8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 25, 2018

Hardinge Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

New York	000-15760	16-0470200
(State of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

One Hardinge Drive

Elmira, New York 14903

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (607) 734-2281

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.o

Introductory Note

On May 25, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 12, 2018, as amended (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Hardinge Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), Hardinge Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), and Hardinge Merger Sub, Inc., a New York corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Acquisition Sub”), Merger Sub was merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.  Parent is an affiliate of Privet Fund LP and Privet Fund Management LLC.  The events described in this Current Report on Form 8-K took place in connection with the completion of the Merger.

Item 1.02.Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the closing of the Merger, the Company repaid in full and terminated its existing domestic credit facilities with M&T Bank and Chemung Canal Trust Company. The Company also repaid in full and terminated its existing foreign credit facilities with China Construction Bank and Mega International Bank, reduced to $12 million the available commitments under its line of credit with Credit Suisse and reduced to $1 million the available commitments under its line of credit with Bank of China.

Item 2.01.Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) (other than shares of Common Stock previously owned by Privet Fund LP which were contributed to Parent prior to the Effective Time), outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was automatically converted into the right to receive $18.50 per share in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”).  The holders of certificates or book-entry shares that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Common Stock ceased to have any rights with respect to the Common Stock other than the right to receive, upon surrender of such certificates or book-entry shares, the Merger Consideration.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 13, 2018 and is incorporated by reference herein, and the full text of Amendment No. 1 to the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 16, 2018 and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information set forth under the Introductory Note and Item 5.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

Item 3.01.Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

Prior to the Effective Time, shares of the Company’s Common Stock were listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the trading symbol “HDNG.”  As a result of the Merger, the Company no longer fulfills the listing requirements of NASDAQ.  On the Closing Date, the Company notified NASDAQ that the Merger had been completed and requested that NASDAQ (i) suspend trading of the Common Stock on NASDAQ, (ii) withdraw the Common Stock from listing on NASDAQ prior to the open of trading on May 29, 2018, and (iii) file with the SEC a notification of removal from listing on Form 25 to delist the Common Stock from NASDAQ and deregister the Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  NASDAQ filed a Form 25 to delist the Common Stock from NASDAQ and deregister the Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on May 25, 2018.  As a result, the Common Stock is no longer listed on NASDAQ.

Additionally, the Company intends to file with the SEC certifications on Form 15 under the Exchange Act requesting the deregistration of the Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and the suspension of the Company’s reporting obligations under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable.

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The information set forth under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.01.

Item 3.03.Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth in Items 2.01, 3.01, 5.01 and 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

Item 5.01.Changes in Control of Registrant.

As a result of the Merger, a change in control of the Company occurred, and the Company is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

The information set forth in Items 2.01, 3.03 and 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

Item 5.02.Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

In accordance with the Merger Agreement, as a result of the Merger, certain existing directors of the Company, B. Christopher DiSantis, Charles P. Dougherty, Richard R. Burkhart,  James Silver, R. Tony Tripeny and Mitchell I. Quain, resigned from the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and any and all committees of the Board on which they served, effective as of the Effective Time.  Such resignations were not related to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.  Ryan J. Levenson and Benjamin L. Rosenzweig continued as members of the Board of Directors following the Effective Time.

Item 5.03.Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

At the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time were amended and restated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.  On May 25, 2018, following the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time was restated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

A copy of the restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company in effect following the effective time are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

The information set forth in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

Item 8.01.Other Events.

On May 29, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the Merger.  The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit	Description of Document
2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 12, 2018, by and among Hardinge Holdings, LLC, Hardinge Merger Sub, Inc., and Hardinge Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Hardinge Inc. with the SEC on February 13, 2018).

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2.2	Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 16, 2018, by and among Hardinge Holdings, LLC, Hardinge Merger Sub, Inc., and Hardinge Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Hardinge Inc. on May 16, 2018)
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Hardinge Inc.
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Hardinge Inc.
99.1	Press Release of Hardinge Inc., issued May 29, 2018.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	HARDINGE INC.
Date: May 29, 2018	/s/ Charles P. Dougherty
	Charles P. Dougherty
	President and Chief Executive Officer

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EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

HARDINGE INC.

Under Section 807 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York:

The undersigned, being a natural person of at least 18 years of age and acting as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, certifies that:

1.The name of the Corporation is Hardinge Inc. The name under which the Corporation was formed is Hardinge Brothers, Inc.

