-----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, MU7NQr1vB4p1CtSLTIq933Zzwn/8Zrsf1EVW1xQulKP3s96QBAUfJLh7lYJDKjUE 998vHlTCnS2obP7raa62KA== 0000950137-05-011970.txt : 20051003 0000950137-05-011970.hdr.sgml : 20051003 20051003170212 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950137-05-011970 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-4 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 37 FILED AS OF DATE: 20051003 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051003 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VELOBIND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000103168 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PRINTING TRADES MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3555] IRS NUMBER: 362922009 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-01 FILM NUMBER: 051118342 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GBC PLAZA CITY: NORTHBROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60062 BUSINESS PHONE: 8472723700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GBC PLAZA CITY: NORTHBROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60062 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ABILDGAARD LABORATORIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19730503 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GENERAL BINDING CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000040461 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: OFFICE MACHINES, NEC [3579] IRS NUMBER: 360887470 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-02 FILM NUMBER: 051118344 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GBC PLZ CITY: NORTHBROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60062 BUSINESS PHONE: 8472723700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GBC PLZ CITY: NORHBROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60062 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Swingline Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339664 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-04 FILM NUMBER: 051118346 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACCO International Holdings, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339665 IRS NUMBER: 841688750 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-08 FILM NUMBER: 051118350 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339661 IRS NUMBER: 841688754 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-10 FILM NUMBER: 051118352 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACCO Brands International, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339657 IRS NUMBER: 841688753 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-12 FILM NUMBER: 051118354 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Boone International, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339658 IRS NUMBER: 330354886 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-07 FILM NUMBER: 051118349 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339663 IRS NUMBER: 841688755 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-09 FILM NUMBER: 051118351 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACCO Brands USA LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339659 IRS NUMBER: 132657051 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-11 FILM NUMBER: 051118353 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Day-Timers, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339660 IRS NUMBER: 133344667 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-06 FILM NUMBER: 051118348 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Polyblend CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001339662 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-05 FILM NUMBER: 051118347 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GBC INTERNATIONAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001066826 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: OFFICE MACHINES, NEC [3579] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784-03 FILM NUMBER: 051118345 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GBC PLZ CITY: NORTHBROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60062 BUSINESS PHONE: 7082723700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GBC PLZ CITY: NORTHBROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60062 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACCO BRANDS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000712034 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BLANKBOOKS, LOOSELEAF BINDERS & BOOKBINDING & RELATED WORK [2780] IRS NUMBER: 362704017 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1227 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-128784 FILM NUMBER: 051118343 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ACCO WORLD CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830106 S-4 1 c98562sv4.htm REGISTRATION STATEMENT sv4
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2005
Registration No. 333-          
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ACCO Brands Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
         
Delaware   2782   36-2704017
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification Number)
300 Tower Parkway
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
(847) 484-4800
(Address, Including ZIP Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
Steven Rubin, Esq.
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
ACCO Brands Corporation
300 Tower Parkway
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
(847) 484-4800
(Name, Address, Including ZIP Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copies of all communications, including all communications sent to the Agent for Service, should be sent to:
William R. Kunkel, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 407-0700
     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
     If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box:    o
     If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:    o
     If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:    o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
             
             
             
      Proposed Maximum      
 Title of Each Class of     Aggregate Offering     Amount of
Securities To Be Registered     Price     Registration Fee
             
 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
    $350,000,000(1)     $41,195
             
 Guarantees of the 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
        (2)
             
             
(1)  Pursuant to Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act, the book value as of October 3, 2005 of the securities for which the securities being registered are to be exchanged has been used as the basis for calculating the registration fee.
(2)  Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no additional registration fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the notes being registered.
     The registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the securities act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
                         
    Jurisdiction of   Primary Standard   IRS Employer
Exact Name of Registrant   Incorporation or   Industrial Classification   Identification
as Specified in its Charter*   Organization   Code Number   Number
 
ACCO Brands International, Inc. 
    Delaware       2782       84-1688753  
ACCO Brands USA LLC
    Delaware       2782       13-2657051  
ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
    Delaware       2782       84-1688754  
ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
    Delaware       2782       84-1688755  
ACCO International Holdings, Inc. 
    Delaware       2782       84-1688750  
Boone International, Inc. 
    California       2782       33-0354886  
Day-Timers, Inc. 
    Delaware       2782       13-3344667  
GBC International, Inc. 
    Nevada       3579       36-3061171  
General Binding Corporation
    Delaware       3579       36-0887470  
Polyblend Corporation
    Delaware       2782          
Swingline Inc. 
    Delaware       2782          
VeloBind, Incorporated
    Delaware       3555       94-1671377  
The address for each of the additional registrants is c/o ACCO Brands Corporation, 300 Tower Parkway, Lincolnshire, Illinois, 60069.
 
 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 3, 2005
PROSPECTUS
ACCO Brands Corporation
$350,000,000
EXCHANGE OFFER FOR
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
       ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation formerly known as ACCO World Corporation, is offering an aggregate principal amount of up to $350,000,000 of its new 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 for a like amount of its old 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 issued in a private offering on August 5, 2005. The terms of the new notes will be identical in all material respects to the terms of the old notes, except that the new notes:
  •  will have been registered under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not bear restrictive legends restricting their transfer under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not entitle holders to the registration rights that apply to the old notes; and
 
  •  will not contain provisions relating to additional interest in connection with the old notes under circumstances related to the timing of the exchange offer.
      The obligations of the issuer under the old notes are, and under the new notes will be, guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by substantially all of the issuer’s domestic subsidiaries.
      The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2005, unless we extend it. All old notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn will be exchanged. Tenders of old notes may be withdrawn any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
      The exchange of old notes for new notes will not be a taxable exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
      The notes will not be listed on any national securities exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
      Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The issuer and the guarantors have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business 180 days after the expiration date, they will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution and Selling Restrictions.”
      We are not making an offer to exchange notes in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
       This investment involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18.
       Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is                     , 2005.


      This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about ACCO Brands Corporation that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. This information is available without charge to holders of the old notes upon written or oral request to ACCO Brands Corporation, 300 Tower Parkway, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, telephone number (847) 484-4800. To obtain timely delivery, note holders must request the information no later than five business days before the expiration date. The expiration date is                     , 2005.
      No dealer, sales representative or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by ACCO Brands Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of ACCO Brands Corporation and any of its subsidiaries since the date hereof or that information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
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Where You Can Find More Information
       
    F-1  
 Certificate of Incorporation
 By-laws of ACCO Brands International, Inc.
 Certificate of Formation of ACCO Brands USA LLC
 Limited Liability Company Agreement
 Certificate of Formation of ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
 Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
 Certificate of Formation of ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
 Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
 Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO International Holdings, LLC
 By-laws of ACCO International Holdings, Inc.
 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Boone International, Inc.
 By-laws of Boone International, Inc.
 Certificate of Incorporation of Day-Timers, Inc.
 By-laws of Day-Timers, Inc.
 Articles of Incorporation of GBC International, Inc.
 By-laws of GBC International, Inc.
 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of General Binding Corporation
 By-laws of General Binding Corporation
 Certificate of Incorporation of Polyblend Corporation
 By-laws of Polyblend Corporation
 Certificate of Incorporation of Swingline Inc.
 By-laws of Swingline Inc.
 Certificate of Incorporation of VeloBlind, Incorporated
 By-laws of VeloBlind, Incorporated
 Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
 Opinion of Jones Vargas
 Form of Transition Services Agreement
 Statement re: Computation of Ratio to Earnings to Fixed Charges
 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility
 Form of Letter of Transmittal
 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
 Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees
 Form of Letter to Clients

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      The distribution of this prospectus and the offer and sale of the new notes and related guarantees may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus or any of the new notes must inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction in which you purchase, offer or sell the new notes or possess or distribute this prospectus and, in connection with any purchase, offer or sale by you of the new notes, must obtain any consent, approval or permission required under the laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction to which you are subject or in which you make such purchase, offer or sale.
      THIS COMMUNICATION IS DIRECTED SOLELY AT PERSONS WHO (I) ARE OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM, (II) HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS, OR (III) ARE PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER ARE REFERRED TO AS “RELEVANT PERSONS.” THIS COMMUNICATION MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS COMMUNICATION RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS.
 
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
      In connection with the exchange offer, the issuer and the guarantors have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. This prospectus constitutes a part of the registration statement. As permitted under SEC rules, the prospectus does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement. We refer you to the registration statement, including all amendments, supplements, schedules and exhibits thereto, for further information about us and the new notes. References in this prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents are not necessarily complete. If we have filed any documents as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of that document.
      We are currently subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In addition, the indenture governing the new notes requires that we file reports and other information called for by rules under the Exchange Act with the SEC and furnish information to the trustee and holders of the notes. See “Description of New Notes — Certain Covenants — Reports.” You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 111 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
      We obtained the market and competitive position data used throughout this prospectus from our own research, surveys or studies conducted by third parties and industry or general publications. Industry publications and surveys generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these studies and publications is reliable, we have not independently verified such data and we do not make any representation as to the accuracy of such information. Similarly, we believe our internal research is reliable, but it has not been verified by any independent sources.
 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
      This prospectus includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this prospectus, including, without limitation, statements under the captions “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” and other statements located elsewhere in this prospectus, in each case regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position and business strategy, may constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “continue” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that these expectations will prove to be correct.
      There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are set forth in this prospectus, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” As stated elsewhere in this prospectus, such risks, uncertainties and additional important factors include, among others:
  •  competition within the office products, document finishing and film lamination industries;
 
  •  the effects of economic and political conditions;
 
  •  the ability of distributors to successfully market and sell our products;
 
  •  the availability and price of raw materials;
 
  •  dependence on certain suppliers of manufactured products;
 
  •  the effect of consolidation in the office products industry;
 
  •  our ability to successfully implement, achieve and sustain manufacturing and distribution cost efficiencies and improvements, and fully realize anticipated cost savings from the integration of acquired businesses, including General Binding Corporation;
 
  •  disruption from the integration of acquired businesses, including General Binding Corporation, making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; and
 
  •  other risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in this prospectus and those detailed from time to time in ACCO Brands’ filings with the SEC.
      In addition, there may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
      All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf apply only as of the date of this prospectus and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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SUMMARY
      The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information, including the information under “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes, included elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus, the term “issuer” refers to ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation formerly known as ACCO World Corporation; the term “GBC” refers to General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation acquired by the issuer in the merger described below under “The Transactions”; the term “Fortune Brands” refers to Fortune Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and the parent company of the issuer prior to the spin-off described below under “The Transactions”; the term “Rest of the World” refers to the ACCO Brands business segment formerly referred to as “Trading Companies”; and the terms “ACCO Brands,” “we,” “us,” “our” and other similar terms refer to the issuer and its subsidiaries, including GBC. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should read the entire prospectus, including the financial statements and related notes, before deciding whether to invest in the new notes.
Overview
      We are the world’s largest supplier of branded office products (excluding furniture, computers, printers and bulk paper) to the office products resale industry, which includes commercial contract stationers, retail superstores, wholesalers, distributors, mail order catalogs, mass merchandisers, club stores and dealers; we also supply our products to commercial end-users. We design, develop, manufacture and market a wide variety of traditional and computer-related office products, supplies, personal computer accessory products, paper-based time management products, presentation aids and label products in three groups: office products, commercial products and computer products. These three groups accounted for 69%, 22% and 9%, respectively, of our pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004. We utilize a combination of manufacturing and third-party sourcing to procure our products, depending on transportation costs, service needs and direct labor costs. We sell our products under our leading brand names, including Kensington, Swingline, Quartet, GBC and Day-Timer, as well as under our regional brand names, including Wilson Jones, ACCO, Rexel, Ibico, Marbig, Eastlight, Derwent, Twinlock, Dox, Hetzel, Perma, Maco, Apollo, Nobo, DeVisu and Val-Rex. We target premium categories, which are characterized by high brand equity, high customer loyalty and a reasonably high price gap between branded and non-branded products, and value categories, which are characterized by low brand equity, low consumer loyalty and a small price gap between branded and non-branded products, but only where we believe we have an economic advantage or it is necessary to merchandise a complete category. Through a focus on research, marketing and innovation, we seek to develop new products that meet the needs of our consumers, which, we believe, will increase the premium product positioning of our brands.
      We market our products in over 100 countries through our own sales force, distributors, telemarketing personnel and electronic commerce. Our sales are balanced geographically, with our principal markets being the United States, Europe and Australia. For the fiscal year ended December 2004, these markets represented 55%, 28% and 7% of our pro forma net sales, respectively. Our top ten customers, Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax, United Stationers, Corporate Express, S.P. Richards, BPGI, Wal-Mart, Spicers and Ingram (supplier to Dell), accounted for 48% of our pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004. We generated $1.9 billion of pro forma net sales for the twelve months ended June 2005 and $919 million of pro forma net sales for the six months ended June 2005.
Products
      We manufacture and market products in three primary product groups: office products, commercial products and computer products.

