basis for the resolution of each dispute and for any award. The arbitrators shall not have power to award punitive damages, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct.

                              (i)         Expenses. Each party shall bear its own fees and expenses with respect to the arbitration and any proceeding related thereto and the parties shall share equally the fees and expenses of the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrators.

                              (j)         Remedies; Award. The arbitrators shall have power and authority to award any remedy or judgment that could be awarded by a court of law in the State of Tennessee. The award rendered by arbitration shall be final and binding upon the parties, and judgment upon the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States.

 

 

 

* * *


 

 

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

PURCHASER:

SELLERS:

SECURE PHARMACY PLUS, INC.

STADTLANDER OPERATING

 

COMPANY, L.L.C.

       
       

By:

/s/ Trey Hartman

By:

/s/ Milan A. Sawdei



Name:

Trey Hartman

Name:

Milan A. Sawdei

Title:

President

Title:

Executive Vice President,

     

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

       
 

STADTLANDER LICENSING

 

COMPANY, L.L.C.

       
   

By:

/s/ Milan A. Sawdei

 


   

Name:

Milan A. Sawdei

   

Title:

Executive Vice President,

     

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

       
 

STADTLANDER DRUG OF

 

CALIFORNIA, L.P.

       
   

By:

/s/ Milan A. Sawdei

 


   

Name:

Milan A. Sawdei

   

Title:

Executive Vice President,

     

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

       
 

STADTLANDER DRUG OF

 

HAWAII, L.P.

       
   

By:

/s/ Milan A. Sawdei

 


   

Name:

Milan A. Sawdei

   

Title:

Executive Vice President,

     

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

       
       
EX-10 5 exh10h.htm EXHIBIT 10(H) Exhibit 10(h) - BBC Pre-Tax Investment Retirement Account

Exhibit 10(h)

 

 

 

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG PRE-TAX

INVESTMENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

PLUS EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION PLAN

(Amended and Restated Effective as of November 16, 2000)

 

 

 

 


 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     
   

Page

ARTICLE I.

NAME, DEFINITIONS & FUNDING POLICY

1

 

Section 1.1:

Full Name

1

 

Section 1.2:

Certain Definitions

1

 

Section 1.3:

Other Definitions

1

 

Section 1.4:

Funding Policy

15

         

ARTICLE II

PARTICIPATION

16

 

Section 2.1:

Eligibility Requirements

16

 

Section 2.2:

Enrollment Package For Participation And Beneficiary

 
   

Designation

16

 

Section 2.3:

Participation

17

 

Section 2.4:

Break In Service Rules For Eligibility Purposes

17

 

Section 2.5:

Special Provisions for Employees of Bergen Brunswig

 
   

Medical Corporation and Certain Related Entities

17

       

ARTICLE III

CONTRIBUTIONS

19

 

Section 3.1:

Company's Discretionary Contributions

19

 

Section 3.2:

Section 3.2:

19

 

Section 3.3:

Company's Matching Contribution

20

 

Section 3.4:

Company's Bonus Matching Contribution

20

 

Section 3.5:

Participants' Contributions

21

 

Section 3.6:

Minimum Company Contributions

21

 

Section 3.7:

Payment Of Discretionary Contributions, Matching

 
   

Contributions, And Bonus Matching Contributions To Trustee

21

 

Section 3.8:

Payment Of Discretionary Contributions And Bonus

 
   

Matching Contributions In Company Stock

22

 

Section 3.9:

Payment Of Elective Contributions To The Trustee

22

 

Section 3.10:

Payment Of Rollover Contributions And Transferred

 
   

Contributions To The Trustee

22

 

Section 3.11:

Actual Deferral Percentage Test

23

 

Section 3.12:

Actual Contribution Percentage Test

28

 

Section 3.13:

No Requirement For Profits

32

         

ARTICLE IV

ALLOCATIONS TO PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS

33

 

Section 4.1:

Retirement Accounts And Matching Contribution Accounts

33

 

Section 4.2:

PIRA Accounts

33

 

Section 4.3:

Rollover Contribution Accounts and Transferred Accounts

33

 

Section 4.4:

Allocation Of Forfeitures

33

 

Section 4.5:

Allocation Of Discretionary Contribution, Matching

 
   

Contribution And Bonus Matching Contribution

34

 

Section 4.6:

Allocation of Minimum Company Contributions

34

 

Section 4.7:

Accounts In General

35

 

Section 4.8:

Limitation On Annual Additions

35

 

Section 4.9:

Investment Of Accounts

38

 

Section 4.10:

Voting Of Company Stock

39

         

ARTICLE V

VESTING

40

 

Section 5.1:

Vesting In Matching Contribution Account And

 
   

Matching Contribution Stock Account

40

 

Section 5.2:

Vesting In Other Accounts

40

 

Section 5.3:

Forfeitures

40

 

Section 5.4:

Break In Service Rules For Vesting Purposes

41

         

ARTICLE VI

DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

43

 

Section 6.1:

Distribution Of Benefits

43

 

Section 6.2:

Methods Of Distribution

43

 

Section 6.3:

Survivor Annuity Requirements

45

 

Section 6.4:

Timing Of Distributions

49

 

Section 6.5:

Postponed Retirement

51

 

Section 6.6:

Distributions Due Missing Persons

51

 

Section 6.7:

Transfers To Another Qualified Plan

51

 

Section 6.8:

Loans To Participants

52

 

Section 6.9:

Hardship Withdrawals

53

 

Section 6.10:

Withdrawals

55

 

Section 6.11:

Distribution Of Company Stock

55

         

ARTICLE VII

TOP-HEAVY PLAN LIMITATIONS

56

 

Section 7.1:

Application Of Top-Heavy Rules

56

 

Section 7.2:

Definitions

56

 

Section 7.3:

60% Test - Special Rules

59

 

Section 7.4:

Minimum Vesting Requirement

60

 

Section 7.5:

Minimum Contribution Requirement

60

         

ARTICLE VIII

THE COMMITTEE

62

 

Section 8.1:

Members

62

 

Section 8.2:

Committee Action

62

 

Section 8.3:

Rights And Duties

63

 

Section 8.4:

Information

64

 

Section 8.5:

Compensation, Indemnity And Liability

65

 

Section 8.6:

Administrative Expenses Of The Plan

65

         

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

66

 

Section 9.1:

Amendments

66

 

Section 9.2:

Discontinuance Of Plan

66

 

Section 9.3:

Failure To Contribute

67

         

ARTICLE X

CLAIMS PROCEDURE

68

 

Section 10.1:

Presentation Of Claim

68

 

Section 10.2:

Notification Of Decision

68

 

Section 10.3:

Review Of A Denied Claim

68

 

Section 10.4:

Decision On Review

69

         

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

70

 

Section 11.1:

Contributions Not Recoverable

70

 

Section 11.2:

Limitation On Participants' Rights

70

 

Section 11.3:

Receipt Or Release

70

 

Section 11.4:

Nonassignability

71

 

Section 11.5:

Governing Law

71

 

Section 11.6:

Headings

71

 

Section 11.7:

Counterparts

71

 

Section 11.8:

Successors And Assigns

71

 

Section 11.9:

Gender And Number

71

 

Section 11.10:

Merger, Consolidation Or Transfer Of Plan Assets

72

 

Section 11.11:

Joinder Of Parties

72

 

Section 11.12:

The Trust

72

 

Section 11.13:

Special Requirements For USERRA

72

         

Signature Page

73

 

 

 


 

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG PRE-TAX
INVESTMENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
PLUS EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN

 

                BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION has adopted the following complete amendment and restatement of its profit sharing plan that evidences the plan portion of a profit sharing plan and trust for the benefit of qualified employees of the Company. The terms of the Plan are as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
NAME, DEFINITIONS & FUNDING POLICY

                Section 1.1.: Full Name. This profit sharing plan shall be known as the:

BERGEN BRUNSWIG PRE-TAX
INVESTMENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
PLUS EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN
(or PIRA PLUS, for short)

It is hereby designated as constituting a defined contribution plan intended to qualify under Code Section 401(a) that includes a cash or deferred arrangement under Code Section 401(k). The Trust established in connection with the Plan shall be known as the:

BERGEN BRUNSWIG PRE-TAX
INVESTMENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT TRUST
PLUS EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN
(or PIRA PLUS TRUST, for short)

                Section 1.2.: Certain Definitions. As used in this document and in the Trust, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning is specified or clearly indicated by the context:

                "Accounts" shall mean, collectively, the Retirement Account, the Retirement Stock Account, the PIRA Account, the Matching Contribution Account, the Matching Contribution Stock Account, the Rollover Contribution Account, the Transferred Account, and the Non-Elective Contribution Account, all as may be established under the Plan for a Participant. If all of such accounts are not established for a Participant, then "Accounts" shall mean, collectively, all of such accounts that are established for such Participant.

                "Adjustment Factor" shall mean the cost of living adjustment factor prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under Code Section 415(d) for years beginning after December 31, 1987, as applied to such items and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide.

                "Affiliated Company" shall mean:

                (a)         a member of a controlled group of corporations of which the Company is a member;

                (b)         an unincorporated trade or business that is under common control with the Company, as determined in accordance with Code Section 414(c) and the applicable Regulations;

               (c)         a member of an affiliated service group of which the Company is a member, as determined in accordance with Code Section 414(m) and the applicable Regulations; or

               (d)         any other entity required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to the Regulations under Code Section 414(o).

For these purposes, a "controlled group of corporations" shall mean a controlled group of corporations as defined in Code Section 1563(a), determined without regard to Code Sections 1563(a)(4) and 1563(e)(3)(C).

                "Anniversary Date" shall mean the last day of each Plan Year.

                "Article" shall mean an Article of the Plan.

                "Beneficiary" shall mean the person or persons, as the context requires, last designated by a Participant to receive any benefit specified in the Plan that is payable upon such Participant's death. If there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving Beneficiary, the Beneficiary shall be the Participant's surviving spouse; or, if none, the Participant's surviving descendants (including adopted persons), who shall take on the principle of representation; or, if none, the Participant's estate; or, if there is no legal representative appointed to represent the Participant's estate and if the Participant's vested interest does not exceed $2,000, a person (or the persons) selected by the Committee who is related to the Participant by blood, adoption or marriage.

                "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

                "Break in Service" shall mean a 12-consecutive-month period beginning on an Employee's Severance Date and ending on the first anniversary of such date, provided that such Employee fails to perform at least one Hour of Service during such 1 2-consecutive-month period. Solely for purposes of determining whether a Break in Service has occurred for any individual who is absent from work for maternity or paternity reasons, the Severance Date of an Employee who is absent from service beyond the first anniversary of the first date of absence shall be deemed to be the second anniversary of the first date of such absence. The period between the first and second anniversaries of the first date of absence from work is neither a Period of Service nor a Period of Severance. An absence from work for maternity or paternity reasons means an absence (i) by reason of the pregnancy of the individual, (ii) by reason of a birth of a child of the individual, (iii) by reason of the placement of a child with the individual in connection with the adoption of such child by such individual, or (iv) for purposes of caring for such child for a period beginning immediately following such birth or placement.

                "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and its successors.

                "Committee" shall mean the committee described in Section 8.1.

                "Company" shall mean BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION.

                "Company Stock" shall mean the Company's Class A Common Stock.

                "Compensation" shall mean, for any Plan Year, the total cash compensation, excluding non-cash fringe benefits, received by such Participant, while he or she was eligible to make Elective Contributions, for services actually rendered in the course of employment with the Company or any Affiliated Company that is currently includable in such Participant's gross income under the Code, plus the amount of his or her Elective Contributions, if any, and any amount that is contributed by the Company pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and that is not includable in such Participant's gross income under Code Sections 125, 402(a)(8), 402(h) or 403(b). In addition to other applicable limitations set forth in the Plan, and despite any other provision of the Plan, the Compensation of each Participant shall not exceed the Compensation Limitation (defined below). The Compensation Limitation is $150,000, as adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17)(B). The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to any period, not exceeding 12 months, over which Compensation is determined beginning in such calendar year. If such a determination period consists of fewer than 12 months, the Compensation Limitation will be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months in such determination period, and the denominator of which is 12. If Compensation for any prior determination period is taken into account in determining a Participant's benefits accruing in the current Plan Year, the Compensation for such prior determination period is subject to the Compensation Limitation in effect for such prior determination period.

                "Defined Benefit Plan" and "Defined Contribution Plan" shall have the same meanings as given these terms under ERISA.

                "Determination Year" shall mean the Plan Year.

                "Earnings" shall mean a Participant's annual "compensation", as that term is defined in Code Section 415, that is actually paid or made available to the Participant within the Limitation Year, except that for purposes of the definition of "Highly Compensated Employee", the term "Earnings" shall mean a Participant's annual "compensation", as that term is defined in Code Section 415, that is actually paid or made available to the Participant within the Plan Year. A Participant's Earnings shall include such Participant's wages, salaries, fees for professional services and other amounts received (without regard to whether or not an amount is paid in cash) for personal services actually rendered in the course of employment with the Company or any Affiliated Company to the extent the amounts are includable in gross income under the Code (including, but not limited to, commissions paid salesmen, compensation for services on the basis of a percentage of profits, commissions on insurance premiums, tips, bonuses, fringe benefits, reimbursements, and expense allowances). "Earnings" shall not include:

                (a)         Any contribution made by the Company to a plan of deferred compensation to the extent that, before the application of the Code Section 415 limitations to that plan, the contributions are not includable in the gross income of the Participant for the taxable year in which contributed. In addition, the Company's contributions, if any, made on behalf of a Participant to a simplified employee pension plan described in Code Section 408(k) are not considered Earnings for the taxable year in which contributed to the extent such contributions are deductible by the Participant under Code Section 219(b)(7). Additionally, any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation are not considered Earnings, regardless of whether such amounts are includable in the gross income of the Participant when distributed. However, any amount received by a Participant pursuant to an unfunded non-qualified plan may be considered Earnings in the year such amounts are includable in the gross income of the Participant.

                (b)         Any amount realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) held by a Participant either becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

                (c)         Any amount realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock option.

                (d)         Any other amount that receives special tax benefits, such as premiums for group term life insurance (but only to the extent that the premiums are not includable in the gross income of the Participant), or contributions made by the Company (whether or not under a salary reduction agreement) towards the purchase of an annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b) (whether or not the contributions are excludable from the gross income of the Participant).

For Plan Years beginning after December 31, 1997, Earnings paid or made available during any Plan Year shall include any elective deferral (as defined in Code Section 402(g)(3)), and any amount that is contributed or deferred by the Company at the election of the Participant and that is not includable in the gross income of the Participant by reason of Code Section 125.

                "Effective Date" shall mean January 1, 1997, which is the effective date of this complete amendment and restatement, except as specifically provided otherwise below. The initial effective date of the Plan was September 1, 1984.

                "Employee" shall mean every person classified by the Company as a common law employee of the Company and any Affiliated Company that has adopted the Plan with the permission of the Board of Directors. The term "Employee" shall not include any person who is (i) employed by or through a leasing, temporary, or similar agency or company, or (ii) classified by the Company as a leased employee (within the meaning of Code Section 414(n)(2)) of the Company or any such Affiliated Company.

                "Employer" shall mean, with respect to an Employee, the Company, any Predecessor Employer and any Affiliated Company.

                "Employment Commencement Date" for each Employee shall mean the date such Employee first is credited with an Hour of Service. Despite the foregoing, for a Transferred Employee, the "Employment Commencement Date" for each such Employee shall mean the date such Employee first was credited with an hour of service for employment with the employer whose stock or assets were acquired by the Company or an Affiliated Company and whose business is now conducted by the Company or an Affiliated Company.

                "Entry Date" shall mean the first day of the month.

                "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and its successors.

                "Fiduciary" shall mean a person who:

                (a)         exercises any discretionary authority, discretionary control, or discretionary responsibility respecting the management or administration of the Plan;

                (b)         exercises any authority or control respecting management or disposition of the Plan's assets; or

               (c)         renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or indirect, with respect to any asset of the Plan, or has any authority or responsibility to do so.

"Financial Institution" shall mean a bank, trust company, or other financial institution that is regulated by the United States or any State.

                "5% Owner" shall mean a Participant who (i) owns more than 5% of the outstanding stock (or owns stock possessing more than 5% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock) of the Company (or any Affiliated Company), if the Company (or the Affiliated Company, whichever applies) is a corporation; or (ii) owns more than 5% of the capital or profit interest in the Company (or the Affiliated Company, whichever applies), if the Company (or the Affiliated Company, whichever applies) is not a corporation. A similar rule shall apply to the determination of a "1% Owner."

                "Forfeiture" shall mean the nonvested portion of a Participant's Accounts that is forfeited and allocated to other Participants' Accounts in accordance with the Plan.

                "Highly Compensated Active Employee" shall mean any Participant who performed service for the Company during the Determination Year and who:

                (a)         During the Look-Back Year received Earnings from the Company in excess of $80,000 (as adjusted pursuant to Code Section 415(d)), and, if the Company so elects, was a member of the Top-Paid Group for such year; or

                (b)         Was a 5% Owner at any time during the Look-Back Year or the Determination Year.

                "Highly Compensated Employee" shall mean any Participant who is a "Highly Compensated Active Employee" or a "Highly Compensated Former Employee."

                "Highly Compensated Former Employee" shall mean any Participant who:

                (a)         Separated from service (or was deemed to have separated from service) prior to the Determination Year,

                (b)         Performed no service for the Company during the Determination Year, and

                (c)        Was a Highly Compensated Active Employee in either (i) the Determination Year during which the Employee separated from service, or (ii) any Determination Year ending on or after the Employee's 55th birthday. For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Employee will be deemed to have separated from service if, in a Determination Year before the Employee attained age 55, the Employee received Earnings in an amount less than 50% of the Employee's average annual Earnings for the 3  consecutive calendar years preceding the Determination Year during which the Employee received the greatest amount of Earnings from the Company.

                "Hour of Service" shall mean:

                (a)         Each hour for which an Employee was paid by, or entitled to payment from, an Employer. Hours under this subsection (a) shall be credited to an Employee for the computation period or periods in which the services were performed. Generally, Hours of Service shall be determined from the Employer's employment records. Despite the foregoing, if an Employee's Compensation is not determined on the basis of certain amounts for each hour worked (such as salaried, commission or piece-work employees) and if his or her hours are not required to be counted and recorded by any federal law (such as the Fair Labor Standards Act), such Employee's Hours of Service need not be determined from employment records. Instead, such Employee may be credited with 190 Hours of Service for each month in which he or she would be credited with at least one Hour of Service pursuant to this subsection (a);

                (b)         Each hour for which an Employee was paid by, or entitled to payment from, an Employer on account of a period during which no services were performed (irrespective of whether the employment relationship had terminated) due to vacation, holiday, illness, incapacity (including disability), layoff, jury duty, military duty or leave of absence. No more than 501 Hours of Service shall be credited under this subsection (b) for any single continuous period (whether or not such period occurs in a single computation period);

                (c)         Each hour for which back pay (irrespective of mitigation of damages) is either awarded against, or agreed to by, an Employer. The same Hours of Service shall not be credited under either subsection (a) or (b), whichever is applicable, and under this subsection (c). Hours of Service under this subsection (c) shall be credited for the computation period(s) to which the award or agreement pertains, rather than the computation period in which the award, agreement or payment is made; and

                (d)         Hours under subsections (a) through (c) above shall be calculated and credited pursuant to Section 2530.200b-2 of the Department of Labor Regulations, which is incorporated here by reference.

                "Individual Medical Benefit Account" shall have the same meaning as is given that term under Code Section 415(l)(2).

                "Investment Manager" shall mean a person or entity who (that) is (a) registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisor's Act of 1940, as amended, (b) defined as a bank under that Act, or (c) an insurance company qualified under the laws of more than one state to manage, acquire and dispose of trust assets, and who has acknowledged in writing that he (she or it) is a Fiduciary with respect to the Plan.

                "Limitation Year", as defined in the Code, shall mean the calendar year.

                "Look-Back Year" shall mean the 12 month period preceding the Determination Year, or, if the Company elects and allowed by the applicable Regulations, the calendar year ending with or within the applicable Determination Year.

                "Matching Contribution Account" shall mean the account maintained by the Committee for each Participant on whose behalf a Matching Contribution or Bonus Matching Contribution made in cash is made.

                "Matching Contribution Stock Account" shall mean the account maintain by the Committee for each Participant on whose behalf a Bonus Matching Contribution in Company Stock is made.

                "Minimum Company Contributions" shall mean the contributions made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.6.

                "Named Fiduciary" shall have the same meaning as under Section 402(a) of ERISA and shall be determined as provided in Section 8.3.

                "Net Profits" shall mean, with respect to any Plan Year, the Company's net income or profit for such Plan Year, as determined on the basis of the Company's books of account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, before reduction for income taxes or contributions made by the Company to the Plan.

                "Non-Elective Contribution Account" shall mean the account maintained by the Committee for each Participant on whose behalf an allocation pursuant to Section 4.6(d) is made.

                "Non-Highly Compensated Employee" shall mean any Participant who is not a Highly Compensated Employee.

                "Normal Retirement Age" shall mean a Participant's 65th birthday; provided, however, that for each Participant who completes an Hour of Service on or after November 16, 2000, "Normal Retirement Age" shall mean the earlier of the date on which a Participant (i) attains age 59-1/2 or (ii) earns his 80th "point." For purposes of the foregoing, a Participant shall accumulate 1 "point" for each year of age and 1.5 "points" for each Year of Service.

                "Normal Retirement Date" shall mean the first day of the month that coincides with or immediately follows a Participant's Normal Retirement Age.

                "1% Owner" shall be determined in the same manner as a 5% Owner, defined above.

                "Participant" shall mean any Employee who becomes eligible for participation in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, and, unless the context indicates otherwise, includes former Participants.

                "Period of Service" shall mean a period of time commencing on an Employee's Employment Commencement Date or Reemployment Date, whichever is applicable, and ending on his or her Severance Date.

                "Period of Severance" shall mean the period of time commencing on an Employee's Severance Date and ending on the date, if any, on which Employee again performs an Hour of Service.

                "PIRA Account" shall mean the account maintained by the Committee for each Participant on whose behalf an Elective Contribution is made.

                "Plan" shall mean this document and the plan created by this document (including, unless the context indicates to the contrary, the Trust established in connection with the Plan), as it may be amended from time to time.

                "Plan Year" shall mean:

                (a)         For the "Plan Year" beginning on January 1, 1997, the period commencing on January 1, 1997, and ending on September 29, 1997.

                (b)         For "Plan Years" beginning after September 29, 1997, the 12 month period ending on each September 29th.

                "Predecessor Employer" shall mean any predecessor employer of an Employee that maintained the Plan.

                "Predecessor Plan" shall mean any plan from which assets were transferred to the Transferred Account.

                "Reemployment Date" shall mean the first day following a Period of Severance that is not deemed to be a Period of Service in calculating an Employee's Service or Years of Service on which such Employee performs an Hour of Service.

                "Regulations" shall mean the regulations issued under the Code or ERISA, or both of them, as well as under any other legislation that applies to the Plan.

                "Retirement Account" shall mean the account maintained by the Committee for each Participant on whose behalf a Discretionary Contribution in cash is made.

                "Retirement Stock Account" shall mean the account maintained by the Committee for each Participant on whose behalf a Discretionary Contribution in Company Stock is made.

                "Rollover Contribution" shall mean a qualified rollover contribution as defined in Code Sections 402(c), 403(a)(4), and 408(d)(3), but shall not include a rollover contribution that is attributable to contributions made on behalf of a Key Employee in a Top-heavy Plan, unless such a rollover contribution is permissible under the Code or applicable Regulations.

                "Rollover Contribution Account" shall mean the account maintained by the Committee for each Participant who makes a Rollover Contribution.

                "Section" shall mean, when used in conjunction with some other reference (such as the Code or ERISA), a section of such other reference. When not used in conjunction with some other reference, Section shall refer to a section of the Plan or Trust, as the context requires. References to a Section include future amendments, and successors, to it.

                "Secretary" shall mean the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Committee.

                "Secretary of the Treasury" shall mean the Secretary of the Treasury, as defined in Code Section 7701(a)(11).

                "Severance Date" shall mean the earlier of (i) the date on which an Employee quits, retires, is discharged, or dies, or (ii) the first annual anniversary of the first date of a period in which such Employee remains absent from service (with or without pay) with an Employer for any reason other than a quit, retirement, discharge, or death (e.g., with respect to the foregoing, vacation, holiday, sickness, disability, leave of absence, or layoff).

                "Signature Page" shall mean the page(s) at the end of the Plan entitled "Signature Page."

                "Top-Paid Group" shall mean the group of Employees in a particular year that consists of the top 20% of the Employees, ranked on the basis of Earnings received from the Company during such year.

                (a)         An Employee shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the Top-Paid Group if the Employee:

                (i)         Has not performed an Hour of Service during such year;

               (ii)         Has not completed 6 months of service;

              (iii)         Normally works less than 17 and 1/2 hours per week or 6 months during any year;

               (iv)         Has not attained age 21 by the end of such year; or

              (v)         Is a non-resident alien and has received no earned income (within the meaning of Code Section 911(d)(2)) from the Company constituting United States source income within the meaning of Code Section 861(a)(3).

                (b)         In addition, if 90 percent or more of the Employees of the Company are covered under agreements the Secretary of Labor finds to be collective bargaining agreements between Employee representatives and the Company, and the Plan covers only Employees who are not covered under such agreements, then Employees covered by such agreements shall be excluded from both the total number of active Employees as well as from the identification of particular Employees in the Top Paid Group.

                (c)         All Affiliated Companies shall be taken into account as a single employer, and leased employees, within the meaning of Code Sections 414(n)(2) and 414(o)(2), shall be considered Employees unless such leased employees are covered by a plan described in Code Section 414(n)(5) and are not covered in any qualified plan maintained by the Company. For the purpose of determining the number of active Employees in any year, the following Employees shall be excluded:

                (i)         Employees with less than six (6) months of service;

               (ii)         Employees who normally work less than 17 1/2 hours per week;

              (iii)         Employees who normally work less than six (6) months during a year; and

              (iv)         Employees who have not yet attained age 21.