2.The Corporation is a consolidation of Morrison Machine Products, Inc. and Hardinge Brothers, Inc. The Certificate of Consolidation, pursuant to Section 86 of the New York Stock Corporation Law, was filed by the Department of State of the State of New York on December 24, 1937.

3.The restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation herein provided for is to restate the Certificate of Incorporation.

4.To accomplish the restatement, the Certificate of Incorporation (as restated below) will be changed as follows:

(i)paragraph “1” (relating to the name of the corporation) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be replaced in its entirety and a new paragraph “FIRST” is substituted in lieu thereof to re-number the paragraphs;

(ii)paragraph “2” (relating to the purposes of the corporation) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be replaced in its entirety and a new paragraph “SECOND” is substituted in lieu thereof to modify the purpose of the Corporation pursuant to authority of the Business Corporation Law;

(iii)paragraphs “3” and “4” (relating to the aggregate number of shares which the corporation is authorized to issue, the par value thereof, and the classes into which the shares are divided; and relating to relative voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class of stock) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be replaced in their entirety and a new paragraph “THIRD” is substituted in lieu thereof, which (A) decreases the Corporation’s previously authorized 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, (of which 12,966,148 shares of were issued and 7,033,852 shares were unissued), to 2,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, (of which 1,315,090 shares are issued and 684,910 are unissued), with the decrease resulting in an approximate rate of change of authorized common stock of 10:1 and of issued common stock of 10:1 and all previously authorized (including

issued and unissued) shares of common stock above 2,000,000 being cancelled, (B) cancels the previously authorized (including issued and unissued) 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (of which no shares were issued and all shares were unissued), and (C) strikes provisions regarding relative voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class of stock as they are no longer necessary;

(iv)paragraphs “5” and “8” (relating to the office of the Corporation and the post-office address for service of process on the Corporation) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be replaced in their entirety and new paragraphs “FOURTH” and “FIFTH” are substituted in lieu thereof to (A) restate the county in which the Corporation is located and (B) change the post-office address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Corporation served upon it;

(v)paragraph “6” (relating to the duration of the Corporation) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be replaced in its entirety and a new paragraph “SIXTH” is substituted in lieu thereof to re-number the paragraphs;

(vi)paragraphs “7” (relating to classes of directors) and “9” (relating to business combinations) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be deleted in their entirety to omit references to such concepts in the Certificate of Incorporation as they are no longer necessary; paragraph “10” (relating to whether Section 912 of the Business Corporation Law applies to the Corporation) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be replaced in its entirety and a new paragraph “NINTH” is substituted in lieu thereof to indicate that Section 912 of the Business Corporation Law does not apply to the Corporation;

(vii)paragraph “11” (relating to the liability of directors authorized by the General Corporation Law) of the Certificate of Incorporation will be replaced in its entirety and a new paragraph “EIGHTH” is substituted in lieu thereof to eliminate liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted by Section 402(b) of the Business Corporation Law; and

(viii)a new paragraph “SEVENTH” is added to add provisions relating to indemnification of persons to the fullest extent permitted by Article 7 of the Business Corporation Law.

5.The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as herein provided for was authorized by the vote of holders of outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote, having not less than the minimum requisite proportion of votes.

6.The text of the Certificate of Incorporation as amended or restated heretofore is hereby restated without further amendment or change to read as herein set forth:

FIRST:  The name of the Corporation is Hardinge Inc. The name under which the Corporation was formed is Hardinge Brothers, Inc.

SECOND:  The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Business Corporation Law, provided that the Corporation is not formed to engage in any act or activity requiring the consent or approval of any state official, department, board, agency, or other body without such consent or approval first being obtained.

THIRD:  The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is Two Million (2,000,000), all of which are of a par value of $0.01 and all of which are of the same class.

FOURTH:  The county, within this state, in which the office of the Corporation is to be located is Albany.

FIFTH:  The Secretary of State is designated as the agent of the Corporation upon whom process against the Corporation may be served.  The post office address within the State of New York to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the corporation served upon him is hereby changed to:  c/o Corporation Service Company, 80 State Street, Albany, New York 12207-2543.