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Office Products
      Our office products group manufactures, sources and distributes traditional office products and supplies worldwide. In the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, our products are sold by our in-house sales force and independent representatives, and outside of these regions through distributors. Our office products group is organized into four business units, workspace tools, document communication, visual communication and storage & organization, that focus on different consumer needs. These products are sold by our customers, which include office products superstores, mass merchandisers and club stores and office products distributors, wholesalers and dealers.
      Workspace Tools. We are the global leader in stapling and punching, with strong market share positions in North America, the U.K. and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the workspace tools category include:
  •  Staplers and staples
 
  •  Shredders
 
  •  Trimmers
 
  •  Punches
 
  •  Calculators
      Our workspace tools products are sold under the principal brand names of Swingline and Rexel for staplers, staples and punches, GBC and Rexel for shredders, and Ibico and GBC for trimmers and calculators.
      Document Communication. We are a global leader in binding and laminating equipment and supplies, with strong market share positions in North America, Europe and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the document communication category include:
  •  Binding and laminating equipment
 
  •  Binding and laminating supplies
 
  •  Report covers
 
  •  Indexes
 
  •  Sheet protectors
      Our binding and laminating equipment and supplies are sold principally under the GBC, Rexel and Ibico brand names, while report covers, indexes and sheet protectors are marketed under the Wilson Jones, Rexel, Hetzel and Marbig brand names.
      Visual Communication. We are a global leader in the visual communication category, with strong market share positions in North America, Europe and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the visual communication category include:
  •  Dry-erase boards
 
  •  Dry-erase markers
 
  •  Easels
 
  •  Bulletin boards
 
  •  Overhead projectors
 
  •  Transparencies
 
  •  Laser pointers
 
  •  Screens

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      Our visual communication products are sold under the principal brand names of Quartet, Nobo and Boone for bulletin and dry-erase boards, easels and dry-erase markers, and Apollo, Nobo and DeVisu for overhead projectors, transparencies, laser pointers and screens.
      Storage & Organization. We are a global leader in the storage & organization category, with strong market share positions in North America, Europe and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the storage & organization category include:
  •  Ring binders
 
  •  Data binders
 
  •  Storage boxes
 
  •  Labels
 
  •  Hanging file folders
 
  •  Clips and fasteners
 
  •  Letter trays
 
  •  Accounting supplies
      Our storage & organization products are sold principally in local markets using regional brand names such as Wilson Jones, ACCO, Rexel, Twinlock, Eastlight, Marbig, Hetzel, Dox, Val-Rex, Perma and Maco.
Commercial Products
      Our commercial products group, primarily marketed under the GBC brand name, targets high volume commercial and industrial users of binding and laminating equipment and supplies on a global basis, and provides maintenance and repair services for these products in North America. We sell these products directly to end-users or through specialized dealers due to the high degree of specialization and after-sales service and support required. Principal GBC products include high-speed binding and laminating equipment and specialized laminating films for book printing, packaging and digital print lamination. End-users of these products and services primarily include customers in the printing, packaging, advertising, education and corporate markets. We also include our Day-Timers business, which sells to consumers through direct mail and advertising catalogs and to consumers and businesses through retailers, mass merchandisers and electronic commerce, within the commercial products group due to the high proportion of sales made directly to consumers. Principal Day-Timers products are personal organizers and time management planners.
Computer Products
      We are a niche player in the computer products area, with a strong market share position in the mobile computing accessories category. Our computer products group designs, sources and distributes accessory products for personal computers and mobile devices worldwide, principally under the Kensington brand name. Our computer products group is primarily focused on the mobile user and includes the following representative products:
  •  Security locks for laptops
 
  •  Power adapters for laptops
 
  •  Input devices
 
  •  Computer cleaning products
 
  •  Ergonomic devices
 
  •  Carry cases

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      In the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, our products are sold by our in-house sales forces and independent representatives, and outside of these regions through distributors. Our computer accessories segment markets to consumer electronic retailers, original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs (including Dell and IBM), mass merchandisers and office products retailers.
Competitive Strengths
Leading Market Positions and Brand Names
      We have leading market share positions in a number of businesses within the product categories and segments in which we compete. Our Swingline stapling and punch products are the market share leaders in North America, and our GBC binding and laminating equipment and supplies and Kensington computer security products are the market share leaders globally. We are the global leader in dry-erase boards and easels (visual communication). Other brands that are generally leaders in their respective categories and provide us with an industry-leading global product mix include Rexel in stapling and punching; Ibico and Rexel in binding and laminating in Europe; Quartet, Boone, Apollo, Nobo and DeVisu in presentation products; regional brands Wilson Jones, Rexel, Eastlight and Marbig in storage and organization; Day-Timer in time management products; and GBC commercial (service sector) binding machines and supplies and commercial (industrial sector) binding and laminating machines and supplies. In addition, several of our brands, including Swingline and Day-Timer, have among the highest unaided customer awareness in the office products industry. A number of our leading brands also have a premium positioning within their respective categories, and as we continue to invest in innovation and marketing and consolidate our brand names, we expect these and other brand names to become stronger in the marketplace, providing a significant competitive advantage.
Low-Cost Operator with Industry-Leading Supply Chain
      We maintain highly automated manufacturing facilities both in local markets and in low-cost production areas such as Mexico and the Czech Republic, which are adjacent to our main markets. Over the last three years, we have significantly re-designed our supply chain, moving production to China, Mexico and Eastern Europe and significantly reducing our number of facilities in higher cost regions such as the United States and Western Europe. Since 2001, we have closed 24 facilities, reduced our full-time employee headcount by approximately 35% (approximately 2,500 employees) and significantly streamlined our manufacturing efforts. Our GBC subsidiary has similarly started a reorganization of its manufacturing operations in recent years. Our increased scale provides many opportunities not only for realizing significant operational cost synergies, but also for sharing manufacturing and sourcing best practices across our combined organization.
Decentralized Business Model
      We organize our product development and go-to-market strategies around distinct consumer categories that are managed as profit responsible business units focused around key consumer needs. These business units use a shared services model to gain economies of scale across distribution, freight, administration, information technology and some selling and marketing functions. Most importantly, this structure enables each of our business units to move independently to best position itself within each market in which it competes. Each of our business units can focus on its unique set of consumers, customers, competitors and suppliers. Our shared services model also allows us to more easily facilitate the integration of acquisitions, as we are able to “plug” additional businesses directly into the model and eliminate duplicative costs for the shared services functions.
Diverse Revenue Base with Global Platform
      We believe that our sales are well-balanced by product, channel, customer and geographic region. Our three product groups, office products, commercial products and computer products, accounted for 69%,

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22% and 9%, respectively, of our pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004. Our office products group, in turn, comprises four sub-groups: workspace tools, document communication, visual communication and storage & organization. We have a significant presence in the indirect sales channel through our office products and computer products groups, and a significant presence in the direct sales channel through our commercial products group. Our ten largest customers accounted for 48% of our pro forma net sales over the same period with our largest customer, Office Depot and its related entities, accounting for 13% of our pro forma net sales. In addition, we have a wide geographic footprint, with pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004 of 55%, 28% and 17% in the United States, Europe and Rest of the World, respectively. This diversification enables us to reach a broad set of customers with different needs and service many of them internationally as well as locally, while limiting our exposure to economic downturns in specific regions or industries. We believe that our customers wish to deal with fewer suppliers who effectively support a consumer driven marketing and merchandising strategy with innovative products at acceptable price and service levels.
Strong Free Cash Flow Generation
      We have historically generated significant cash flow from operating activities. Our cash flow from operating activities totaled $613.4 million from fiscal years 2001 through 2004. As a result of our business restructuring initiated in 2001, our management generated $441.4 million in cash flow from operating activities over the period of 2001 to 2004, after fully funding our restructuring effort. We believe our restructuring initiatives and business model position us to derive increased cash flow from operations. Our business requires limited capital expenditures above depreciation and we have been able reduce our capital investment and working capital requirements by utilizing a combination of company manufacturing and outsourcing. We believe that our ability to generate substantial cash flow from operations, combined with our anticipated capital expenditure requirements, will allow us to generate free cash flow to achieve financial de-leveraging. In addition, we expect annual cost savings from the integration of GBC, after our costs to implement these synergies, to further enhance our free cash flow generation capabilities.
Strong and Incentivized Management Team
      We are led by an experienced management team with a proven track record of strong operating performance, business process reengineering and restructuring, consumer focus and innovation. We believe that these managers will be able to leverage their experience in restructuring ACCO Brands when integrating GBC into our operations. Our business is additionally supported by strong geographic, product and customer focused management with significant industry experience. We believe that our management will also benefit from our strong board of directors, which consists of members with significant experience in the consumer and office products industries, including five directors from Fortune Brands, ACCO Brands’ former parent company, and three directors from GBC. As of September 20, 2005, our management team had options to purchase approximately 2% of our outstanding common stock, and we plan to put in place a new option program and management incentive plan tied to specific performance goals.
Business Strategy
      Our strategy remains centered around maximizing profitability and high-return growth. Specifically, we seek to leverage our platform for organic growth through greater consumer understanding, increased product development, marketing and merchandising, disciplined category expansion including possible strategic transactions and continued cost realignment. In implementing this strategy, we are focused on the following:
Realize Synergies from Business Combination
      We believe there are significant potential savings opportunities from the acquisition of GBC arising from potential cost reductions attributable to efficiencies and synergies to be derived from facility integration, headcount reduction, supply chain optimization and revenue enhancement. The combined

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businesses provide added scale, allowing us to leverage customer research, product development, supply chains, shared services and business support platforms. We expect the synergies from the business overlay to be derived from almost all of our geographic locations as the two businesses have similar geographic footprints and supply chain needs. Where we have multiple brands, we intend to consolidate our leading brands in each category, which will allow us to focus on building fewer, bigger and stronger brands. These business and financial synergies are expected to result in increased incremental cash flows after the initial investment phase. We expect annual cost savings to reach $40.0 million over the next three years as we consolidate overlapping facilities, leverage the existing ACCO Brands shared services model and integrate GBC into our lower cost supply chain model. We initially intend to invest in business restructuring, associated capital investment, consumer research and product innovation. We believe that this will result in strong free cash flow for de-leveraging.
Selectively Participate in Multiple Product Categories
      We view office products as falling into either “premium” or “value” categories which we believe require different strategic approaches and different levels of investment. Premium categories (e.g., computer security or stapling) are characterized by high brand equity, high customer loyalty, a reasonably high price gap between branded and non-branded products and premium brand volume comprising a large percentage of the category. We have identified products within the premium category that we feel we can competitively supply to the office products industry as a result of our commitment to innovation, customer service and brand appeal. We have a broad mix of premium products and plan to build upon our product offering within these higher margin categories. In contrast, value categories (e.g., ring binders or storage boxes) are characterized by low brand equity, low customer loyalty, a small price gap between branded and non-branded products and value brands (including customers’ private label brands) comprising a large percentage of the category. We have also identified several products within the value category that we feel we can effectively market as a result of our strong supply chain and distribution proficiencies and anticipate that we will be able to leverage our expertise when developing new value product offerings. However, there are several value categories that are not economically attractive to us due to factors including low current relative market share, low growth, little room for differentiation or low margins. We will choose not to compete against the private-label suppliers within those categories.
Invest in Research, Marketing and Innovation
      We believe that a strong commitment to understanding consumers and defining products and merchandising strategies that speak to their needs is a key contributor to success in the office products industry. If office product suppliers do not understand consumers’ needs and develop new innovative products that are appropriately merchandised, product categories will tend toward commoditization. Many of our product categories require a supplier that can merchandise both premium and value products, and we are able to be a supplier of both types of products. We intend to continue to research consumer needs and develop additional new and innovative products that meet consumer needs. Additionally, we will seek to develop marketing that communicates the advantages of our products to consumers, which will further differentiate us from our competitors. By focusing on our consumers’ and customers’ needs, we have demonstrated substantial financial improvement even during periods of customer consolidation. We believe we can apply our business model and techniques to the GBC business. We believe that by increasing product innovation and marketing, consumers will increasingly associate our strong brand names with premium products.
Utilize a Combination of Manufacturing and Outsourcing
      Our business model uses a combination of manufacturing and outsourcing to supply our customers. Our products are either manufactured or sourced in a manner we believe will supply our customers with appropriate customer service, quality products, innovative solutions and attractive pricing. We have built a consumer-focused business unit model with a flexible supply chain to ensure that these factors are appropriately balanced. We tend to manufacture those products that would incur a relatively high freight

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expense or have high service needs and typically source those products that have a high proportion of direct labor cost; we can also use a combination of both supply chain options. Using a combination of manufacturing and third-party sourcing also will enable us to reduce our costs and effectively manage production assets, minimizing our capital investment and working capital requirements. For the 2004 fiscal year, approximately 55% of ACCO Brands’ cost of product was from goods manufactured either locally, in Mexico or in Eastern Europe and 45% was from products primarily sourced in Asia. We plan to integrate GBC’s businesses into our lower cost supply chain and apply the same balanced manufacturing and outsourcing approach that ACCO Brands has applied to its businesses.
Principal Executive Offices
      Our principal executive offices are located at 300 Tower Parkway, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069. Our telephone number is (847) 484-4800.
The Transactions
      Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “spin-off” refers to the distribution of ACCO Brands common stock to Fortune Brands common stockholders on a pro rata basis pursuant to a distribution agreement dated as of March 15, 2005, as described in greater detail under “Summary — The Transactions” and “The Transactions”; the term “merger” refers to the merger of GBC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACCO Brands, whereby GBC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the issuer pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 15, 2005, as described in greater detail under “Summary — The Transactions” and “The Transactions”; and the term “transactions” refers to the spin-off, the merger, the repayment, or the provision for the repayment, of the material indebtedness of ACCO Brands and GBC outstanding prior to the merger, the offering of the old notes, the borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities effected on the date of the merger and the payment of related fees and expenses, all as described in greater detail under “Summary — The Transactions,” “The Transactions” and “Use of Proceeds.”
The Spin-Off and Merger
      On March 15, 2005, the issuer, Fortune Brands and GBC entered into transaction agreements pursuant to which the issuer separated from Fortune Brands in the spin-off, effective as of August 16, 2005, and acquired GBC in the merger, effective as of August 17, 2005. As a result of the merger, GBC now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the issuer. As part of the transaction agreements, ACCO Brands paid a $625.0 million special dividend to its common stockholders prior to the spin-off through the issuance of promissory notes. These notes were repaid using proceeds from the offering of the old notes along with proceeds from the senior secured credit facilities.
The Financings
      The following financing transactions, collectively referred to as the financings, occurred in connection with the spin-off and the merger:
  •  the execution of a credit agreement, referred to in this prospectus as our senior secured credit agreement, providing for new senior secured credit facilities, consisting of $200.0 million in non-U.S.Term Loan facilities, $400.0 million in U.S. Term Loan facilities and $150.0 million of revolving credit facilities (see “Description of Other Indebtedness — Senior Secured Credit Facilities” for a more detailed description of the senior secured credit facilities); and
 
  •  the issuance of the old notes, in an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million.
      The net proceeds from the financings were used to:
  •  repay the $625.0 million of special dividend notes issued by ACCO Brands to its stockholders prior to the spin-off;

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  •  fund the $156.4 million, including accrued interest and redemption premium, required to redeem $150.0 million outstanding principal amount of GBC’s 9.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008;
 
  •  fund the $148.2 million, including accrued interest and prepayment premiums, required to repay $147.3 million of other indebtedness of GBC outstanding immediately prior to the merger;
 
  •  repay $43.2 million of ACCO Brands indebtedness to Fortune Brands outstanding immediately prior to the merger; and
 
  •  pay other fees and expenses associated with the transactions.
      See “Use of Proceeds” and “Capitalization” for more information on the use of proceeds from the financings.
The Exchange Offer
      On August 5, 2005, $350,000,000 principal amount of the issuer’s 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, the old notes to which the exchange offer applies, were issued to a group of initial purchasers in reliance on exemptions from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The old notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated basis, by substantially all of the issuer’s domestic subsidiaries. In connection with the receipt by the issuer of the proceeds from the offering of the old notes, the issuer and the guarantors agreed to conduct the exchange offer.
The Exchange Offer The issuer is offering new 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the guarantors, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated basis, which new notes and guarantees will be registered under the Securities Act, in exchange for the old notes.
 
To exchange your old notes, you must properly tender them, and the issuer must accept them. The issuer will exchange all old notes that you validly tender and do not validly withdraw. The issuer will cancel all old notes accepted for exchange and issue registered new notes promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer.
 
Resale of New Notes We believe that, if you are not a broker-dealer, you may offer the new notes (together with the guarantees thereof) for resale, resell and otherwise transfer the new notes and the related guarantees without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act if you:
 
• are acquiring the new notes in your ordinary course of business;
 
• are not engaged in, do not intend to engage in and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution,” as defined under the Securities Act, of the new notes; and
 
• are not an “affiliate,” as defined under the Securities Act, of the issuer or any guarantor.
 