                "Total Disability" or "Totally Disabled" shall each refer to a physical or mental impairment that, in the Committee's opinion, (i) is expected to be either of indefinite duration or result in death, and (ii) renders a Participant unable to satisfactorily perform his or her duties for the Company or the duties of such other position or job that the Company makes available to such Participant and for which such Participant is qualified by reason of his or her training, education or experience. The Committee's opinion must be supported by the opinion of a qualified physician designated or approved by the Committee.

                "Transfer Date" shall mean the date determined by the Board of Directors, which is the effective date that a Transferred Employee becomes an Employee for purposes of the Plan.

                "Transferred Account" shall mean the account maintained by the Committee for each Transferred Employee who had assets transferred, other than by a rollover in accordance with Sections 3.10 and 4.3, to the Plan from a qualified plan in which the Transferred Employee had formerly participated. At the discretion of the Committee, this account may be divided into one or more subaccounts.

                "Transferred Contribution" shall mean the assets transferred from any other qualified plan to this Plan on behalf of a Transferred Employee.

                "Transferred Employee" shall mean a person who is designated as such by either the Board of Directors or the Committee and who, prior to his or her employment with an Employer, was employed by another employer whose stock or assets were acquired by the Employer in such a manner that the other employer's business is now conducted by the Employer.

                "Trust" shall mean the trust established in connection with the Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

                "Trust Valuation Date" shall mean each Anniversary Date and such other date or dates selected by the Committee.

                "Trustee" shall mean the person(s) or entity, or combination of them, serving from time to time as the trustee(s) of the Trust.

                "Welfare Benefit Fund" shall have the same meaning as is given that term in Code Section 419(e).

                "Year of Service" shall mean the amount obtained by dividing (i) the number of days in a Participant's Period of Service by (ii) 365, and (iii) rounding the result up to the next higher whole Year of Service if the result is a fraction. Subject to Section 5.4, in determining a Participant's Years of Service, all Periods of Service, whether or not successive, shall be aggregated. In addition, if a Participant ceases to be an Employee by reason of a quit, discharge or retirement and such Participant then performs an Hour of Service within 12 months of his or her Severance Date, then such Period of Severance shall be deemed to be a Period of Service, provided, however, that if a Participant ceases to be an Employee by reason of a quit, discharge, or retirement during an absence from service of 12 months or less for any reason other than a quit, discharge, retirement or death, and then performs an Hour of Service within 12 months of the date on which such Participant was first absent from service, such Period of Severance shall be deemed to be a Period of Service.

                Section 1.3 : Other Definitions. As used in this document and in the Trust, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth in the indicated Sections, unless a different meaning is specified or clearly indicated by the context:

 

Term

Section

   

"Actual Contribution Percentage"

3.12

"Actual Contribution Ratio"

3.12

"Actual Deferral Percentage"

3.11

"Actual Deferral Ratio"

3.11

"Additional Contribution"

3.11

"Aggregate Account"

7.2

"Aggregation Group"

7.2

"Annual Addition"

4.8

"Annuity Starting Date"

6.3

"Bonus Matching Contribution"

3.4

"Claimant"

10.1

"Company Stock Fund"

4.9

"Compensation Limit"

1.2

"Deemed Elective Contribution"

3.11

"Defined Benefit Plan Fraction"

4.8

"Defined Contribution Plan Fraction"

4.8

"Determination Date"

7.2

"Direct Rollover"

6.7

"Discretionary Contribution"

3.1

"Elective Contribution"

3.2

"Eligible Retirement Plan"

6.7

"Eligible Rollover Distribution"

6.7

"Excess Aggregate Contributions"

3.12

"Excess Contributions"

3.11

"Excess Deferrals"

3.11

"Fund"

4.9

"Key Employee"

7.2

"Matching Contribution"

3.3

"Non-Key Employee"

7.2

"1.0 Rule"

4.8

"Preretirement Election Period"

6.3

"Present Value of Accrued Benefit"

7.2

"Qualified Election"

6.3

"Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity"

6.3

"Qualified Life Annuity"

6.3

"Qualified Military Service"

11.13

"Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity"

6.3

"Relevant Time"

5.3

"Retirement Election Period"

6.3

"Successor Plan"

3.6

"Top-heavy Group"

7.2

"Top-heavy Plan"

7.2

"USERRA"

11.13

"Valuation Date"

7.2

 

                Section 1.4: Funding Policy. The Plan is to be funded primarily through the Company's contributions and the Participants' contributions as provided for in the Plan. The Trust's assets shall be invested as provided for in the trust document in an effort to safely maximize potential retirement benefits, which shall be paid to Participants and Beneficiaries as provided for in the Plan.

 

 

ARTICLE II.

PARTICIPATION

                Section 2.1: Eligibility Requirements. Each Employee shall become eligible to 0participate in the Plan on the Entry Date coincident with or next following the date on which such Employee satisfies the following eligibility requirements, provided that he or she is still an Employee on such Entry Date:

                (a)         Service Requirement. Such Employee shall be eligible on the first Entry Date that is at least 30 days from such Employee's Employment Commencement Date.

                (b)         Residency Or Citizenship Requirement. Such Employee is a resident or citizen of the United States of America.

                (c)         Union Employees. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Participant who is included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement wherein retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining (within the meaning of Code Section 410(b)(3)(A)) shall for the Plan Year(s) of such inclusion, cease to (i) be eligible to make Elective Contributions and (ii) share in any future Company contributions to the Plan and Forfeitures, unless such collective bargaining agreement expressly provides for participation in the Plan; provided, however, that as to any benefits already earned, such Participant shall remain a Participant, subject to all the terms of the Plan.

                (d)         Transferred Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, those persons who are Transferred Employees on their respective Transfer Date(s) shall become eligible to participate in the Plan on such Transfer Date(s).

                Section 2.2: Enrollment Package For Participation And Beneficiary Designation.

                (a)         Each Employee who becomes eligible to participate in the Plan shall be given a disclosure package. A beneficiary designation form will be sent to a Participant in connection with or following his or her enrollment in the Plan. A Participant may, from time to time, change his or her designated Beneficiary by filing a new written designation with the Committee. The Company, the Trustee, and the Committee may rely upon the designation of a Beneficiary that was last filed in accordance with the Plan.

                (b)         Despite the provisions of subsection (a) above, a married Participant's Beneficiary shall in all events be such Participant's surviving spouse, unless such spouse consents to such Participant's designation of a Beneficiary other than such spouse. A spouse's consent to such a designation must satisfy the following requirements: (i) it must be in writing; (ii) it must acknowledge the effect of the Participant's designation of a Beneficiary other than the spouse; and (iii) it must be witnessed by a designated Plan representative or a notary public.

                Section 2.3: Participation. The participation of a Participant in the Plan shall begin as of his or her Entry Date, and shall continue until the Participant's entire benefit has been distributed in accordance with the Plan's terms. A Participant (or his or her Beneficiary) may not receive any distribution of benefits except as provided for in the Plan.

                Section 2.4: Break In Service Rules For Eligibility Purposes.

                (a)         Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all Years of Service of an Employee shall be counted in determining such Employee's eligibility to participate in the Plan.

                (b)         In the case of any Employee who has incurred a Break in Service, such Employee's Years of Service that were completed before such Break in Service shall not be counted until he or she has completed a Year of Service after such Break in Service.

                (c)         This subsection shall apply to any Participant who does not have any nonforfeitable right to any accrued benefit that is attributable to the Company's contributions. Such a Participant's Years of Service before any period of consecutive Breaks in Service shall not be counted if the number of such consecutive Breaks in Service within such period equals or exceeds the greater of (i) 5 or (ii) the aggregate number of such Participant's Years of Service before such period. Such aggregate number of Years of Service shall not include any Year of Service that is disregarded under the preceding sentence by reason of such Participant's prior Breaks in Service.

                Section 2.5: Special Provisions for Employees of Bergen Brunswig Medical Corporation and Certain Related Entities.

                (a)         Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, each Consolidated Corporation Employee (as defined in paragraph (b) below) shall, during the Participation Continuation Period (as defined in paragraph (b) below), be permitted to participate in the Plan as though such Consolidated Corporation Employee's employment with a Consolidated Corporation (as defined in paragraph (b) below) during the Participation Continuation Period was employment with the Company. No contributions shall be made by or on behalf of any Consolidated Corporation Employee with respect to Compensation for services rendered after the expiration of the Participation Continuation Period, nor shall any service of a Consolidated Corporation Employee be taken into account for any purpose of the Plan (other than for purposes of Section 2.4 and 5.4) following the expiration of the Participation Continuation Period.

                (b)         For purposes of the foregoing paragraph, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned thereto:

                                (i)         "Consolidated Corporation Employee" means each Employee who was employed by a Consolidated Corporation both immediately before and immediately after August 16, 2000.

                                  (ii)         "Consolidated Corporation" means Bergen Brunswig Medical Corporation, Ransdell Surgical, Inc. and Pacific Criticare, Inc.

                                (iii)         "Participation Continuation Period" means the period commencing on August 16, 2000 and ending upon the earliest to occur of (x) December 31, 2000, or (y) a date determined by written resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

 

ARTICLE III.

CONTRIBUTIONS

 

                Section 3.1: Company's Discretionary Contributions. The Company has previously made substantial contributions to the Trust. Subject to the Plan's other provisions, for each Plan Year in which the Plan is in effect, the Company shall contribute to the Trust, out of its current or accumulated Net Profits, such amount, if any, as shall be determined by the Company (the "Discretionary Contribution"), and it shall be credited to the Participants' Retirement Accounts or Retirement Stock Accounts as the case may be as described in Article IV. Despite the foregoing, the Company's Discretionary Contributions are conditioned upon their deductibility under the Code.

                Section 3.2: Elective Contributions Under Code Section 401(k).

                (a)         Subject to the limitations contained elsewhere in the Plan, if as of January 1, 1997, an Employee: (i) had elected to forego the receipt of less than 2% of his or her Compensation; or (ii) was eligible to participate in the Plan but had not elected to participate, then effective as of January 1, 1997, such Employee shall be deemed to have elected to forego the receipt of 2% of his or her Compensation. If an Employee first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan on or after January 1, 1997, then such Employee shall be deemed to have elected to forego the receipt of 2% of his or her Compensation beginning on his or her Entry Date. However, the Participant may elect from time to time, by completing the appropriate forms provided by the Committee, to forgo the receipt of a percentage (stated in whole numbers only) of his or her Compensation other than 2% (including 0%); provided that this percentage may not exceed the maximum amount established by the Committee from time to time (subject to the maximum percentage of the Participant's Compensation that may be deferred pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.11 and 4.8 below).

                The Company shall contribute to the Trust on behalf of each such electing Participant, out of its current or accumulated Net Profits, an amount equal to the Compensation forgone by such Participant (the "Elective Contribution"), and it shall be credited to such Participant's PIRA Account. Such Elective Contribution shall be considered to be a Company contribution.

                (b)         Despite the foregoing, no Participant shall have any Elective Contributions under the Plan during any calendar year in excess of $7,000, as adjusted by the Adjustment Factor. A Participant's election to forgo receipt of a portion of his or her Compensation shall be subject to such modification or cancellation as the Committee, in its discretion, shall permit; provided, however, that the Committee shall exercise its discretion in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner.

                (c)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) above, Compensation shall not include Compensation that is (i) earned prior to the time that a Participant becomes a Participant in the Plan, or (ii) during any period for which the Participant is not making Elective contributions, or (iii) a management bonus.

                Section 3.3: Company's Matching Contribution.

                (a)         Subject to the Plan's other provisions, for each Plan Year beginning prior to September 30, 1998, each month the Company shall make a matching contribution (the "Matching Contribution") on behalf of each Participant on whose behalf an Elective Contribution is made, and it shall be credited to each such Participant's Matching Contribution Account as described in Article IV. The Company's Matching Contribution for each such Participant for a Plan Year shall be an amount equal to 50% of that portion of the Participant's Elective Contributions for such Plan Year that does not exceed 6% of the Participant's Compensation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.3, the Company shall make an additional Matching Contribution on behalf of each Participant whose Elective Contributions have been suspended pursuant to Section 3.2(b), equal to the difference between (i) an amount equal to 50% of that portion of the Participant's Elective Contributions for such Plan Year that does not exceed 6% of the Participant's Compensation and that would have been made without regard to Section 3.2(b) and (ii) the amount of the Matching Contribution actually contributed pursuant to the preceding sentence.

                (b)         For each Plan Year beginning on or after September 30, 1998, each month the Company shall make a Matching Contribution on behalf of each Participant on whose behalf an Elective Contribution is made, and it shall be credited to each such Participant's Non-Elective Contribution Account as described in Article IV. The Company's Matching Contribution for each such Participant for a Plan Year shall be an amount equal to:

                (i)         100% of the Participant's Elective Contributions for the Plan Year, up to 3% of the Participant's Compensation; plus

               (ii)         50% of the Participant's Elective Contributions for the Plan Year that exceed 3% of his or her Compensation but do not exceed 5% of the Participant's Compensation.

Except as provided for below, the Matching Contributions provided for in this subsection shall be treated for all purposes under Articles IV, V, and VI as Elective Contributions. However, the Matching Contributions provided for in this subsection shall not be treated as Elective Contributions for purposes of hardship withdrawals under Section 6.9.

                (c)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) above, Compensation shall not include Compensation that is (i) earned prior to the time that a Participant becomes a Participant in the Plan, (ii) during any period for which the Participant is not making Elective Contributions, or (iii) a management bonus.

                Section 3.4: Company's Bonus Matching Contribution.

                (a)         Subject to the Plan's other provisions, the Company may make a bonus matching contribution (the "Bonus Matching Contribution") on behalf of each Participant on whose behalf an Elective Contribution is made and who is an Employee on the Anniversary Date of such Plan Year, and it shall be credited to each such Participant's Matching Contribution Account as described in Article IV. Despite any other provision of this document, for purposes of the Bonus Matching Contribution, only a Participant's Compensation and Elective Contributions for such Plan Year shall be considered. The Company's Bonus Matching Contribution, if any, for each such Participant shall be an amount determined by the Company from time to time, subject to Section 3.12.

                (b)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, for purposes of subsection (a) above, Compensation shall not include Compensation that is (i) earned prior to the time that a Participant becomes a Participant in the Plan, (ii) during any period for which the Participant is not making Elective Contributions, or (iii) a management bonus.

                Section 3.5: Participants' Contributions.

                 (a)         A Participant may not make a nondeductible, voluntary contribution to the Plan.

                (b)         An Employee may make a Rollover Contribution to the Plan or a Direct Rollover described in Code Section 401(a)(31), provided that any asset so contributed or transferred is acceptable to the Committee and the Trustee.

                Section 3.6: Minimum Company Contributions.

                For each Plan Year, the Company shall make contributions to the Plan or a Successor Plan in the form of employer contributions (within the meaning of Code Section 404), in cash, at least equal to a specified dollar amount, on behalf of individuals who are both Participants and Employees on the first day of the Plan Year. A "Successor Plan" is any qualified retirement plan to which the assets of the Plan are transferred as a result of a merger, acquisition, or other corporate transaction. The amount shall be determined by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, by appropriate resolution, on or before the last day of the Company's taxable year that ends within such Plan Year. The Minimum Company Contribution for a Plan Year shall be paid by the Company in one or more installments without interest. The Company shall pay the Minimum Company Contribution at any time during the Plan Year, and for purposes of deducting such contribution, shall make the contribution, not later than the due date, including extensions thereof, of the Company's Federal income tax return for the taxable year of the Company which ends within such Plan Year. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Minimum Company Contribution made to the Plan by the Company (i) shall not revert to, or be returned to, the Company and (ii) can be made to the Plan whether or not the Company has current or accumulated Net Profits.

                Section 3.7: Payment Of Discretionary Contributions, Matching Contributions, And Bonus Matching Contributions To Trustee. All payments of the Discretionary Contributions, Matching Contributions, and Bonus Matching Contributions shall be made directly to the Trustee and may be made on any date(s) selected by the Company. Despite the foregoing, the Company's total Discretionary Contributions, Matching Contributions, and Bonus Matching Contributions for each Plan Year must be paid on or before the date on which the Company's federal income tax return is due, including any extensions of time obtained for the filing of such return.

                Section 3.8: Payment Of Discretionary Contributions And Bonus Matching Contributions In Company Stock. All or any portion of the Company's Discretionary Contributions or Bonus Matching Contributions may be made in shares of Company Stock.

                (a)         Any portion of the Company's Discretionary Contributions that is made in Company Stock shall be credited to the Participants' Retirement Stock Accounts as described in Article IV. Despite any other provision of the Plan (including Section 4.9 below), but subject to Section 4.9(d) below, a Participant may not designate the investment of the Participant's Retirement Stock Account in any investment other than the Company Stock Fund.

                (b)         Any portion of the Company's Bonus Matching Contributions that is made in Company Stock shall be credited to the Participants' Matching Contribution Stock Accounts as described in Article IV. Despite any other provision of the Plan (including Section 4.9 below), but subject to Section 4.9(d) below, a Participant may not designate the investment of the Participant's Matching Contribution Stock Account in any investment other than the Company Stock Fund.

                Section 3.9: Payment Of Elective Contributions To The Trustee. All payments of Elective Contributions shall be made directly to the Trustee. Such payments shall be made as soon as is administratively practical following the date the foregone Compensation would have been paid to the electing Participant, but in no event later than the fifteenth business day of the month following the month in which the foregone Compensation would have been paid to the Participant.

                Section 3.10: Payment Of Rollover Contributions And Transferred Contributions To The Trustee.

                (a)         A Participant's Rollover Contributions shall be paid directly to the Trustee. The Trustee may commingle such contributions with the Company's contributions. However, the Committee shall keep separate records of each Participant's Rollover Contributions (and the income, gains and losses on them). The Trustee shall invest a Participant's Rollover Contributions in the same manner as provided for the investment of the Company's contributions.

                (b)         A Participant's Transferred Contributions shall be paid directly to the Trustee. The Trustee may commingle such contributions with the Company's contributions. However, the Committee shall keep separate records of each Participant's Transferred Contributions by the use of the Transferred Account (including the income, gains and losses on those contributions). The Trustee shall invest a Participant's Transferred Contributions in the same manner as provided for the investment of the Company's contributions.

                Section 3.11: Actual Deferral Percentage Test.

                (a)         It is the Company's intent that all Elective Contributions shall satisfy the requirements of Code Section 401(k).

                (i)         Accordingly, the amount of Elective Contributions made in any Plan Year on behalf of all Highly Compensated Employees shall not result in an Actual Deferral Percentage for such Highly Compensated Employees that exceeds the greater of:

                (A)         the Actual Deferral Percentage for all Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the preceding Plan Year, multiplied by 1.25; or

                (B)         the Actual Deferral Percentage for all Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the preceding Plan Year, multiplied by 2, provided that the Actual Deferral Percentage for all Highly Compensated Employees does not exceed the Actual Deferral Percentage for all Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the preceding Plan Year by more than 2 percentage points (or such lesser amount as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe to prevent the multiple use of this alternative limitation with respect to any Highly Compensated Employee).

               (ii)         For the purposes of this subsection (a), the amount of Elective Contributions shall relate to Compensation that either (A) would have been received by the Participant in the Plan Year but for the Participant's election to defer receipt of his or her Compensation pursuant to the terms of the Plan; or (B) is attributable to services performed by the Participant in the Plan Year and, but for the Participant's election to defer, would have been received by the Participant within 2 and 1/2 months after the close of the Plan Year.

                (iii)         In order to prevent the multiple use of the alternative method described in subsection (i)(B) above and in Code Section 401(m)(9)(A), any Highly Compensated Employee eligible to (A) make elective deferrals pursuant to this Section, or (B) receive matching contributions under this Plan or under any other plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company, shall have his actual contribution ratio reduced pursuant to Regulation Section 1.401(m)-2.

                (iv)         For the purposes of subsection (i) above, the Committee may elect to use the current Plan Year rather than the preceding Plan Year. If the Committee makes this election, then such election may not be changed except as allowed for by the Secretary of the Treasury.

                (v)         Effective for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 1998, if the Committee elects to apply Code Section 410(b)(4)(B) to determine whether the cash or deferred arrangement provided for in the Plan satisfies the coverage requirements provided for in Code Section 410(b)(1), then for purposes of subsection (i) above, the Committee may exclude all eligible Employees (other than Highly Compensated Employees) who have not met the minimum age and service requirements of Code Section 410(a)(1)(A).

                (b)         Adjustment To Actual Deferral Percentage Tests. If the Committee determines at any time that the limitation on Elective Contributions set forth in subsection (a) above will be exceeded for any Plan Year:

                (i)         the Company may, at its sole option (but still subject to the limitations contained elsewhere in the Plan), either (A) designate that all or any portion of its Discretionary Contribution for such Plan Year (if, and to the extent, it has been made prior to such date and has not been previously allocated pursuant to Section 4.5) shall be treated as an Elective Contribution (the "Deemed Elective Contribution") or (B) make an additional contribution (the "Additional Contribution") on behalf of all Participants other than Highly Compensated Employees, or on behalf of all Participants, in the amount necessary so that the limitation set forth in subsection (a) will not be exceeded. Any Deemed Elective Contribution or Additional Contribution shall be (A) prorated among the Participants on whose behalf it was made, on the basis of each such Participant's Compensation for such Plan Year, and (B) credited to each such Participant's Non-Elective Contribution Account; or

                (ii)         the Committee shall reduce the amount of the Elective Contributions made by the Highly Compensated Employees in the amount necessary so that the limitation set forth in subsection (a) above will not be exceeded. The amount by which each Highly Compensated Employee's Elective Contributions is reduced (the "Excess Contributions") shall be returned to the Company to be paid to such Highly Compensated Employee pursuant to subsection (h) below. For purposes of the foregoing, the amount of Excess Contributions for a Highly Compensated Employee for a Plan Year is to be determined by the following leveling method, under which the Elective Contributions made by the Highly Compensated Employee who made the highest Elective Contributions for the Plan Year is reduced to the extent required to:

                (A)         ;Enable the arrangement to satisfy the Actual Deferral Percentage test described in subsection (a) above, or

                (B)         Cause such Highly Compensated Employee's Elective Contributions to equal the Elective Contributions of the Highly Compensated Employee with the next highest Elective Contributions.

This process must be repeated until the Plan satisfies the Actual Deferral Percentage test in subsection (a) above. For each Highly Compensated Employee, the amount of Excess Contributions is equal to the total Elective Contributions, Deemed Elective Contributions, and Additional Contributions made on behalf of the Employee (determined prior to the application of this subsection (b)(ii)), minus the amount determined by multiplying the Highly Compensated Employee's Actual Deferral Ratio (determined after application of this subsection (b)(ii)) by the Employee's Compensation. However, the amount of Excess Contributions to be distributed pursuant to subsection (h) below for a Plan Year with respect to any Highly Compensated Employee shall not exceed the amount of Elective Contributions made on behalf of such Highly Compensated Employee for such Plan Year.

                (c)         For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

                (i)         "Actual Deferral Percentage" shall mean, with respect to the groups consisting of (A) all Highly Compensated Employees and (B) all Non-Highly Compensated Employees, the average of the Actual Deferral Ratios for each such group, calculated separately for each Participant in each such group.

                (ii)         "Actual Deferral Ratio" shall mean the ratio that:

                (A)         the amount of the Elective Contributions, Deemed Elective Contributions, and Additional Contributions made on behalf of each Participant for a Plan Year, bears to

                (B)         such Participant's Compensation for such Plan Year.

                (d)         For the purposes of this Section, the Actual Deferral Percentage for any Highly Compensated Employee who is eligible to have Elective Contributions, Deemed Elective Contributions, or Additional Contributions allocated to his or her account(s) under two or more plans or arrangements described in Code Section 401(k) that are maintained by the Company or any Affiliated Company shall be determined as if all such Elective Contributions, Deemed Elective Contributions, and Additional Contributions were made under a single arrangement.

                (e)         The determination and treatment of the Elective Contributions, Deemed Elective Contributions, Additional Contributions, and Actual Deferral Percentage of any Participant shall satisfy such other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

                (f)         The determination of who is a Highly Compensated Employee, including the determination of the Compensation that is considered will be made in accordance with Code Section 414(q).

                (g)         Distribution Of Excess Deferrals.

                (i)         If any Participant has any Excess Deferrals for any calendar year, and if he or she makes a claim pursuant to subsection (ii) below, then the Excess Deferrals allocable to the Plan pursuant to such claim shall be returned to the Company to be distributed to such Participant. Such distribution shall be made no later than the April 15th following the calendar year to which such Excess Deferrals relate.

                (ii)         A Participant's claim for Excess Deferrals shall be in writing, signed by such Participant, and submitted to the Committee no later than the March 1 following the calendar year to which such Excess Deferrals relate. Such claim shall also specify the amount of such Participant's Excess Deferrals for such calendar year allocable to the Plan and shall be accompanied by such Participant's statement that, if such Excess Deferrals are not distributed, such Excess Deferrals, when added to all amounts deferred by such Participant under all plans or arrangements described in Code Sections 401(k), 408(k), or 403(b), exceed the limit imposed on such Participant by Code Section 402(g) for the year to which the Excess Deferrals relate.

                (iii)         For the purposes of this Section, a Participant's "Excess Deferrals" shall mean the amount of such Participant's Elective Contributions for a calendar year that are allocated to the Plan pursuant to subsection (i) above.

                (iv)         The Excess Deferrals shall be adjusted for income, gain or loss for the Plan Year pursuant to any reasonable method adopted by the Committee, provided that the method does not violate Code Section 401(a)(4), is used consistently for all Participants and for all Excess Deferrals under the Plan for the Plan Year, and is used by the Plan for allocating income to Participants' Accounts.