SIXTH:  The duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

SEVENTH:  The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Article 7 of the Business Corporation Law, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said Article from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities, or other matters referred to in or covered by said Article, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person may be entitled under any By-Law, resolution of shareholders, resolution of directors, agreement, or otherwise, as permitted by said Article, as to action in any capacity in which he or she served at the request of the corporation.

EIGHTH:  The personal liability of the directors of the Corporation is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by paragraph (b) of Section 402 of the Business Corporation Law, as the same may be amended and supplemented.

NINTH:  The provisions of Section 912 of the Business Corporation Law shall not apply to this Corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of May 25, 2018.

By:	/s/ Charles P. Dougherty
Name:	Charles P. Dougherty
Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

HARDINGE INC.

Under Section 807 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York.

FILED BY:

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER LLP

1201 W. PEACHTREE ST. NW

SUITE 1400

ATLANTA, GA 30306

EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

OF

HARDINGE INC.

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

1.1Office.  The principal office of Hardinge Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be established and maintained either within or without the State of New York, at such place or places as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time appoint or the business of the Corporation may require.

1.2Other Offices. The Corporation may have other offices, either within or without the State of New York, at such place or places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

SHAREHOLDERS

2.1Place of Shareholders’ Meetings.  All meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at such place or places, within or without the State of New York, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors from time to time or as shall be specified in the respective notices thereof.

2.2Date and Hour of Annual Meetings of Shareholders.  An annual meeting of shareholders shall be held each year at such place, on such date and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix, which date shall be within thirteen (13) months of the last annual meeting of stockholders or, if no such meeting has been held, the date of incorporation.

2.3Purposes of Annual Meetings.  At each annual meeting, the shareholders shall elect the members of the Board of Directors for the succeeding year.  At any such annual meeting any further proper business may be transacted.

2.4Special Meetings of Shareholders.  Special meetings of the shareholders or of any class or series thereof entitled to vote may be called by the President or by the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing by shareholders of record owning a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation.

2.5Notice of Meetings of Shareholders.

(a)  Except as otherwise expressly required or permitted by law, not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of every shareholders’ meeting, the

Secretary shall give to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting written notice (i) delivered by hand, (ii) sent by telecopier, provided that a copy is mailed, postage prepaid, (iii) sent by Express Mail, Federal Express or other express delivery service, or (iv) by first-class mail, postage prepaid, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  Such notice, if mailed, shall deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the shareholder at his address for notices to such shareholder as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

(b)If, at any shareholders’ meeting, action is proposed to be taken which would, if taken, entitle shareholders to receive payment for their shares pursuant to Section 623 of the New York Business Corporation Law, the notice of such meeting shall include a statement to that purpose and to that effect and shall be accompanied by a copy of Section 623 of the New York Business Corporation Law or an outline of its material terms.

(c)Notice of any meeting need not be given to any person who may become a shareholder of record after the mailing of such notice and prior to the meeting, or to any shareholder who attends such meeting, in person or by proxy, or to any shareholder who, in person or by proxy, submits a signed waiver of notice either before or after such meeting.

2.6Quorum of Shareholders.

(a)  Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or by law, at any meeting of the shareholders, the presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum.  The withdrawal of any shareholder after the commencement of a meeting shall have no effect on the existence of a quorum after a quorum has been established at such meeting.

(b)At any meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum shall be present, holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting.  In the absence of a quorum, the officer presiding thereat shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present.  Notice of any adjourned meeting, other than announcement at the meeting, shall not be required to be given, except as provided in paragraph (d) below and except where expressly required by law.

(c)At any adjourned session at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting originally called but only those shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting as originally noticed shall be entitled to vote at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, unless a new record date is fixed by the Board of Directors.

(d)If after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

2.7Chairman and Secretary of Meeting.  The President, or, in his absence, a Vice President, shall preside at meetings of the shareholders.  The Secretary shall act as secretary

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of the meeting or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act, or if neither is present, then the presiding officer may appoint a person to act as secretary of the meeting.

2.8Voting by Shareholders.  Except as may be otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, at every meeting of the shareholders each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock standing in his/her name on the books of the Corporation on the record date for the meeting.  All elections and questions other than election of directors shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting.  At any election of directors, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy entitled to vote in the election.