Our belief that resales and other transfers of new notes would be permitted without registration or prospectus delivery under the conditions described above is based on SEC interpretations given

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to other, unrelated issuers in transactions similar to the exchange offer. We cannot assure you that the SEC would take the same position with respect to the exchange offer. If any of the conditions described above is not satisfied, you may not rely on the SEC interpretations and you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale or other transfer of the new notes. Failure to so comply may result in liability to you under the Securities Act. We will not be responsible for or indemnify you against any liability you may incur under the Securities Act.
 
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. See “Plan of Distribution and Selling Restrictions.”
 
Expiration Date The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2005, unless we extend the expiration date.
 
Withdrawal You may withdraw your tender of old notes under the exchange offer at any time before the exchange offer expires. Any withdrawal must be in accordance with the procedures described in “The Exchange Offer — Withdrawal Rights.”
 
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes Each holder of old notes that wishes to accept the exchange offer must, before the exchange offer expires, either:
 
• transmit a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, together with all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, including the old notes, to the exchange agent; or
 
• if old notes are tendered in accordance with book-entry procedures, arrange with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, to cause to be transmitted to the exchange agent an agent’s message indicating, among other things, the holder’s agreement to be bound by the letter of transmittal,
 
or comply with the procedures described below under “— Guaranteed Delivery.”
 
A holder of old notes that tenders old notes in the exchange offer must represent, among other things, that:
 
• the holder is acquiring the new notes in its ordinary course of business;
 
• the holder is not engaged in, does not intend to engage in and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the new notes;
 
• the holder is not an affiliate of the issuer or any guarantor; and
 
• the holder is not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations.

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Do not send letters of transmittal, certificates representing old notes or other documents to us or DTC. Send these documents only to the exchange agent at the address or facsimile number given in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.
 
Special Procedures for Tenders by Beneficial Owners of Old Notes If:
 
• you beneficially own old notes;
 
• those notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee or custodian; and
 
• you wish to tender your old notes in the exchange offer,
 
you should contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct it to tender on your behalf and comply with the instructions set forth in this prospectus and the letter of transmittal.
 
Guaranteed Delivery If you hold old notes in certificated form or if you own old notes in the form of a book-entry interest in a global note deposited with the trustee, as custodian for DTC, and you wish to tender those old notes, but
 
• the certificates for your old notes are not immediately available or all required documents are unlikely to reach the exchange agent before the exchange offer expires; or
 
• you cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on time,
 
you may tender your old notes in accordance with the procedures described in “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes — Guaranteed Delivery.”
 
Consequences of Not Exchanging Old Notes If you do not tender your old notes or we reject your tender, your old notes will remain outstanding and will continue to be subject to the provisions in the indenture regarding the transfer and exchange of the old notes and the existing restrictions on transfer set forth in the legends on the old notes. Holders of old notes will not be entitled to any further registration rights, except under limited circumstances with respect to specific types of holders of old notes in accordance with the registration rights agreement among the initial purchasers, the issuer and the guarantors. See “Risk Factors — Risks Associated with the Exchange Offer — Any outstanding old notes after the consummation of the exchange offer will continue to be subject to existing transfer restrictions, and the holders of old notes after the consummation of the exchange offer may not be able to sell their old notes” for further information.
 
Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights You do not have any appraisal or dissenters’ rights in connection with the exchange offer.

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Certain Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences Your exchange of old notes for new notes will not be treated as a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Certain Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences.”
 
Conditions The exchange offer is subject to the condition that it not violate applicable law or any SEC policy.
 
Use of Proceeds We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer or the issuance of the new notes. The net proceeds from the issuance of the old notes, together with the proceeds from the other financings described in this prospectus, were used to finance the transactions. See “Use of Proceeds.”
 
Acceptance of Old Notes and Delivery of New Notes The issuer will accept for exchange any and all old notes properly tendered prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. The issuer and the guarantors will complete the exchange offer and the issuer will issue the new notes promptly after the expiration date.
 
Exchange Agent Wachovia Bank, National Association is serving as exchange agent for the exchange offer. The address and the facsimile and telephone numbers of the exchange agent are provided in this prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Agent” and in the letter of transmittal.
The New Notes
      The form and terms of the new notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the old notes, except that the new notes:
  •  will have been registered under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not bear restrictive legends restricting their transfer under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not entitle holders to the registration rights that apply to the old notes; and
 
  •  will not contain provisions relating to additional interest in connection with the old notes under circumstances related to the timing of the exchange offer.
      The new notes will represent the same debt as the old notes and will be governed by the same indenture, which is governed by New York law and is referred to in this prospectus as the indenture. In this section of the prospectus, under the heading “The New Notes,” the term “notes” refers to both the new notes and the old notes.
Issuer ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation
 
Notes Offered $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
 
Maturity Date August 15, 2015
 
Interest Annual rate: 75/8%
 
Interest will be payable in cash on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2006.
 
Guarantees The old notes are, and the new notes will be, guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by the issuer’s domestic subsidiaries.

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Ranking The old notes are, and the new notes will be, the issuer’s unsecured senior subordinated obligations, ranking:
 
• junior to any of the issuer’s existing and future senior indebtedness, including borrowings under our senior credit facilities;
 
• equally with any of the issuer’s future senior subordinated indebtedness; and
 
• senior to any of the issuer’s future indebtedness that expressly provides for its subordination to the notes.
 
Each guarantor’s guarantee of the old notes is, and the new notes will be, that guarantor’s unsecured senior subordinated obligation, ranking:
 
• junior to any of that guarantor’s existing and future senior indebtedness, including its guarantee of debt under our senior secured credit facilities;
 
• equally with any of that guarantor’s future senior subordinated indebtedness; and
 
• senior to any of that guarantor’s future indebtedness that expressly provides for its subordination to its guarantee of the notes.
 
In the event that our secured creditors exercise their rights with respect to our assets pledged to them, our secured creditors would be entitled to be repaid in full from the proceeds of those assets before those proceeds would be available for distribution to other creditors, including holders of the notes. The assets of the issuer’s subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes will be subject to the prior claims of all creditors, including trade creditors, of those non-guarantor subsidiaries.
 
As of June 2005, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the transactions:
 
• the issuer and its subsidiaries would have had $957.2 million principal amount of indebtedness on a consolidated basis, of which:
 
     • $607.2 million principal amount, including $600 million of borrowings and guarantees under our senior secured credit facilities, would have been contractually senior to the notes and the guarantees, and
 
     • $607.2 million principal amount would have been secured debt;
 
• an additional $132 million would have been available for borrowing on a secured basis under our senior secured credit facilities (giving effect to $0 million in revolving credit facility borrowings and $18 million of outstanding letters of credit immediately after the completion of the merger), which borrowings would have been contractually senior to the notes and the guarantees and would be secured; and

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• subsidiaries of the issuer that are not guarantors of the notes would have had approximately $277.1 million principal amount of indebtedness and other borrowings, including trade payables but excluding intercompany liabilities.
 
See “Description of Other Indebtedness.”
 
Optional Redemption The issuer may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, prior to August 15, 2010 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a “make-whole” premium as set forth under “Description of New Notes — Optional Redemption.” On or after August 15, 2010, the issuer may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth under “Description of New Notes — Optional Redemption.”
 
The issuer may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes on or prior to August 15, 2008 with the proceeds of certain equity offerings, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. The issuer may make that redemption only if, after the redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes originally issued remains outstanding and the redemption occurs within 60 days of the date of the equity offering closing. See “Description of New Notes — Optional Redemption.”
 
Change of Control Offer Upon the occurrence of a change of control, holders of notes will have the right to require the issuer to repurchase some or all of their notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date. See “Description of Notes — Change of Control.”
 
Certain Covenants The indenture governing the notes contains covenants limiting, among other things, the issuer’s ability and the ability of the issuer’s restricted subsidiaries to:
 
• incur additional debt;
 
• pay dividends on capital stock or repurchase capital stock;
 
• make certain investments;
 
• enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;
 
• limit dividends or other payments by our restricted subsidiaries to us;
 
• use assets as security in other transactions; and
 
• sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies.
 
These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. See “Description of New Notes.”
      Investing in the new notes involves risks. You should carefully consider the information in the “Risk Factors” section and all other information included in this prospectus before investing in the new notes.

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Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information
      The following table sets forth summary unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information of ACCO Brands, giving pro forma effect to the transactions and the payment by ACCO Brands of a $625.0 million special dividend to its stockholders prior to the spin-off. The information presented below combines the consolidated financial information for GBC as of June 30, 2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the six month period ended June 30, 2005, with the consolidated financial information of ACCO Brands as of June 25, 2005 and for the year ended December 27, 2004 and the six month period ended June 25, 2005 after giving effect to the merger. The summary unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information is derived from the unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus. We present the unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information for informational purposes only. The pro forma information is not intended to represent or be indicative of our combined results of operations or financial condition that would have been reported had the transactions been completed as of the dates presented and should not be taken as representative of our future combined results of operations or financial condition. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements,” “Selected Historical Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of GBC and ACCO Brands included elsewhere in this prospectus.
                 
    Pro Forma Fiscal   Pro Forma Combined
    Year Ended   Six Months Ended
    December 2004   June 2005
         
Statement of Operations Data:
               
Net sales
  $ 1,888.0     $ 919.0  
Cost of products sold
    1,149.9       565.1  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    575.9       290.4  
Amortization of identifiable intangibles
    5.3       2.9  
Restructuring charges
    20.3       1.3  
Interest expense, net
    65.1       32.6  
Earnings from joint ventures
    (1.0 )     (1.0 )
Other (income)/expense, net
    (4.2 )     2.7  
             
Income before income tax expense
    76.7       25.0  
Income tax expense
    16.6       13.2  
             
Net income before cumulative effect of accounting change
  $ 60.1     $ 11.8  
             
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
               
Cash and cash equivalents
            28.0  
Working capital(1)
            368.7  
Property, plant and equipment, net
            244.2  
Total assets
            1,880.1  
Total debt
            957.2  
Total shareholders’ equity
            379.5  
Other Financial Data:
               
Depreciation expense
    46.9       20.7  
Capital expenditures
    34.9       16.6  
Pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)
    2.0 x     1.6 x
 
(1)  Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.
 
(2)  For purposes of this computation, “earnings” consist of pre-tax income from continuing operations (excluding equity in earnings of affiliates) plus fixed charges; where “fixed charges” consist of interest expense on all indebtedness, plus capitalized interest, plus amortization of deferred costs of financing and the interest component of lease rental expense.

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Summary Historical Financial Information of ACCO Brands Corporation
      The following table sets forth summary historical financial information of ACCO Brands. The financial information as of December 27, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and for each of the fiscal years then ended has been derived from ACCO Brands’ audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial information as of June 25, 2004 and 2005 and for each of the six-month periods then ended has been derived from ACCO Brands’ unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which include, in management’s opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial position of ACCO Brands for the periods and dates presented. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Financial Data — ACCO Brands Corporation,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — ACCO Brands Corporation” and the consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of ACCO Brands included elsewhere in this prospectus.
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended   Six Months Ended
    December 27,   June 25,
         
    2002   2003   2004   2004   2005
                     
    (Dollars in millions)
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Net sales
  $ 1,105.4     $ 1,101.9     $ 1,175.7     $ 539.6     $ 551.9  
Cost of products sold
    698.9       686.8       714.3       340.4       337.2  
Advertising, selling, general and administrative
    351.5       337.8       347.8       170.4       166.0  
Amortization of intangibles
    2.1       1.7       1.3       0.6       1.0  
Write-down of intangibles
          12.0                    
Restructuring charges
    34.3       17.3       19.4       19.4        
Interest expense
    12.3       8.0       8.5       3.9       4.1  
Other (income)/expense, net
    0.8       (1.6 )     (5.2 )     (3.5 )     1.6  
                               
Income before income taxes
    5.5       39.9       89.6       8.4       42.0  
Income tax expense
    1.3       13.2       21.1       6.3       17.0  
                               
Net income before cumulative effect of accounting change(1)
  $ 4.2     $ 26.7     $ 68.5     $ 2.1     $ 25.0  
                               
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 43.3     $ 60.5     $ 79.8     $ 78.7     $ 18.2  
Working capital(2)
    205.7       234.4       271.7       245.6       261.3  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    195.3       170.0       157.7       151.4       154.7  
Total assets
    860.5       886.7       984.5       878.7       877.5  
Total debt(3)
    4.7       2.8       0.1       3.0       0.9  
Total stockholders’ equity
    528.8       533.1       616.8       524.0       596.7  
Other Financial Data:
                                       
Depreciation expense
  $ 37.0     $ 33.3     $ 28.2     $ 14.7     $ 12.6  
Capital expenditures
    22.0       16.3       27.6       11.7       12.8  
Cash flow from operating activities, (use)/source
    161.9       67.2       63.7       29.4       (7.5 )
Cash flow from investing activities, (use)/source
    (17.2 )     (1.7 )     (6.1 )     4.4       (13.0 )
Cash flow from financing activities, (use)/source
    (128.7 )     (56.8 )     (45.3 )     (17.7 )     (38.2 )
 
(1)  Before effect of accounting change of $1.6 in June 2005 related to the elimination of a one month lag in reporting by two foreign subsidiaries to align their reporting periods with the Company’s fiscal calendar.

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(2)  Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.
 
(3)  Total debt refers only to the portion financed by third parties and does not include any portion financed through banking relationships or lines of credit secured by ACCO Brands’ then-parent company, Fortune Brands. Interest expenses associated with Fortune Brands’ debt have been allocated to ACCO Brands for the periods presented.