                (v)         The Committee may elect to further adjust the Excess Deferrals for income, gain or loss for the gap period between (A) the last day of the Plan Year and (B) the date of distribution of the Excess Deferrals, provided that such adjustments are made pursuant to any reasonable method adopted by the Committee that does not violate Code Section 401(a)(4) and is used consistently for all Participants and for all Excess Deferrals under the Plan for the Plan Year.

                (h)         Distribution Of Excess Contributions.

                (i)         Despite any other provision of the Plan, any Excess Contributions that are to be distributed pursuant to Section 3.11(b), and the income, gain or loss allocable thereto, shall be distributed no later than the last day of the Plan Year following the Plan Year to which such Excess Contributions relate.

                (ii)         The Excess Contributions shall be adjusted for income, gain or loss for the Plan Year pursuant to any reasonable method adopted by the Committee, provided that the method does not violate Code Section 401(a)(4), is used consistently for all Participants and for all Excess Contributions under the Plan for the Plan Year, and is used by the Plan for allocating income to Participants' Accounts.

                (iii)         The Committee may elect to further adjust the Excess Contributions for income, gain or loss, for the gap period between (A) the last day of the Plan Year and (B) the date of distribution of the Excess Contributions, provided that such adjustments are made pursuant to any reasonable method adopted by the Committee that does not violate Code Section 401(a)(4) and is used consistently for all Participants and for all Excess Contributions under the Plan for the Plan Year.

                (iv)         The Excess Contributions that would otherwise be distributed to a Participant shall be reduced, in accordance with the Regulations, by the amount of Excess Deferrals distributed to such Participant.

                (i)         Alternative Method of Satisfying the ADP Test. Despite any other provision of the Plan, effective for the Plan Years beginning after December 31, 1998, the Elective Contributions for any Plan Year shall be deemed to satisfy subsection (a)(i ) above if:

                (i)         Matching Contribution. The Company makes a Matching Contribution and Bonus Matching Contribution on behalf of each Participant who is a Non-Highly Compensated Employee. The Company's Matching Contribution and Bonus Matching Contribution for each such Participant shall be an amount equal to:

                (A)         100% of the Participant's Elective Contributions for the Plan Year, up to 3% of the Participant's Compensation; plus

                (B)         50% of the Participant's Elective Contributions for the Plan Year that exceed 3% of his or her Compensation but do not exceed 5% of the Participant's Compensation.

Despite the foregoing, the Committee may choose any other Matching Contribution rate, if such alternative rate satisfies the following requirements:

                (C)         The rate does not increase as a Participant's Elective Contributions increase; and

                (D)         The total amount of the Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions using this alternative rate must equal or exceed the total amount of Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions using the rate provided for in the second sentence of subsection (i)(i) above.

For all purposes under this subsection (i)(i), the combined Matching Contribution and Bonus Matching Contribution rate for any Participant who is a Highly Compensated Employee shall not be greater than the combined Matching Contribution and Bonus Matching Contribution rate for any Participant who is a Non-Highly Compensated Employee.

                (ii)         Discretionary Contribution. Alternatively, the Company may make a Discretionary Contribution on behalf of each Participant who is a Non-Highly Compensated Employee. The Company's Discretionary Contribution for each such Participant shall be an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the Participant's Compensation.

                (iii)         In addition to satisfying either subsection (i) or (ii) above, the following requirements shall also apply for the Plan Year:

                (A)         Within a reasonable period before each Plan Year, the Committee must give each Participant a written notice of the Participant's rights and obligations under the Plan. The written notice must be sufficiently accurate and comprehensive to apprise the Participant of his or her rights and obligations and written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average Participant; and

                (B)         Except as provided for below, the Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions or Discretionary Contributions provided for in subsections (i) and (ii) shall be treated for all purposes under Articles IV, V, and VI as Elective Contributions. However, such contributions shall not be treated as Elective Contributions for purposes of hardship withdrawals under Section 6.9.

                Section 3.12: Actual Contribution Percentage Test.

                (a)         It is the Company's intent that all Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions shall satisfy the requirements of Code Section 401(m).

                (i)         Accordingly, the "Actual Contribution Percentage" for Participants who are all Highly Compensated Employees shall not exceed the greater of:

                (A)         the Actual Contribution Percentage for all Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the preceding Plan Year, multiplied by 1.25; or

                (B)         the Actual Contribution Percentage for all Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the preceding Plan Year, multiplied by 2, provided that the Actual Contribution Percentage for all Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees does not exceed the Actual Contribution Percentage for all Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the preceding Plan Year, by more than 2 percentage points (or such lesser amount as required in Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(m)-2 to prevent the multiple use of this alternative limitation with respect to any Highly Compensated Employee).

                (ii)         For the purposes of subsection (i) above, the Committee may elect to use the current Plan Year rather than the preceding Plan Year. If the Committee makes this election, then such election may not be changed except as allowed for by the Secretary of the Treasury.

                (iii)         Effective for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 1998, if the Committee elects to apply Code Section 410(b)(4)(B) to determine whether the Plan satisfies the coverage requirements provided for in Code Section 410(b)(1), then for purposes of subsection (i) above, the Committee may exclude all eligible Employees (other than Highly Compensated Employees) who have not met the minimum age and service requirements of Code Section 410(a)(1)(A).

                (b)         Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

                (i)         "Actual Contribution Percentage" shall mean, with respect to the groups consisting of (A) all Highly Compensated Employees and (B) all Non-Highly Compensated Employees, the average of the Actual Contribution Ratios for each such group, calculated separately for each Participant in each such group.

                (ii)         "Actual Contribution Ratio" for a Plan Year shall mean the ratio that:

                (A)         the amount of the Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions made on behalf of each Participant for a Plan Year, bears to

                (B)         such Participant's Compensation for such Plan Year.

The Actual Contribution Ratio must be rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of 1%.

                (iii)         "Excess Aggregate Contributions" shall mean, for each Highly Compensated Employee, the total Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions made on behalf of such Highly Compensated Employee for such Plan Year, minus the amount determined by multiplying the Employee's Actual Contribution Ratio by the Employee's Compensation for such Plan Year.

                (c)         Elective Deferrals And Matching Contributions. For purposes of determining the Actual Contribution Percentage and the amount of Excess Aggregate Contributions pursuant to this Section, only Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions contributed to the Plan prior to the end of the succeeding Plan Year shall be considered. In addition, the Committee may elect to take into account, with respect to Employees eligible to have Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions pursuant to this Section allocated to their accounts, elective deferrals (as defined in Regulation 1.402(g)-1(b)) and qualified nonelective contributions (as defined in Code Section 401(m)(4)(c)) contributed to any plan maintained by the Company. Such elective deferrals and qualified non-elective contributions shall be treated as Matching Contributions subject to Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(m)-1(b)(2). However, the Plan Year must be the same as the plan year of the plan to which the elective deferrals and the qualified nonelective contributions are made.

                (d)         Plan Aggregation. For purposes of this Section and Code Sections 401(a)(4), 410(b) and 401(m), if two or more plans, which are maintained by the Company or any Affiliated Company, to which matching contributions, Employee contributions, or both, are made, are treated as one plan for purposes of Code Sections 401(a)(4) or 410(b) (other than the average benefits tests under Code Section 410(b)(2)(A)(ii)), such plans shall be treated as one plan.

                (i)         In addition, two or more plans of the Company to which matching contributions, Employee contributions, or both, are made may be considered as a single plan for purposes of determining whether or not such plans satisfy Code Sections 401(a)(4), 410(b) and 401(m). In such a case, the aggregated plans must satisfy this Section and Code Sections 401(a)(4), 410(b) and 401(m) as though such aggregated plans were a single plan. However, plans may be aggregated under this subsection only if they have the same plan year.

                (ii)         Despite the foregoing, an employee stock ownership plan described in Code Section 4975(e)(7) may not be aggregated with this Plan for purposes of determining whether the employee stock ownership plan or this Plan satisfies this Section and Code Sections 401(a)(4), 410(b) and 401(m).

                (e)         Plan Aggregation. If a Highly Compensated Employee is a Participant under two or more plans (other than an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) which are maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company to which matching contributions, Employee contributions, or both, are made, all such contributions on behalf of such Highly Compensated Employee shall be aggregated for purposes of determining such Highly Compensated Employee's Actual Contribution Ratio. However, if the plans have different plan years, this subsection shall be applied by treating all plans ending with or within the same calendar year as a single plan.

                (f)         Distribution of Excess Aggregate Contributions.

                (i)         If the Committee determines at any time that the limitation on Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions set forth in subsection (a) above will be exceeded for any Plan Year, the Committee (on or before the fifteenth day of the third month following the end of the Plan Year) shall direct the Trustee to:

                (A)         distribute to the Highly Compensated Employee who received the most Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions during the Plan Year, his or her vested portion of Excess Aggregate Contributions (and income allocable to such contributions) or,

                (B)         if forfeitable, forfeit such non-vested Excess Aggregate Contributions attributable to Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions (and income allocable to such Forfeitures)

until either one of the tests set forth in this Section is satisfied, or until the amount of Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions that such Highly Compensated Employee received equals the Matching Contributions and Bonus Contributions received by the Highly Compensated Employee who received the second highest Matching Contributions and Bonus Matching Contributions. This process shall continue until one of the tests set forth in this Section is satisfied.

                (ii)         The Excess Aggregate Contribution shall be adjusted for income, gain or loss for the Plan Year pursuant to any reasonable method adopted by the Committee, provided that the method does not violate Code Section 401(a)(4), is used consistently for all Participants and for all Excess Aggregate Contributions under the Plan for the Plan Year, and is used by the Plan for allocating income to Participants' Accounts.

                (iii)         The Committee may elect to further adjust the Excess Aggregate Contributions for income, gain or loss for the gap period between (A) the last day of the Plan Year and (B) the date of distribution of the Excess Aggregate Contributions, provided that such adjustments are made pursuant to any reasonable method adopted by the Committee that does not violate Code Section 401(a)(4) and is used consistently for all Participants and for all Excess Aggregate Contributions under the Plan for the Plan Year.

                (iv)         Any distribution (and/or Forfeiture) of less than the entire amount of Excess Aggregate Contributions (and income) shall be treated as a pro rata distribution (and/or Forfeiture) of Excess Aggregate Contributions and income. Distribution of Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be designated by the Company as a distribution of Excess Aggregate Contributions (and income). Forfeitures of Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be treated in accordance with Section 4.4. However, no such Forfeiture may be allocated to a Highly Compensated Employee whose contributions are reduced pursuant to this Section.

                (v)         Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be treated as Company contributions for purposes of Code Sections 404 and 415 even if distributed from the Plan.

                (vi)         The determination of the amount of Excess Aggregate Contributions with respect to any Plan Year shall be made after first determining the Excess Contributions, if any, to be recharacterized as a Deemed Elective Contribution for the plan year of any other qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as defined in Code Section 401(k)) maintained by the Company that ends with or within the Plan Year.

                (vii)         Despite the above, within twelve (12) months after the end of the Plan Year, the Company may make a special qualified Non-Elective Contribution on behalf of Non-Highly Compensated Employees in an amount sufficient to satisfy one of the tests set forth in this Section. Such contribution shall be allocated to the PIRA Account of each Participant who is Non-Highly Compensated Employee in the same proportion that each such Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all such Participants for such Plan Year. A separate accounting shall be maintained for the purpose of excluding such contributions for the "Actual Deferral Percentage" test set forth in Section 3.11.

                (g)         Despite any other provision of the Plan, for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 1998, the Matching Contributions for any Plan Year shall be deemed to satisfy subsection (a)(i) if:

                (i)         The Company makes the contribution provided for in Section 3.11(i)(i) or (ii);

                (ii)         The Committee gives each Participant the written notice provided for in Section 3.11(i)(iii);

                (iii)         The Matching Contribution does not exceed six percent (6%) of any Participant's Compensation;

                (iv)         The rate of the Matching Contribution does not increase as the rate of the Elective Contribution increases; and

                (v)         The Matching Contribution rate for any Participant who is a Highly Compensated Employee is not greater than the Matching Contribution rate for any Participant who is a Non-Highly Compensated Employee.

                Section 3.13: No Requirement For Profits. Despite any other provision of the Plan, the Company may, but is not required to, make all contributions to the Plan for any Plan Year without regard to whether the Company has any Net Profits for the taxable year or years ending with or within such Plan Year. Despite the preceding sentence, the Plan shall continue to be designed to qualify as a profit sharing plan for the purposes of Code Sections 401(a), 402, 412, and 417.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

ALLOCATIONS TO PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS

 

                Section 4.1: Retirement Accounts And Matching Contribution Accounts.

                (a)         The Committee shall open and maintain in the name of each Participant for whom a Discretionary Contribution is made a Retirement Account for contributions in cash and a Retirement Stock Account for contributions in Company Stock. Each Account shall be credited or charged with the amounts allocable to it as set forth below.

                (b)         For each Plan Year beginning prior to September 30, 1998, the Committee shall open and maintain in the name of each Participant for whom a Matching Contribution or a Bonus Matching Contribution is made a Matching Contribution Account for contributions in cash and a Matching Contribution Stock Account for contributions in Company Stock. Each Account shall be credited or charged with the amounts allocable to it as set forth below. For each Plan Year beginning on or after September  30, 1998, a Participant's Matching Contribution shall be credited to his or her Non-Elective Contribution Account.

                Section 4.2: PIRA Accounts. The Committee shall open and maintain a PIRA Account in the name of each Participant for whom an Elective Contribution is made. This Account shall be credited with each such Elective Contribution (and such Participant's allocable share of any Deemed Elective Contribution or Additional Contribution) as it is received by the Trustee, and it shall be credited or charged with the amounts allocable to it as set forth below.

                Section 4.3: Rollover Contribution Accounts and Transferred Accounts.

                (a)         The Committee shall open and maintain a Rollover Contribution Account for each Participant who contributes a Rollover Contribution. This Account shall be credited with such Participant's Rollover Contributions, and it shall be credited or charged with the amounts allocable to it as set forth below.

                (b)         The Committee shall open and maintain a Transferred Account for each Participant who is a Transferred Employee. This Account shall be credited or charged with the amounts allocable to it as set forth below.

                Section 4.4: Allocation Of Forfeitures. Subject to the limitations contained elsewhere in the Plan, as of each Anniversary Date, any Forfeitures that are created pursuant to the other provisions of the Plan shall be allocated as follows: first, to pay the administrative expenses charged to the Plan (excepted as otherwise directed by the Committee); second, to fund the Matching Contributions or Bonus Matching Contributions, if any; and, third, to fund the Elective Contributions that the Company must make pursuant to Section 3.2 above. Despite the foregoing, any Forfeitures of Excess Aggregate Contributions pursuant to Section 3.12 above shall be allocated to the Matching Contribution Accounts of the Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees in the same proportion that each such Participant's Compensation for such Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all such Participants for such Plan Year.

                Section 4.5: Allocation Of Discretionary Contribution, Matching Contribution And Bonus Matching Contribution.

                (a)         Discretionary Contribution. Subject to the limitations contained elsewhere in the Plan, as of each Anniversary Date, the Company's Discretionary Contribution (if any) made on account of the Plan Year ending on such Anniversary Date shall be allocated to the Retirement Accounts, if made in cash, or the Retirement Stock Accounts, if made in Company stock, of those Participants on whose behalf it was made. This allocation shall be made after the allocations described in Section 4.4.

                (b)         Matching Contribution. Each month, and such other dates as directed by the Committee, the Company's Matching Contribution made on account of such month shall be allocated to the Matching Contribution Accounts of those Participants on whose behalf it was made. With respect to a Participant whose Elective Contributions are suspended under Section 3.2(b), the additional Matching Contribution described in the last sentence of Section 3.3(a) shall be allocated each month in which the Participant receives Compensation following the date of such suspension. This allocation shall be made after the allocations described in Section 4.4.

                (c)         Bonus Matching Contribution. As of each Anniversary Date and such other dates as directed by the Committee, the Company's Bonus Matching Contribution made on account of the Plan Year ending on such Anniversary Date shall be allocated to the Matching Contribution Accounts, if made in cash, or the Matching Contribution Stock Accounts, if made in Company Stock, of those Participants on whose behalf it was made. This allocation shall be made after the allocations described in Section 4.4.

                Section 4.6: Allocation of Minimum Company Contributions. The Minimum Company Contribution made for the Plan Year shall be allocated to the Plan by the Company to the Accounts of each individual who is both a Participant and an Employee on the first day of the Plan Year, as follows:

                (a)         First, the Minimum Company Contribution for the Plan Year shall be allocated during the Plan Year to the PIRA Account of each Participant as Elective Contributions pursuant to the provision of Section 3.2(a), and to the Matching Contribution Account of each Participant as Matching Contributions pursuant to the provision of Section 3.3.

                (b)         Second, the balance of the Minimum Company Contribution remaining after the Allocation in Section 4.6(a), shall be allocated to the Matching Contribution Account of each Participant who is a Non-Highly Compensated Employee and who is an Employee on the last day of the Plan Year, in the ratio that the sum of such Participant's Elective Contributions during the Plan Year bears to the sum of Elective Contributions of all such Participants, during the Plan Year.

                (c)         Third, notwithstanding Section 4.8, if the total contributions allocated to a Participant's accounts including the Minimum Company Contribution exceeds the Participant's maximum Annual Addition limit for any Limitation Year, then such excess shall be held in a suspense account. Such amounts shall be used to reduce Company contributions in the next, and succeeding, Limitation Years.

                (d)         Fourth, the balance of the Minimum Company Contribution remaining after the allocation under Sections 4.6(a), (b), and (c) shall be allocated as a non-elective contribution to each Participant who is a Non-Highly Compensated Employee, in the ratio that such Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the Compensation of all such Participants. This amount shall be credited to the Participant's Non-Elective Contribution Account. The Participant shall vest in his or her Non-Elective Contribution Account in accordance with Section 5.2. Such contributions shall be invested in the Trust in the same proportion that the Participant designates in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.9.

                (e)         Each installment of the Minimum Company Contribution shall be held in a contribution suspense account unless, or until, allocated on or before the end of the Plan Year in accordance with this Section 4.6. Such suspense account shall not participate in the allocation of investment gains, losses, income and deductions of the Trust as a whole, but shall be invested separately and all gains, losses, income and deductions attributable to such investment shall be applied to reduce Plan expenses, and thereafter, to reduce Company contributions.

                (f)         The Minimum Company Contribution allocated to the Matching Contribution Account of a Participant pursuant to Section 4.6(b) shall be treated in the same manner as Matching Contributions for all purposes of the Plan.

                (g)         Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions to the contrary, any allocation of Elective Contributions to a Participant's PIRA Account shall be made under either Section 4.2 or this Section 4.6, as applicable, but not both Sections and any allocation of Matching Contributions shall be made under either Section 4.5(b) or this Section 4.6 as applicable, but not both Sections.

                Section 4.7: Accounts In General. The credits made to a Participant's Accounts shall not vest in such Participant any right, title or interest in the Trust, except to the extent, at the time or times, and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. Neither the Company, the Trustee, nor the Committee, to any extent, warrant, guarantee or represent that the value of any Participant's Accounts at any time will equal or exceed the amount previously allocated or contributed to such Accounts.

                Section 4.8: Limitation On Annual Additions.

                (a)         The following limitations shall apply to the allocations to each Participant's Accounts in any Limitation Year:

                (i)         As used in the Plan, a Participant's "Annual Addition" shall mean the sum for any Limitation Year of:

                (A)         Such Participant's share of the Company's contributions; plus

                (B)         Such Participant's voluntary, nondeductible contributions to the Plan (excluding any Rollover Contribution); plus

                (C)         Such Participant's share of any Forfeiture; plus

             (D)        Such Participant's allocable share of the Company's contributions to any Individual Medical Benefit Account; and plus

               (E)         With respect to any Participant who is a Key Employee, any amount that is derived from the Company's contributions paid or accrued after December 31, 1985 in taxable years ending after such date, and that is attributable to post-retirement medical benefits allocated to such Participant's account under a Welfare Benefit Fund maintained by the Company.

Any excess amount applied under subsection (c) below in a Limitation Year to reduce the Company's contributions on behalf of any Participant shall be considered to be an Annual Addition for such Participant for such Limitation Year.

                (ii)         Subject to the adjustments set forth below, during any Limitation Year the maximum Annual Addition for any Participant shall in no event exceed the lesser of:

                (A)         $30,000, as adjusted by the Adjustment Factor; or

                (B)         25% of the Participant's Earnings for such Limitation Year.

                (iii)         The earnings limitation referred to in subsection (a)(ii)(B) above shall not apply to (A) any contribution for medical benefits (within the meaning of Code Section 419A(f)(2)) after separation from service that is otherwise treated as an Annual Addition, or (B) any amount otherwise treated as an Annual Addition under Code Section 415(l)(1).

                (b)         For Plan Years beginning before January 1, 2000, the following additional limitations shall apply to any Participant when such Participant, in addition to his or her participation in the Plan (and any Welfare Benefit Fund), is also a participant in a Defined Benefit Plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company:

                                (i)         The amount of (A) the Annual Additions to such Participant's account(s) or (B) such Participant's normal retirement benefit in any such plan(s) shall be reduced by each such plan's committee to the extent necessary to prevent the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction (defined below) and the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction (defined below) for any such year from exceeding 1.0 (the "1.0 Rule") (benefits under Welfare Benefit Funds shall be reduced first, then benefits under profit sharing plans, then benefits under other Defined Contribution Plans, and, finally, benefits under Defined Benefit Plans).

                                (ii)         For the purpose of applying the 1.0 Rule, the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction shall be applied in a manner consistent with the provisions of Code Section 415 and the Regulations under it.

                                (iii)         As used above, "Defined Benefit Plan Fraction" shall mean a fraction, the numerator of which is the Participant's projected annual benefit under the Defined Benefit Plan (determined as of the end of the Limitation Year for such plan), and the denominator of which is the lesser of:

                (A)         1.25 multiplied by the dollar limitation in effect for such Limitation Year (determined under Code Section 415(b)(1)(A)); or

                (B)         1.4 multiplied by 100% of such Participant's average Earnings for his or her highest 3 consecutive years, including such Limitation Year (determined under Code Section 415(b)(1)(B)).

                (iv)         As used above, "Defined Contribution Plan Fraction" shall mean a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the annual additions to the Participant's account(s) as of the end of the Limitation Year, and the denominator of which is the sum of the lesser of the following amounts determined for such Limitation Year and for each of such Participant's prior years of service with the Company:

                (A)         1.25 multiplied by the dollar limitation in effect for such Limitation Year (determined under Code Section 415(c)(1)(A), but without regard to Code Section 415(c)(6)); or

                (B)         1.4 multiplied by 25% of such Participant's Earnings for such Limitation Year (determined under Code Section 415(c)(1)(B), or Code Section 415(c)(7), if applicable).

                (c)         If, for any Limitation Year, it is necessary to limit the Annual Addition of any Participant pursuant to subsections (a) or (b) above, the following reallocations shall be made:

                (i)         First, the amount of such Participant's nondeductible, voluntary contributions for that Limitation Year that are included in his or her Annual Addition shall be refunded to him or her;

                (ii)         Second, the amount of such Participant's Elective Contribution for such Limitation Year that causes such Participant's Annual Addition to exceed the applicable limitation shall be returned to the Company to be paid to such Participant;

                (iii)         Third, the amount of the Company's contribution, inclusive of Forfeitures, that is allocable to such Participant and that causes such Participant's Annual Addition to exceed the applicable limitation shall, instead, be allocated to all other Participants who are not subject to this limitation, in proportion to their Compensation for such Limitation Year; and

                (iv)         Fourth, if the amount of the Company's contribution, inclusive of Forfeitures, is so great as to cause all Participants for such Limitation Year to be subject to the limitations of this Section, then the excess of the Company's contributions that cannot be allocated for such Limitation Year shall be held unallocated in a suspense account and applied against and reduce the Company's future contributions.

                (d)         If a suspense account is in existence at any time during a Limitation Year pursuant to subsection (c)(iii) above, it shall not participate in the Trust's income, gains and losses.

                (e)         The limitations of this Section with respect to any Participant who, at any time, has been a participant in any other Defined Contribution Plan (whether or not terminated) or in more than one Defined Benefit Plan (whether or not terminated) maintained by the Company or by an Affiliated Company shall apply as if all such Defined Contribution Plans or all such Defined Benefit Plans in which the Participant has been a participant were one plan.

                Section 4.9: Investment Of Accounts.

                (a)         Participants shall manage the investment of all or a portion of the Trust's assets attributable to their Accounts. Subject to uniform and nondiscriminatory rules adopted by the Committee, a Participant shall designate the percentage of any one or more of his or her Accounts that is to be invested in each of several authorized investments designated by the Committee from time to time, which investments shall include a "Company Stock Fund." For convenience, such designated investments are referred to in this Plan individually as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds." Despite the foregoing, the Trustee may invest and reinvest the principal and income of any Account in short term obligations or bank accounts, pending investment in designated Funds, and may retain such cash balances in each of the Accounts as the Committee directs to meet the current cash needs of the Plan. In the absence of proper election by a Participant under this Section, the Participant's Accounts shall be invested in such Fund as the Committee may designate from time to time for such purpose, and all distributions shall be charged first to the portion of the Participant's Accounts invested in that Fund and then to the balance of his or her Accounts.

                (b)         As of each Trust Valuation Date, each Participant's Account shall be credited (or charged) with the income, gains, and losses of the Funds in which such Account is invested, as such income, gains, and losses are realized. The Trustee shall value the assets of the Trust at their fair market value as of each such Trust Valuation Date. In addition, each Participant's Accounts shall be charged (as the Committee, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, shall direct) with brokerage commissions and other direct costs related to investing such Participant's Accounts pursuant to his or her directions.

                (c)         Stock dividends on account of Company Stock held in a Company Stock Fund shall be allocated to an Account to the extent the Account is invested in the Company Stock Fund. Cash dividends paid on account of Company Stock held in a Company Stock Fund shall be reinvested in Company Stock.

                (d)         Despite the foregoing, as set forth in Section 3.8 above, a Participant may not designate the investment of the Participant's Retirement Stock Account or Matching Contribution Stock Account in any investment other than the Company Stock Fund, unless the Committee, in its discretion and based on uniform and nondiscriminatory rules, provides otherwise.