2.9Proxies.  Any shareholder entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders may vote either in person or by proxy.  Every proxy shall be in writing, subscribed by the shareholder or his/her duly authorized attorney-in-fact.  No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date of its execution, unless the person executing it shall have specified therein the length of time it is to continue in force.

2.10List of Shareholders.  A list of shareholders as of the record date, certified by the corporate officer responsible for its preparation or by a transfer agent, shall be produced at any meeting of shareholders upon the request thereat or prior thereto of any shareholder.  If the right to vote at any meeting is challenged, the presiding officer thereat, shall require such list of shareholders to be produced as evidence of the right of the persons challenged to vote at such meeting, and all persons who appear from such list to be shareholders entitled to vote thereat may vote at such meeting.

2.11Procedure at Shareholders’ Meetings.  Except as otherwise provided by these by-laws or any resolutions adopted by the shareholders or Board of Directors, the order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the presiding officer.

2.12Action By Consent Without Meeting.  Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

3.1Powers of Directors.  The property, business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors which may exercise all the powers of the Corporation except such as are by the law of the State of New York or the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws required to be exercised or done by the shareholders.

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3.2Number, Method of Election, Terms of Office of Directors.

(a)The number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be one (1) or more.  Each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualified, provided, however, that a director may resign at any time.  Directors need not be residents of the State of New York nor shareholders of the Corporation.

(b)The initial number that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be two (2), which number may be changed from time to time by a resolution of the Board of Directors or by action of the shareholders.

3.3Vacancies on Board of Directors; Removal.

(a)Any director may resign his office at any time by delivering his resignation in writing to the President or the Secretary.  It will take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, it will be effective at the time of its receipt by the Corporation.  The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

(b)Any vacancy, or newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and any director so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors by the shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal.

(c)Any director may be removed with or without cause at any time by the affirmative vote of shareholders holding of record in the aggregate at least a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy entitled to vote at a special meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose.

3.4Meetings of the Board of Directors.

(a)The Board of Directors may hold their meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of New York.

(b)Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.  No notice of such regular meetings shall be required.  If the date designated for any regular meeting be a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held on the next day which is not a legal holiday.

(c)The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be held immediately following the annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may come before it.  If such meeting is held at the place of the shareholders’ meeting, no notice thereof shall be required.

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(d)Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by direction of the President or at the written request of any director.

(e)The Secretary shall give notice to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors by mailing the same at least three days before the meeting or by telegraphing, telexing, or delivering the same not later than the day before the meeting.  Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.  Any and all business may be transacted at any meeting of the Board of Directors.  No notice of any adjourned meeting need be given.  No notice to or waiver by any director shall be required with respect to any meeting at which the director is present.

3.5Quorum and Action.  Unless provided otherwise by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the whole board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but if there shall be less than a quorum at any meeting of the Board, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time.  The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary to constitute the act of the Board of Directors.

3.6Presiding Officer and Secretary of Meeting.  The President or in his absence, a Vice President, or, in their absence, a member of the Board of Directors selected by the members present, shall preside at meetings of the Board.  The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his absence, the presiding officer may appoint a secretary of the meeting.

3.7Action by Consent Without Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or committee.

3.8Action by Telephonic Conference.  Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by such Board, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

3.9Committees.

(a)The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole board, designate an executive committee and other committees, each committee to consist of three or more directors of the Corporation.  The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.

(b)Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, or in these by-laws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have authority as to the following matters:

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(1)The submission to shareholders of any action that needs shareholders’ approval.

(2)The filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any committee.

(3)The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on any committee.

(4)The amendment or repeal of the by-laws, or the adoption of new by-laws.

(5)The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable.

3.10Compensation of Directors.  Directors shall receive such reasonable compensation for their service on the Board of Directors or any committees thereof, whether in the form of salary or a fixed fee for attendance at meetings, or both, with expenses, if any, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

4.1Officers, Title, Elections, Terms.

(a)The Board of Directors may elect or appoint a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and a Secretary, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its annual meeting following the annual meeting of the shareholders, to serve at the pleasure of the Board or otherwise as shall be specified by the Board at the time of such election and until their successors are elected and qualify.  Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.  When all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation are owned by one person, such person may hold all or any combination of offices.