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Summary Historical Financial Information of General Binding Corporation
      The following table sets forth summary historical financial information of General Binding Corporation. The financial information as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and for each of the fiscal years then ended has been derived from General Binding Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements. The financial information as of June 30, 2004 and 2005 and for each of the six-month periods then ended has been derived from GBC’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which include, in management’s opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial position of GBC for the periods and dates presented. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Financial Data — General Binding Corporation,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — General Binding Corporation” and the consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of GBC included elsewhere in this prospectus.
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended   Six Months Ended
    December 31,   June 30,
         
    2002   2003   2004   2004   2005
                     
    (Dollars in millions)
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Net sales
  $ 701.7     $ 697.9     $ 712.3     $ 345.3     $ 367.1  
Product cost of sales, including development and engineering
    422.5       418.7       434.9       212.4       227.5  
Inventory rationalization and write-down charges
    1.0                          
Selling, service and administrative
    228.1       224.6       225.6       112.6       119.4  
Earnings from joint ventures
    (0.2 )     0.0       (1.3 )     (0.3 )     (1.0 )
Interest expense
    39.9       34.4       25.9       13.4       13.6  
Restructuring charges
    8.0       11.1       0.9       0.8       1.3  
Other charges
    1.1       4.7       1.7             4.2  
Other expense, net
    0.2       0.2       0.7       0.9       1.1  
                               
Income before taxes
    1.1       4.4       23.9       5.5       1.0  
Income tax expense
    2.0       7.6       9.1       2.5       2.9  
                               
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change(1)
  $ (1.0 )   $ (3.3 )   $ 14.8     $ 3.0     $ (1.9 )
                               
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18.3     $ 9.6     $ 6.3     $ 3.9     $ 11.9  
Working capital(2)
    101.7       99.8       98.5       124.3       111.2  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    106.9       95.0       84.7       87.9       75.0  
Total assets
    557.4       530.3       540.5       537.8       540.5  
Total debt (excludes interest)
    341.4       302.0       288.9       317.6       294.3  
Total stockholders’ equity
    42.1       54.2       77.8       57.1       77.8  
Other Financial Data:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization(3)
  $ 24.4     $ 21.8     $ 19.1     $ 11.0     $ 10.1  
Capital expenditures
    9.0       8.5       7.3       3.6       3.8  
Cash flow from operating activities, (use)/source
    46.5       51.6       22.7       (18.7 )     (3.8 )
Cash flow from investing activities, (use)/source
    (7.7 )     (10.5 )     (8.2 )     (4.7 )     (1.0 )
Cash flow from financing activities, (use)/source
    (78.9 )     (41.4 )     (13.1 )     17.0       9.1  
 
(1)  Before cumulative effect of accounting change of $79.0 in 2002, related to the impairment of goodwill recorded in conjunction with the implementation of SFAS No. 142.
 
(2)  Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.
 
(3)  Depreciation and amortization does not include patent amortization, display amortization and amortization of deferred debt cost.

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RISK FACTORS
      You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed below as well as the other information contained in this prospectus before deciding whether to invest in the notes. The risks discussed below, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In this “Risk Factors” section, the term “notes” refers to both the new notes and the old notes.
Risks Relating to Our Business
We may not realize the anticipated benefits from the merger.
      The success of the merger will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities from integrating the businesses of GBC with the other businesses of ACCO Brands. Our success in realizing these synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities, and the timing of this realization, depends on the successful integration of ACCO Brands’ and GBC’s operations. Even if we are able to integrate the business operations of GBC successfully, we cannot assure you that this integration will result in the realization of the full benefits of the synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities that we currently expect from this integration or that these benefits will be achieved within the anticipated time frame. For example, the elimination of duplicative costs may not be possible or may take longer than anticipated, and the benefits from the merger may be offset by costs incurred in integrating the companies.
The integration of ACCO Brands and GBC may present significant challenges.
      There is a significant degree of difficulty and management distraction inherent in the process of establishing ACCO Brands as an independent public company and integrating the GBC businesses. These difficulties include:
  •  the challenge of establishing ACCO Brands as a separately traded independent public company and then integrating the GBC businesses while carrying on the ongoing operations of each business;
 
  •  the necessity of coordinating geographically separate organizations;
 
  •  the challenge of integrating the business cultures of each company, which may prove to be incompatible;
 
  •  the challenge and cost of integrating the information technology systems of each company; and
 
  •  the potential difficulties in retaining key officers and personnel.
      The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of one or more of our businesses. Members of our senior management may be required to devote considerable amounts of time to this integration process, which will decrease the time they will have to manage our business, service existing customers, attract new customers and develop new products or strategies. If our senior management is not able to effectively manage the integration process, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process, our business could suffer.
      We cannot assure you that we will successfully or cost-effectively integrate the GBC businesses. The failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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We may be unable to anticipate changes in consumer preferences, which may result in decreased demand for our products.
      Our success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate and offer products that appeal to the changing needs and preferences of our customers in the various market categories in which we compete. If we are not able to anticipate, identify and develop and market products that respond to these changes in customer preferences, demand for our products may decline and our operating results may be adversely affected.
Our business is dependent on a limited number of customers and a substantial reduction in sales to these customers could significantly impact our operating results.
      The office products industry is concentrated in a small number of major customers, principally office products superstores (which combine contract stationers, retail and mail order), office products distributors and mass merchandisers. This concentration increases pricing pressures to which we are subject and leads to pressures on our margins and profits. Additionally, consolidation among customers also exposes us to increased concentration of customer credit risk. A relatively limited number of customers account for a large percentage of our total net sales. For the fiscal year ended December 2004, approximately 48% of our net sales were to our ten largest customers, although no single customer accounted for more than 13% of net sales. Although we will not be dependent on any single customer, the loss of, or a significant reduction in, business from one or more of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we do not compete successfully in the competitive office products industry, our business and revenues may be adversely affected.
      Our products and services are sold in highly competitive markets. We believe that the principal points of competition in these markets are product innovation, quality, price, merchandising, design and engineering capabilities, product development, timeliness and completeness of delivery, conformity to customer specifications and post-sale support. Competitive conditions may require us to match or better competitors’ prices to retain business or market share. We believe that our competitive position will depend on continued investment in innovation and product development, manufacturing and sourcing, quality standards, marketing and customer service and support. However, there can be no assurance that we will have sufficient resources to make such investments or that we will be successful in maintaining our competitive position. There are no significant barriers to entry into the markets for most of our products and services. We also face increasing competition from our own customers’ private-label and direct sourcing initiatives.
Our success will depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.
      Our success will depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including executive officers and other key management personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain qualified management and other personnel necessary for the development, manufacture and sale of our products or that key employees will remain with us after the merger. If we do not retain these key employees, we may experience substantial disruption in our businesses. The loss of key management personnel or other key employees or our inability to attract such personnel may adversely affect our ability to manage our overall operations and successfully implement our business strategy.
We are subject to environmental regulation and environmental risks.
      We and our operations, both in the United States and abroad, are subject to national, state, provincial and/or local environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations and prohibitions on the discharge and emission of, and establish standards for the use, disposal, and management of, certain materials and waste. These environmental laws and regulations also impose liability for the costs of investigating and cleaning up sites, and certain damages resulting from present and past spills, disposals, or other releases of

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hazardous substances or materials. Environmental laws and regulations can be complex and may change often. Capital and operating expenses required to comply with environmental laws and regulations can be significant, and violations may result in substantial fines and penalties. In addition, environmental laws and regulations, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, in the United States impose liability on several grounds for the investigation and cleanup of contaminated soil, ground water and buildings and for damages to natural resources at a wide range of properties. For example, contamination at properties formerly owned or operated by us, as well as at properties we will own and operate, and properties to which hazardous substances were sent by us, may result in liability for us under environmental laws and regulations. There can be no assurance that the costs of complying with environmental laws and regulations and any claims concerning noncompliance, or liability with respect to contamination will not in the future have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Our business is subject to risks associated with seasonality, which could adversely affect our cash flow, financial condition or results of operations.
      Our business, as it concerns both historical sales and profit, has experienced increased sales volume in the third and fourth quarters of the calendar year. Two principal factors have contributed to this seasonality: the office products industry’s customers and our product line. We are major suppliers of products related to the “back-to-school” season, which occurs principally during the months of June, July, August and September for our North American business; and our product line includes several products which lend themselves to calendar year-end purchase timing, including Day-Timers planners, paper organization and storage products (including bindery) and Kensington computer accessories which increase with traditionally strong fourth quarter sales of personal computers. If either of these typical seasonal increases in sales of certain portions of our product line does not meet our expectations we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations for the year.
The raw materials and labor costs we incur are subject to price increases that could adversely affect our profitability.
      The primary materials used in the manufacturing of many of our products are paper, steel, plastics, polyester and polypropylene substrates, wood, aluminum, melamine and cork. These materials are available from a number of suppliers, and we are not dependent upon any single supplier for any of these materials. In general, our gross profit may be affected from time to time by fluctuations in the prices of these materials because our customers require advance notice and negotiation to pass through raw material price increases, giving rise to a delay before cost increases can be passed to our customers. Based on our experience, we believe that adequate quantities of these materials will be available in adequate supplies for the foreseeable future. Inflationary and other increases in costs of materials and labor have occurred in the past and may recur, and there can be no assurance that such raw materials will continue to be available in adequate supply in the future or that shortages in supply will not result in price increases that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
We will be subject to risks associated with international operations that could harm our business.
      A substantial part of our business is conducted internationally. Approximately 45% of our net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004 were from international sales. Our international operations may be significantly affected by economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where our products are manufactured or sold. Additionally, while the recent relative weakness of the U.S. dollar to other currencies has been advantageous for our businesses’ sales as the results of non-U.S. operations have increased when reported in U.S. dollars, we can give no assurances and make no predictions about the rate at which the U.S. dollar will trade against other currencies in the future. If the U.S. dollar were to become significantly more valuable relative to other currencies in the global market, such an increase could harm our ability to compete, our financial condition and our results of operations.

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We will be subject to risks associated with outsourcing that could harm our business.
      Historically, we have outsourced certain manufacturing functions to third party service providers in China and other countries. Outsourcing generates a number of risks, including decreased control over the manufacturing process possibly leading to production delays or interruptions, possible inferior product quality control and misappropriation of trade secrets. In addition, performance problems by these third-party service providers could result in cost overruns, delayed deliveries, shortages, quality issues or other problems which could result in significant customer dissatisfaction and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
      If one or more of these third-party service providers becomes unable or unwilling to continue to provide services of acceptable quality, at acceptable costs or in a timely manner, our ability to deliver our products to our customers could be severely impaired. Furthermore, the need to identify and qualify substitute service providers or increase our internal capacity could result in unforeseen operational problems and additional costs. Substitute service providers might not be available or, if available, might be unwilling or unable to offer services on acceptable terms. Moreover, if customer demand for our products increases, we may be unable to secure sufficient additional capacity from our current service providers, or others, on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
We will depend on certain manufacturing sources whose inability to perform their obligations could harm our business.
      We will rely on GMP Co. Ltd., in which we hold an approximately 20% equity interest, as our sole supplier of many of the laminating machines we distribute. There can be no assurance that GMP will be able to continue to perform any or all of its obligations to us. GMP’s equipment manufacturing facility is located in the Republic of Korea, and its ability to supply us with laminating machines may be affected by Korean and other regional or worldwide economic, political or governmental conditions. Additionally, GMP has a highly leveraged capital structure and its ability to continue to obtain financing is required to ensure the orderly continuation of its operations. If GMP were unable to supply us with adequate equipment and we could not find a suitable alternative supplier on favorable terms, if at all, it may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our inability to secure and maintain rights to intellectual property could harm our business.
      We have many patents, trademarks, brand names and trade names that are, in the aggregate, important to our business. The loss of any individual patent or license may not be material to us taken as a whole, but the loss of a number of patents or licenses that represented principal portions of our business, or expenses related to defending or maintaining the patents or licenses, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
As a result of the spin-off and merger, we are subject to financial reporting and other requirements for which our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared.
      The financial results for ACCO Brands prior to the spin-off and merger were included within the consolidated results of Fortune Brands, and its reporting and control systems were appropriate to that of a segment of a public company. However, as a private company, we were not directly subject to reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, also referred to herein as the Exchange Act. As a result of the spin-off and merger, we are now directly subject to reporting and other obligations under the Exchange Act, including the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent auditors addressing these assessments. These reporting and other obligations will place significant demands on our management, administrative and operational resources, including accounting resources. If we are unable to integrate and upgrade our financial and management controls, reporting systems, information technology and procedures in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to

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reporting companies could be impaired. Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and stock price.
If the spin-off did not constitute a spin-off under section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code or the merger did not constitute a reorganization under section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, either as a result of actions taken in connection with the spin-off or the merger or as a result of subsequent acquisitions of stock of Fortune Brands or stock of ACCO Brands, then we may be responsible for the payment of United States federal income taxes.
      In connection with the spin-off and the merger transactions, Fortune Brands and ACCO Brands received opinions of Chadbourne & Parke LLP, counsel to Fortune Brands and ACCO Brands, to the effect that the spin-off constituted a spin-off under section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code and the merger constituted a reorganization under section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. In connection with the spin-off and the merger transactions, GBC also received an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to GBC, to the effect that the merger constituted a reorganization under section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. These opinions of counsel to Fortune Brands, ACCO Brands and GBC were based on, among other things, current law and certain representations as to factual matters made by, among others, Fortune Brands, ACCO Brands and GBC, which, if incorrect, could jeopardize the conclusions reached by such counsel in their opinions.
      A tax allocation agreement was entered into by Fortune Brands and ACCO Brands in connection with the spin-off and merger transactions and generally provides that we will be responsible for any taxes imposed on Fortune Brands or us as a result of either:
  •  the failure of the spin-off to constitute a spin-off under section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code, or
 
  •  the subsequent disqualification of the distribution of ACCO Brands common stock to Fortune Brands stockholders in connection with the spin-off as tax-free to Fortune Brands for United States federal income tax purposes,
if such failure or disqualification is attributable to certain post-spin-off actions taken by or in respect of us (including our subsidiaries) or our stockholders, such as our acquisition by a third party at a time and in a manner that would cause such failure or disqualification. For example, even if the spin-off otherwise qualified as a spin-off under section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code, the distribution of our common stock to Fortune Brands common stockholders in connection with the spin-off may be disqualified as tax-free to Fortune Brands if there is an acquisition of our stock as part of a plan or series of related transactions that include the spin-off and that results in a deemed acquisition of 50% or more of our common stock.
      For purposes of this test, any acquisitions of Fortune Brands stock or our stock within two years before or after the spin-off are presumed to be part of such a plan, although we or Fortune Brands may be able to rebut that presumption. Also, for purposes of this test, the merger will be treated as resulting in a deemed acquisition by GBC stockholders of approximately 34% of our common stock. The process for determining whether a change of ownership has occurred under the tax rules is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of the facts and circumstances of a particular case. If we do not carefully monitor our compliance with these rules, we might inadvertently cause or permit a change of ownership to occur, triggering our obligation to indemnify Fortune Brands pursuant to the Fortune Brands/ ACCO World tax allocation agreement.