                (e)         Despite the foregoing, but subject to Section 3.8, the Committee may prohibit any "Section 16(b) Insider," as defined below, from investing any portion of his or her Accounts in the Company Stock Fund. For purposes of the foregoing, a "Section 16(b) Insider" shall mean any person (i) who is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of stock of the Company that is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (ii) who is an officer of the Company or a director of the Company (whether by title or on the board of directors) or (iii) who, for the six month period following his or her termination of employment from the Company, was a person described in (i) or (ii) immediately prior to his or her termination of employment with the Company.

                Section 4.10: Voting Of Company Stock. If the Trustee holds any Company Stock with voting rights, the Trustee shall vote such Company Stock as provided in the Trust.

 

 

ARTICLE V

VESTING

 

                Section 5.1: Vesting In Matching Contribution Account And Matching Contribution Stock Account.

                (a)         Each Participant shall have a nonforfeitable right or vested interest in his or her Matching Contribution Account and Matching Contribution Stock Account, according to the following table:

Years of Service

Vested Percentage

   

Less than 2

0%

2

20%

3

40%

4

60%

5

80%

6 or more

100%

 

                (b)         Despite the provisions of subsection (a), a Participant shall become 100% vested in his or her Matching Contribution Account and Matching Contribution Stock Account upon (i) such Participant's attainment of his or her Normal Retirement Age, (ii) such Participant's death, or (iii) such Participant's Total Disability; provided that such Participant is an Employee upon the happening of the applicable event.

                Section 5.2: Vesting In Other Accounts. Each Participant shall at all times be 100% vested in his or her Retirement Account, Retirement Stock Account, PIRA Account, Rollover Contribution Account and Non-Elective Contribution Account, if such Accounts have been established for such Participant. With respect to the Transferred Account, a Participant shall vested in the assets of that account in accordance with the vesting rules that apply to those assets at the time of their initial transfer to that account.

                Section 5.3: Forfeitures.

                (a)         If a Participant (i) ceases to be an Employee in any Plan Year for any reason other than his or her death, Total Disability or retirement on or after his or her Normal Retirement Age, and (ii) as of the coinciding or immediately preceding Anniversary Date, such Participant was not 100% vested in his or her Matching Contribution Account, then this Section shall apply.

                (b)         The nonvested portion of such a Participant's Matching Contribution Account shall be retained therein until he or she incurs 5 consecutive Breaks in Service or again becomes an Employee, whichever occurs first.

                (i)         If 5 consecutive Breaks in Service occur first, then (A) the nonvested portion shall be forfeited and allocated as provided elsewhere in the Plan, as of the Anniversary Date in the Plan Year during which such Participant incurs his or her fifth consecutive Break in Service, and (B) any additional amounts that may have become vested prior to such Forfeiture in accordance with subsection (d) below shall be distributed to the Participant within 60 days following the Anniversary Date of such Forfeiture.

                (ii)         If the Participant becomes an Employee before he or she incurs 5 consecutive Breaks in Service and if he or she repays, subject to the provisions of the next sentence, the amount of the distribution, if any, he or she received from his or her Matching Contribution Account at his or her previous termination of employment, the repaid amount and the balance in his or her previous Matching Contribution Account shall become the beginning balance in his or her new Matching Contribution Account. Such repayment must be made (A) in the case of a distribution on account of separation from service, before the earlier of 5 years after the first date on which the Participant is subsequently re-employed by the Company, or the close of the first period of 5 consecutive 1-year Breaks in Service commencing after the distribution; or (B) in the case of any other distribution, 5 years after the date of the distribution. If the nonvested portion is not reinstated under the preceding two sentences, the re-employed Participant's previous Matching Contribution Account shall be closed and his or her nonvested portion shall be treated as a Forfeiture for the Plan Year in which the repayment period has expired; any additional amounts that may have become vested prior to such Forfeiture in accordance with subsection (d) shall be credited to his or her new Matching Contribution Account.

                (iii)         The nonvested portion maintained under this Section in a Participant's Matching Contribution Account shall be treated as a suspense account for purposes of Section 4.4, and it shall not share in the Trust's income, gains or losses while it is held in suspense.

                (c)         At any Relevant Time (defined below) after a distribution to a terminated Participant, such Participant's vested portion of his or her Matching Contribution Account shall be not less than an amount ("X") determined by the formula:

 

X = P(AB + (R x D)) - (R x D)

   

where P is the vested percentage at the Relevant Time computed in accordance with Section 5.1; AB is the balance in the Participant's Account at the Relevant Time; D is the amount of the distribution; R is the ratio of the balance in the Participant's Account at the Relevant Time to the balance in his or her Account after the distribution; and the Relevant Time is the time at which, under the Plan, the vested percentage in the Account cannot increase.

                Section 5.4: Break In Service Rules For Vesting Purposes.

                (a)         Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all Years of Service with the Company shall be counted in determining a Participant's nonforfeitable percentage interest in his or her Matching Contribution Account.

                (b)         In the case of any Participant who incurs a Break in Service, such Participant's Years of Service that were completed before such Break in Service shall not be counted for vesting purposes until he or she has completed one Year of Service after such Break in Service.

                (c)         If a Participant does not have any non-forfeitable right to his or her Matching Contribution Account at the time he or she incurs a Break in Service, then such a Participant's Years of Service before any period of consecutive Breaks in Service shall not be counted for vesting purposes if the number of such consecutive Breaks in Service equals or exceeds the greater of (i) 5 or (ii) the aggregate number of such Participant's Years of Service before such period. Such aggregate number of Years of Service shall not include any Year of Service that is disregarded under the preceding sentence by reason of such Participant's prior Breaks in Service.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

 

                Section 6.1: Distribution Of Benefits.

                (a)         Benefits become distributable to a Participant or to the Beneficiary of a deceased Participant upon the first to occur of such Participant's Normal Retirement Date, Total Disability or death that coincides with or first follows a Participant's ceasing to be an Employee prior to his or her Normal Retirement Date for a reason other than death or Total Disability. A Participant (or the Beneficiary of a deceased Participant) must make a claim for such Participant's benefits prior to any distribution. Such benefits shall be determined as follows:

                (i)         If such benefits became distributable because of the Participant's death or Total Disability, such benefits shall be the sum of the amounts credited to his or her Accounts as of the Trust Valuation Date that coincides with or first follows the Committee's receipt of (A) written proof of such Participant's death or Total Disability and (B) a properly completed claim for benefits.

                (ii)         If such benefits became distributable for a reason other than the Participant's death or Total Disability, such benefits shall be the sum of the amounts credited to his or her Accounts as of the Trust Valuation Date that coincides with or first follows the Committee's receipt of a properly completed claim for benefits.

                (b)         If a Participant's benefits become distributable by reason of more than one of the events specified in subsection (a) above, then such Participant's vested percentage in his or her Matching Contribution Account shall be determined as if only the first to occur of such events had occurred.

                (c)         Despite the foregoing provisions, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay a Participant who terminates his or her employment with the Company for a reason other than his or her death, Total Disability, or retirement on or after his or her Normal Retirement Date an immediate lump sum distribution of the amount specified in subsection (a) above. The Participant's consent to such a distribution is required if the portion of such distribution representing the vested portion in his or her Accounts is (or ever has been) in excess of $3,500 (or $5,000, for Plan Years beginning after August 5, 1997).

                Section 6.2: Methods Of Distribution.

                (a)         Except as provided in this Section 6.2(b) or in Section 6.3 below, when a Participant's benefits become distributable, the Committee shall, with reasonable promptness, direct the Trustee to distribute such Participant's benefits as follows:

                (i)         If a Participant's benefits become distributable by reason of his or her death, the benefits shall be distributed to such deceased Participant's Beneficiary as an immediate lump sum. Such Participant's vested amount shall be reduced by any security interest held by the Plan, the Trust or the Trustee by reason of a loan outstanding pursuant to Section 6.8.

                (ii)         If a Participant's benefits become distributable for a reason other than his or her death, the Committee shall direct the Trustee to distribute such benefits as an immediate lump sum, and make such a distribution if such Participant consents. Despite the foregoing, if the vested amount credited to such Participant's Accounts is (or ever has been) $3,500 (or $5,000, for Plan Years beginning after August 5, 1997) or less, the Committee may direct the Trustee to distribute such benefits as an immediate cash lump sum, without such Participant's consent.

                (iii)         A Participant may, with respect to any portion of his or her benefits attributable to his or her Transferred Account, elect to be paid those benefits in installments rather than as an immediate lump sum in accordance with subsections (a)(i) and (ii) above, if such option is available under the Participant's Predecessor Plan. Such installments shall be paid in equal or nearly equal quarterly, semiannual, or annual installments over a period not exceeding:

                (A)         the life expectancy of the Participant; or

                (B)         the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Participant and his or her Beneficiary.

The expected return multiples of Section 1.72-9 of the Regulations under the Code shall be used to determine such life expectancy periods.

                (iv)         If a Participant's benefits became distributable for a reason other than his or her death, and if such Participant dies before his or her entire benefits have been distributed, then his or her Beneficiary(ies) shall receive a death benefit equal to the balance of the remaining installments (if any) or deferred cash lump sum (if any) due such deceased Participant.

                (v)         Despite the foregoing provisions, the Committee may at any time, with the consent of a Participant or his or her Beneficiary, direct the Trustee to accelerate or to postpone any installment payment to such Participant or Beneficiary or to reduce or to increase the period over which future installments are to be made, in which latter event the Trustee shall adjust the amount of such installments accordingly. In addition, a Participant may at any time withdraw any or all of his or her undistributed benefit, and a Participant's Beneficiary shall, unless such Participant provided otherwise, have a similar withdrawal right. If less than all of the undistributed benefit is withdrawn, the remaining installment payments shall be adjusted accordingly.

                (b)         Despite the foregoing, with respect to a Participant's Transferred Account, if an optional form of benefit was available under the Participant's Predecessor Plan with respect to any portion of that Transferred Account, the Participant may elect to have the benefits attributed to that portion of the Transferred Account paid in accordance with that optional form of benefit.

                (c)         The complete distribution of a Participant's benefit as provided for above shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of any obligation of the Company, the Trustee or the Committee to such Participant or to the Beneficiary of a deceased Participant.

                (d)         If a distribution is one to which Code Sections 401(a)(11) and 417 do not apply, such distribution may commence fewer than 30 days after the notice required under Section 1.411(a)-11(c) of the Regulations under the Code is given, provided that:

                (i)         the Committee clearly informs the Participant that the Participant has a right to a period of at least 30 days after receiving the notice to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution (and, if applicable, a particular distribution option), and

                (ii)         the Participant, after receiving the notice, affirmatively elects a distribution.

                Section 6.3: Survivor Annuity Requirements.

                (a)         Applicability. This Section shall apply to all benefits payable from a Participant's Transferred Account that are required by applicable law to be paid in the form of a joint and survivor annuity. Any other benefit payable under this Plan shall be paid in accordance with Section 6.2.

                (b)         Qualified Joint And Survivor Annuity. Unless an optional method of distribution under Section 6.2 is selected, a Participant who is married on his or her Annuity Starting Date shall receive his or her benefits in the form of a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity. An optional method of distribution may only be selected or changed pursuant to a Qualified Election made within the Retirement Election Period.

                (c)         Qualified Life Annuity. Unless an optional method of distribution under Section 6.2 is selected, a Participant who is not married on his or her Annuity Starting Date shall receive his or her benefits in the form of a Qualified Life Annuity. An optional

method of distribution may only be selected or changed pursuant to a Qualified Election made within the Retirement Election Period.

                (d)         Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity. Unless an optional method of distribution under Section 6.2 is selected, or a different Beneficiary has been selected, if a married Participant dies before his or her Annuity Starting Date, such Participant's surviving spouse, if any, shall receive such Participant's benefits in the form of a Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity. If an optional method of distribution under Section 6.2 or Beneficiary other than such Participant's surviving spouse has not been selected, such surviving spouse may direct that the payments under the Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity commence within a reasonable time after the Participant's death. An optional method of distribution under Section 6.2 or Beneficiary other than such Participant's surviving spouse may only be selected or changed pursuant to a Qualified Election made within the Preretirement Election Period. Despite the foregoing, and to the extent allowed by law, a deceased Participant's Beneficiary may, at any time after such Participant's death but before his or her Annuity Starting Date, select a method of distribution in accordance with Section 6.2, provided that such Participant had not elected against such a selection.

                (e)         Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

                (i)         "Annuity Starting Date" shall mean the first day of the first period for which an amount is payable as an annuity, or in the case of a benefit not payable in the form of an annuity, the first day on which all events have occurred that entitled the Participant to such benefit. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the first day of the first period for which a benefit is to be received by reason of disability shall be treated as the Annuity Starting Date only if such benefit is not an auxiliary benefit under Code Section 417(f)(2)(B).

                (ii)         "Preretirement Election Period" shall mean, with respect to any Participant, the period that begins on the first day of the Plan Year in which such Participant attains age 35 and ends on the date of such Participant's death. If a Participant separates from service before the first day of the Plan Year in which he or she attains age 35, the Preretirement Election Period shall begin on the date of separation with respect to benefits accrued before such separation.

                (iii)         "Qualified Election" shall mean an election to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity, the Qualified Life Annuity, or the Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity form of benefit. Such election must satisfy the following requirements: (A)  it must be in writing; (B) it must be consented to in writing by the Participant's spouse, if he or she is married; (c) it must designate a beneficiary (or a form of benefits) which may not be changed without the consent of the Participant's spouse (or the Participant's spouse's consent must expressly permit the Participant to designate a beneficiary without requiring further consent from the Participant's spouse); (D) such spouse's consent must acknowledge the effect of the election; and (E) such spouse's consent must be witnessed by a Plan representative or a notary public. Spousal consent is not required if the Participant establishes to the satisfaction of a Plan representative that such consent cannot be obtained because there is no spouse, because the spouse cannot be located, or because of such other circumstances as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe by Regulations. Any consent by a spouse (or establishment that the consent of a spouse cannot be obtained) shall be effective only as to such spouse. A Participant may revoke a prior Qualified Election and choose again to take a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity, Qualified Life Annuity, or Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity without the consent of his or her spouse, at any time and any number of times, within the applicable election period.

                (iv)         "Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity" shall mean a benefit that can be purchased with that portion of the Participant's Transferred Account that is subject to this Section 6.3 and payable in the form of an annuity for the life of the Participant with a survivor annuity for the life of such Participant's spouse. Such survivor annuity must not be less than 50% nor more than 100% of the amount of the annuity payable during the joint lives of the Participant and his or her spouse. Such survivor annuity must commence immediately as provided in Regulation 1.417(e)-1(b)(1). Unless the Participant elects otherwise, the automatic form of the qualified joint and survivor annuity shall provide for a survivor annuity equal to 50% of the amount of the annuity payable during the joint lives of the Participant and his or her spouse.

                (v)         "Qualified Life Annuity" shall mean a benefit that can be purchased with that portion of the Participant's Transferred Account that is subject to this Section 6.3 and payable in the form of an annuity for the life of the Participant.

                (vi)         "Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity" shall mean a benefit that can be purchased with that portion of the Participant's Transferred Account that is subject to this Section 6.3, determined as of the date of such Participant's death (less any portion that is automatically forfeited upon such Participant's death pursuant to the Plan's other provisions), that is payable to such Participant's surviving spouse in the form of an annuity for the life of such spouse. Despite the foregoing, such annuity shall be the actuarial equivalent of at least 50% of the vested amount credited to a Participant's Accounts as of the date of such Participant's death. For the purposes of the foregoing, (A) any security interest held by the Plan, the Trust or the Trustee by reason of a loan outstanding pursuant to Section 6.8 to the Participant shall be taken into account in determining the amount of the Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity, and (B) the Participant's Transferred Account, starting with that portion subject to this Section 6.3, shall be first reduced by any such security interest held by reason of such loan.

                (vii)         "Retirement Election Period" shall mean, with respect to any Participant, the 90-day period that ends on his or her Annuity Starting Date.

                (f)         Information To Participants. A Participant shall be provided with the following information with regard to the applicable Qualified Election:

                (i)         With regard to the Qualified Election to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity or Qualified Life Annuity form of benefit, a Participant shall be provided with a written explanation of (A) the terms and conditions of the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity or Qualified Life Annuity, (B) the Participant's right to elect to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity or Qualified Life Annuity form of benefit, (C) the right of the Participant's spouse to consent to any election to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity form of benefit, and (D) the right of the Participant to revoke such an election, and the effect of such a revocation. Such written explanation shall be provided to a Participant no less than 30  days and no more than 90 days before the Annuity Starting Date.

                (ii)         With regard to the Qualified Election regarding the Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity form of benefit, a Participant shall be provided with a written explanation of the Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity containing comparable information to that required pursuant to subparagraph (i) above. Such written explanation shall be provided to each Participant within whichever of the following periods ends last: (A) the period beginning with the first day of the Plan Year in which such Participant attains age 32 and ending with the close of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year in which such Participant attains age 35, (B) a reasonable period after such Participant first became a Participant, or (c) a reasonable period after such Participant ceases to be an Employee in the case of a Participant who ceases to be an Employee before attaining age 35.

                (g)         Cash-Out Restrictions.

                (i)         Despite the other provisions of this Section, but subject to the next sentence, if, when a Participant's benefits become distributable, the vested amount credited to such Participant's Accounts is not (nor never has been) in excess of $3,500 (or $5,000, for Plan Years beginning after August 5, 1997), the Committee may direct that such benefit be distributed as an immediate cash lump sum. No such distribution may be made after a Participant's Annuity Starting Date unless such Participant and his or her spouse (or, in the case of a deceased Participant, the surviving spouse) consent in writing to such distribution.

                (ii)         Despite the other provisions of this Section, if, when a Participant's benefits become distributable, the vested amount credited to such Participant's Accounts is (or ever has been) in excess of $3,500 (or $5,000 for Plan Years beginning after August 5, 1997), the Committee may direct that such benefit be distributed as an immediate cash lump sum, provided the Participant and his or her spouse (or, where the Participant has died, his or her surviving spouse) consent in writing to such distribution during the 90-day period ending on the date such benefit is so distributed. If such Participant or his or her spouse (or surviving spouse) does not so consent, such failure to consent shall be deemed to be an election to defer distribution of such benefit until the later of age 62 or the Participant's Normal Retirement Age.

                (h)         The Annuity Starting Date for a distribution in a form other than a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity may be less than 30 days after receipt of the written explanation described above provided: (i) the Participant has been provided with information that clearly indicates that the Participant has at least 30 days to consider whether to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity and elect (with spousal consent) to a form of distribution other than a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity; (ii) the Participant is permitted to revoke any affirmative distribution election at least until the Annuity Starting Date or, if later, at any time prior to the expiration of the 7-day period that begins the date after the explanation of the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity is provided to the Participant; and (iii) the Annuity Starting Date is a date after the date that the written explanation was provided to the Participant. For distributions on or after December 31, 1996, the Annuity Starting Date may be a date prior to the date the written explanation is provided to the Participant if the distribution does not commence until at least 30 days after such written explanation is provided, subject to the waiver of the 30-day period as provided for above.

                (i)         Special Limitation. Despite any other provision of the Plan, no preretirement death benefit in addition to the Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity shall be permitted to the extent such other benefit would violate the incidental benefit rule.

                Section 6.4: Timing Of Distributions.

                (a)         The provisions of this Section shall govern the timing of the distribution of a Participant's benefit.

                (b)         If a Participant's benefits become distributable because of his or her death or Total Disability, such benefits shall begin to be distributed as soon as is administratively practical after the Trust Valuation Date that coincides with or first follows the Committee's receipt of (i) written proof of such Participant's death or Total Disability and (ii) a properly completed claim for benefits. If a Participant's benefits become distributable for a reason other than his or her death or Total Disability, such Participant's benefits shall begin to be distributed as soon as is administratively practical after the Trust Valuation Date that coincides with or first follows the Committee's receipt of a properly completed claim for benefits. Despite the foregoing, and subject to subsections (c) and (d) below, a Participant's benefits must begin to be distributed no later than 60 days after the latest of the close of the Plan Year in which:

                (i)         the Participant attained age 65 (or Normal Retirement Age, if earlier);

               (ii)        occurred the 10th anniversary of the year in which the Participant began participation in the Plan; or

              (iii)         the Participant terminated his or her employment with the Company.

Despite the foregoing, a Participant may elect a later date on which the distribution of his or her benefit is to begin, in a manner consistent with the applicable Regulations. Any failure by a Participant (or, if he or she is married, such Participant's spouse in the event of such Participant's death) to consent to an immediate distribution of his or her benefit (provided that such benefit is otherwise then immediately distributable pursuant to the foregoing provisions) shall be deemed to be an election to defer distribution to the later of age 62 or such Participant's Normal Retirement Age.

                (c)         Despite any other provision of the Plan, one of the following provisions shall apply:

                (i)         A Participant's benefit shall be distributed to him or her not later than April 1 of the calendar year following the later of (A) the calendar year in which the Participant attains age 70-1/2, or (B) the calendar year in which the Participant retires, if such Participant is not a 5% Owner with respect to the Plan Year ending in the calendar year in which he or she attains age 70-1/2; or

                (ii)         Alternatively, distributions to a Participant must begin no later than the date determined under subsection (c)(i) above and must be made, in accordance with the applicable Regulations, over the life of the Participant or over the lives of such Participant and his or her designated Beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Participant or the life expectancy of the Participant and his or her designated Beneficiary).

                (d)         If a Participant dies before his or her entire interest has been distributed to him or her, the remaining portion of such Participant's interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of the Participant's death.

                (e)         If a Participant dies before distribution of his or her benefits has begun, the entire benefit of such Participant must be distributed within 5 years after his or her death.

                (f)         For purposes of subsection (e) above, any portion of a Participant's benefits that is payable to or for the benefit of his or her Beneficiary shall be treated as distributed on the date on which such distribution begins if:

                (i)         such portion will be distributed in accordance with the applicable Regulations over such Beneficiary's life (or over a period not extending beyond such Beneficiary's life expectancy), and

                (ii)         such distribution must begin not later than the date that is 1 year after the date of such Participant's death (or such later date as the Secretary of the Treasury may by Regulations prescribe). However, if such Beneficiary is the Participant's surviving spouse, then the date on which the distribution is required to begin shall be not later than the date on which the Participant would have attained age 70 1/2, and if such spouse dies before the distribution to him or her begins, this subsection shall be applied as if such spouse were the Participant.

                (g)         For purposes of subsection (f) above, the life expectancy of a Participant and his or her spouse (other than in the case of life annuity) may be redetermined on an annual or less frequent basis, and under Regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, any amount paid to a child of a Participant shall be treated as if it had been paid to such Participant's surviving spouse if such amount will become payable to such spouse upon such child attaining majority (or any other designated event permitted under the applicable Regulations).

                (h)         Despite the foregoing provisions, the Committee shall not permit any Participant to receive his or her benefits under a method of distribution that violates the Regulations under Code Section 401(a)(9), including the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirements of proposed Regulation 1.401(a)(9)-2, or any successor or final Regulation.

                Section 6.5: Postponed Retirement. If a Participant continues to be an Employee beyond his or her Normal Retirement Date, his or her corresponding participation in the Plan shall likewise continue. In such case, to the extent permitted by law and the applicable Regulations, the distribution of such a Participant's benefits will be postponed until he or she actually ceases to be an Employee. Such benefits will become distributable as of the first day of the month next following such Participant's actually ceasing to be an Employee.

                Section 6.6: Distributions Due Missing Persons. If the Trustee is unable to distribute any benefit due to a Participant or Beneficiary, the Trustee shall (i) so advise the Committee and (ii) segregate such benefit from the Trust, in which event such benefit shall participate in the income, gains and losses realized by such segregated Trust Fund. The Committee shall then send a written notice to such Participant or Beneficiary at his or her last known address, as reflected in the Company's or Committee's records. If such Participant or Beneficiary shall not have presented himself or herself to the Company or to the Committee within 3 years of the date of such written notice, any undistributed benefit (and any income gains and losses realized by such segregated part) shall be forfeited by such Participant or Beneficiary and may be applied against and reduce the Company's future contributions to the Plan. Despite the foregoing, if at any subsequent time a valid claim for any undistributed benefit is presented to the Committee, such benefit that was so applied (and any income, gains and losses realized by such segregated part) shall be paid directly by the Company to such claimant.

                Section 6.7: Transfers To Another Qualified Plan. If a Participant who is a distributee of any Eligible Rollover Distribution (as defined below) elects to have such distribution paid directly to an Eligible Retirement Plan and who specifies the Eligible Retirement Plan to which such distribution is to be paid (in such form and at such time as the Committee may prescribe), then such distribution shall be made in the form of a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to such Eligible Retirement Plan, provided that such Eligible Retirement Plan accepts such a transfer. The foregoing sentence shall apply only to the extent that such Eligible Rollover Distribution would be includable in gross income if not transferred as provided in such sentence (determined without regard to Code Sections 402(c) and 403(a)(4)). For purposes of the foregoing:

                (a)         "Eligible Rollover Distribution" shall mean any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an Eligible Rollover Distribution does not include: any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code; and the portion of any distribution that is not includable in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities).

                (b)         "Eligible Retirement Plan" shall mean an individual retirement account described in Section 408(a) of the Code, and individual retirement annuity described in Section 408(b) of the Code, an annuity plan described in Section 403(a) of the Code, or a qualified trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code, that accepts the distributee's Eligible Rollover Distribution. However, in the case of an Eligible Rollover Distribution to the surviving spouse, an Eligible Retirement Plan is an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity.

                (c)         A Participant's (i) surviving spouse and (ii) spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code, are distributees with regard to the interest of the surviving spouse, spouse, or former spouse and shall have the same rights as a Participant to make a transfer in accordance with this Section 6.7 as to the interest of the surviving spouse, spouse, or former spouse.

                Section 6.8: Loans To Participants.