(b)The Board of Directors may elect or appoint at any time, and from time to time, other officers or agents with such duties as it may deem necessary or desirable.  Such additional officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Board or otherwise as shall be specified by the Board at the time of such election or appointment.

(c)Any vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors.

(d)Any officer may resign his office at any time.  Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Corporation.  The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

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(e)The salaries of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

(f)The Board of Directors may require any officer to give security for the faithful performance of his/her duties.

(g)All other officers shall have such duties and powers as are provided in these by-laws, or as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time, or as may be assigned to them by any superior officer.

4.2Removal of Elected Officers.  Any elected officer may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, by resolution adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority of the directors then in office.

4.3Duties.

(a)President.  The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall supervise and control all the business and affairs of the Corporation.  He shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors.  He shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect (unless any such order or resolution shall provide otherwise), and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

(b)Vice President.  Each Vice President, if any, shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may determine or as may be assigned to him by the President.  In the absence of the President or in the event of his death, or inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated at the time of their election, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.

(d)Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall (1) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation; (2) receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever; (3) deposit all such moneys in the name of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositaries as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of Article V of these by-laws; and (4) in general perform all duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.  He shall, if required by the Board of Directors, give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine.

(e)Secretary.  The Secretary shall (1) keep the minutes of the meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee (if designated), and all other committees, if any, of which a secretary shall not have been appointed, in one or more books provided for that purpose; (2) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws and as required by law; (3) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation, if any; (4) keep a register of the post office address of each

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shareholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such shareholder; (5) have general charge of stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (6) in general perform all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.

(f)Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers.  At the request of the Secretary or in his absence or disability, one or more Assistant Secretaries designated by him or by the Board of Directors shall have all the powers of the Secretary for such period as he may designate or until he revokes such designation.  At the request of the Treasurer or in his absence or disability, one or more Assistant Treasurers designated by him or by the Board of Directors shall have all the powers of the Treasurer for such period as he may designate or until he revokes such designation.  The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, or by the President or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V

CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

5.1Contracts.  Except as otherwise provided by law, these by-laws or resolutions of the Board of Directors, any contract, document or other instrument shall be valid and binding on the Corporation only if executed and delivered in its name and on its behalf by either the President or such other persons who have been designated by resolution of the Board of Directors as authorized signatories of contracts, documents and other instruments.

5.2Loans.  No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors and executed by either the President or such persons who have been designated by resolution of the Board of Directors as authorized signatories of contracts, documents and other instruments, or of those persons who have been designated by resolution of the Board of Directors as authorized signatories for transactions with any bank with which such loan is contracted.  Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

5.3Checks, Drafts, etc.  All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such person or persons and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.  Each of such persons shall give such bond, if any, as the Board of Directors may require.

5.4Deposits.  All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may select or as may be designated by any officer or officers of the Corporation.

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ARTICLE VI

SHARES OF STOCK

6.1Certificates of Stock.

(a)Every holder of shares in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the President or a Vice President, and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certifying the number of shares owned by such holder.

(b)Certificates of stock shall be issued in such form not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.  They shall be numbered and registered in the order in which they are issued.

(c)All certificates surrendered to the Corporation shall be canceled with the date of cancellation, and shall be retained by the Secretary, together with the powers of attorney to transfer and the assignments of the shares represented by such certificates, for such period of time as shall be prescribed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

(d)No certificates representing shares shall be issued until the full amount of consideration therefor has been paid, except as otherwise permitted by law.

6.2Record Ownership.  A record of the name and address of the holder of each certificate, the number of shares represented thereby and the date of issue thereof shall be made on the Corporation’s books.  The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of any share as the holder in fact thereof, and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in any share on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as required by law.

6.3Transfer of Record Ownership.  Transfers of shares shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by direction of the person named in the certificate or his/her attorney, lawfully constituted in writing, and only upon the surrender of the certificate therefore and a written assignment of the shares evidenced thereby.  Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented to the Corporation for transfer, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

6.4Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  Certificates representing shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed in such manner and on such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors from time to time may authorize.

6.5Transfer Agent; Registrar; Rules Respecting Certificates.  The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its attorneys an office where shares of the Corporation shall be transferable.  The Corporation may also maintain one or more registry offices where such shares shall be registered.  The Board of Directors may make such

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rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates of stock.

6.6Fixing Record Date for Determination of Shareholders of Record.