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Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and the Notes
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and prevent the issuer and the guarantors from fulfilling their obligations under the notes and the guarantees.
      We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of June 2005, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the transactions, we had approximately $957.2 million of outstanding debt (including the current portion of long-term debt and excluding obligations to trade creditors). This indebtedness could have important consequences to us, such as:
  •  limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund growth, working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements or other cash requirements;
 
  •  limiting our operational flexibility due to the covenants contained in our debt agreements;
 
  •  limiting our ability to invest operating cash flow in our business due to debt service requirements;
 
  •  limiting our ability to compete with companies that are not as highly leveraged and that may be better positioned to withstand economic downturns;
 
  •  increasing our vulnerability to economic downturns and changing market conditions; and
 
  •  to the extent that our debt is subject to floating interest rates, increasing our vulnerability to fluctuations in market interest rates.
      We expect to obtain the money to pay our expenses and to pay the principal and interest on our outstanding debt from our operations. Our ability to meet our expenses and debt service obligations will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, including potential changes in customer preferences, the success of product and marketing innovation and pressure from competitors. If we do not have enough money to pay our debt service obligations, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets or borrow more money. We cannot assure you that we will be able to, at any given time, refinance our debt, sell assets or borrow more money on terms acceptable to us or at all.
We are subject to restrictive debt covenants, which may restrict our operational flexibility.
      Our senior secured credit agreement and the indenture contain covenants that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, issue preferred stock, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other restricted payments, including investments, sell our assets, and enter into consolidations or mergers. The senior secured credit agreement also requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial condition tests. Our ability to meet those financial ratios and tests may be affected by events beyond our control and we cannot assure you that we will meet those ratios and tests. A breach of any of these covenants, ratios, tests or restrictions, as applicable, could result in an event of default under the senior secured credit agreement or the indenture, in which case the parties to the facilities and the indenture could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable. If the lenders or noteholders under the senior secured credit agreement or the indenture, respectively, accelerate the payment of the indebtedness, we cannot assure you that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full the indebtedness and any other indebtedness that would become due as a result of any acceleration.
Our ability to incur additional debt could further exacerbate the risks associated with our current significant level of indebtedness.
      We may incur substantial additional debt in the future. Although the indenture and the terms of our senior secured credit facilities contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and debt incurred in compliance with these conditions could be substantial. As of June 2005, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the transactions and after giving effect to $0 million in revolving credit facility borrowings and $18 million of outstanding letters

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of credit immediately after the completion of the merger, we would have had unused borrowing capacity of $132 million under the revolving credit facility portion of our senior secured credit facilities. Adding new debt to current debt levels could make it difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes.
We will require a significant amount of cash to service our debts. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.
      Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our debt, including the notes, and to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts, will depend on our ability to generate cash. Our ability to generate cash is subject to economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that may be beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our new senior secured credit facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable any of us to pay our debts, including the notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our debts, including the notes, on or before maturity. We might be unable to refinance any of our debt, including our senior secured credit facilities or the notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
As a holding company conducting operations through our subsidiaries, the cash we generate may be not available to satisfy our obligations under the notes or the guarantors’ obligations under their guarantees.
      We are a holding company conducting all of our operations through subsidiaries. These subsidiaries will be our primary source of funds for debt payments. Similarly, the guarantors of the notes, even if they are operating companies that generate cash, may rely at least in part on subsidiaries of their own as a source of funds to meet any obligations that might arise under their own guarantees. Generally, the ability of a subsidiary to make cash available to its parent is affected by its own operating results and is subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions contained in its leases and debt instruments. Although the indenture governing the notes will limit the extent to which subsidiaries may agree to restrictions on their ability to make dividend and other payments to their parent companies, these limitations will be subject to significant qualifications and exceptions. Moreover, there may be restrictions on payments by subsidiaries to their parent companies under applicable laws, including laws that require companies to maintain minimum amounts of capital and to make payments to stockholders only from profits. As a result, although a subsidiary of ours or a subsidiary of a guarantor may have cash, we or that guarantor may not be able to obtain that cash to satisfy our obligations under the notes or its guarantee, as applicable.
We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control.
      Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, unless such notes have been previously called for redemption. See “Description of New Notes — Change of Control.” We may not have sufficient financial resources to purchase all of the notes that are tendered upon a change of control offer. The occurrence of a change of control could also constitute an event of default under our senior secured credit facilities. Our bank lenders may have the right to prohibit any such purchase or redemption, in which event we will seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders under the senior secured credit facilities, but may not be able to do so.
Federal and state laws permit a court to void the guarantees under some circumstances.
      Any guarantee of the notes by a subsidiary of the issuer may be subject to review under federal bankruptcy law or federal and state fraudulent transfer laws. While the relevant laws may vary from state to state, under these laws any guarantee of the notes by a subsidiary of the issuer will generally be a fraudulent conveyance if the guarantor (1) incurred the indebtedness represented by the guarantee with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or (2) received less than reasonably equivalent

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value or fair consideration in return for incurring the indebtedness represented by the guarantee and, in the case of (2) only, the guarantor, as the case may be:
  •  was insolvent, or became insolvent, when it incurred that indebtedness;
 
  •  was left with an unreasonably small amount of capital on account of incurring that indebtedness; or
 
  •  intended to, or believed that it would, be unable to pay its debts as they matured.
      Generally, an entity will be considered insolvent if:
  •  the sum of its debts is greater than the fair value of its property;
 
  •  the present fair value of its assets is less than the amount that it will be required to pay on its existing debts as they become due; or
 
  •  it cannot pay its debts as they become due.
      If any guarantee were a fraudulent conveyance, a court could, among other things, void the applicable guarantor’s obligations under its guarantee and require the repayment of any amounts paid to the holders of the notes under guarantee, as applicable.
      We believe that immediately after issuance of the guarantees, each of the guarantors was solvent, had sufficient capital to carry on its respective business and was able to pay its respective debts as they mature. We cannot be sure, however, what standard a court would apply or what conclusions a court would reach with regard to these issues.
Your right to receive payments on the notes will be junior to the issuer’s existing and future senior indebtedness, and the guarantees of the notes will be junior to all of the guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness.
      The notes and guarantees will rank behind all of the issuer’s and the guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness. As of June 2005, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the transactions, the notes would have been subordinated to $607.2 million principal amount of senior debt, representing borrowings under our senior credit facilities, and the guarantees would have been subordinated to $600.0 million principal amount of senior debt, representing borrowings under our senior credit facilities. In addition, the senior credit facilities would have permitted up to $132 million of additional borrowings, giving effect to $0 million in revolving credit facility borrowings and $18 million of outstanding letters of credit immediately after the completion of the merger, subject to compliance with the covenants and conditions to borrowing under the senior credit facilities, which borrowings would be senior to the notes and the guarantees. We will be permitted to incur substantial other indebtedness, including senior debt, in the future.
      As a result of this subordination, upon any distribution to creditors of property of the issuer or the guarantors in a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding, the holders of the issuer’s senior debt and the senior debt of the guarantors are entitled to be paid in full in cash before any payment may be made with respect to the notes or the guarantees. In addition, all payments on the notes and the guarantees will be blocked in the event of a payment default on senior debt and may be blocked for up to 179 consecutive days in the event of specified non-payment defaults on designated senior debt. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding relating to the issuer or the guarantors, the indenture relating to the notes will require that amounts otherwise payable to holders of the notes in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding be paid instead to holders of senior debt until the holders of senior debt are paid in full. As a result, holders of the notes may not receive all amounts owed to them and may receive less, ratably, than holders of trade payables and other unsubordinated indebtedness.

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Our secured creditors will be entitled to be paid in full from the proceeds of our pledged assets before those proceeds will be available for payment on the notes.
      Holders of our secured debt have claims that are prior to your claims as holders of the notes up to the value of the assets and shares of capital stock securing the secured debt. In particular, the issuer and the guarantors are parties to our senior secured credit facilities, which are secured by substantially all of their assets and shares of capital stock. In the event that our secured creditors exercise their rights with respect to our pledged assets and shares of capital stock, our secured creditors would be entitled to be repaid in full from the proceeds of those assets and shares of capital stock before those proceeds would be available for distribution to other creditors, including holders of the notes. As of June 2005, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the transactions, we would have had $607.2 million principal amount of secured debt and $132 million available for additional borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities, after giving effect to $0 million in revolving credit facility borrowings and $18 million of outstanding letters of credit immediately after the completion of the merger. The indenture also permits us to incur additional secured indebtedness. In the event of any distribution or payment of our assets in any foreclosure, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or other bankruptcy proceeding, holders of secured debt will have prior claims to those of our assets that constitute their collateral. In any of the foregoing events, we cannot assure you that there will sufficient assets to pay amounts due on the notes.
Not all of the issuer’s subsidiaries will guarantee the notes. The assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries will be subject to the prior claims of all claims of all creditors of those non-guarantor subsidiaries.
      The notes are obligations solely of the issuer, and each guarantee of the notes is an obligation solely of the applicable guarantor. Not all of the issuer’s direct and indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the notes. Except to the extent of the guarantees given by those subsidiaries of the issuer that are guarantors of the notes, holders of the notes cannot demand payment from the issuer’s subsidiaries. The assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries will be subject to the prior claims of all their creditors, including trade creditors. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding to which a non-guarantor subsidiary is subject, holders of its liabilities, including its trade creditors, will generally be entitled to payment on their claims from assets of that subsidiary before any of its assets are made available for distribution to the issuer or subsidiaries of the issuer that are guarantors of the notes.
      ACCO Brands subsidiaries that are not guarantors accounted for approximately 45% of ACCO Brands’ pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004. As of June 2005, these non-guarantor subsidiaries had assets representing approximately 50% of ACCO Brands’ pro forma total assets (excluding intangible assets). Under some circumstances, the terms of the notes and our senior credit facilities will permit our non-guarantor subsidiaries to incur additional debt.
The market price for the notes may be volatile.
      Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the notes. The market for the notes, if any, may be subject to similar disruptions, which could adversely affect the value of your notes.
Risks Associated with the Exchange Offer
Any outstanding old notes after the consummation of the exchange offer will continue to be subject to existing transfer restrictions, and the holders of old notes after the consummation of the exchange offer may not be able to sell their old notes.
      We did not register the old notes under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, nor do we intend to register the old notes after the exchange offer. As a result, the old notes may only be transferred in limited circumstances under the securities laws. If you do not exchange your old notes in the exchange offer, you will lose your right to have the old notes registered under the Securities Act, subject to limitations. If you continue to hold old notes after the exchange offer, you may be unable to sell the old

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notes. Old notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the exchange offer, continue to be subject to existing transfer restrictions.
Lack of an active market for the new notes may adversely affect the liquidity and market price of the new notes.
      While the old notes are presently eligible for trading in The PORTAL® Market, there is no existing market for the new notes. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the new notes on any securities exchange. We do not know if an active public market for the new notes will develop or, if developed, will continue. If an active public market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the new notes may be adversely affected. We cannot make any assurances regarding the liquidity of the market for the new notes, the ability of holders to sell their new notes or the price at which holders may sell their new notes. In addition, the liquidity and the market price of the new notes may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for securities similar to the new notes, by changes in our financial performance or prospects and by changes in conditions in our industry.
If you fail to comply with the procedures for tendering old notes, your old notes will remain outstanding after the consummation of the exchange offer.
      The new notes will be issued in exchange for the old notes only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of the old notes or a book-entry confirmation related thereto, or compliance with requirements for guaranteed delivery, a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal or an agent’s message, and all other required documentation. If you want to tender your old notes in exchange for new notes, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither we nor the exchange agent are under any duty to give you notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of old notes for exchange. Old notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the exchange offer, continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions. In addition, if you tender the old notes in the exchange offer to participate in a distribution of the new notes, you will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. For additional information, please refer to the sections of this prospectus entitled “The Exchange Offer” and “Plan of Distribution and Selling Restrictions.”

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THE TRANSACTIONS
Overview
      On March 15, 2005, the issuer, Fortune Brands and GBC entered into transaction agreements pursuant to which the issuer separated from Fortune Brands in the spin-off, effective as of August 16, 2005, and acquired GBC in the merger, effective as of August 17, 2005. As a result of the merger, GBC now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the issuer.
Detailed Description of the Merger and the Spin-off
The Merger
      Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement among ACCO Brands, Fortune Brands and GBC, immediately following the spin-off, Gemini Acquisition Sub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the issuer, merged with and into GBC, effective on August 17, 2005, with GBC surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the issuer. At the time of the merger, GBC stockholders received the right to receive one share of ACCO Brands common stock for each share of GBC common stock or Class B common stock they owned. The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties and covenants. The representations, warranties and covenants did not survive the completion of the merger, and the merger agreement does not provide for any post-merger indemnification obligations.
The Spin-Off
      Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement between ACCO Brands and Fortune Brands, in the spin-off, Fortune Brands distributed to its common stockholders on a pro rata basis all of the shares of ACCO Brands common stock owned by Fortune Brands. As a result of the spin-off, shares of ACCO Brands common stock are publicly traded and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As part of the transaction agreements, ACCO Brands paid a $625.0 million special dividend to its common stockholders prior to the spin-off through the issuance of promissory notes. These notes were repaid using proceeds from the offering of the old notes along with proceeds from the senior secured credit facilities.
The Financings
      The following financing transactions, collectively referred to as the financings, occurred in connection with the spin-off and the merger:
  •  the execution of a credit agreement, referred to in this prospectus as our senior secured credit agreement, providing for new senior secured credit facilities, consisting of $200.0 million in non-U.S. Term Loan facilities, $400.0 million in U.S. Term Loan facilities and $150.0 million of revolving credit facilities (see “Description of Other Indebtedness — Senior Secured Credit Facilities” for a more detailed description of the senior secured credit facilities); and
 
  •  the issuance of the old notes, in an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million.
      The net proceeds from the financings were used to:
  •  repay the $625.0 million of special dividend notes issued by ACCO Brands to its stockholders prior to the spin-off;
 
  •  fund the $156.4 million, including accrued interest and redemption premium, required to redeem $150.0 million outstanding principal amount of GBC’s 9.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008;
 
  •  fund the $148.2 million, including accrued interest and prepayment premiums, required to repay $147.3 million of other indebtedness of GBC outstanding immediately prior to the merger;
 
  •  repay $43.2 million of ACCO Brands indebtedness to Fortune Brands outstanding immediately prior to the merger; and
 
  •  pay other fees and expenses associated with the transactions.
      See “Use of Proceeds” and “Capitalization” for more information on the use of proceeds from the financings.

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USE OF PROCEEDS
      We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer. Because we are exchanging the new notes for the old notes, which have substantially identical terms, the issuance of the new notes will not result in any increase in our indebtedness. The old notes surrendered in exchange for the new notes will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Gross proceeds from the offering of the old notes were $350.0 million. The net proceeds from the issuance of the old notes were approximately $342.1 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses. The net proceeds from the offering of the old notes, together with the proceeds from the other financings described in this prospectus, were used to finance the transactions as described under “The Transactions” and for general corporate purposes.

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CAPITALIZATION
      The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of the six month period ended June 2005 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the transactions. You should read this table in conjunction with “The Transactions,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information,” “Selected Historical Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and ACCO Brands’ and GBC’s respective financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
             
    As of
    June 2005
     
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in
    millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 28.0  
       
Debt:
       
 
Revolving Credit Facility(1)
  $ 0.0  
 
Non-U.S. Term Loan Facilities
    200.0  
 
U.S. Term Loan Facility
    400.0  
 
Senior subordinated notes offered hereby
    350.0  
 
Other debt(2)
    7.2  
       
   
Total debt
    957.2  
Shareholders’ equity
    379.5  
       
Total capitalization
  $ 1,336.7  
       
 
(1)  As of the closing date, the amount available for borrowings under the revolving credit facility was $145.8 million, giving effect to $0.0 million in revolving credit facility borrowings and $4.2 million of outstanding letters of credit immediately after the completion of the merger.
 