                (a)         The Committee shall be the fiduciary with authority to establish a loan program for Participants and to direct the Trustee concerning the investment of the Trust's assets pursuant to such a loan program.

                (b)         A Participant may make a written application to the Committee for a loan from the Trust. Each such loan must be adequately secured, and if it is secured in part by the balance in such Participant's Transferred Account, then, in the case of a married Participant whose Transferred Account is subject to Section 6.3 above, (i) such loan and security interest must be consented to in writing by such Participant's spouse during the 90-day period ending on the date on which the loan is so secured, (ii) such consent must acknowledge the effect of such loan and security interest, and (iii) such consent must be witnessed by a Plan representative or a notary public.

                (c)         The Committee shall have sole discretion in granting or denying any such loan application; provided, however, that the Committee shall exercise such discretion in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner. In connection with any such loan, a Participant shall sign such notes, evidences of indebtedness, security agreements and other documents as the Committee may, in its discretion, require.

                (d)         Interest on such loans shall be charged at a reasonable rate, not in excess of that permitted by law, and all notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall require repayment of the principal amount of the loan and interest on it over a period certain, which shall not exceed 5 years. Such payments of interest and principal shall be made no less frequently than quarterly and shall provide for the level amortization of the loan over its term. Despite the foregoing, a loan's term may exceed 5  years if such loan is used to acquire any dwelling unit that is used or within a reasonable time (determined at the time the loan is made) will be used as the principal residence of the Participant. Only one loan may be outstanding any one time, except that a loan exceeding 5 years may be outstanding at the same time with a loan that does not exceed 5 years. The Trustee, on receipt of authorization and the appropriate notes or other evidences of indebtedness from the Committee, shall advance the amount of the loan to the Participant and shall treat such loan as an investment of the Trust.

                (e)         In no event shall the outstanding principal balance of all loans from the Trust to any Participant exceed the lesser of:

                (i)         $50,000, reduced by the excess (if any) of (A) the highest outstanding balance of all loans from the Trust to such Participant during the 1-year period ending on the day before the date on which such loan is made, over (B) the outstanding balance of all loans from the Trust to such Participant on the date on which such loan is made;

               (ii)         one-half (1/2) of the total vested amount credited to such Participant's Accounts; or

                (iii)         any lesser amount set forth in rules established by the Committee.

                Section 6.9: Hardship Withdrawals.

                (a)         A Participant may request a hardship withdrawal of a portion of his or her Accounts in accordance with this Section 6.9. The maximum amount that a Participant may withdraw may not exceed the sum of (i) the vested balance of such Participant's Matching Contribution Account, plus (ii) the vested balance of such Participant's Matching Contribution Stock Account, plus (iii) the vested balance of such Participant's Transferred Account that is attributable to matching contributions under Code Section 401(m), plus (iv) the smaller of:

                (i)         the aggregate amount of all of such Participant's Elective Contributions and contributions made under Code Section 401(k) and held in the Transferred Account; or

                (ii)         the current value of such Participant's PIRA Account and the Code Section 401(k) portion of the Participant's Transferred Account.

Despite the foregoing, the maximum amount that can be withdrawn pursuant to the foregoing may not exceed the amount required to meet the immediate and heavy financial need created by the hardship and not available to such Participant through the Plan or through all non-taxable loans available through the Company. A request for such a withdrawal shall be written, dated and delivered to the Committee in accordance with rules promulgated by the Committee, and in the case of a married Participant, it must be consented to in writing by such Participant's spouse during the 90-day period ending on the date the withdrawal is made and such consent must be witnessed by a Plan representative or a notary public. If the Committee approves the withdrawal, distribution shall be made as soon thereafter as is administratively practical.

                (b)         The Committee may, in its sole discretion, approve or deny a hardship withdrawal request, but the Committee's determination shall be made in accordance with uniform and nondiscriminatory standards. The Committee shall approve a hardship withdrawal only if the withdrawal is necessary to satisfy one of the following immediate and heavy financial needs:

                (i)         Payments of medical expenses incurred by the Participant and the Participant's spouse, children, and dependents or payments necessary for those persons to obtain medical care.

                 (ii)         Payments (excluding mortgage payments) for the Participant's residence.

                (iii)         Payments of tuition and related educational fees for the next 12 months of post-secondary education for the Participant and the Participant's spouse, children, and dependents.

              (iv)         Payments to prevent the Participant's eviction from the Participant's principal residence.

                (v)         Payments to prevent a foreclosure on the Participant's mortgage of the Participant's principal residence.

               (vi)         Such other expenses that the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service deems to be an immediate and heavy financial need through the publication of revenue rulings, notices, and other documents of general applicability.

The amount of an immediate and heavy financial need may include any amount that is necessary to pay federal, state, or local income taxes or penalties that are reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution.

                (c)         For the purpose of this Section, the Committee may reasonably rely upon a Participant's representations regarding the Participant's financial affairs.

                (d)         The Participant must sign an agreement that he or she will not make any elective contribution or employee contribution to the Plan or any other plan maintained by the Company (including all qualified and nonqualified plans of deferred compensation, stock option plans, stock purchase plans, and cash or deferred arrangements that are part of a cafeteria plan) for twelve consecutive months following a hardship withdrawal.

                (e)         The total amount of the Participant's Elective Contributions during the year following the Participant's taxable year in which the Participant made a hardship withdrawal may be no greater than (i) $7,000, as adjusted by the Adjustment Factor, minus (ii) the amount of the Participant's Elective Contributions during the Participant's taxable year in which the hardship withdrawal was made.

                (f)         Any earnings and gains on a Participant's Elective Contributions are not subject to withdrawal pursuant to this Section and shall be distributed only upon the events specified in Section 6.1.

                Section 6.10: Withdrawals.

                (a)         Despite any other provision of the Plan, except Section 6.3 (in the event that section is applicable to the Participant's Transferred Account), any Participant who has reached at least age 59 1/2 may elect to withdraw all or any portion of the vested balance of his or her Accounts even though he or she is still an Employee. Such withdrawal shall be paid only in the form of a cash lump sum. The maximum amount that may be withdrawn shall be the sum of the amounts credited to the Participant's Accounts as of the Trust Valuation Date that coincides with or immediately follows the Committee's receipt of a properly completed claim for benefits after such Participant attains age 59 1/2.

                (b)         Despite any other provision of the Plan, any Participant may elect to withdraw at any time all or any portion of the balance of his or her Rollover Contribution Account (determined as of the Trust Valuation Date that coincides with or immediately follows the Committee's receipt of a properly completed claim for benefits) even though he or she is still an Employee. Each such withdrawal shall be paid only in the form of a cash lump sum. Only two withdrawals may be made for a Participant's Rollover Contribution Account during any Plan Year.

                (c)         Despite any other provision of this Plan, if the withdrawal provisions of this Plan are more restrictive than the withdrawal provisions of any Predecessor Plan, the withdrawal provisions of that other plan, rather than the withdrawal provisions of this Plan, shall govern the withdrawal of the applicable portion of the Transferred Account.

                (d)         The Committee may adopt rules regulating a Participant's right to withdraw amounts from his or her Accounts. Such rules may prohibit Participants who receive distributions under this Section from continuing to make contributions under Section 3.2 for a stated period of time.

                Section 6.11: Distribution Of Company Stock. Despite any other provision of this Plan, if (a) a Participant is entitled to a distribution or withdrawal pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and (b) a portion of the Participant's Accounts is invested in Company Stock, the Participant may elect to receive such portion in Company Stock attributable to such investment in lieu of cash.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

TOP-HEAVY PLAN LIMITATIONS

 

                Section 7.1: Application Of Top-Heavy Rules. If the Plan is or becomes a Top-heavy Plan, the limitations and requirements contained in this Article shall apply and shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Plan.

                Section 7.2: Definitions.

                (a)         Top-heavy Plan. A "Top-heavy Plan" shall mean, with respect to any Plan Year, (i) any Defined Benefit Plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company if, as of the Determination Date, the total Present Value of Accrued Benefits under such plan for Key Employees exceeds 60% of the total Present Value of Accrued Benefits under such plan for all participants in such plan; and (ii) any Defined Contribution Plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company if, as of the Determination Date, the total Aggregate Accounts of Key Employees under the plan exceeds 60% of the total Aggregate Accounts of all participants under such plan. Each plan of the Company required to be included in an Aggregation Group shall be treated as a Top-heavy Plan if the Aggregation Group is a Top-heavy Group.

                (b)         Top-heavy Group. A "Top-heavy Group" shall mean any Aggregation Group if the sum of (i) the total Present Value of Accrued Benefits for Key Employees under all Defined Benefit Plans included in the Aggregation Group (determined as of the Determination Date for each such plan), and (ii) the total Aggregate Accounts of Key Employees under all Defined Contribution Plans included in the Aggregation Group (determined as of the Determination Date for each such plan) exceeds 60% of a similar sum determined for all participants in such plans. For purposes of determining whether the plans in a Top-heavy Group exceed the foregoing 60% test, the plans shall be aggregated by adding together the results for each plan as of the Determination Dates for such plans that fall within the same calendar year.

                (c)         Aggregation Group. An "Aggregation Group" shall mean each plan of the Company or of an Affiliated Company in which a Key Employee is a participant, and each plan of the Company or of an Affiliated Company that enables the plan(s) containing a Key Employee to meet the antidiscrimination requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4) or 410, including terminating or terminated plans maintained within the last 5 years ending on the Determination Date that would, but for such plan(s) termination, be part of the Aggregation Group. The Company can elect to include in the Aggregation Group any plan not otherwise required to be included, if such group, after such election, would continue to meet the antidiscrimination requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4) and 410; provided, however, that any such plan will not be otherwise deemed a Top-heavy Plan by reason of such election.

                (d)         Determination Date. With respect to any plan year, "Determination Date" shall mean the last day of the preceding plan year or, in the case of the first plan year of any plan, the last day of such plan year.

                (e)         Present Value Of Accrued Benefit: A participant's "Present Value of Accrued Benefit" as of any Determination Date shall be calculated:

                (i)         as of the most recent valuation date ("Valuation Date") which is within the 12-month period ending on such Determination Date;

               (ii)         for the first plan year, as if (1) the participant terminated service as of the Determination Date, or (2) the participant terminated service as of the Valuation Date, but taking into account the estimated Present Value of Accrued Benefit as of the Determination Date;

              (iii)         for any other plan year, as if the participant terminated service as of the Valuation Date; and

               (iv)         using the interest rate and mortality assumptions set forth in the Defined Benefit Plan.

                (v)         Solely for the purposes of determining if the Plan, or any other plan included in the Aggregation Group, is a Top-heavy Plan, the accrued benefit of a Non-Key Employee shall be determined under (1) the method, if any, that uniformly applies for accrual purposes under all plans maintained by the Company and all Affiliated Companies, or (2) if there is no such method, as if such benefit accrued not more rapidly than the slowest accrual rate permitted under the fractional accrual rate of Code Section 411(b)(1)(C).

For the foregoing purposes, the Valuation Date must be the same valuation date used for computing the defined benefit plan minimum funding costs, regardless of whether a valuation is performed that year.

                (f)         Aggregate Account: A participant's "Aggregate Account" shall be determined as follows:

                (i)         For Defined Contribution Plans not subject to the minimum funding requirements of Code Section 412, a participant's Aggregate Account as of any Determination Date shall be the sum of:

                (A)         such participant's account balance as of the most recent valuation date ("Valuation Date") occurring within the 12-month period ending on such Determination Date; plus

                (B)         an adjustment for contributions due as of such Determination Date. Such adjustment is generally the amount of any contributions actually made after the Valuation Date but before the Determination Date. In the first plan year, such adjustment shall also reflect any contributions actually made after the Determination Date that are allocated as of a date in that first plan year.

                (ii)         For Defined Contribution Plans subject to the minimum funding requirements of Code Section 412, a participant's Aggregate Account as of any Determination Date shall be the sum of:

                (A)         such participant's account balance as of the most recent valuation date ("Valuation Date") occurring within the 12-month period ending on such Determination Date, including contributions that would be allocated as of a date not later than such Determination Date; plus

                (B)         an adjustment for contributions due as of such Determination Date. Such adjustment shall reflect the amount of any contribution actually made (or due to be made) after the Valuation Date but before the expiration of the extended payment period described in Code Section 412(c)(10).

                (g)         Key Employee. "Key Employee" shall mean any participant of any plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company who, at any time during the plan year or any of the 4 preceding plan years, was:

                (i)         an officer of the Company or an Affiliated Company whose annual Compensation exceeds 50% of the amount in effect under Code Section 415(b)(1)(A) for such plan year (provided, however, that no more than 50 employees (or, if lesser, the greater of 3 employees or 10% of all employees) shall be treated as officers; provided further, however, that if the total number of officers exceeds this numerical limitation, only the highest compensated officers shall be included);

                (ii)         one of the 10 employees who (1) has annual Compensation for a plan year greater than the dollar limitation in effect under Code Section 415(c)(1)(A) for the calendar year in which such plan year ends, and (2) owns (or is considered to own under Code Section 318) both more than 1/2 percent interest and the largest interests in the Company or an Affiliated Company;

                (iii)         a 5% Owner of the Company or an Affiliated Company; or

               (iv)        a 1% Owner of the Company or an Affiliated Company whose annual Compensation exceeds $150,000, or such other amount as may be allowed under Code Section 416(I) and the applicable Regulations.

In making this determination of a 5% Owner and a 1% Owner for purposes of this Section, (i) the Code Section 318(a)(2) corporate attribution rules, as modified by Code Section 416(I)(1)(B)(iii), shall apply, and (ii) the business aggregation rules of Code Section 414 shall not apply. For purposes of the foregoing definition, (i) the beneficiary of a Key Employee shall be treated as a Key Employee, and (ii) the beneficiary of a former Key Employee shall be treated as a former Key Employee. Inherited benefits will retain the character of the benefits of the Key Employee who performed the services for the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, the identification of a Key Employee will be determined in accordance with Code Section 416(I).

                (h)         Non-Key Employee. "Non-Key Employee" shall include any Participant who is not a Key Employee, including any Participant who is a former Key Employee.

                Section 7.3: 60% Test - Special Rules. For purposes of applying the 60% test described in Section 7.2(a), the following special rules shall apply:

                (a)         Participant Contributions. Benefits derived from both Participant contributions (whether voluntary or mandatory, but not deductible contributions) and the Company's contributions shall be considered.

                (b)         Previous Distributions. In determining the Present Value of Accrued Benefit or the Aggregate Account of any participant under any plan (or plans that form the Aggregation Group), such present value or account shall be increased by the aggregate of distributions made to such participant from such plan (or plans forming the Aggregation Group) during the 5-year period ending on the Determination Date. For this purpose, "participant" shall include an employee who is no longer employed by the Company or an Affiliated Company. Despite the foregoing, any distribution to a participant that is made after the Valuation Date and before the Determination Date for any plan year shall not be considered a distribution to the extent it is already included in such participant's Present Value of Accrued Benefit or Aggregate Account as of such Valuation Date.

                (c)         Rollover Contributions. Rollover contributions shall be treated as follows:

                (i)         The following rules shall apply to related rollovers and plan-to-plan transfers (ones either not initiated by the participant or made to a plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliated Company). If the plan provides such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer, it shall not be counted as a distribution for purposes of this Section 7.3. If the plan receives such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer, it shall consider such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer as part of the participant's Present Value of Accrued Benefit or Aggregate Account, regardless of the date on which such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer was received.

                (ii)         The following rules shall apply to unrelated rollovers and plan-to-plan transfers (ones which are both initiated by a participant and made from a plan maintained by one employer to a plan maintained by another employer). If the plan provides such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer, it shall always consider such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer as a distribution for purposes of this Section 7.3. If the plan receives such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer, it shall not consider such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer as part of the participant's Present Value of Accrued Benefit or Aggregate Account if it was accepted after December 31, 1983.

                (d)         Change Of Status. The accrued benefit or account of a participant who was formerly a Key Employee, but who ceased to be a Key Employee in any plan year, will not be taken into account for such plan year.

                (e)         No Service For Last 5 Years. If any individual has not performed services for the employer maintaining the plan during the 5-year period ending on the Determination Date, the accrued benefit or account of such individual shall not be taken into account.

                Section 7.4: Minimum Vesting Requirement.

                (a)         If the Plan is a Top-heavy Plan, the top-heavy vesting schedule set forth below shall apply:

                6-Year Graded Vesting. Each Participant shall have a nonforfeitable right or vested interest in his or her Matching Contribution Account, according to the following table:

 

Years of Service

Vested Percentage

   

Less than 2

0%

2

20%

3

40%

4

60%

5

80%

6 or more

100%

 

                (b)         Despite the foregoing, if the Plan becomes a Top-heavy Plan, any portion of a Participant's Matching Contribution Account that was nonforfeitable before the Plan became a Top-heavy Plan shall remain nonforfeitable.

                (c)         If the Plan ceases to be a Top-heavy Plan, the Plan shall nevertheless continue to apply the top-heavy vesting schedule then in effect.

                (d)         Despite the foregoing provisions, if the Plan's normal vesting schedule equals or exceeds the top-heavy vesting schedule, the normal vesting schedule shall continue to apply.

                Section 7.5: Minimum Contribution Requirement.

                (a)         If the Plan is a Top-heavy Plan, then in no event shall the Company's annual contribution on behalf of any Non-Key Employee be less than 3% of such Participant's Compensation. This minimum contribution shall be made even though, under the other provisions of the Plan, the Participant would not otherwise be entitled to a contribution on his or her behalf, or would have received a lesser contribution for the Plan Year, because of (i) the Participant's failure to complete 1,000 Hours of Service, (ii) the Participant's failure to make mandatory employee contributions to the Plan, or (iii) the Participant's exclusion from the Plan because such Participant's Compensation is less than the Plan's stated amount. Despite the foregoing, no minimum contribution needs to be made under this Section on behalf of a Participant who was not an Employee on the last day of the Plan Year.

                (b)         For Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1985, any Company contribution that is attributable to a salary reduction or similar arrangement shall be considered for purposes of satisfying the minimum contribution required by this Section. For Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1989, Elective Contributions on behalf of Key Employees are taken into account in determining the minimum required contribution under Code Section 416(c)(2), but such contributions on behalf of Non-Key Employees may not be treated as employer contributions for purposes of the minimum contribution or benefit requirements of Code Section 416.

                (c)         If the Company maintains one or more qualified plans in addition to the Plan, and if the Plan is a Top-heavy Plan, then in accordance with the applicable Regulations, only one such plan need be designated by the Company to provide the minimum benefit provided for in this Section. However, if for Plan Years beginning before January 1, 2000, such multiple plans, including the Plan, include a Defined Benefit Plan and a Defined Contribution Plan, the 1.0 Rule (as it may be modified by the top-heavy plan transitional rule under Code Section 416(h)(3)) shall be in effect if, and only if, the following two requirements are satisfied:

                (i)         Minimum Benefit Requirement. The "3%" set forth in this Section shall be replaced by "4%".

                (ii)         The 90% Test. The sum of the Present Value of Accrued Benefits plus the Aggregate Accounts held for all Key Employees under the plans cannot exceed 90% of a similar sum determined for all participants.

For purposes of the 1.0 Rule, all references to "1.25" shall be replaced by "1.0," if either of the above additional requirements is not met.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

THE COMMITTEE

 

                Section 8.1: Members.

                (a)         The Board of Directors shall appoint a single plan administrator or a Committee of two or more members.

                (i)         If such a plan administrator is appointed, he or she alone shall constitute the entire Committee and all references in this document to the Committee shall include such plan administrator.

                (ii)         The Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. A person so appointed shall become a member by filing a written notice of acceptance with the Board of Directors. A member of the Committee may resign by delivering a written notice of resignation to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may remove any member of the Committee by delivering a written notice of such removal to him or her. A resignation or removal shall be effective on the date specified in such notice or resolution. The Trustee shall be promptly notified by the Board of Directors of any change in the membership of the Committee, and shall be supplied with specimen signatures of each Committee member.

                (b)         Vacancies in the membership of the Committee shall be filled promptly by the Board of Directors. If the Company is not in existence when a vacancy in the Committee membership arises, such vacancy shall be filled as follows, in the indicated order of priority:

1st:         The remaining member(s) of the Committee shall appoint new member(s) to fill all vacancies.

2nd:         A majority of the adults then entitled to benefits from the Plan shall appoint new member(s) to fill all vacancies. If such an adult is not able to participate in such appointment, then his or her spouse, if any, shall act for him or her. If there is no such spouse, then such adult's guardian or conservator shall act for him or her.

3rd:         If vacancies on the Committee are not filled pursuant to the foregoing, then a court of competent jurisdiction shall fill such vacancies. The Trust shall pay the expenses incurred in connection with such court appointment.

                Section 8.2: Committee Action.

                (a)         The Committee shall choose a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary (either of whom is referred to below as the "Secretary") who shall keep minutes of the Committee's proceedings and all records and documents pertaining to the Committee's administration of the Plan. Any action of the Committee shall be taken pursuant to the vote of a majority, or pursuant to the written consent of a majority, of its members. A quorum of the Committee shall consist of two members. The Secretary may sign any certificate or other document on behalf of the Committee. The Trustee and all other persons dealing with the Committee may conclusively rely upon any certificate or other document that is signed by the Secretary and that purports to have been duly authorized by the Committee.

                (b)         A member of the Committee shall not vote or act upon any matter that relates solely to himself or herself as a Participant. If a matter arises affecting one member of the Committee as a Participant and the other members of the Committee are unable to agree on the disposition of such matter, the Board of Directors shall appoint a substitute member of the Committee in the place and stead of the affected member, for the sole purpose of passing upon and deciding that particular matter. If the Company is not in existence then, such substitute member of the Committee shall be appointed in the manner provided for in this Article when there is a vacancy in the Committee's membership.

                Section 8.3: Rights And Duties.

                (a)         Except as otherwise set forth in subsection (b), (c) and (d) below, all fiduciary responsibility respecting the management or administration of the Plan and its assets are vested in the Committee, and the Committee shall be the Named Fiduciary with respect to the Plan's assets, and the "administrator" of the Plan as defined in Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA.

                (b)         The Trustee shall (i) have custody of the Plan's assets, (ii) have the powers designated in the trust document and (iii) be the Named Fiduciary with respect to the custody of the Plan's assets.

                (c)         The Company may designate one or more Investment Managers (including the Trustee, if the Trustee is authorized to be an Investment Manager) to manage the investment of the Plan's assets, and such Investment Manager(s) shall be the Named Fiduciary with respect to the management and investment of the Plan's assets.

                (d)         The Committee may designate one or more persons or entities to carry out any of its functions under the Plan, other than those of managing and controlling the Plan's assets, which may only be done pursuant to subsections (b) or (c) immediately above.

                (e)         The Committee, on behalf of the Participants and their Beneficiaries, shall enforce the Plan in accordance with its terms, and shall be charged with the general administration of the Plan, except to the extent that powers are retained by the Company. The Committee shall have the discretion and authority to interpret the Plan. The Committee's powers shall include (without limitation) the power and discretion:

                (i)         to determine all questions relating to the eligibility of Employees to participate in the Plan;

                (ii)         to determine, compute and certify to the Trustee the amount and kind of benefits payable to the Participants and their Beneficiaries;

                (iii)         to authorize all disbursements by the Trustee from the Trust;

               (iv)         to direct the Trustee with respect to all investments of the principal or income of the Trust and with respect to other matters concerning the Trust's assets;

                (v)         to maintain all the necessary records for the administration of the Plan, other than those maintained by the Trustee; and

                (vi)         to adopt, amend and interpret rules for the administration or regulation of the Plan that are not inconsistent with its terms and the applicable law and Regulations.

                (f)         Members of the Committee and other Fiduciaries shall discharge their duties with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person, acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters, would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims. Subject to any right of Participants to direct how their Accounts will be invested and other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall diversify the Plan's investments so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless, under the circumstances, it is clearly prudent not to do so, or unless the Plan specifically provides for the acquisition and holding of qualifying employer real property or securities, as defined in Sections 407(d)(4) and (5) of ERISA.

                (g)         A member of the Committee or other Fiduciary shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary responsibility of another member or another Fiduciary only if:

                (i)         such member or Fiduciary participates knowingly in, or knowingly undertakes to conceal, an act or omission of such other member or Fiduciary, knowing that such act or omission is a breach;

                 (ii)          such member or Fiduciary has enabled such other member or Fiduciary to commit a breach by virtue of his or her failure to comply with the duty of care set forth above in the administration of such member's or Fiduciary's own responsibilities as a Fiduciary; or

                (iii)         such member or Fiduciary has knowledge of a breach by such other member or Fiduciary, unless such member or Fiduciary makes reasonable efforts under the circumstances to remedy such breach.

                Section 8.4: Information. To enable the Committee to perform its functions, the Company shall supply complete and timely information to the Committee on all matters relating to the compensation of all Participants, their employment, their retirement, death, or the cause for termination of employment, and such other pertinent information as the Committee may require. The Committee shall advise the Trustee of such of the foregoing information as may be pertinent to the Trustee's administration of the Trust.

                Section 8.5: Compensation, Indemnity And Liability.

                (a)         The members of the Committee shall serve without compensation for their services. No member of the Committee or other Fiduciary need be bonded, except as required by federal or state law or regulation. The Committee is authorized to employ such legal counsel or other persons as it may deem advisable to assist it in the performance of its duties under the Plan.

                (b)         The Company shall indemnify and hold each member of the Committee harmless against any and all expenses and liabilities arising out of membership on the Committee (including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements), excepting only expenses and liabilities arising out of such member's own willful misconduct or gross negligence. The provisions of this subsection shall survive the termination of the Plan and the resignation or removal of the Committee member who is entitled to the indemnity.

                Section 8.6: Administrative Expenses Of The Plan. All expenses of administering the Plan shall by paid by the Trustee and shall be a charge against the trust estate, except to the extent that such expenses may be paid by the Company. The expense of maintaining errors and omissions liability insurance, if any, covering members of the Committee, the Trustee, or any other Fiduciary shall be paid by the Company.