(a)The Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to or dissent from any proposal without a meeting, or for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights, or for the purpose of any other action.  Such date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action.

(b)If no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if no notice is given, the day on which the meeting is held.  For all other purposes, the record date for determining shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Board relating thereto is adopted.

(c)When a determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date under this section for the adjourned meeting.

6.7Dividends.  Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may, out of funds legally available therefor at any regular or special meeting, declare dividends upon the shares of the Corporation as and when the Board deems expedient.  Before declaring any dividend there may be set apart out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends, such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time in its discretion deems proper for working capital or as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for such other purposes as the Board of Directors shall deem conducive to the interests of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VII

SECURITIES HELD BY THE CORPORATION

7.1Voting.  Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise order, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer shall have full power and authority, on behalf of the Corporation, to attend, act and vote at any meeting of the shareholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock, and at such meeting to exercise any or all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock, and to execute on behalf of the Corporation a proxy or proxies empowering another or others to act as aforesaid.  The Board of Directors from time to time may confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

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7.2General Authorization to Transfer Securities Held by the Corporation.

(a)Each of the President, any Vice President and the Treasurer shall be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and empowered to transfer, convert, endorse, sell, assign, set over and deliver any and all shares of stock, bonds, debentures, notes, subscription warrants, stock purchase warrants, evidence of indebtedness, or other securities now or hereafter standing in the name of or owned by the Corporation, and to make, execute and deliver, under the seal of the Corporation, any and all written instruments of assignment and transfer necessary or proper to effectuate the authority hereby conferred.

(b)Whenever there shall be annexed to any instrument of assignment and transfer executed pursuant to and in accordance with the foregoing paragraph (a), a certificate of the Secretary of the Corporation in office at the date of such certificate setting forth the provisions of this Section 7.2 and stating that they are in full force and effect and setting forth the names of persons who are then officers of the Corporation, then all persons to whom such instrument and annexed certificate shall thereafter come, shall be entitled, without further inquiry or investigation and regardless of the date of such certificate, to assume and to act in reliance upon the assumption that the shares of stock or other securities named in such instrument were theretofore duly and properly transferred, endorsed, sold, assigned, set over and delivered by the Corporation, and that with respect to such securities the authority of these provisions of the by-laws and of such officers is still in full force and effect.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

8.1Seal.  The seal of the Corporation shall be in such form and shall have such content as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine.

8.2Notice and Waiver of Notice.  Whenever any notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors or a committee is required to be given under the New York Business Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the holding thereof, or actual attendance at the meeting in person or, in the case of any shareholder, by his/her attorney-in-fact, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice to such persons.

8.3Amendment of By-Laws.

(a)By Board of Directors.  The by-laws of the Corporation may be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be made or adopted by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board.

(b)By Shareholders.  The by-laws of the Corporation may also be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be made or adopted by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shares at the time entitled to vote in the election of directors.

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8.4Indemnity.  The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as amended from time to time, indemnify each person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (each a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, serves or served, at the request of the Corporation, any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise in any capacity, against judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and charges) incurred in connection with such threatened or pending Proceeding, or any appeal therein; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such person establishes that (i) his acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or (ii) he personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which he was not legally entitled; and provided further that no such indemnification shall be required with respect to any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending Proceeding unless the Corporation has given its prior consent to such settlement or other disposition.

The Corporation shall, from time to time, advance or promptly reimburse upon request any director or officer seeking indemnification hereunder the funds necessary for payment of expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and charges) reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened or pending Proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if such person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such person is entitled.

Nothing herein shall limit or affect any right of any person otherwise than hereunder to indemnification or to advancement of expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and charges) under any statute, rule, regulation, certificate of incorporation, by-law, resolution of directors or shareholders, insurance policy, contract or otherwise.

The Corporation is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its directors or officers to reflect or confirm the rights and benefits contained in this Article and to extend other additional rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses to any such person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to set forth procedures for any such person to obtain advancement of expenses and indemnification, but the existence of any such agreement or the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not adversely affect or limit the rights of any such person pursuant to this Article or otherwise.

For the purposes of this Article, the Corporation shall be deemed to have requested a person to serve an employee benefit plan where the performance by such person of his duties to the Corporation also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such person to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan, and excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall be considered indemnifiable expenses.