(2)  Consists principally of borrowings under non-U.S. bank lines that were not refinanced in the transactions.

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
      The following unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet as of the quarter ended June 2005 and the unaudited pro forma combined condensed statements of income for the year ended December 2004 and the six months ended June 2005 are based on the historical financial statements of ACCO Brands and GBC after giving effect to the merger of ACCO Brands and GBC. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information is based on the assumptions, adjustments and eliminations described in the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements.
      The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements have been prepared using the purchase method of accounting, and are presented as if the merger transaction had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2004 for purposes of the pro forma combined statements of income, and on June 25, 2005 for purposes of the pro forma combined balance sheet.
      The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements present the combination of the historical financial statements of ACCO Brands and GBC adjusted to (1) give effect to the spin-off of ACCO Brands from its parent, Fortune Brands, and the repayment of an aggregate of $625.0 million loan notes with respect to the pre-spin-off special dividend to Fortune Brands and ACCO Brands’ pre spin-off minority stockholder, and (2) give effect to the merger of ACCO Brands and GBC.
      The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements were prepared using (1) the audited consolidated financial statements of ACCO Brands for the year ended December 27, 2004, which are included herein, (2) the audited consolidated financial statements of GBC for the year ended December 31, 2004, which are included herein, (3) the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of ACCO Brands for the six months ended June 25, 2005, which are included herein, and (4) the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of GBC for the six months ended June 30, 2005, which are included herein.
      Under the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the underlying tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their respective fair market values, net of tax, with any excess purchase price allocated to goodwill. ACCO Brands has engaged independent consultants to complete the appraisals necessary to arrive at the fair market value of the assets and liabilities acquired from GBC and the related allocations of purchase price. However, the adjustments to estimated fair value included with this prospectus are based on a preliminary review of the purchased assets of GBC. We expect to complete at a later date the appraisal of GBC assets at the level of detail necessary to finalize the required purchase price allocation. The final purchase price allocation based on these more detailed independent appraisals may be different than that reflected in the pro forma purchase price allocation presented herein, and this difference may be material.
      ACCO Brands is implementing a plan to integrate the operations of GBC and ACCO Brands. Certain non-recurring charges, such as operational relocation expenses, asset write-off costs and product rebranding and consulting expenses, will be incurred in connection with this integration. Management cannot identify the timing, nature and amount of such charges as of the date of this prospectus. However, any such charge could affect the results of ACCO Brands in the period in which such charges are incurred. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements do not include the effects of the costs associated with any restructuring or other integration activities resulting from the merger.
      The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements do not include the realization of any cost savings from operating efficiencies, synergies or other restructuring activities which might result from the merger. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the separate historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of ACCO Brands and GBC that are included herein.
      The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements are not intended to represent or be indicative of the consolidated results of operations or financial condition of ACCO Brands that would have been reported had the merger been completed as of the dates presented, and should not be taken as representative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial condition of ACCO Brands.

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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet
As of June 2005
                                                   
            ACCO            
        Effect of   Brands            
        Dividend to   Adjusted for       Pro Forma   Pro Forma
    ACCO Brands   Shareholders(1)   Dividend   GBC   Adjustments   Combined
                         
    (Dollars in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18.2             $ 18.2     $ 11.9     $ (25.9 )(a)   $ 28.0  
                                      (293.0 )(b)        
                                      (625.0 )(c)        
                                      (8.2 )(d)        
                                      950.0 (e)        
Accounts Receivable, net of allowances
    267.0               267.0       140.3               407.3  
Inventories, net
    187.8               187.8       100.3       11.4 (f)     299.5  
Prepaid expenses & other current assets
    31.7               31.7       24.0       1.9 (g)     58.8  
                                      1.2 (g)        
                                     
Total Current Assets
    504.7             504.7       276.5       12.4       793.6  
Net property, plant and equipment
    154.7               154.7       75.0       14.5 (h)     244.2  
Goodwill
                            148.7       426.4 (i)     426.4  
                                      (148.7 )(j)        
Identifiable Intangibles, net of amortization
    115.9               115.9       1.2       137.5 (k)     253.4  
                                      (1.2 )(j)        
Prepaid pension expense
    84.9               84.9       3.2               88.1  
Other non-current assets
    17.3               17.3       35.9       25.9 (a)     74.4  
                                      (4.9 )(a)        
                                      6.1 (g)        
                                      (5.9 )(g)        
                                     
Total Assets
    877.5             877.5       540.5       462.1       1,880.1  
Accounts Payable
    101.6               101.6       50.0               151.6  
Customer program liabilities
    76.3               76.3       25.5               101.8  
Salaries, wages & other compensation
    17.4               17.4       14.4               31.8  
Deferred Revenue
                            12.4               12.4  
Other current liabilities
    47.2               47.2       33.7       4.2 (l)     102.1  
                                      (2.3 )(b)        
                                      19.3 (m)        
Notes Payable to Banks
    0.9               0.9       6.3               7.2  
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt
                            23.0       (25.7 )(b)     18.0  
                                      2.7 (b)        
                                      18.0 (e)        
Dividend Payable to Shareholders
            625.0       625.0               (625.0 )(c)        
                                     
Total Current Liabilities
    243.4       625.0       868.4       165.3       (608.8 )     424.9  
Long-term Debt
                            265.0       (265.0 )(b)     932.0  
                                      932.0 (e)        
Accrued pension and post-retirement benefits
    25.1               25.1       17.0       8.5 (n)     52.9  
                                      2.3 (n)        
Other non-current liabilities
    12.3               12.3       15.4       63.1 (o)     90.8  
Stockholder’s Equity:
                                               
 
Common Stock
    0.1               0.1       2.3       (2.3 )(q)     0.1  
 
Additional Paid-in-Capital
    1,528.7       (625.0 )     903.7       11.1       427.0 (p)     1,316.6  
                                      (11.1 )(q)        
                                      (8.2 )(d)        
                                      (5.9 )(g)        
 
Retained Earnings (Deficit)
    (938.2 )             (938.2 )     76.3       (76.3 )(q)     (938.2 )
 
Unearned Compensation
                                    (5.1 )(r)     (5.1 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    6.1               6.1       (11.9 )     11.9 (q)     6.1  
                                     
Total Liabilities & Stockholder’s Equity
  $ 877.5     $     $ 877.5     $ 540.5     $ 462.1     $ 1,880.1  
 
(1)  Gives effect to the dividend payable to ACCO World’s parent and minority interest investor of $613.3 and $11.7, respectively, which will be declared and paid immediately prior to the spin-off of ACCO World.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
pro forma combined condensed financial statements.

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(a) Reflects an adjustment to capitalize estimated debt issuance costs of $25.9 associated with the issuance of the notes and borrowings under our new senior secured credit facilities, the elimination of GBC’s existing capitalized debt issuance costs of $4.9 as a result of management’s plan to repay the related debt in connection with the completion of the merger.
 
(b) Represents payoff of GBC debt of: $265.0 long-term portion, $23.0 current portion, $2.3 of accrued interest and recognition of $2.7 adjustment to fair value of the debt which equates to the pre-payment penalty for early extinguishment of the debt.
 
(c) Reflects payment following the merger of ACCO World and GBC, of the aggregate $625.0 loan notes with respect to the dividend to ACCO World’s stockholders, the funds for which are expected to be obtained from the issuance of the notes and borrowings under our new senior secured credit facilities.
 
(d) Represents the return of cash owned by Fortune Brands of $8.2 in order to leave ACCO World with $10.0 of net cash prior to financing arrangements pursuant to the distribution agreement.
 
(e) Represents the issuance of the notes and estimated borrowings under our new senior secured credit facilities totaling $950.0, of which $18.0 of credit facility borrowings is scheduled to be repaid within the first 12 months after the completion of the merger and is reflected as the current portion of long-term debt in the pro forma balance sheet. The following table describes the estimated notes outstanding and borrowings under our new senior secured credit facilities of the combined company immediately following the merger on a pro forma basis as of June 2005.
             
    Pro Forma Amount
    Outstanding as of
    June 2005
     
    (Dollars in millions)
Bank debt:
       
 
Revolving Credit Facilities — 5 Years(1)
  $ 0.0  
 
Non-U.S. Term Loan Facilities — 5 Years
    200.0  
 
U.S. Term Loan Facility — 7 Years
    400.0  
       
   
Total bank debt
    600.0  
Notes — 10 yr fixed
    350.0  
       
Total
  $ 950.0  
       
          
 
  (1)  $150 commitment, of which $132.0 would be available for additional borrowings (after giving effect to $18.0 of outstanding letters of credit as of June 2005, on a pro forma basis).
(f) Reflects an adjustment to record the estimated fair market value of work-in-process and finished goods inventory, less the estimated additional costs required to complete work-in-process inventory and to sell or dispose of all inventories acquired at the date of merger. The asset is expected to be amortized over one average inventory turn (approximately three months).
 
(g) Represents the following adjustments to deferred tax assets: recognition of a $1.9 current deferred tax asset related to the elimination of existing GBC prepaid debt issuance costs, recognition of a $1.2 deferred tax asset related to severance payable to the GBC CEO, and elimination of the existing GBC non-current deferred tax liability (netted in assets) of $6.1 related to intangible asset amortization. These were partly offset by a $5.9 elimination of GBC deferred tax assets which will no longer be realized due to GBC’s deconsolidation from their majority shareholder, Lane Industries (the offset will be a reduction of paid in capital).
 
(h) Reflects an adjustment to record property, plant and equipment at their estimated fair values. This asset is expected to be amortized over a 10-year weighted average useful life.

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(i) The calculation of estimated goodwill is equal to the consideration given in determining the purchase price, offset by the estimated fair value of net assets acquired, net of related taxes, as described in the following table.
           
    (Dollars in millions)
Calculation of Goodwill:
       
Consideration given for the GBC business (see note “p”)
  $ 411.8  
Plus fair value of liabilities assumed:
       
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    102.3  
 
Debt
    299.3  
 
Other liabilities
    141.9  
 
Fair value of stock options outstanding
    34.5 (1)
       
Total Consideration, plus liabilities and stock options
    989.8  
Less allocation to assets acquired:
       
 
Accounts receivable
    140.3  
 
Inventory
    111.7  
 
Fixed assets
    89.5  
 
Identifiable intangible assets
    137.5  
 
Other assets
    79.3  
 
Unearned compensation
    5.1  
       
      563.4  
       
Calculated Goodwill
  $ 426.4  
       
          
 
  (1)  The calculation of consideration given for the GBC business includes an assignment of estimated fair value of GBC stock options outstanding of $34.5, which is required as a result of the excess of fair value price per share over average exercisable price per share.
(j) Represents the elimination of GBC’s existing goodwill and purchased identifiable intangibles (already incorporated into the fair value assigned in note “k” below).
 
(k) Reflects an adjustment to record purchased identifiable intangibles at their estimated fair values (e.g. trademarks, developed technology and customer relationships). The developed technology and customer relationship assets are expected to be amortized over a 15 year average useful life.
 
(l) Represents the liability to be recognized at date of merger for severance to be paid to the GBC CEO shortly after the merger/close date.
 
(m) Represents transaction related costs of $19.3 (including legal, audit, consulting and other service costs) which would have been incurred and capitalized as a result of the merger.
 
(n) Represents the $8.5 elimination of unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs in order to recognize the pension and post-retirement liabilities at fair value (as of December 31, 2004 valuation), and an additional $2.3 liability related to pension benefits which will vest upon the termination of the GBC CEO.
 
(o) Reflects the deferred tax liability adjustment of $63.1 resulting from the recognition of asset revaluations (inventory and property, plant & equipment) and purchased identifiable intangibles.

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(p) The calculation of consideration given for the GBC business is described in the following table.
           
    (Dollars in millions)
     
Calculated consideration for the GBC business:
       
 
Value of pre-merger GBC shares exchanged(1)
    392.5  
 
Fair value of GBC stock options outstanding(2)
    34.5  
       
Consideration for the GBC business, before costs to acquire
  $ 427.0  
 
Estimated costs to acquire the GBC business(3)
    19.3  
       
Total Consideration for the GBC business
  $ 446.3  
       
          
 
  (1)  Number of shares of ACCO Brands common stock issued to GBC shareholders of 17,063,835 multiplied by the closing price of GBC stock of $23.00 on the date immediately prior to the merger.
 
  (2)  The calculation of consideration given for the GBC business includes an assignment of fair value of GBC stock options outstanding of $34.5, which is required as a result of the excess of fair value price per share over average exercisable price per share.
 
  (3)  Represents M&A advisory, legal, valuation and other capitalizable transaction service fees.
(q) Reflects the elimination of GBC’s historical common stock, paid in capital, retained earnings (deficit) and other comprehensive income.
 
(r) Included in the recognition of fair value for GBC stock options outstanding, is $5.1 which represents the fair value of unearned compensation for stock options which will not vest immediately upon change of control (at the merger date), and which will be amortized based on the remaining vesting period.

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Unaudited Combined Condensed Pro Forma Income Statement
Fiscal Year Ended December 2004
                                     
                Pro Forma
    ACCO   GBC   Pro Forma   Combined
    Brands   Fiscal   Adjustments   Fiscal
    Fiscal Year   Year   Fiscal Year   Year
                 
    (Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts)
Net Sales
  $ 1,175.7     $ 712.3             $ 1,888.0  
Costs and Expenses:
                               
 
Cost of products sold
    714.3       434.9     $ 0.7 (s)     1,149.9  
 
Selling, general and administrative
    347.8       225.9       1.7 (t)     575.9  
                      0.5 (s)        
 
Amortization of Identifiable Intangibles
    1.3       0.8       3.2 (u)     5.3  
 
Restructuring Charges
    19.4       0.9               20.3  
 
Interest Expense, net
    8.5       25.9       (34.4 )(v)     65.1  
                      3.9 (w)        
                      61.2 (x)        
 
Earnings from joint ventures
    (0.6 )     (0.4 )             (1.0 )
 
Other (income)/expense, net
    (4.6 )     0.4               (4.2 )
                         
 
Income/(Loss) before income tax expense
    89.6       23.9       (36.8 )     76.7  
   
Income Tax expense/(benefit)
    21.1       9.1       (13.6 )(y)     16.6  
                         
 
Net Income/(Loss)
  $ 68.5     $ 14.8     $ (23.2 )   $ 60.1  
 
Pro Forma Net Income/(Loss) per common share:
                               
   
Basic Shares Outstanding
    35.0       16.2               51.2  
   
Diluted Shares Outstanding
    35.4       16.8       0.5 (z)     52.7  
 
Basic Net Income per common share
                          $ 1.17  
                         
 
Diluted Net Income per common share
                          $ 1.14  
                         
Note — Certain reclassifications have been made to the presentation of the GBC income statement in order to conform to the presentation of the ACCO Brands and pro forma combined condensed company income statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
pro forma combined condensed financial statements.