 

 

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

                Section 9.1: Amendments. The Company, through the Board of Directors, or the Committee may amend the Plan from time to time, and may amend or cancel any such amendment. Each amendment must be set forth in a document that is signed by the Company or the Committee, as the case may be, and the Plan shall be deemed to have been amended in the manner and at the time set forth in such document, and all Participants shall be bound by it. Despite the foregoing, any such amendment shall be subject to the following provisions:

                (a)         No amendment shall be effective that attempts to cause any asset of the Plan to be used for, or diverted to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of the Participants or their Beneficiaries, except for such changes, if any, that are required to permit the Plan to meet the applicable requirements of the Code, or as may be made to assure the deductibility for tax purposes of any contribution by the Company.

                (b)         No amendment shall have any retroactive effect that would deprive any Participant of any benefit already vested, nor shall the vesting provisions of the Plan be amended, unless each Participant with at least 3 Years of Service is permitted to elect to continue to have the prior vesting provisions apply to him or her, except for such changes, if any, that are required to permit the Plan to meet applicable requirements of the Code, or as may be made to assure the deductibility for tax purposes of any contribution by the Company. Any such election must be made during the period beginning with the date the amendment is adopted and ending 60 days after the latest of:

(i)         the date the amendment is adopted;

(ii)        the date the amendment becomes effective; or

(iii)       the date on which the Participant receives written notice of the amendment from the Company or the Committee.

                (c)         No amendment shall create or effect any discrimination in favor of Participants who are highly compensated Employees.

                (d)         No amendment shall increase the duties or liabilities of the Trustee without the Trustee's written consent.

                (e)         No amendment shall decrease any Participant's account balance or eliminate an optional form of distribution.

                Section 9.2: Discontinuance Of Plan.

                (a)         The Company expects that the Plan and the Company's contributions under it will be continued indefinitely, and the Trust is irrevocable. However, continuance of the Plan is not assumed as a contractual obligation of the Company, and the Company, through the Board of Directors, reserves the right to reduce, temporarily suspend, or discontinue contributions under the Plan if, and to the extent, permitted under ERISA or the Code. Upon a complete discontinuance of the Company's contributions, the interest of each Participant in each of his or her Accounts shall become 100% vested, if it is not already fully vested. In addition, upon a partial termination (within the meaning of Code Section 411(d)(3)), the interest of each affected Participant in each of his or her Accounts shall become 100% vested, if it is not already fully vested.

                (b)         The Company may terminate the Plan at any time upon delivering a written notice to the Trustee. Upon the Plan's termination, the interest of each Participant in each of his or her Accounts shall become 100% vested, if it is not already fully vested. Upon the termination of the Plan without the establishment of a successor plan (within the meaning of Code Section 401(k)(10)(A)(i)), the Committee shall, as is necessary, direct the Trustee to liquidate the Trust's assets. After such liquidation, the Committee shall make, after deducting the estimated expenses of such liquidation and distribution, the allocations required under the Plan as though the date when such liquidation was completed were an Anniversary Date. After receiving appropriate instructions from the Committee, the Trustee shall promptly distribute the Trust's assets in accordance with such instructions.

                (c)         The Plan shall automatically terminate upon the happening of any of the following events:

(i)         adjudication of the Company as a bankrupt;

(ii)        general assignment by the Company to or for the benefit of creditors; or

(iii)       dissolution of the business of the Company,

provided, however, that the Plan may be continued by any successor business organization or any business organization into which the Company is merged or consolidated that employs some or all of the Participants, if such business organization agrees with the Trustee in writing to accept the obligations of the Plan and to continue it in full force and effect in accordance with Section 11.10.

                Section 9.3: Failure To Contribute. The Company's failure to contribute to the Trust for any Plan Year shall not, of itself, be a discontinuance of contributions to the Plan.

 

 

ARTICLE X

CLAIMS PROCEDURE

 

                Section 10.1: Presentation Of Claim. Any Participant or Beneficiary of a deceased Participant (such Participant or Beneficiary being referred to below as a "Claimant") may deliver to the Committee a written claim for a determination with respect to the amounts (i) credited to (or deducted from) such Claimant's Participant's Account(s), or (ii) distributable to such Claimant from the Plan. If such a claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the Claimant, the claim must be made within 60 days after such notice was received by the Claimant. The claim must state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant.

                Section 10.2: Notification Of Decision. The Committee shall consider a Claimant's claim within a reasonable time, and shall notify the Claimant in writing:

                (a)         that the Claimant's requested determination has been made, and that the claim has been allowed in full; or

                (b)         that the Committee has reached a conclusion contrary, in whole or in part, to the Claimant's requested determination, and such notice must be given within 90 days and set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant:

(i)         the specific reason(s) for the denial of the claim, or any part of it;

(ii)        specific reference(s) to pertinent provisions of the Plan upon which such denial was based;

(iii)       a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

(iv)        an explanation of the claim review procedure set forth in Section 10.3.

                Section 10.3: Review Of A Denied Claim. Within 60 days after receiving a notice from the Committee that a claim has been denied, in whole or in part, a Claimant (or the Claimant's duly authorized representative) may file with the Committee a written request for a review of the denial of the claim. Thereafter, but not later than the time period established by the Committee, the Claimant (or the Claimant's duly authorized representative):

                (a)         may review pertinent documents;

                (b)         may submit written comments or other documents; and/or

                (c)         may request a hearing, which the Committee, in its discretion, may grant.

                Section 10.4: Decision On Review. The Committee shall render its decision on review promptly, and not later than 60 days after the review procedure begins, unless a hearing is held or other special circumstances require additional time, in which case the Committee's decision must be rendered within 120 days after the review procedure. Such decision must be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and it must contain:

(a)         specific reasons for the decision;

(b)         specific reference(s) to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision was based; and

(c)         such other matters as the Committee deems relevant.

 

 

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

                Section 11.1: Contributions Not Recoverable. Subject to the next two sentences, it shall be impossible for any part of the Trust's principal or income to be used for, or diverted to, purposes other than the exclusive benefit of the Participants or their Beneficiaries. Despite any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall be entitled to recover (within one year of the specified event):

                (a)         any contribution made to the Trust if (i) the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, or his delegate, determines that the Plan and the Trust do not meet the applicable requirements of the Code upon their initial qualification, with the result that the Trust is not exempt from federal income tax, (ii) such contribution was conditioned on such initial qualification of the Plan and Trust, (iii) the application for determination of such initial qualification was made within the time prescribed by law for filing the Company's tax return for the taxable year in which the Plan and Trust was adopted, or such later date as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, and (iv) such contribution is returned to the Company within one year after the date the initial qualification is denied;

                (b)         any contribution by the Company that was made by a mistake of fact, provided that such contribution is returned to the Company within one year of the contribution;

                (c)         any contribution by the Company (or any portion of it) that was disallowed by the Internal Revenue Service as a deduction, provided that such contribution (or such portion of it), to the extent disallowed, is returned to the Company within one year of the disallowance of the deduction; and

                (d)         upon termination of the Plan, any assets held in a suspense account pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(iv).

subsections (b) and (c) above shall be operative only if, and to the extent, expressly authorized by the applicable Regulations, or a Revenue Ruling, Revenue Procedure, or other official promulgation of the Internal Revenue Service.

                Section 11.2: Limitation On Participants' Rights. Participation in the Plan and Trust shall not give any Employee the right to be retained in the Company's employ or any right or interest in the Trust other than as provided in the Plan. The Company reserves the right to dismiss any Employee without any liability for any claim against the Trust (except to the extent provided in the Plan) or against the Company. All benefits payable under the Plan shall be provided solely from the assets of the Trust.

                Section 11.3: Receipt Or Release. Any payment to any Participant or Beneficiary pursuant to the Plan shall, to the extent of it, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Trustee, the Committee, Board of Directors, and the Company, and the Committee may require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition precedent to such payment, to sign a receipt and release to such effect.

                Section 11.4: Nonassignability.

                (a)         None of the benefits, payments, proceeds or claims of any Participant or Beneficiary shall be subject to any claim of any creditor and, in particular, they shall not be subject to attachment or garnishment or other legal process by any creditor. In addition, no Participant or Beneficiary shall have any right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber or assign any of the benefits or payments or proceeds that he or she may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under the Plan.

                (b)         Any restriction or prohibition against the assignment or alienation of benefits under the Plan shall not apply to (i) a "qualified domestic relations order" ("QDRO"), as that term is defined in Code Section 414(p), or (ii) a benefit reduction or offset in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(13)(C). To the extent provided in any QDRO, a former spouse of a Participant shall be treated as the spouse or surviving spouse of such Participant for all purposes under the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, a lump sum distribution may be made to an alternate payee under a QDRO at any time after the Committee has determined that such QDRO satisfies the requirements of Code Section 414(p) and Section 206(d) of ERISA, and regardless of whether or not the Participant who is a party to such QDRO is then eligible to receive a distribution under the Plan.

                Section 11.5: Governing Law. The Plan and the Trust shall be construed, administered, and governed in all respects under and by applicable federal law and, if they are not inconsistent with federal law, the internal laws of the State of California. If any provision is susceptible to more than one interpretation, the controlling interpretation shall be the one that is consistent with the Plan being a qualified plan under Code Section 401. If any provision of the Plan is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions shall continue to be fully effective.

                Section 11.6: Headings. Headings and subheadings in the Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only, and they are not to be considered in construing the provisions of the Plan.

                Section 11.7: Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same document, which may be sufficiently evidenced by any one counterpart.

                Section 11.8: Successors And Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties to it, and their successors, heirs, estates and assigns.

                Section 11.9: Gender And Number. As used in the Plan, the masculine, feminine and neuter gender, and the singular and plural number, each include the other(s), unless the context indicates otherwise.

                Section 11.10: Merger, Consolidation Or Transfer Of Plan Assets. The Plan shall not be merged or consolidated with, nor shall its assets or liabilities be transferred to, any other plan (the "new plan") unless each Participant would receive in such new plan a benefit immediately after such merger, consolidation or transfer, if such new plan were then terminated, that is equal to, or greater than, the benefit he or she would have been entitled to receive immediately before such merger, consolidation or transfer, if the Plan had been terminated then.

                Section 11.11: Joinder Of Parties. In any action or other judicial proceeding affecting the Plan, it shall be necessary to join as parties only the Trustee, the Committee and the Company, and no Participant or other person having an interest in the Plan shall be entitled to any notice or service of process.

                Section 11.12: The Trust. This Plan and the Trust are both part of and constitute a single integrated employee benefit plan and trust and shall be construed together.

                Section 11.13: Special Requirements For USERRA.

                (a)         Despite any other provision of the Plan, an Employee reemployed under Chapter 43 of Title 38, United States Code ("USERRA") shall not incur a Break in Service by reason of such Employee's period of Qualified Military Service.

                (b)         Each period of Qualified Military Service served by an Employee shall, upon reemployment under USERRA with the Company, constitute service with the Company for the purpose of determining the nonforfeitability of the Employee's accrued benefits under the Plan and for the purpose of determining the accrual of benefits under the Plan.

                (c)         An Employee reemployed under USERRA shall be entitled to accrued benefits that are contingent on the making of, or derived from, employee contributions or elective deferrals only to the extent the Employee makes payment to the Plan with respect to such contributions or deferrals. No such payment may exceed the amount the Employee would have been permitted or required to contribute had the Employee remained continuously employed by the Company throughout the period of Qualified Military Service. Any payment to the Plan shall be made during the period beginning on the date of reemployment and whose duration is three times the period of the Qualified Military Service (but not greater than five years).

                (d)         For purposes of this Section, "Qualified Military Service" shall mean any service in the uniformed services (as defined in USERRA) by any Employee if such Employee is entitled to reemployment rights under USERRA with respect to such service.

 

 

  *  *   *  *  *  *  *   *  *

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 


Signature Page

 

 

                The Company has signed the Plan on the date indicated below, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

"Company"

     
 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION

     

_____________, 2000.

By:

_____________________________

     
 

Its

____________________________

     
     
     
 

By:

_____________________________

     
 

Its

____________________________

     

 

 

 

EX-10 6 exh10i.htm EXHIBIT 10(I) Exhibit 10(i) - Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

Exhibit 10(i)

 

 

 

 

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

(As Of September 24, 1998)

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
 

Page

   

ARTICLE I PLAN HISTORY

1

   

ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS

2

 

2.1

"Accrued Benefit"

2

 

2.2

"Beneficiary"

3

 

2.3

"Bergen 401(k) Plan"

4

 

2.4

"Bergen Brunswig Corporation"

4

 

2.5

"Board of Directors"

5

 

2.6

"Break in Service"

5

 

2.7

"Capital Accumulation Plan"

5

 

2.8

"Code"

5

 

2.9

"Compensation"

5

 

2.10

"Credited Service"

6

 

2.11

"Employee"

6

 

2.12

"Employer"

7

 

2.13

"Employment"

7

 

2.14

"Equivalent"

7

 

2.15

"ERISA"

8

 

2.16

"Executive Benefits"

8

 

2.17

"Key Management Benefits"

8

 

2.18

"Normal Benefit Form"

8

 

2.19

"Normal Retirement Age"

9

 

2.20

"Optional Benefit Form"

9

 

2.21

"Participant"

9

 

2.22

"Plan"

9

 

2.23

"Plan Administrator"

9

 

2.24

"Plan Rules"

9

 

2.25

"Plan Year"

9

 

2.26

"Service"

9

 

2.27

"Spouse"

10

 

2.28

"Trust"

11

 

2.29

"Vested"

11

 

2.30

"Vesting Service"

11

       

ARTICLE III PARTICIPATION

11

 

3.1

Requirements for Participation

11

 

3.2

Former Participants

13

       

ARTICLE IV AMOUNT OF BENEFIT

13

 

4.1

Determination of Benefit Amount

13

       

ARTICLE V VESTING

17

 

5.1

Vesting of Accrued Benefit

17

 

5.2

Forfeiture of Benefits

22

       

ARTICLE VI PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

22

 

6.1

Benefits on Termination of Employment

22

 

6.2

Death Benefits

22

 

6.3

Joint and Survivor Annuities

22

 

6.4

Optional Benefit Forms

24

 

6.5

Funeral Benefit

25

 

6.6

Delay in Distribution

25

 

6.7

No Suspension of Benefits

26

 

6.8

Release Required

26

       

ARTICLE VII ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

26

 

7.1

Duties of the Plan Administrator

26

 

7.2

Delegation of Administrative Responsibility

27

 

7.3

Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity

28

 

7.4

Claims Procedure

29

 

7.5

Effect of Plan Administrator Action

32

       

ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

33

 

8.1

Amendments

33

 

8.2

Termination of Plan

34

       

ARTICLE IX FUNDING OF BENEFITS

34

 

9.1

Plan is Unfunded

34

 

9.2

Trust

34

 

9.3

Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust

35

       

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

35

 

10.1

Payments

35

 

10.2

Consolidation or Merger of Companies

36

 

10.3

Adoption of Plan to Cover Other Companies, Facilities or Groups

36

 

10.4

Termination of Employment

37

 

10.5

Determination of Hours of Service

40

 

10.6

Alienation

40

 

10.7

Division of Benefits by Domestic Relations Orders

40

 

10.8

Legal Costs; Increased Benefit

43

 

10.9

Duty to Provide Data

44

 

10.10

Limitation on Rights of Employees

45

 

10.11

Restrictions

45

 

10.12

Service of Process

46

 

10.13

Spouse's Interest

46

 

10.14

Distribution in the Event of Taxation

46

 

10.15

Governing Law

46

 

10.16

Plurals

46

 

10.17

Titles

47

 

10.18

References

46

 

10.19

Entire Agreement

46

 

10.20

Severability

47

 

10.21

Withholding

47


 

ARTICLE I

PLAN HISTORY

 

               Bergen Brunswig Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Company") adopted the Bergen Brunswig Capital Accumulation Plan in 1980. The Capital Accumulation Plan was frozen effective October 7, 1987. To replace the Capital Accumulation Plan, Bergen Brunswig Corporation adopted this Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective January 1, 1991. The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan was amended and restated, effective July 28, 1994, and further amended and restated effective as of March 3, 1995 in order to provide the Participants (as hereinafter defined) with certain additional benefits in the event of a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined). The Company now desires to amend and restate the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan in order to modify the method used to determine accrued benefits under Article IV and the definition of Compensation (within the meaning of Section 2.9 below) effective with respect to Participants who are Employees (as defined below) on or after September 24, 1998, and such other amendments and modifications. This Third Amendment and Restatement of the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan is effective as of September 24, 1998 and incorporates all prior amendments (as amended and restated, the "Plan").

               While the Plan is not intended to qualify under the Code as a qualified plan, the Plan is intended to be a pension benefit plan which, although subject to ERISA, is exempt from Parts 2, 3 and 4 of Title I of ERISA because it is (solely for purposes of ERISA) an unfunded plan that only covers a select group of management or highly compensated employees. Persons become participants as provided herein. Benefits under the Plan become payable on account of a Participant's retirement, termination or death.

 

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

 

               The following terms, when capitalized, shall have the meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates a contrary meaning.

               2.1         "Accrued Benefit" of a Participant shall be the individual's benefit under this Plan, accrued as of the time of determination. A Participant's Accrued Benefit shall only be payable to the extent Vested. Subject to this limitation, a Participant's Accrued Benefit shall be the amount by which the product of the amounts described in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 2.1 exceeds the offsets set forth in Section 4.1(c), all as calculated as of the time of determination:

               (a)         the individual's benefit under Section 4.1 before application of the offsets set forth in Section 4.1(c), and

               (b)         a fraction, the numerator of which is the individual's Credited Service and the denominator of which is the greater of

               (i)         the total Credited Service the individual could earn before his or her Normal Retirement Age, or

               (ii)         the result determined by subtracting from fifteen the individual's years of Service completed prior to performing any services for the Employer in a Credited Service position.

               In no event shall a Participant's fraction under this subsection exceed one. See Section 4.1(d) for special benefit calculation rules that apply when a Participant is demoted.

               (c)         For all benefit purposes, if a Participant accumulates eighty "points" before his or her fraction in subsection (b) above equals one, his or her fraction in subsection (b) above shall be raised to one. A Participant shall accumulate 1 "point" for each year of age, 1 "point" for each year of Employment prior to becoming employed in a position covered by this Plan and 1.5 "points" for each year of Employment subsequent to becoming employed in a position covered by this Plan.

               (d)         For purposes of this Section, a person shall be considered to have been employed in a position covered by this Plan if the position is a position for which he or she receives Credited Service credit.

                2.2         "Beneficiary" shall mean the person designated by a Participant to receive payments from the Plan due to the Participant's death. Beneficiary designations and determinations shall be made in accordance with the following rules:

                (a)         Each Participant shall have the right, at any time, to designate his or her Beneficiary (both primary as well as contingent) to receive any benefits payable under the Plan to a Beneficiary upon the death of a Participant. The Beneficiary designated under this Plan may be the same as or different from the Beneficiary designation under any other plan of an Employer in which the Participant participates. A Participant shall designate his or her Beneficiary by completing and signing a Beneficiary Designation Form, in form and substance satisfactory to the Plan Administrator, and returning it to the Plan Administrator for acceptance. No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator.

                (b)         A Participant shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Rules as in effect from time to time. Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be canceled. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Participant and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to his or her death.

                (c)         A Participant can designate someone other than his or her Spouse as Beneficiary, but only with written spousal consent.

                (d)         If a deceased Participant has not properly designated a Beneficiary, the Participant's Spouse shall be treated as the Beneficiary.

                (e)         If a deceased Participant is survived neither by a Spouse nor a properly designated Beneficiary, the Participant's estate shall be treated as the Beneficiary.

                (f)         With the Plan Administrator's consent and subject to any conditions which the Plan Administrator may specify, the Participant may designate more than one person to be his or her Beneficiary, provided that one Beneficiary is designated as the "measuring life" on which the duration and amount of the joint and survivor annuity is to be calculated and the portion of the survivor annuity to be paid to each Beneficiary is specified (e.g., my mother, Jane Doe, and my invalid daughter, Janet Doe, shall share equally in survivor benefits while they both live; any survivor benefits payable following the death of either my mother, Jane Doe, or my invalid daughter, Janet Doe, shall be paid to the survivor; survivor benefits are to be determined as if only my invalid daughter, Janet Doe, were the Beneficiary).

                2.3         "Bergen 401(k) Plan" shall mean the Bergen Brunswig Corporation Pre-Tax Investment Retirement Account Plus Employer Contributions Plan, or any successor to that plan.

                2.4         "Bergen Brunswig Corporation" shall mean Bergen Brunswig Corporation, a New Jersey corporation.

                2.5         "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

                2.6         "Break in Service" shall mean a period of non-Employment which causes a former Employee to lose credits under this Plan. A former Employee incurs one Break in Service upon the completion of each three hundred and sixty-five consecutive day period throughout which the individual is not an Employee. This period shall commence on the day following the last day on which the individual was an Employee. See Section 10.4 for special rules relating to maternity and paternity absences.

                2.7         "Capital Accumulation Plan" shall mean the Bergen Brunswig Corporation Capital Accumulation Plan that was originally effective July 1, 1980, and frozen effective October 7, 1987.

                2.8         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

                2.9         "Compensation" shall mean the average monthly earnings payable to a Participant for the three calendar years, whether or not consecutive, in which the Participant received the highest Compensation during the five calendar years immediately preceding the Participant's termination of Employment. This average shall be computed by dividing the Participant's total "earnings" (as defined in this Section) during the three years in question by thirty-six. A Participant's "earnings" shall mean the base salary paid to the Participant during the calendar year in question, (including any salary waived or deferred under any nonqualified deferred compensation or other salary reduction arrangement) but, not including bonuses, noncash payments or cash payments other than base salary. Notwithstanding anything in the immediate preceding sentence to the contrary, in the case of a Participant who has the status of an Employee on or after September 24, 1998, a Participant's earnings for the calculation of a Participant's Compensation and the entire benefit payable under this Plan shall mean to include both the base salary and any bonus paid to the Participant during the calendar year in question (including any salary or bonus waived or deferred under any nonqualified deferred compensation or other salary reduction arrangement) but not including noncash payments or cash payments other than base salary and bonuses.

                2.10         "Credited Service" shall mean the number of years of Service in which the Participant was employed in the position he or she held at the time he or she was designated by the Plan Administrator to be a Participant or was covered by the Capital Accumulation Plan, or any position held thereafter, including years before or after the adoption of either plan, but excluding any Service while the Participant was not employed in such a position or positions. Notwithstanding the above, should a Participant change positions, the Plan Administrator can, in the exercise of the Plan Administrator's reasonable discretion, determine that the new position should not be considered a position for which such Participant shall receive any Credited Service credit.

                2.11         "Employee" shall mean an individual who renders services to the Employer as a common law employee or officer (i.e., a person whose wages from the Employer are subject to federal income tax withholding). Unless specifically approved by the Compensation/Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors to provide a consultant with credit as an Employee, a person rendering services to the Employer purportedly as an independent contractor shall not be treated as an Employee before the Employer has acknowledged that it must withhold federal income taxes from his or her pay. For purposes of this Plan, an individual shall remain an "Employee" if he or she ceases to work for the Employer for the purposes of taking an Employer arranged job.

                2.12         "Employer" shall mean:

                (a)         Adopting Employers. Bergen Brunswig Corporation, any related company designated by Bergen Brunswig Corporation, any successor entity which continues the Plan or such companies collectively; and

                (b)         Non-Adopting Employers. Companies that have not adopted the Plan but are related to the adopting Employers as described in subsection (e).

                (c)         All Employees of adopting and non-adopting Employers shall be treated as employed by a single company for all Plan purposes, including Service crediting, except that no person shall be eligible to become a Participant or accrue Credited Service except while employed by an adopting Employer.

                (d)         In contexts in which actions are required or permitted to be taken or notice is to be given, the Employer shall mean Bergen Brunswig Corporation.

                (e)         A company is a "related company" while it and the Employer are members of a controlled group of corporations or a group of trades or businesses under common control (within the meaning of Code Sections 414(b) and (c)).

                2.13         "Employment" shall mean the period during which an individual is an Employee. Employment shall commence on the day the individual first performs services for the Employer as an Employee and shall terminate on the day such services cease.

                2.14         "Equivalent" shall mean the actuarial equivalent of a given amount or benefit payable in another manner, at another time or by any other means, determined conclusively by, or under the direction of, the Plan Administrator in accordance with actuarial principles, methods and assumptions which are found to be appropriate by the Plan's actuary. For purposes of this Plan, equivalencies shall be based on the mortality assumptions included in the indices used by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, or such other nationally recognized insurance company, in quoting a premium to purchase a non-qualified individual annuity with survivor coverage as of the date of the event necessitating the calculation (e.g. retirement, termination of Employment, disability, etc.).

                2.15         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

                2.16         "Executive Benefits" shall mean the benefits provided under this Plan for officers of Bergen Brunswig Corporation who are Participants.

                2.17         "Key Management Benefits" shall mean the benefits provided under this Plan for officers of a subsidiary of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and some directors of corporate department of Bergen Brunswig Corporation who are Participants as designated by the Plan Administrator.

                2.18         "Normal Benefit Form" shall mean the normal form of benefit under the Plan, which shall be the Equivalent of a Participant's Vested Accrued Benefit, payable as a joint and survivor annuity based on the life expectancies of the Participant and the measuring life Beneficiary at the time payment of the benefit commences, consisting of monthly payments to the Participant commencing as of the first day of the calendar month coincident with or next following the Participant's benefit commencement date and ending with the payment for the calendar month in which the Participant dies, with the provision that, if the Participant dies and is survived by the Beneficiary, such Beneficiary shall receive monthly payments of, in the case of Executive Benefits, seventy-five percent or, in the case of Key Management Benefits, fifty percent, of the monthly payments that were being made prior to the Participant's death, commencing with the payment for the calendar month following the month in which the Participant died and ending with the payment for the calendar month in which the Beneficiary dies.

                2.19         "Normal Retirement Age" of a Participant shall mean the date on which the Participant attains age sixty-two.