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If a request to be indemnified or for the advancement of expenses pursuant to this Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within 30 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be entitled also to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. In any such judicial proceeding, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving by the preponderance of the evidence that the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses is not entitled to indemnification or advances hereunder. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or shareholders) to have made a determination that the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses is entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel or shareholders) that the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses is not so entitled shall be a defense to an action or create a presumption that the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses is not so entitled.

Nothing in this Article shall restrict the power and the authority of the Corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to, make indemnification agreements and arrangements with, or maintain insurance on behalf of, any employee or agent of the Corporation or any person (whether or not a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation) who serves at the request of the Corporation in any capacity with any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

If this Article or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article shall remain fully enforceable.

This Article shall be given retroactive effect and the full benefits hereof shall be available in respect of any alleged or actual occurrences, acts or failures to act prior to the date of the adoption of this Article. The right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article shall be a contract right.

8.5Fiscal Year.  Except as from time to time otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31.

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EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

For Media Inquiries:

Dana Harris

978.440.8392

dana@redjavelin.com

For Company Inquiries:

Allan Snider

607.378.4232

allan.snider@hardinge.com

PRIVET FUND MANAGEMENT LLC COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF GLOBAL MACHINE TOOL SOLUTIONS PROVIDER HARDINGE INC.

Berwyn, PA, May 29, 2018 — Privet Fund Management LLC today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hardinge Inc., a leading global provider of advanced metal-cutting machine tool solutions and accessories. Under the terms of the agreement, Privet acquired all shares of Hardinge common stock not currently owned by Privet for $18.50 per share in cash, for a total transaction value of approximately $245 million.

Hardinge designs and manufacturers metal cutting machine solutions and aftermarket tooling and accessories for customers and partners in over 65 countries worldwide. The company offers an expansive product portfolio of high-precision CNC turning, milling and grinding machines, as well as workholding and accessory products. Its unique and vast product offerings enable it to provide customers with a full solution to their manufacturing requirements.

“Hardinge has been an established global brand and solutions provider to manufacturers for over 100 years,” said Chuck Dougherty, President and CEO of Hardinge. “Privet understands and appreciates the opportunities for growth in our industry and we are excited to partner with them. This deal will enable us to better focus on long-term growth and performance of our business.”

“Hardinge has been on the forefront of innovation with a full spectrum of advanced machine tool solutions and we are thrilled to work with the management team to further the company’s leadership position,” said Ryan Levenson, Principal of Privet Fund Management. “We’ve been extremely impressed with the depth of the leadership team and the company’s strong market position, and are confident that we can help expand and accelerate the business and create even greater value for Hardinge’s customers and partners worldwide.”

In addition, Hardinge announces the relocation of their global headquarters from Elmira, NY to Berwyn, PA located in the Philadelphia area effective immediately. The relocation of our corporate functions to the Philadelphia area increases our ability to service our customers and grow our global organization.

Financing for the transaction was provided by White Oak Global Advisors, LLC as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company and Credit Suisse (Schweiz), AG. BMO Capital Markets Corp. acted as financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor to the Company’s Board of Directors. Robert W. Baird & Co acted as financial advisor and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP served as legal counsel to Privet in connection with the transaction.

About Hardinge Inc.

Hardinge Inc. is the trusted global provider of high precision, computer-controlled machine tool solutions for critical, hard-to-machine metal parts and advanced workholding accessories. With over 125 years of experience, Hardinge offers the largest variety of metal cutting turning machines, grinding machines, machining centers, collets, chucks, index fixtures, repair parts, standard and specialty workholding devices, and other machine tool accessories to provide a full solution for your business needs.  Hardinge’s solutions can be found in a broad base of industries including aerospace, agricultural, automotive, construction, consumer products, defense, energy, medical, technology and transportation. Headquartered in Berwyn, PA, the company designs, manufactures, and distributes machine tools across North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Hardinge, please visit us at www.hardinge.com.

About Privet Fund Management LLC

Privet Fund Management LLC is a private investment firm focused on investing in and partnering with small capitalization companies. The firm has flexible, long-term capital with the ability to effectuate investments across all levels of the capital structure, including going-private transactions. Privet was founded in 2007 and is based in Atlanta, GA.