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Unaudited Combined Condensed Pro Forma Income Statement
Six Months Ended June 2005
                                   
    ACCO       Pro Forma   Pro Forma
    Brands   GBC   Adjustments   Combined
    Six Month   Six Month   Six Month   Six Month
    Interim   Interim   Interim   Interim
                 
    (Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts)
Net Sales
  $ 551.9     $ 367.1             $ 919.0  
Costs and Expenses:
                               
 
Cost of products sold
    337.2       227.5     $ 0.4 (s)     565.1  
 
Selling, general and administrative
    166.0       123.3       0.8 (t)     290.4  
                      0.3 (s)        
 
Amortization of Identifiable Intangibles
    1.0       0.3       1.6 (u)     2.9  
 
Restructuring Charges
            1.3               1.3  
 
Interest Expense, net
    4.1       13.6       (17.7 )(v)     32.6  
                      2.0 (w)        
                      30.6 (x)        
 
Earnings from joint ventures
            (1.0 )             (1.0 )
 
Other (income)/expense, net
    1.6       1.1               2.7  
                         
Income/(loss) before income tax expense
    42.0       1.0       (18.0 )     25.0  
 
Income Tax expense/(benefit)
    17.0       2.9       (6.7 )(y)     13.2  
                         
Income/(loss) before change in accounting principle
    25.0       (1.9 )     (11.3 )     11.8  
                         
Pro Forma Net Income/(loss) per common share:
                               
 
Basic Shares Outstanding
    35.0       16.4               51.4  
 
Diluted Shares Outstanding
    35.4       16.4       0.9 (z)     52.7  
Basic Income/(loss) before change in accounting principle per common share
                          $ 0.23  
                         
Diluted Income/(loss) before change in accounting principle per common share
                          $ 0.22  
                         
Note — Certain reclassifications have been made to the presentation of the GBC income statement in order to conform to the presentation of the ACCO Brands and pro forma combined condensed company income statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
pro forma combined condensed financial statements.

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(s) Represents the incremental depreciation expense recorded to reflect the fixed asset step-up to fair value (ten-year weighted average useful life). Assumes a depreciation allocation of 58% to cost of goods sold and 42% to selling, general and administrative expense based on the plans of GBC.
 
(t) Represents amortization of unearned compensation related to stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) which will not vest upon change of control (at the merger close date). The portion related to stock options of $3.5 is expected to be amortized over the remaining vesting period of four years. The portion related to RSUs of $1.6 is expected to be amortized over the remaining vesting period of two years.
 
(u) Represents the amortization of fair value assigned to developed technology and customer relationships. (Assumes a 15-year useful life based on the estimated period of asset retention and related cash flows.)
 
(v) Reflects reversal of interest expense and debt issuance amortization related to pre-existing debt for each of ACCO World and GBC.
 
(w) Reflects annual amortization of capitalizable debt issuance costs of $3.9 related to the new debt of the combined company, as described in the following table. Estimated debt issuance costs are amortized over the life of the related debt. Estimated debt issuance costs, amortization period and cost per year are as follows:

                           
        Amortization
    Issuance    
    Fee   # Years   Per Year
             
Revolving Credit Facilities
                 
U.S. Term Loan Facility — 7 Years
                 
Non-U.S. Term Loan Facilities — 5 Years
                 
                   
 
Combined Loan Fees(1)
  $ 16.0       5.6 (2)   $ 2.9  
Notes — 10 yr fixed
    9.9       10.0       1.0  
                   
 
Total
  $ 25.9             $ 3.9  
                   
     
 
  (1)  Fees related to the above facilities are not currently separable.
 
  (2)  Weighted average number of years based on the weighted average life of Term Loan facilities and the Revolving Credit Facilities.
(x) Represents estimated annual interest expense recognized on the initial debt structure of the combined company, as calculated in the following table. Interest expense is based on the following estimated debt financing arrangements contemplated in connection with the spin-off of ACCO World and merger of ACCO World and GBC.
                             
            Interest
    Debt Facility       Expense
             
Bank debt:
                       
 
Revolving Credit Facility — used(1)
  $ 0.0             $ 0.0  
 
Revolving Credit Facility — unused(1)
    150.0               0.8  
 
 
U.S. Term Loan Facility — 7 years(2)
    400.0               22.6  
 
Pound Sterling Term Loan facility — 5 years(2)
    115.0               7.6  
 
Euro dollar Term Loan Facility — 5 years(2)
    85.0               3.5  
                   
   
Total bank debt (used)
    600.0               33.7  
Notes — 10 yr fixed
    350.0               26.7  
                   
   
Sub-total Bank and Bond Debt used
    950.0       6.36% (3)     60.4  
                   
Total Credit Facilities and Bond Debt available
  $ 1,100.0             $ 61.2  
                   

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  Estimated U.S. LIBOR = 3.89%, estimated GBP LIBOR = 4.6%, estimated EURIBOR = 2.14%
     
 
  (1)  Floating interest rate based on LIBOR plus applicable margin; a 0.5% interest rate is applied to any unused facility as an administrative fee.
 
  (2)  Floating interest rate based on LIBOR (or EURIBOR) plus applicable margin.
 
  (3)  Estimated weighted average interest rate on use of the facilities (excluding the revolving credit facility fee as described above).
  A change in interest rate of one-eighth of one percent would change interest expense as follows:
         
Revolving Credit Facility — used
  $ 0.0  
Revolving Credit Facility — unused
    0.0  
U.S. Term Loan Facility
    0.5  
Pound Sterling Term Loan facility
    0.1  
Euro dollar Term Loan Facility
    0.1  
       
Total
  $ 0.7  
       
(y) Assumes estimated average effective income tax rate of 37% on the sum of pre-tax adjustments of the combined company.
 
(z) Incremental dilution resulting from GBC stock options. Because the purchase price at fair value exceeds the average GBC exercisable stock price at the end of the period, additional GBC options are considered dilutive (also, for the six months ended June 30, 2005, GBC recorded a net loss and as a result options are excluded from the calculation of diluted shares outstanding for the GBC business only).

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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
ACCO Brands Corporation
      The following table sets forth selected historical financial information of ACCO Brands. The financial information as of December 27, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and for each of the fiscal years then ended has been derived from ACCO Brands’ consolidated financial statements, which were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The financial data as of June 25, 2004 and 2005, and for each of the six-month periods then ended, and the financial data as of December 27, 2000 and 2001 and for the years then ended, have been derived from ACCO Brands’ unaudited financial statements which include, in management’s opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial position of ACCO Brands for the periods and dates presented. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — ACCO Brands Corporation” and the consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of ACCO Brands included elsewhere in this prospectus.
                                                           
        Six Months
    Fiscal Year Ended December 27,   Ended June 25,
         
    2000   2001   2002   2003   2004   2004   2005
                             
    (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in millions)
Income Statement Data:
                                                       
 
Net sales(1)
  $ 1,354.2     $ 1,176.3     $ 1,105.4     $ 1,101.9     $ 1,175.7     $ 539.6     $ 551.9  
 
Cost of products sold
    919.2       800.9       698.9       686.8       714.3       340.4       337.2  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expense
    384.8       354.2       351.5       337.8       347.8       170.4       166.0  
 
Amortization of intangibles
    22.8       6.4       2.1       1.7       1.3       0.6       1.0  
 
Write-down of intangibles(2)
    498.0       64.4             12.0                    
 
Restructuring charges
    10.1       28.0       34.3       17.3       19.4       19.4        
 
Interest expense
    36.4       21.4       12.3       8.0       8.5       3.9       4.1  
 
Other (income)/expense, net
    1.5       0.7       0.8       (1.6 )     (5.2 )     (3.5 )     1.6  
                                           
 
Income/(loss) before income taxes(3)
    (518.6 )     (99.7 )     5.5       39.9       89.6       8.4       42.0  
 
Income tax expense/(benefit)
    (10.6 )     (15.9 )     1.3       13.2       21.1       6.3       17.0  
                                           
 
Net income/(loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change(4)
  $ (508.0 )   $ (83.8 )   $ 4.2     $ 26.7     $ 68.5     $ 2.1     $ 25.0  
                                           
Change in accounting principle
                                        1.6  
Net income/(loss)
  $ (508.0 )   $ (83.8 )   $ 4.2     $ 26.7     $ 68.5     $ 2.1     $ 26.6  
                                           
Balance sheet data (at period end):
                                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 30.3     $ 24.9     $ 43.3     $ 60.5     $ 79.8     $ 78.7     $ 18.2  
 
Working capital(5)
    422.0       284.1       205.7       234.4       271.7       245.6       261.3  
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    259.4       233.8       195.3       170.0       157.7       151.4       154.7  
 
Total assets
    1,171.2       930.8       860.5       886.7       984.5       878.7       877.5  
 
Total debt(6)
    5.7       4.7       4.7       2.8       0.1       3.0       0.9  
 
Total stockholders’ equity(7)
    890.2       672.1       528.8       533.1       616.8       524.0       596.7  

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        Six Months
    Fiscal Year Ended December 27,   Ended June 25,
         
    2000   2001   2002   2003   2004   2004   2005
                             
    (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in millions)
Other Financial Data:
                                                       
 
Depreciation expense
  $ 43.3     $ 40.8     $ 37.0     $ 33.3     $ 28.2     $ 14.7     $ 12.6  
 
Capital expenditures
    30.4       19.7       22.0       16.3       27.6       11.7       12.8  
 
Cash flow from operating activities, (use)/source
    35.5       148.6       161.9       67.2       63.7       29.4       (7.5 )
 
Cash flow from investing activities, (use)/source
    (27.8 )     (18.6 )     (17.2 )     (1.7 )     (6.1 )     4.4       (13.0 )
 
Cash flow from financing activities, (use)/source
    (9.8 )     (135.4 )     (128.7 )     (56.8 )     (45.3 )     (17.7 )     (38.2 )
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(8)
    x     x     1.3 x     3.6 x     6.4 x     2.1 x     6.5 x
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
                                                       
 
Income (loss) before change in accounting principle
  $ (14.51 )   $ (2.39 )   $ 0.12     $ 0.76     $ 1.96     $ 0.06     $ 0.71  
 
Change in accounting principle
                                        0.05  
 
Net income (loss)
    (14.51 )     (2.39 )     0.12       0.76       1.96       0.06       0.76  
 
(1)  The net sales decline from 2000 to 2001 of $177.9 was due to strategic decisions to minimize reinvestment in declining product categories (including Day-Timers, labels, filing and business essentials), strategic product category exits (including Kensington imaging, joysticks and media), the adverse impact of foreign exchange translation ($27.1), and economic slowdown after the September 11th tragedy in the U.S.
 
(2)  In 2000, ACCO Brands recorded a write-down of goodwill of $498.0 due to a significant shortfall in earnings compared to plans and to prior year, as well as softening conditions in the industry and strategic reviews concerning the direction of the business. In 2001, ACCO Brands recorded a write-off of certain identifiable intangible assets of $64.4 due to diminished fair values resulting from business repositioning and restructuring activities.
 
(3)  Income before income taxes and net income were impacted by restructuring-related expenses included in cost of products sold and advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses of $29.8, $13.9, $20.2, $22.2, $17.4 and $2.9 for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and the six months ended June 25, 2004 and 2005, respectively.
 
(4)  Before effect of accounting change of $1.6 in June 2005 related to the elimination of a one month lag in reporting by two foreign subsidiaries to align their reporting periods with the Company’s fiscal calendar.
 
(5)  Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.
 
(6)  Total debt refers only to the portion financed by third parties and does not include any portion financed through banking relationships or lines of credit secured by ACCO Brands’ then-parent company, Fortune Brands. Interest expenses associated with Fortune Brands’ debt have been allocated to ACCO Brands for the periods presented.
 
(7)  If the stockholders’ equity at June 25, 2005 included the declaration of the $625.0 dividend payable to ACCO Brands stockholders prior to the spin-off, total stockholders’ equity would be reduced to $(28.3) on a pro forma basis.
 
(8)  For purposes of this computation, “earnings” consist of pre-tax income from continuing operations (excluding equity in earnings of affiliates) plus fixed charges; where “fixed charges” consist of interest expense on all indebtedness, plus capitalized interest, plus amortization of deferred costs of financing and the interest component of lease rental expense. For the years ended December 27, 2000 and 2001, the earnings short-fall required to cover fixed charges was $518.8 and $99.7, respectively.

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General Binding Corporation
      The following table sets forth selected historical financial information of General Binding Corporation. The financial information as of December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and for each of the fiscal years then ended has been derived from GBC’s consolidated financial statements, which for fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and for fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP. Arthur Andersen LLP has ceased practicing before the SEC. The financial information as of June 30, 2004 and 2005 and for each of the six-month periods then ended has been derived from GBC’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which include, in management’s opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial position of GBC for the periods and dates presented. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — General Binding Corporation” and the consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of GBC included elsewhere in this prospectus.
                                                           
        Six Months
    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,   Ended June 30,
         
    2000   2001   2002   2003   2004   2004   2005
                             
                        (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in millions)
Income Statement Data:
                                                       
 
Net sales
  $ 824.6     $ 711.9     $ 701.7     $ 697.9     $ 712.3     $ 345.3     $ 367.1  
 
Product cost of sales, including development and engineering
    499.7       431.8       422.5       418.7       434.9       212.4       227.5  
 
Inventory rationalization and write-down charges
          8.8       1.0                          
 
Selling, service and administrative
    256.1       232.5       228.1       224.6       225.6       112.6       119.4  
 
Earnings from joint ventures
    (0.8 )     (0.6 )     (0.2 )     0.0       (1.3 )     (0.3 )     (1.0 )
 
Interest expense
    45.5       37.2       39.9       34.4       25.9       13.4       13.6  
 
Restructuring charges
    0.8       7.3       8.0       11.1       0.9       0.8       1.3  
 
Other charges
    3.6       6.2       1.1       4.7       1.7             4.2  
 
Other expense, net(1)
    12.9       13.0       0.2       0.2       0.7       0.9       1.1  
                                           
 
Income before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    6.8       (24.3 )     1.1       4.4       23.9       5.5       1.0  
 
Income tax expense/(benefit)
    4.3       (4.8 )     2.0       7.6       9.1       2.5       2.9  
                                           
 
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change
    2.4       (19.5 )     (1.0 )     (3.3 )     14.8       3.0       (1.9 )
                                           
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes(1)
                (79.0 )                        
                                           
 
Net income (loss) after cumulative effect of accounting change
  $ 2.4     $ (19.5 )   $ (80.0 )   $ (3.3 )   $ 14.8     $ 3.0     $ (1.9 )
                                           
Balance sheet data (at period end):
                                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 9.1     $ 59.9     $ 18.3     $ 9.6     $ 6.3     $ 3.9     $ 11.9  
 
Working capital(2)
    159.3       164.3       101.7       99.8       98.5       124.3       111.2  
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    135.1       124.6       106.9       95.0       84.7       87.9       75.0  
 
Total assets
    761.3       719.6       557.4       530.3       540.5       537.8       540.5  
 
Total debt (excludes interest)
    407.3       418.5       341.4       302.0       288.9       317.6       294.3  
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    147.7       123.9       42.1       54.2       77.8       57.1       77.8  

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        Six Months
    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,   Ended June 30,
         
    2000   2001   2002   2003   2004   2004   2005
                             
                        (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in millions)
Other Financial Data:
                                                       
 
Depreciation and amortization(3)
  $ 33.5     $ 34.1     $ 24.4     $ 21.8     $ 19.1     $ 11.0     $ 10.1  
 
Capital expenditures
    19.6       14.9       9.0       8.5       7.3       3.6       3.8  
 
Cash flow from operating activities, (use)/source
    74.7       51.2       46.5       51.6       22.7       (18.7 )     (3.8 )
 
Cash flow from investing activities, (use)/source
    (17.7 )     (14.5 )     (7.7 )     (10.5 )     (8.2 )     (4.7 )     (1.0 )
 
Cash flow from financing activities, (use)/source
    (61.1 )     12.0       (78.9 )     (41.4 )     (13.1 )     17.0       9.1  
 
(1)  In 2002, GBC adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). The cumulative effect of accounting change related to the adoption of SFAS No. 142 was $79.0 million, net of taxes. Goodwill amortization of $9.7 million in both 2000 and 2001 was included in other expense.
 