                2.20         "Optional Benefit Form" shall mean any form of benefit available under the Plan, other than the Normal Benefit Form.

                2.21         "Participant" shall mean any person who is included in the Plan pursuant to Article III. Any Participant who holds the title of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in Section 5.1(b)(ii)) shall be designated an Executive Participant and shall be eligible for the acceleration of benefits set forth in Section 5.1(b). A Participant shall cease to be a Participant at the time determined under Section 3.1(c).

                2.22         "Plan" shall mean this document. The Plan consists of two components: Executive Benefits and Key Management Benefits, as more fully described in this document.

                2.23         "Plan Administrator" shall mean Bergen Brunswig Corporation, acting through its chief executive officer or such officer's delegate.

                2.24         "Plan Rules" shall mean rules adopted by the Plan Administrator in accordance with Section 7.1(e) for the administration, interpretation or application of the Plan.

                2.25         "Plan Year" shall mean the fiscal year of the Plan, which is currently the twelve month period ending on December 31.

                2.26         "Service" shall mean an Employee's period of Employment. Special rules for calculating Service are found in Section 2.10, which explains what Service is counted for benefit accrual purposes, and Section 10.4(d), which deals with maternity and paternity absences. Service shall be calculated under the following elapsed time rules:

                (a)         Service shall be measured in days. Service shall commence with the first day on which an individual performs or resumes performing services for the Employer as an Employee (e.g., the day the individual first performs an "hour of service" for which he or she is entitled to payment by the Employer). Except as provided in subsection (b), an Employee's Service shall thereafter end on the day on which his or her Employment ends, as determined under Section 10.4. An Employee shall be credited with one year of Service for each three hundred and sixty-five days in his or her period or periods of Service; fractional results shall be rounded up to the nearest whole year.

                (b)         No more than three hundred and sixty-five days of Service will be credited for any continuous period during which an individual is an Employee but performs no duties as an Employee (except as required by law with respect to military leaves and maternity and paternity absences (see Section 10.4(d)). If an individual's Employment terminates but it resumes within three hundred and sixty-five days (i.e., before he or she incurs a Break in Service), the period between the termination and resumption will be included in his or her period of Service.

                (c)         If an individual has more than one period of Service, the periods shall be aggregated. However, a Participant's prior period of Service shall be ignored if thereafter the Participant completed five consecutive Breaks in Service before he or she has earned a Vested Accrued Benefit.

                2.27         "Spouse" shall mean the person to whom a Participant is legally married at the time in question under the laws of the state in which the Participant then resides (excluding a common-law spouse). A person shall cease to be a Spouse when his or her marriage to the Participant is deemed dissolved or annulled under the laws of the state in which the Participant then resides.

                2.28         "Trust" shall mean the trust established pursuant to that certain Master Trust Agreement, dated as of December 27, 1994, between Bergen Brunswig Corporation and the trustee named therein, as amended from time to time.

                2.29         "Vested" shall mean nonforfeitable.

                2.30         "Vesting Service" of an Employee shall mean his or her years of Service calculated in accordance with Section 2.26.

 

ARTICLE III

PARTICIPATION

 

                3.1         Requirements for Participation.

                (a)         Executive Benefits. A person shall become a Participant in the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan on the date he or she becomes an officer of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and if such Executive shall become an officer of Bergen Brunswig Corporation for the first time after September 24, 1998, is selected by the Plan Administrator to be a Participant.

                (b)         Key Management Benefits. A person shall become a Participant in the Key Management Benefits portion of the Plan on the date he or she becomes an officer of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and if such person shall become an officer of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bergen Brunswig Corporation for the first time after September 24, 1998 or becomes a director of a corporate department of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and is selected by the Plan Administrator to be a Participant.

                (c)         Change in Status. Whenever a Participant is promoted, the Plan Administrator shall determine, in his or her sole discretion, whether such Participant is in a position that is covered by the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan, a position covered by the Key Management portion of the Plan or a position that is not covered by the Plan. If the Plan Administrator makes no such determination within thirty (30) days of the change in position, the Participant shall remain in the portion of the Plan in which he or she was covered prior to the position change. As part of the Plan Administrator's administrative duties, the Plan Administrator, from time to time, shall maintain a list of the Participants in the Executive Benefits and Key Management Benefits portions of this Plan and provide a copy of said lists to the Secretary of the Company.

                (d)         Termination. A Participant shall cease to be a Participant when his or her Employment terminates (see Section 2.13), unless the Participant becomes totally and permanently disabled while a Participant, in which case he or she shall remain a Participant until he or she attains age sixty-two. (A Participant shall be considered totally and permanently disabled while the Participant is receiving long-term disability benefits under the Bergen Brunswig Long Term Disability Plan (or would receive such benefits if the individual were covered by that plan)). A totally and permanently disabled Participant shall continue to earn Vesting Service during such disability. However, the individual shall not be granted Credited Service for any period of disability. At the option of the Plan Administrator, the Plan Administrator can terminate the Plan with respect to all the Participants and pay them the Equivalent of his or her Vested Accrued Benefit in an immediate cash lump sum payment or a monthly annuity for a term of years to be determined by the Plan Administrator, in his or her sole discretion, provided that such term of years shall not exceed the life expectancy of the Participant. If the Plan Administrator exercises his or her option, the Participant shall be deemed to be fully Vested, whether or not he or she meets the requirements set forth in Article V.

                3.2         Former Participants. A former Participant who requalifies for the Plan shall again become a Participant on the date he or she requalifies.

 

ARTICLE IV

AMOUNT OF BENEFIT

 

                4.1         Determination of Benefit Amount. The Accrued Benefit payable to a Participant under the Plan shall be calculated as follows (but it shall only be paid to the extent Vested under Section 5.1):

                (a)         Executive Benefits. A Participant in the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan shall receive a benefit equal to eighty percent (80%) of his or her Compensation, subject to reduction under the fractional accrual rule in Section 2.1 and subject to the offsets, if any, described in Section 4.1(c) below. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing sentence to the contrary, for purposes of determining the entire benefit of a Participant in the Executive Benefits portion of this Plan and who has the status of an Employee on or after September 24, 1998, said Participant shall receive a benefit of sixty percent (60%) not eighty percent (80%) of his or her Compensation and the term "Compensation" shall be interpreted to include his or her annual salary and bonus payments as described in Section 2.9.

                (b)         Key Management Benefits. A Participant in the Key Management Benefits portion of the Plan shall receive a benefit equal to sixty-five percent (not eighty percent) of his or her Compensation subject to reduction, if any, under the fractional accrual rule in Section 2.1 and subject to the offsets, if any, described in subsections (i), (ii), and (iii) of Section 4.1(c) below. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing sentence to the contrary, a Participant in the Key Management benefits portion of the Plan and who has the status of an Employee on or after September 24, 1998, said Participant shall receive a benefit of forty-eight percent (48%) not sixty percent (60%) of his or her Compensation and the term "Compensation" shall be interpreted to include his or her annual salary and bonus payments as described in Section 2.9.

                (c)         A Participant's benefit (whether an Executive Benefit or a Key Management Benefit) shall be subject to the following offsets (each to be expressed as an Equivalent amount commencing at the Participant's Normal Retirement Age), if applicable:

                (i)         the Participant's primary insurance amount payable at age 62 under the Social Security Act with the assumption that the Participant's benefit payable under the Social Security Act is not reduced because of other income of a Participant;

                (ii)         the Participant's benefit under the Capital Accumulation Plan;

                (iii)         the monthly annuity the Participant could have purchased under the Bergen 401(k) Plan, if the Participant had made annual contributions to the Bergen 401(k) Plan of six percent of his or her taxable compensation (but not more than the maximum contribution, if any, allowable under Code Section 402(g)) and had received an annual matching Employer contribution of fifty percent of that amount or, if different, the amount determined under the table set forth below, from later of (i) the adoption of the Bergen 401(k) Plan or (ii) the date of the Participant's fortieth birthday through his or her termination. The sum of such hypothetical contributions for any calendar year shall not exceed the amount then applicable under Code Section 415(c)(1)(A). Such hypothetical contributions shall be deemed to have been made to the Bergen 401(k) Plan on the last day of each calendar year and shall be credited with earnings at a rate equal to the average yield of the Bergen 401(k) Plan's guaranteed income fund, or successor fund as determined by the Plan Administrator, as of the beginning of the plan year of the Bergen 401(k) Plan. The matching Employer contribution rate used for the calendar years in question shall be as follows:

 

Calendar

Year

Employer Matching
Contribution Rate

   

1985

1.5%

   

1986

1.7%

   

1987

1.2%

   

1988

3.0%

   

1989

6.0%

   

1990 through 1998

3.0%

   

After 1998

4.0%

 

                Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing in this Section 4.1(c) to the contrary, for Participants who have the status of an Employee on or after September 24, 1998, and for the purpose of determining their entire benefit under this Plan, a Participant's contributions (whether or not hypothetical) shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the reduction of the Participants benefits under this Plan pursuant to this subsection (iii) but only the actual matching Employer contribution shall be used as an offset pursuant to this subsection (iii).

                The offset required by this Section 4.1(c) shall apply without regard to whether the Participant was eligible for the Bergen 401(k) Plan or actually made any contributions. In calculating the offset, hypothetical contributions shall not be deemed to have been made in calendar years prior to 1985 or in calendar years beginning before the Participant's fortieth birthday, whichever is later.

                (d)         If a Participant who is covered by the Key Management Benefits portion of the Plan becomes covered by the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan, the Participant's benefit shall be calculated entirely under the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan. If a Participant who is eligible for the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan thereafter becomes eligible only for the Key Management Benefits portion of the Plan, his or her benefits under the Plan shall be the greater of (i) the benefit, if any, he or she would have had if his or her Employment terminated when the Participant ceased to be covered by the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan, or (ii) his or her benefit calculated under the Key Management Benefits portion of the Plan. If a Participant who is eligible for the Executive Benefits portion of the Plan or the Key Management Benefits portion of the Plan ceases to be employed in a position covered by this Plan, his or her benefits shall be determined as if his or her Employment terminated when the Participant ceased to be employed in a position covered by this Plan.

 

ARTICLE V

VESTING

 

                5.1         Vesting of Accrued Benefit.

                (a)         General Vesting Provisions. Payments Upon Change in Control. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.1(b) below, a Participant's Accrued Benefit shall become fully Vested upon completion of five years of Vesting Service or, if earlier, upon the later of the Participants attainment of age sixty-two while an Employee or his or her fifth anniversary of becoming a Participant.

                (b)         Vesting and Payment of Benefits Upon a Change in Control.

                (i)         Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below), each Participant's Accrued Benefit shall deemed to be fully Vested under the Plan and each Executive Participant shall be entitled to benefits under the Plan in accordance with the following: (A) As of the date of the Change in Control, such Executive Participant shall be deemed to have attained the Normal Retirement Age; (B) with respect to each year between such Executive Participants actual age as of the date of the Change in Control (if less than the Normal Retirement Age) and the Normal Retirement Age (the "Interim Period"), such Executive Participant shall be deemed to have been continuously employed by the Company in, and to have continuously performed (without any Breaks in Service) the duties of, the position with the Company that such Executive Participant held as of the date of the Change in Control; (C) such Executive Participant shall be deemed to be entitled to Credited Service for all times during the Interim Period; (D) such Executive Participant's base salary as of the date of the Change in Control and the Executive Participant's highest average annual bonus amount received for any three years during the last five year period immediately preceding a Change in Control shall be used for the purposes of calculating the entire benefit under this Plan and the base salary and annual bonus amount (as calculated) shall be deemed to have increased at a rate of 4.0% per year each year during the Interim Period, resulting in a corresponding increase in the Executive Participant's Compensation for purposes of calculating a Participant's benefits under this Plan; (E) such Executive Participant's Accrued Benefit under this Plan shall be calculated in accordance with the assumptions set forth in the preceding clauses (A) - (D); and (F) prior to or upon the consummation of the transactions giving rise to the Change in Control, the Company shall pay to such Executive Participant, by certified or bank cashier's check, a cash lump sum payment that is the Equivalent of such Executive Participant's Vested Accrued Benefit determined in accordance with this Section 5.1(b).

                (ii)         A Change in Control shall be deemed to occur 90 days prior to the occurrence of any of the following events:

                (w)         any "person" (as defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), shall become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Bergen Brunswig Corporation representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of Bergen Brunswig Corporation's then outstanding securities, provided, however, that for purposes of this calculation, purchases by employee benefit plans of Bergen Brunswig Corporation and purchases by Bergen Brunswig Corporation itself shall be disregarded; or

(x) there shall be consummated: (A) any consolidation, merger or transaction in the nature of a Section 351 transaction under the Code (whether or not it meets the requirements for nonrecognition of gain under Section 351 of the Code) of Bergen Brunswig Corporation in which either Bergen Brunswig Corporation is not the continuing or surviving corporation, the majority of the common stock of Bergen Brunswig Corporation is no longer held by holders of Bergen Brunswig Corporation common stock immediately prior to the transaction or pursuant to which shares of Bergen Brunswig Corporation's common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property; provided, however, that a consolidation, merger or transaction in the nature of a Section 351 transaction under the Code in which the holders of Bergen Brunswig Corporation's common stock immediately prior to the merger own, on a proportionate basis, at least 80% of the common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the transaction shall not be considered a Change in Control; or (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the operating assets of Bergen Brunswig Corporation; or

                (y)         the stockholders of Bergen Brunswig Corporation approve a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of Bergen Brunswig Corporation; or

                (z)         during any rolling period of two consecutive years ending on any date after the date hereof, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors and any new director whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; provided, however, that no director shall be considered to have been so approved if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a "person" (as defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than the Board of Directors (a "Proxy Contest"), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest.

                (iii)         In the event of a Change in Control, upon payment to each Executive Participant of the cash lump sum payment referred to in clause (F) of subsection 5.1(b)(i) above, the Company shall also pay to such Executive Participant, by certified or bank cashier's check, a cash lump sum payment equal to (x) the amount of excise tax for which such Executive Participant is or may become liable under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999 (or any successor provision) with respect to the payments made under this Section 5.1(b), taking into account all compensation includable in the computation under Internal Revenue Code Section 280G (or any successor provision), including, without limitation, payments under this subsection (iii) plus (b) the amount of such Executive Participant's income tax liability arising from the Company's payment of the excise tax liability referred to in the preceding clause (a), such that the payments under clauses (a) and (b) taken together shall provide such Participant with sufficient after-income tax dollars to pay such Participant's liability for Internal Revenue Code Section 4999 excise taxes. The maximum combined marginal federal and applicable state(s) income tax rate in effect for the year in which the payments under this subsection (iii) are to be made shall be used in computing the amount of such payments. In the event that the Company and the Executive Participant are unable to agree upon the amount of the payment required under this subsection (iii), such amount shall be determined by Tax Counsel (as defined below). The decision of such Tax Counsel shall be final and binding upon both the Company and the Executive Participant. All fees and expenses of such Tax Counsel shall be paid by the Company. As used in this subsection (iii), the term "Tax Counsel" shall mean an attorney at law or certified public accountant who is a partner at a law firm of at least 25 attorneys or a partner at a "Big 6" accounting firm, respectively, provided that such firm has not provided services to the Company or the respective Executive Participant or any affiliate of the Company or such Executive Participant within the last year.

                (iv)         Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, (x) this subsection 5.1(b) shall become irrevocable, and (y) Sections 6.8, 7.4(h), 7.4(i), 7.5 and 10.11 hereof shall cease to apply, none of such sections shall ever thereafter be reinstated, and no similar provisions shall ever be adopted hereunder.

                5.2         Forfeiture of Benefits. The unvested portion of an Executive Participant's Accrued Benefit shall be forfeited on the date the Executive Participant completes five consecutive Breaks in Service.

 

ARTICLE VI

PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

 

                6.1         Benefits on Termination of Employment. A Participant who terminates Employment on or after attaining Normal Retirement Age shall receive his or her Vested Accrued Benefit commencing immediately and payable in accordance with this Article. If the Participant terminates Employment before his or her Normal Retirement Age, the Participant shall receive the Equivalent of his or her Vested Accrued Benefit commencing immediately upon termination of Employment and payable in accordance with this Article.

                6.2         Death Benefits. Subject to Section 10.7, if a Participant with a Vested Accrued Benefit dies, at the option of the Plan Administrator, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be paid the lump sum Equivalent of the remaining balance of the Participant's Vested Accrued Benefit.

                6.3         Joint and Survivor Annuities.

                (a)         Subject to Section 6.4, a Participant's Vested Accrued Benefit shall be paid in the Normal Benefit Form. Distribution shall also be made in the form of a joint and survivor annuity if a former Spouse is entitled to survivor annuity benefits under a qualified domestic relations order, as provided in Section 10.7. More than one Spouse may be entitled to joint and survivor annuity benefits. For example, two former Spouses may have been awarded survivor benefits and there may also be a current Spouse. In such cases, this Section shall be applied by dividing the Participant's Vested Accrued Benefit in proportion to the spousal entitlements and then applying this Section to each portion as if each portion were a separate Vested Accrued Benefit belonging to the Participant and the Spouse or former Spouse in question.

                (b)         After a Participant has received the explanation required by subsection (c) of this Section 6.3, the Participant and his or her Spouse, if any, if such Spouse is a Beneficiary (or former Spouse if such Spouse has the power to do so under a qualified domestic relations order), may elect, with the consent of the Plan Administrator and in the manner prescribed by it, not to receive a joint and survivor annuity, in which case the Participant shall receive his or her Vested Accrued Benefit in an Optional Benefit Form. This election may be made at any time but must be made no later than one year preceding the time benefit payments would otherwise commence under Section 6.1. This election shall become irrevocable one year preceding the time benefit payments would otherwise commence under Section 6.1. Spousal consents to elections waiving joint and survivor annuity benefits that are required must be given in writing witnessed by a representative of the Plan Administrator or a notary public. A spousal consent will only be valid if it also consents to both the alternative form of payment chosen and the Beneficiary, if any, thereunder and only if the form of payment and the Beneficiary cannot be changed without future spousal consent (unless the written spousal consent expressly permits such changes to be made and the Spouse acknowledges that he or she understands that he or she does not have to grant this permission). A Spouse's written consent must acknowledge the effect of the payment and the Beneficiary election to which he or she is consenting. The Plan Administrator in its discretion may refuse to recognize a spousal consent if it believes for any reason that the consent is invalid. Spousal consent shall be waived by the Plan Administrator if a Participant has no Spouse and may be waived if the Spouse cannot be located or for such other reasons authorized in applicable Treasury Regulations. Revocations of previous elections to waive the joint and survivor annuity may be made at any time and any number of times within the election period and new waiver elections may thereafter be made. Revocations of elections to waive the joint and survivor annuity may be made without spousal consent. A spousal consent given by one Spouse shall be invalid as to any former or subsequent Spouse (but no benefit shall be payable under this Section to a person who becomes the Participant's Spouse after the Participant's benefit payments under the Plan have commenced).

                (c)         Assuming sufficient notice of termination of Employment has been provided to the Plan Administrator, no less than thirty nor more than ninety days before termination of Employment, the Plan Administrator shall furnish each Participant with a written explanation of the terms and conditions of the Normal Benefit Form, the Participant's right to make an election to waive the Normal Benefit Form or to revoke a previous election and the effect of such election or revocation, the rights of the Participant's Spouse in connection with an election by the Participant, and the relative values of the Optional Benefit Forms then available under the Plan.

                6.4         Optional Benefit Forms. Instead of receiving a benefit in the Normal Benefit Form, a Participant may elect to receive payments in an Optional Benefit Form. This election must be made in writing in accordance with the requirements of the Plan Administrator and must be delivered to the Plan Administrator prior to the Participant's termination of Employment. A married Participant may be required to obtain his or her Spouse's consent to this election pursuant to the rules set forth in Section 6.3(b). If an Optional Benefit Form provides benefits to a Beneficiary, election of the Optional Benefit Form shall not be effective unless the Beneficiary is alive on the date of the Participant's Retirement. The Optional Benefit Forms available to a Participant are as follows:

                (a)         A cash lump sum which is the Equivalent of the Participant's Vested Accrued Benefit.

                6.5         Funeral Benefit. In addition to any other benefit payable under the Plan, the estate of a Participant who dies before termination of Employment shall be paid a cash lump sum in the amount of $5,000 to cover funeral expenses of the Participant. This additional benefit shall be paid only if the estate gives written notice of the Participant's death to the Plan Administrator and only if the Participant had a Vested Accrued Benefit, without regard to whether any or all of the Vested Accrued Benefit will be paid. This benefit shall be reduced by the funeral benefit, if any, which became payable with respect to the Participant under section 6.3 of the Capital Accumulation Plan.

                6.6         Delay in Distribution.

                (a)         If the amount payable under this Article cannot be ascertained or the person to whom it is payable has not been determined or located and reasonable efforts to do so have been made, then distributions under this Article shall commence, retroactive to the date they would normally have commenced, within a reasonable time after such amount is ascertained or such person is determined or located.

                (b)         Distribution of benefits to a Participant shall not be triggered by the transfer of the Participant to any other job (whether or not with the Employer or an affiliate) if the transfer is arranged by the Employer. The Participant's benefit will commence when the Participant ceases to be employed by the Employer or by any other company for which the Participant worked in an Employer-arranged job.

                6.7         No Suspension of Benefits. Benefits which are in pay status shall not be suspended if a Participant subsequently performs services for the Employer in any capacity.

                6.8         Release Required. No benefits shall be payable to a Participant unless the Participant executes a general release waiving any and all claims the Participant may have against the Employer and related parties. The release shall be made on the form prescribed by the Employer and cannot be given any earlier than one month before benefit payments are expected to commence. A release shall not be required with respect to benefits that become payable under the Plan because of termination of Employment due to death.

 

ARTICLE VII

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

                7.1         Duties of the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall be responsible for the general administration and management of the Plan. The Plan Administrator shall have all powers and duties and the discretion necessary to fulfill its responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the following powers and duties:

                (a)         To determine all questions relating to the future eligibility of persons to participate;

                (b)         To determine the amount and kind of benefits consistent with this Plan that are payable to Participants;

                (c)         To maintain all records necessary for the administration of the Plan;

                (d)         To provide for disclosure of all information and filing or provision of all reports and statements to Participants, Spouses, Beneficiaries or governmental bodies as shall be required by ERISA or any other federal law;

                (e)         To adopt or modify Plan Rules, as necessary, for the regulation or application of the Plan; such Rules may establish administrative procedures or requirements which modify the terms of this Plan but Plan Rules shall not substantially alter significant requirements or provisions of the Plan;

                (f)         To administer the claims procedure set forth in Section 7.4 below;

                (g)         To delegate any power or duty to any firm or person in accordance with Section 7.2 below; and

                (h)         To exercise all other powers or duties granted to the Plan Administrator by other provisions of the Plan.

                7.2         Delegation of Administrative.

                (a)         The Plan Administrator may delegate all or any portion of its administrative responsibilities with respect to the Plan to any other person pursuant to this Section.

                (b)         A delegation under this Section shall be accomplished by a written instrument executed by the Plan Administrator specifying responsibilities delegated and the fiduciary responsibilities allocated to such delegate. The delegation of such responsibilities shall be effective upon the date specified in the delegation, subject to written acceptance by the delegate. Any delegation of responsibilities shall provide for reports, no less often than annually, by such delegate to the Plan Administrator of such information necessary to fully inform the Plan Administrator of the status and operation of the Plan and of the delegate's discharge of responsibilities delegated.

                7.3         Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity.

                (a)         The Plan Administrator and any delegate under Section 7.2 above who is an Employee shall serve without compensation for services to the Plan. The Employer shall furnish the Plan Administrator or any such delegate with all clerical or other assistance necessary in the performance of his or her duties. The Plan Administrator is authorized to employ such legal counsel and advisors as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder.

                (b)         All costs of administering the Plan (including the cost of legal services described in subsection (a)) shall be paid by the Employer. Except as the Plan Administrator otherwise directs, any expenses incurred in resolving disputes among different claimants as to their entitlement to a benefit shall be charged against the benefit, which shall be reduced accordingly.

                (c)         To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Employer shall indemnify and save harmless the Board of Directors, the Plan Administrator and any delegate appointed pursuant to Section 7.2 above who is an Employee against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims (including legal fees incurred to defend against such liabilities and claims) arising out of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident to the Plan. Expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct shall not be covered under this indemnity. This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be available under insurance purchased by the Employer or provided by the Employer under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted under applicable law. Payments with respect to any indemnity and payment of expenses or fees shall be made only from assets of the Employer.

                7.4         Claims Procedure.

                (a)         Normally, a Participant, Beneficiary Contingent Annuitant or Spouse need not present a formal claim in order to qualify for rights or benefits under this Plan. However, if any such person (a "claimant") does not believe he or she will receive the benefits to which the person is entitled or believes that the Plan is not being operated properly, the claimant must file a formal claim under the procedures set forth in this Section. A formal claim must be filed within six months of the date upon which the claimant (or his or her predecessor in interest) first knew (or should have known) of the facts upon which the claim is based.

                (b)         A claim by any person shall be presented to the Plan Administrator in writing. A claims official appointed by the Plan Administrator shall, within ninety days of receiving the claim, consider the claim and issue his or her determination thereon in writing. The claims official may extend the determination period for up to an additional ninety days by giving the claimant written notice. If the claim is granted, the benefits or relief the claimant seeks will be provided.

                (c)         If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claims official shall, within ninety days (or such longer period as described above), provide the claimant with written notice of the denial, setting forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant,

                (i)         the specific reason or reasons for the denial,

                (ii)         specific references to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based,

                (iii)         a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why the material or information is necessary, and

                (iv)         an explanation of the Plan's claim review procedure.

                If the claims official fails to respond to the claim in a timely manner, the claimant may treat the claim as having been denied by the claims official.

                (d)         Each claimant shall have the opportunity to appeal in writing the claims official's denial of a claim to a review official (which may be a person or a committee) designated by the Plan Administrator for a full and fair review. A claimant must request review of a denied claim within sixty days after receipt by the claimant of written notice of denial of his or her claim or within sixty days after such written notice was due, if the written notice was not sent. In connection with the review proceeding, the claimant or his or her duly authorized representative may review pertinent documents and may submit issues and comments in writing. The claimant may only present evidence and theories during the review which the claimant presented during the claims procedure, except for information which the claims official requested the claimant to provide to perfect the claim (see subsection (c)(iii) of this Section 7.4). Any claims which the claimant does not in good faith pursue through the review stage of the procedure shall be treated as having been irrevocably waived.

                (e)         The Plan Administrator shall adopt procedures pursuant to which claims shall be reviewed and may, in its discretion, adopt different procedures for different claims without being bound by past actions. Any procedures adopted, however, shall be designed to afford a claimant a full and fair review of his or her claim.

                (f)         The decision by the review official upon review of a claim shall be made not later than sixty days after the written request for review is received by the Plan Administrator, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than one hundred twenty days after receipt of the request for review.

                (g)         The decision on review shall be in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, with specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

                (h)         If a claimant pursued his or her claim through the review stage of the claims procedure and the claim was denied (or the review official failed to decide the claim on a timely basis, in which case it shall be deemed denied), the claimant will be permitted to appeal the denial by arbitration pursuant to Section 7.5 below of the Plan. In no event shall any claim to which this procedure applies be subject to resolution by any means (such as in a court of law) other than by this claim procedure or arbitration under Section 7.5 below.

                (i)         This Section shall apply to a claim notwithstanding any failure by the Plan Administrator or its delegates to follow the procedures in this Section with respect to the claim. However, an arbitrator reviewing such a claim may permit a claimant to present additional evidence or theories if the arbitrator determines that the claimant was precluded from presenting them during the claim and review procedures due to procedural errors of the Plan Administrator or its delegates.

                7.5         Effect of Plan Administrator Action. The Plan shall be interpreted by the Plan Administrator and all Plan fiduciaries in accordance with the terms of the Plan and their intended meanings. However, the Plan Administrator and all Plan fiduciaries shall have the discretion to make any findings of fact needed in the administration of the Plan, and shall have the discretion to interpret or construe ambiguous, unclear or implied (but omitted) terms in any fashion they deem to be appropriate in their sole judgment. The validity of any such finding of fact, interpretation, construction or decision shall not be given de novo review if challenged in court, by arbitration or in any other forum, and shall be upheld unless clearly arbitrary or capricious. To the extent the Plan Administrator or any Plan fiduciary has been granted discretionary authority under the Plan, the Plan Administrator's or Plan fiduciary's prior exercise of such authority shall not obligate it to exercise its authority in a like fashion thereafter. If, due to errors in drafting, any Plan provision does not accurately reflect its intended meaning, as demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent, or as determined by the Plan Administrator in its reasonable judgment, the provision shall be considered ambiguous and shall be interpreted by the Plan Administrator and all Plan fiduciaries in a fashion consistent with its intent, as determined by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator, without the need for Board of Directors' approval, shall amend the Plan retroactively to cure any such ambiguity. This Section may not be invoked by any person to require the Plan to be interpreted in a manner which is inconsistent with its interpretation by the Plan Administrator or by any Plan fiduciaries. All actions taken and all determinations made in good faith by the Plan Administrator or by Plan fiduciaries shall be final and binding upon all persons claiming any interest in or under the Plan. This Section shall cease to apply upon the occurrence or a Change in Control (see Section 5.1(b)(ii)) and it shall thereafter never be reinstated in any way.

 

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

 

                8.1         Amendments.

                (a)         Bergen Brunswig Corporation, through its Board of Directors, reserves the right at any time to amend the Plan or to merge, consolidate, divide or otherwise restructure the Plan prospectively or retroactively, in accordance with this Article VIII, subject to the restrictions and accrued rights of Participants as set forth in Articles III, IV, V and VI and Section 7.5, which take effect upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in Section 5.1(b)(ii)).

                (b)         All amendments or other changes shall be adopted in writing by resolution of the Board of Directors or, in the case of an amendment that does not substantially alter the nature or expense of the Plan, by the Plan Administrator without Board approval.

                (c)         Any material modification of the Plan by amendment or termination shall be communicated to all interested parties in the time and manner required by law.

                (d)         No Plan amendment shall be applied retroactively to decrease the Vested percentage or Vested Accrued Benefit of a Participant or former Participant whose Employment terminated before the date the amendment became effective.

                (e)         No Plan amendment shall be applied retroactively to decrease the amount of Service credited to any person for Employment before the date the amendment became effective.

                (f)         Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section 8.1, all rights under the Plan shall be determined under the terms of the Plan as in effect at the time the determination is made.

                8.2         Termination of Plan. The Plan is intended to be a permanent program, but any Employer, through its Board of Directors, shall have the right at any time to declare the Plan terminated completely as to it or as to any of the Employer's divisions, facilities, operational units or job classifications. If the Plan is terminated, all unvested benefits shall be forfeited but all Vested benefits shall remain payable. The Employer may accelerate the payment of such benefits, however, and pay the person entitled to the benefit the Equivalent of the remaining payments due.

 

ARTICLE IX

FUNDING OF BENEFITS

 

                9.1         Plan is Unfunded. This Plan is, for purposes of ERISA and the Code, an unfunded deferred compensation plan for a select group of management and highly compensated employees. Participants and their Beneficiaries, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of an Employer. Any and all of an Employer's assets shall be, and remain, the general, unpledged unrestricted assets of the Employer. An Employer's obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.

                9.2         Trust. Bergen Brunswig Corporation shall establish the Trust, and the Adopting Employers shall at least annually transfer over to the Trust such assets as the Adopting Employers determine, in good faith, are necessary to provide for each Employer's future liabilities created under this Plan. Whether or not an Employer funds the Trust, it shall at all times remain liable to carry out its obligations under the Plan.

9.3 Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust. The provisions of the Plan shall govern the rights of a Participant to receive distributions pursuant to the Plan. The provisions of the Trust shall govern the rights of the Employers, Participants and the creditors of the Employers to the assets transferred to the Trust. Each Employer shall at all times remain liable to carry out its obligations under the Plan. Each Employer's obligations under the Plan may be satisfied with Trust assets distributed pursuant to the terms of the Trust, and any such distribution shall reduce the Employer's obligations under this Plan.

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

                10.1         Payments.

               (a)         In the event any amount becomes payable under the Plan to a minor or a person who, in the sole judgment of the Plan Administrator, is considered to be unable to give a valid receipt for the payment by reason of physical or mental condition, the Plan Administrator may direct that payment be made to any person found by the Plan Administrator, in its sole judgment, to have assumed the care of the person in question. Any payment made pursuant to such a finding shall constitute payment by the Plan and result in a full release and discharge of the Plan Administrator, the Employer and their officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives.

               (b)         Payment of benefits to the person entitled thereto may be made by a check sent first class mail, address correction requested, to the last known address on file with the Plan Administrator. If within six months from the date of issuance of the check the payment letter cannot be delivered to the person entitled thereto or the check has not been negotiated, all benefits under the Plan may be forfeited at the discretion of the Plan Administrator.

               (c)         If the Plan Administrator retains at the Plan's expense a private investigator or other person or service to assist in locating a missing person, all costs incurred for such services shall be charged to the benefit to which the missing person was entitled (which shall be reduced by the amount of the costs incurred), except as the Plan Administrator may otherwise direct.

               10.2         Consolidation or Merger of Companies. In the event of the consolidation or merger of the Employer with or into any other business entity, or the sale by the Employer of all of its assets, the successor may continue the Plan by adopting the same by resolution of its board of directors or agreement of its partners or proprietor. This Plan shall not be construed as preventing the Employer from selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of all or any part of the business or assets of the Employer, and the purchaser of all or any part of the Employer shall not be obligated to continue this Plan. If, within ninety days from the effective date of a consolidation, merger or sale of assets, the new corporation, partnership or proprietorship does not adopt the Plan, the Plan shall be terminated in accordance with Section 8.2 above.

               10.3         Adoption of Plan to Cover Other Companies, Facilities or Groups. Any company, with the approval of the Plan Administrator, may adopt the Plan (as a whole company or as to any one or more divisions or facilities or other employment classifications) effective as of the date it specifies. Adoption shall be accomplished either by action of the adopting company (without board approval) or by resolution of the adopting company's own board of directors or agreement of its partners. The same procedure shall be followed when an Employer that has adopted the Plan wishes to change the positions or facilities covered by this Plan.

                10.4         Termination of Employment

                (a)         A person's Employment shall terminate upon the first to occur of his or her resignation from or discharge by the Employer, or his or her death or retirement. A person's Employment shall not terminate on account of an authorized leave of absence, sick leave or vacation, or on account of a military leave described in subsection (b) of this Section 10.4, a direct transfer between Employers or a temporary layoff for lack of work. However,

                (i)         continuation upon a temporary layoff for lack of work for a period in excess of the number of months allowable under applicable personnel policies of the Employer shall be considered a discharge effective as of the end of the last day of such period,

                (ii)         failure to return to work upon expiration of any leave of absence, sick leave or vacation or within the time period allowed under applicable personnel policies of the Employer after recall from a temporary layoff for lack of work shall be considered a resignation effective as of the expiration of such leave of absence, sick leave, vacation or layoff, and

                (iii)         solely for purposes of this Plan, Employment shall not terminate until the expiration of all severance benefits payable by the Employer.

                (b)         Any Employee who leaves the Employer directly to perform service in the Armed Forces of the United States or in the United States Public Health Service under conditions entitling the Employee to reemployment rights, as provided in the laws of the United States, shall be on military leave. An Employee's military leave shall expire if such Employee voluntarily resigns from the Employer during the leave or if he or she fails to make application for reemployment within the period specified by such laws for the preservation of reemployment rights. In such event, the individual's Employment shall be deemed to terminate by resignation on the date the military leave expired.

                (c)         If a Participant ceases to be employed by the Employer and all related companies, as determined under Section 2.12(e), because of the disposition by the Employer or a related company of its interest in a subsidiary (within the meaning of Code Section 409(d)(3)) or substantially all of the assets (within the meaning of Code Section 409(d)(2)) used by the Employer or a related company in a trade or business, the Participant's Employment shall be considered terminated for all Plan purposes. This subsection shall not apply to the extent it is overridden by any contrary or inconsistent provision in applicable sales documents or any related documents, whether adopted before or after the sale and any such contrary or inconsistent provision shall instead apply and is hereby incorporated in the Plan by this reference.

                (d)         If an Employee is absent from work because of such individual's pregnancy, the birth of a child, placement of an adopted child, or caring for an adopted or natural child following birth or placement, determinations of whether the Employee has incurred a Break in Service because of the absence shall be made in accordance with the following special rules:

                (i)         If the maternity/paternity absence is an Employer-approved leave of absence, it shall be treated as any other approved leave of absence (i.e., a Break in Service will not occur until the individual's Employment terminates because he or she quits or is discharged or he or she is considered terminated pursuant to Section 10.4(a)).

                (ii)         If the maternity/paternity absence is not an Employer-approved leave of absence the individual's Employment will be deemed terminated as of the date determined under applicable personnel policies of the Employer but the individual shall not incur a Break in Service until the end of the second three hundred and sixty-five consecutive day period of his or her absence from Employment. If the individual returns to Employment during the first three hundred and sixty-five consecutive days of absence, the period of absence shall be treated as Service. If the individual returns to Employment during the second three hundred and sixty-five consecutive day period of absence, the portion of that second period which precedes the individual's return to Employment will not be a Break in Service but will not count as Service.

                (e)         No credit shall be given under subsection (d) unless the Employee files a written request which establishes valid reasons for the absence, as determined by the Plan Administrator.

                (f)         Except to the extent that a maternity or paternity absence constitutes an authorized leave of absence from the Employer under applicable personnel policies, an Employee who is absent from work for reasons of maternity or paternity shall be deemed to have terminated Employment for all purposes of this Plan other than the special rules in subsection (d).

                10.5         Determination of Hours of Service. This Plan uses the elapsed time system for crediting Service. Therefore, a Participant's hours of Service need not be measured or defined by this Plan.

                10.6         Alienation. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, the rights of a Participant, Spouse or Beneficiary under the Plan shall not be subject to any claim of any creditor nor to attachment or garnishment or other legal process by any creditor. A Participant, Spouse or Beneficiary shall not have the right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber or assign any of the benefits or payments or proceeds which the individual may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under the Plan. The provisions of this Section shall not preclude any assignment or alienation expressly required under applicable pension law or other provisions of the Plan.

                10.7         Division of Benefits by Domestic Relations Orders.

                (a)         This Plan will follow the terms of any qualified domestic relations order issued with respect to a Participant. However, except as provided in subsection (e), the Plan will only follow orders which meet all of the requirements of subsection (b) or subsection (c). Subsection (c) establishes an optional standardized procedure.

                (b)         A "qualified domestic relations order" is any judgment, decree or order, including the approval of a property settlement agreement, issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that

                (i)         the order relates to the provision of child support, alimony or marital property rights and is made pursuant to state domestic relations or community property laws;

                (ii)         the order creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee's right to receive all or a portion of a Participant's Accrued Benefit;

                (iii)         the order specifies the name and last known mailing address of the Participant and each alternate payee covered by the order;

                (iv)         the order precisely specifies the amount or percentage of the Participant's Accrued Benefit to be paid to each alternate payee or the manner in which the amount or percentage is to be determined;

                (v)         the order specifies the number of payments or the period to which the order applies;

                (vi)         the order specifically names this Plan as the plan to which the order applies;

                (vii)         the order does not require this Plan to provide any type of benefits or form of benefits not otherwise provided under this Plan;

                (viii)         the order does not require the payment of benefits to an alternate payee which are required to be paid to another alternate payee under another order previously determined by the Plan Administrator to be a qualified domestic relations order; and

                (ix)         (if the order requires that payments to the alternate payee commence before they commence with respect to the Participant) the order (x) specifies that payments will not commence before the earlier of (1) the date on which the Participant attains age fifty or the first date on which the Participant could begin receiving benefits under the Plan if the Participant's Employment terminated, whichever is later, or (2) the date benefits first become payable to the Participant and (y) does not permit the alternate payee to elect a joint and survivor annuity covering the alternate payee and a spouse (other than the Participant).

                                A qualified domestic relations order may provide that a former Spouse of the Participant is to be treated as a surviving Spouse for purposes of the pre-retirement or post-retirement joint and survivor annuity provisions of this Plan. Subsection (d) of this Section 8.7 sets forth the procedures under which the Plan Administrator shall determine whether a domestic relations order properly qualifies.

                (c)         The Plan Administrator at its discretion may furnish on request a standard form of qualified domestic relations order to a Participant or any other person. This order may provide for an immediate lump sum payment of the Equivalent of the amount to which the Plan Administrator shall treat it as a qualified domestic relations order and shall pay benefits to the alternate payee in accordance with its terms. If this procedure is not followed, the alternate payee (i) must wait until the time described in subsection (b)(ix) of this Section 10.7 before benefits which are not in pay status can become payable to the alternate payee and (ii) cannot use any special forms of benefit payment authorized in the standard form of order. Any special benefit form provisions in standard domestic relations orders adopted by the Plan Administrator shall be authorized as benefit options under this Plan, but only as Plan Administrator shall treat it as a qualified domestic relations order and shall pay benefits to the alternate payee in accordance with its terms. If this procedure is not followed, the alternate payee (x) must wait until the time described in subsection (b)(ix) of this Section 10.7 before benefits which are not in pay status can become payable to the alternate payee and (y) cannot use any special forms of benefit payment authorized in the standard form of order. Any special benefit form provisions in standard domestic relations orders adopted by the Plan Administrator shall be authorized as benefit options under this Plan, but only as to alternate payees for whom the standard order has been used.

                (d)         The Plan Administrator need not treat any judgment, decree or order as a qualified domestic relations order unless it meets all of the requirements set forth in subsection (b) or (c) of this Section 10.7 and is sufficiently precise and unambiguous so as to preclude any interpretative disputes. If the order meets these requirements, the Plan Administrator shall follow the terms of the order whether or not this Plan has been joined as a party to the litigation out of which the order arises. Upon receipt of a domestic relations order, the Plan Administrator shall notify the Participant and each alternate payee of (i) its receipt of the order and (ii) its need to determine the qualified status of the order in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of this Section 10.7. An alternate payee may designate a representative to receive copies of future notices with respect to the qualified status of the order. To the extent an order calls for benefits to be paid to an alternate payee before the qualified nature of the order is determined, a separate account shall be established to hold the benefit payments affected by the order. This account shall be administered in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 206(d)(3)(H) of ERISA.

                (e)         The Plan Administrator in its discretion may treat a property settlement agreement or stipulation which is not contained in a judgment, decree or order as a qualified domestic relations order if it meets all of the other requirements of this Section.

                10.8         Legal Costs; Increased Benefit.

                (a)         The Employer shall pay to a Participant all reasonable attorneys' fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred by or on behalf of such Participant in connection with or as a result of a dispute under this Agreement, whether or not the Participant ultimately prevails. Attorneys' fees shall be paid by the Employer within 30 days of presentment by the Participant to the Employer of an invoice received by the Participant from the Participant's attorneys. Any late payments under this Section shall bear interest at a rate of twenty percent (20%) per month.

                (b)         If the Employer disputes any position taken by a Participant under this Agreement and the Participant prevails, the Participant's benefit under this Plan shall be doubled and the increased amount shall become immediately due and payable to the Participant.

                10.9         Duty to Provide Data.

                (a)         Every person with an interest in the Plan or claiming benefits under the Plan shall furnish the Plan Administrator on a timely and accurate basis with such documents, evidence or information as it considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of administering the Plan. The Plan Administrator may postpone payment of benefits until such information and such documents have been furnished.

                (b)         Once every twelve months every person claiming a benefit under this Plan shall file a signed, written notice to the Plan Administrator of his or her post office address and each change of post office address. Any communication, statement or notice addressed to such a person at his or her latest post office address as filed with the Plan Administrator will, on deposit in the United States mail with postage prepaid, be as binding upon such person for all purposes of the Plan as if it had been received, whether actually received or not. If a person fails to give notice of his or her correct address, the Plan Administrator, the Employer and Plan fiduciaries shall not be obliged to search for, or to ascertain, his or her whereabouts.

                10.10         Limitation on Rights of Employees. Except as otherwise required by law or in other written agreements between the Employer and Participant, nothing contained in the Plan shall give any Participant the right to be retained in the service of the Employer or to interfere with or restrict the right of the Employer, which is hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or retire any Participant at any time, with or without cause. Except as otherwise required by law or in other written agreements between the Employer and Participant, inclusion under the Plan will not give any Participant any right or claim to any benefit hereunder except to the extent such right has specifically become fixed under the terms of the Plan. If any dispute arises under the Plan between a Participant and the Employer or any of its subsidiaries, such subsidiary or any other Participant shall not be necessary parties to the dispute and need not be named in any litigation. Except as otherwise provided herein, benefits under this Plan shall not be accelerated merely because there is a change in ownership of the Employer. This Plan shall not obligate the Employer to maintain a minimum net worth in order to insure payment of benefits. The doctrine of substantial performance shall have no application to Employees or Participants. Each condition and provision, including numerical items, has been carefully considered and constitutes the minimum limit on performance which will give rise to the applicable right.

                10.11         Restrictions. A Participant shall not at any time, either directly or indirectly, accept employment with, render service, assistance or advice to, or allow his or her name to be used by any competitor of the Employer unless approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Determination by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors that the Participant has engaged in any such activity shall be binding and conclusive on all parties, and in addition to all other rights and remedies which the Employer shall have, the Participant shall not be entitled to any payments hereunder. This provision shall cease to apply upon a Change in Control, as defined in Section 5.1(b)(ii).

                10.12         Service of Process. The Secretary of Bergen Brunswig Corporation is hereby designated as agent for the service of legal process on the Plan.

                10.13         Spouse's Interest. The interest in the benefits hereunder of a Spouse of a Participant who has predeceased the Participant shall automatically pass to the Participant and shall not be transferable by such Spouse in any manner, including but not limited to such Spouse's will, nor shall such interest pass under the laws of intestate succession.

                10.14         Distribution in the Event of Taxation. If, for any reason, all or any portion of a Participant's benefit under this Plan becomes taxable to the Participant prior to receipt, a Participant's Employer shall distribute to the Participant immediately available funds in an amount equal to the taxable portion of his or her benefit.

                10.15         Governing Law. Subject to ERISA, the Plan shall be interpreted, administered and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

                10.16         Plurals. Where the context so indicates, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.

                10.17         Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

                10.18         References. Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, a reference to a Plan provision, statute, regulation or document shall be construed as referring to any subsequently enacted, adopted or executed counterpart.

                10.19         Entire Agreement. This Plan contains the full and complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior representations and understandings, whether oral or written.

                10.20         Severability. In the event that any provision hereof or any obligation or grant of rights herein is found invalid or unenforceable pursuant to judicial decree or decision, any such provision, obligation or grant of rights shall be deemed and construed to extend only to the maximum extent permitted by law, and the remainder of this Plan shall remain valid and enforceable according to its terms.

                10.21         Withholding. Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments required to be made hereunder to a Participant or Beneficiaries shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Plan Administrator may reasonably determine should be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

 

 


 

 

 

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Amendment and Restatement to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the 24th day of September, 1998.

 

 

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors of

   
 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION,

 

a New Jersey corporation

   
   
 

By:________________________________

 

       Executive Vice President,

 

       Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-21 7 exh21.htm EXHIBIT 21 EXHIBIT 21

 

EXHIBIT 21

 

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT

 

The following is a list of the significant subsidiaries of registrant as of November 30, 2000:

 

       

PERCENTAGE

       

OF VOTING

       

SECURITIES

   

STATE OF

 

OWNED BY

NAME

 

INCORPORATION

 

REGISTRANT




Durr-Fillauer Medical, Inc.

 

Delaware

   

100

%

             

Bergen Brunswig Drug Company

 

California

   

(1)

 
             

ASD Specialty Healthcare, Inc.

 

California

   

(1)

 
             

PharMerica, Inc.

 

Delaware

   

100

%

 

 

(1)

100% owned by Durr-Fillauer Medical, Inc.

   

 

 

EX-23 8 exh23.htm EXHIBIT 23 EXHIBIT 23

EXHIBIT 23

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

 

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 2-54345, 2-63803, 2-75715, 2-88474, 2-96491, 33-32465, 33-57537, 333-77867, 333-77869, 333-77871, 333-77873 on Form S-8 and in Registration Statement Nos. 33-55136, 33-53817, 33-57325, 33-59784, 333-631, 333-63441, 333-65901, 333-68751, 333-71071 and 333-74349 on Form S-3 of our report dated November 1, 2000 (except for Note 17, as to which the date is December 20, 2000), appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Bergen Brunswig Corporation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000.

Our audits of the financial statements referred to in our aforementioned report also included the financial statement schedule of Bergen Brunswig Corporation, listed in Item 14(a)(2). This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Corporation's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth herein.

 

 

/s/   Deloitte & Touche LLP


Costa Mesa, California

December 26, 2000

 

EX-27 9 exh27.xfd EXHIBIT 27
5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION FOR THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 U.S.DOLLARS 12-MOS Oct-01-1999 Sep-30-2000 Sep-30-2000 1 94,032 0 1,232,300 183,373 2,067,335 3,517,526 358,599 150,091 4,571,424 2,452,014 1,096,161 0 0 206,849 516,400 4,571,424 0 22,942,902 21,703,755 23,252,502 0 0 135,416 (426,616) 40,306 (481,026) (271,812) 0 0 (752,838) (5.6) (5.6)
EX-99 10 exh99a.htm EXHIBIT 99(A) Exhibit 99(a)

Exhibit 99(a)

 

BERGEN BRUNSWIG CORPORATION
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

               The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") provides a "safe harbor" for "forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Act). The Form 10-K to which this exhibit is attached, the Company' s Annual Report to Shareowners, any Form 10-K, any other Form 10-Q or any Form 8-K of the Company, or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current view (as of the date such forward-looking statement is made) with respect to future events, prospects, projections or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, implied or projected in such statements. These uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to general economic conditions; the loss of one or more key customer or supplier relationships, including pharmaceutical or medical-surgical manufacturers for which alternative supplies may not be available; the malfunction or failure of the Company's information systems, including malfunctions or failures associated with readiness issues and the costs and difficulties related to the integration of recently acquired businesses and such businesses to produce earnings that were anticipated or planned for; changes to the presentation of financial results and position resulting from adoption of new accounting principles or upon the advice of the Company's independent auditors, or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission; changes in the distribution or outsourcing pattern for pharmaceutical or medical-surgical products and/or services, including any increase in direct distribution or decrease in contract packaging by pharmaceutical manufacturers; application of, changes in, or failure to comply with, government regulations; the costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental audits including various pending litigation matters and the Bergen securities cases as described and defined in Part 1, Item 3 entitled "Legal Proceedings" of this Annual Report; competitive factors in the Company's healthcare service businesses, including pricing pressures; the continued financial viability and success of the Company's customers and suppliers; technological developments and products offered by competitors; failure to retain or continue to attract senior management or key personnel; risks associated with international operations; including fluctuations in currency exchange ratios; successful challenges to the validity of the Company's patents, copyrights and/or trademarks; difficulties or delays in the development, production and marketing of new products and services; strikes or other labor disruptions; labor and employee benefit costs; injuries to persons or property resulting from the operation of the Company's business; pharmaceutical and medical-surgical manufacturers' pricing policies and overall drug and medical-surgical supply price inflation; changes in buying practices of hospital buying groups or hospitals; availability and cost of attractive acquisition candidates; the continuation of various trends in the long-term care market (including the trends toward consolidation, cost containment and the implementation of the Medicare prospective payment system); the effect of reforms of the health care delivery system; and other factors referenced in the Form 10-K to which this exhibit is attached or other filings or written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", and similar expressions identify "forward-looking statements", which speak only as of the date the statement was made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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