(2)  Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.
 
(3)  Depreciation and amortization does not include patent amortization, display amortization and amortization of deferred debt cost.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
      Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the respective financial statements of ACCO Brands and GBC and the accompanying notes contained therein, each contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
Introduction
      On March 15, 2005, ACCO Brands, Fortune Brands and GBC entered into transaction agreements pursuant to which ACCO Brands separated from Fortune Brands in a spin-off and acquired GBC in the merger, effective August 17, 2005. GBC now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACCO Brands Corporation.
      We are presenting management’s discussion and analysis separately for ACCO Brands and GBC, based on their respective historical consolidated financial statements. The combination of ACCO Brands and GBC will have a significant impact on our future operating results and financial condition.
ACCO Brands Corporation
Overview
      ACCO Brands sells its products over a number of geographic regions and has four business segments: ACCO U.S., ACCO Europe, the Rest of the World segment and Day-Timers.
      ACCO Brands’ results are dependent upon a number of factors affecting sales, pricing and competition. Historically, key drivers of demand in the office products industry have included trends in white collar employment levels, gross domestic product (GDP) and, more recently, growth in the number of small businesses and home offices together with increasing usage of personal computers. Pricing and demand levels for office products have also reflected a substantial consolidation within the global resellers of office products. This has led to multiple years of industry pricing pressure and a more efficient level of asset utilization by customers resulting in lower sales volumes for suppliers. ACCO Brands sells its products in highly competitive markets, and competes against large international and national companies, as well as regional competitors and against its own customers’ direct and private-label sourcing initiatives.
      Over the past three years the U.S. dollar has weakened relative to certain currencies. This has benefited ACCO Brands, which had 48% of its net sales outside the U.S. in 2004, as the same amount of foreign (e.g., local) currency units are now translated into more U.S dollars. The following table provides a comparison of selected foreign currencies relative to the U.S dollar with 2002 as the base year, that were used to translate foreign currency-based income statements:
  Selected Currency Trends
  YTD Averages
  U.S. Dollars/ Local Currency Unit
  (2002 = 100)
                         
Currency   2002   2003   2004
             
Pound Sterling
    100       109       122  
Euro
    100       119       132  
Australian Dollar
    100       118       136  
Canadian Dollar
    100       112       121  
Mexican Peso
    100       90       86  
      Additionally, the impact of the weakened U.S. dollar has benefited ACCO Brands in inventory purchase transactions made by its foreign operations. ACCO Brands’ foreign operations’ purchases of outsourced products are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, and as a result their costs of goods sold

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have decreased as the value of the U.S. dollar has weakened. In many of ACCO Brands’ foreign operations, market prices at which ACCO Brands resells products have fallen reflecting lower relative costs of sourcing from Asia.
      The percentages of net sales of ACCO Brands by segment have been relatively stable over the past three years. ACCO U.S. represented 51% of net sales in 2002 and 47% in 2004. ACCO Europe represented 27% of net sales in 2002 and 31% in 2004. The Rest of the World segment represented 13% of net sales in 2002 and 15% in 2004. The primary reason for the slight mix shift by segment is foreign exchange translation as the U.S. dollar has weakened relative to other major world currencies. Day-Timers represented 9% of net sales in 2002 and 7% in 2004, which decline was caused by a combination of the foreign exchange translation driven mix shift noted above and declines in the paper planner category.
      ACCO Brands has spent the last four years building a scaleable business model that allows it to maintain a high degree of consumer/customer focus while taking full advantage of a shared services global distribution network. Over the past three years, gross margin expanded by 2.4% and operating expenses decreased by 2.2%. This improvement in business profitability primarily resulted from the substantial business restructuring and repositioning described below.
      Additionally, over the past three years, ACCO Brands’ profitability has been affected by increased pension costs in both the U.S. and Europe. Pension costs have increased from $0.7 million in 2002 to $7.9 million in 2004.
      During the second half of 2004, ACCO Brands experienced increases in raw material prices associated with steel, plastics and packaging that management expects will impact its results more fully in 2005 and as a consequence ACCO Brands has increased prices of some products in 2005.
Restructuring and Related Items
      In the first quarter of 2001, ACCO Brands management commenced a substantial restructuring program across each of its business segments. The program was to be implemented over a four-year period, and would be funded entirely from ACCO Brands’ own cash generation. The program included a realignment of the company’s supply chain, added focus on business processes, consolidation of facilities, exit of certain unprofitable product categories and a realignment of the ACCO U.S. segment into a consumer business unit structure.
      During 2001, restructuring pretax charges of $28.0 million were recorded and regular reported earnings were depressed by associated restructuring-related costs of $20.9 million classified as cost of products sold, and a further $8.9 million classified as selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A). Significant restructuring projects in 2001 included the exit of Kensington’s imaging and joystick product categories, “right-sizing” of the operating structures at ACCO U.S. and Day-Timers to their respective sales volumes, and manufacturing facility closures and consolidations, principally in North America and the U.K., in respect of product category exits and some shift to product outsourcing.
      During 2002, restructuring pretax charges of $34.3 million were recorded and regular reported earnings were depressed by associated restructuring-related costs of $5.3 million classified as cost of products sold, and a further $8.6 million classified as SG&A. Significant restructuring projects in 2002 included manufacturing, warehouse and distribution facility closures and consolidations in North America and in Europe. Principal actions included: the closing of one facility and consolidation into a single manufacturing facility in Nogales, Mexico, the merger of the European head office into the ACCO U.K. operations facility and the relocation of the German local product manufacturing facility to new lower-cost manufacturing facilities in Tabor, Czech Republic. Reductions of operational and manufacturing headcount continued as ACCO Brands aligned the operating structure of its business with sales volume and moved additional products to third-party manufacturers.
      During 2003, restructuring pretax charges of $17.3 million were recorded and regular reported earnings were depressed by associated restructuring-related costs of $10.9 million classified as cost of products sold, and a further $9.3 million classified as SG&A. Significant restructuring projects in 2003

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included: partial relocation of Canadian vinyl bindery manufacturing to ACCO Brands’ existing U.S. facility in New York state, additional manufacturing facility closures in the U.K., which were moved in part to Tabor, Czech Republic or otherwise outsourced, and the closure of a Texas manufacturing facility, which was merged into a Georgia facility. Reductions of operational headcount continued as ACCO Brands aligned the operating structure of its business with sales volume and moved additional products to third-party manufacturers.
      During the first half of 2004, restructuring pretax charges of $19.4 million were recorded and regular reported earnings were depressed by associated restructuring-related costs of $8.9 million classified as cost of products sold, and a further $13.3 million classified as SG&A. There were two significant restructuring projects in 2004 centered around the closure of manufacturing operations at ACCO Brands’ Val Reas, France and Turin, Italy facilities. The majority of products formerly produced at these locations are now manufactured at ACCO Brands’ Tabor, Czech Republic facility. The incremental cost savings from these relocations had minimal impact on ACCO Brands’ 2004 results as inventory built up prior to the closures had to be sold before the savings impacted profit and loss.
      No restructuring charges were recorded in the second half of 2004, and the restructuring program was completed a year ahead of schedule. Upon completion, the company’s business repositioning effort reduced its total facility footprint by more than forty percent of the starting square footage and reduced its proportion of manufactured to outsourced products. Over the same period, the company’s headcount was reduced by approximately fifty percent.
Critical Accounting Policies
      ACCO Brands’ financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Preparation of the financial statements of ACCO Brands requires it to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that effect the amounts of actual assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses presented for each reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. ACCO Brands regularly reviews its assumptions and estimates, which are based on historical experience and, where appropriate, current business trends. ACCO Brands believes that the following discussion addresses the company’s critical accounting policies which require more significant, subjective and complex judgments to be made by the company’s management.
Revenue Recognition
      In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” ACCO Brands recognizes revenue as products are shipped to customers, net of applicable provisions for discounts, return and allowances. Criteria for recognition of revenue are whether title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. ACCO Brands also provides for its estimate of potential bad debt at the time of revenue recognition.
      Amounts billed for shipping and handling are classified in “net sales” in the consolidated income statement. Cost incurred for shipping and handling are classified in “advertising, selling, general & administrative expenses.”
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Returns
      Trade receivables are recorded at the stated amount, less allowances for discounts, doubtful accounts and returns. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents estimated uncollectible receivables associated with potential customer defaults on contractual obligations, usually due to customers’ potential insolvency. The allowance includes amounts for certain customers where a risk of default has been specifically identified. In addition, the allowance includes a provision for customer defaults on a general formula basis when it is determined the risk of some default is probable and estimable, but cannot yet be associated with specific customers. The assessment of the likelihood of customer defaults is based on various factors,

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including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical experience and existing economic conditions.
      The allowance for sales returns represents estimated uncollectible receivables associated with the potential return of products previously sold to customers, and is recorded at the time that the sales are recognized. The allowance includes a general provision for product returns based on historical trends. In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for currently authorized customer returns which are considered to be abnormal in comparison to the historical basis.
Inventories
      Inventories are priced at the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out with minor amounts at average) or market. A reserve is established to adjust the cost of inventory to its net realizable value. Inventory reserves are recorded for obsolete or slow moving inventory based on assumptions about future demand and marketability of products, the impact of new product introductions and specific identification of items, such as product discontinuance or engineering/material changes. These estimates could vary significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from actual requirements if future economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive conditions differ from expectations.
Property, Plant and Equipment
      Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is provided, principally on a straight-line basis, over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Gains or losses resulting from dispositions are included in income. Betterments and renewals, which improve and extend the life of an asset, are capitalized; maintenance and repair costs are expensed. Purchased computer software, as well as internally developed software, is capitalized and amortized over the software’s useful life. Estimated useful lives of the related assets are as follows:
         
Buildings
    40 to 50 years  
Leasehold improvements
    1 to 10 years  
Machinery, equipment and furniture
    3 to 10 years  
Computer hardware and software
    3 to 7 years  
Automobiles
    2 to 4 years  
Long-lived Assets
      In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (FAS 144), “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets,” a long-lived asset (including amortizable identifiable intangibles) or asset group is tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. During 2004, and in previous years, provisions were established for certain assets impacted by restructuring activities. When such events occur, ACCO Brands compares the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group to the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group. The cash flows are based on ACCO Brands’ best estimate at the time of future cash flow, derived from the most recent business projections. If this comparison indicates that there is an impairment, the amount of the impairment is calculated using a quoted market price, or if unavailable, using discounted expected future cash flows. The discount rate applied to these cash flows is based on ACCO Brands’ weighted average cost of capital, which represents the blended after-tax costs of debt and equity.
Intangibles
      In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 (FAS 142), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are tested for impairment on an annual basis and under certain circumstances, written down when impaired. An interim impairment test is

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required if an event occurs or conditions change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below the carrying value.
      In addition, FAS 142 requires that purchased intangible assets other than goodwill be amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be indefinite. Certain of ACCO Brands’ trade names have been assigned an indefinite life as the company currently anticipates that these trade names will contribute cash flows to the company indefinitely.
      ACCO Brands reviews indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment annually, and whenever market or business events indicate there may be a potential impact on that intangible. The company considers the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, pricing, competition, and technology) and internal factors (e.g., product costs, margins, support expenses, and capital investment) and their potential impact on cash flows for each business in both the near and long term, as well as their impact on any identifiable intangible asset associated with the business. Based on recent business results, consideration of significant external and internal factors, and the resulting business projections, indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed to determine whether they are likely to remain indefinite-lived, or whether a finite life is more appropriate. In addition, based on events in the period and future expectations, management considers whether the potential for impairment exists as required by FAS 142.
      In conjunction with ACCO Brands’ ongoing review of the carrying value of identifiable intangibles, in the year 2004, there were no write-downs of intangible assets. In 2003, ACCO Brands recorded a non-cash write-down of identifiable intangibles of $12.0 million, $8.0 million after tax, to recognize the diminished values of identifiable intangibles resulting from the repositioning of its Boone and Hetzel businesses.
Employee Benefit Plans
      ACCO Brands provides a range of benefits to its employees and retired employees, including pensions, post-retirement, post-employment and health care benefits. ACCO Brands records annual amounts relating to these plans based on calculations specified by generally accepted accounting principles, which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed rates of return, compensation increases, turnover rates and health care cost trend rates. Actuarial assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis and modifications to these assumptions are made based on current rates and trends when it is deemed appropriate. As required by United States generally accepted accounting principles, the effect of the company’s modifications are generally recorded and amortized over future periods. ACCO Brands believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under the company’s plans are reasonable based on its experience and advice from its independent actuaries. The actuarial assumptions used to record ACCO Brands plan obligations could differ materially from actual results due to changing economic and market conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates or other factors which may impact the amount of retirement related benefit expense recorded by the company in future periods.
      Pension expenses were $7.9 million, $4.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002. Post-retirement expenses (income) were ($0.7) million, $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002. In 2005, ACCO Brands expects pension expense of approximately $8 million and post-retirement expense of approximately ($0.2) million. A 25 basis point change (0.25%) in ACCO Brands’ discount rate assumption would lead to an increase or decrease in ACCO Brands’ pension benefit expense of approximately $1.5 million for 2005.
Customer Program Costs
      Customer programs and incentives are a common practice in the office products industry. ACCO Brands incurs customer program costs to obtain favorable product placement, to promote sell-through of products and to maintain competitive pricing. Customer program costs and incentives, including rebates, promotional funds and volume allowances, are accounted for as a reduction to gross sales. These costs are recorded at the time of sale based on management’s best estimates. Estimates are based on individual customer contracts and projected sales to the customer in comparison to any thresholds indicated by

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contract. In the absence of a signed contract, estimates are based on historical or projected experience for each program type or customer. Management periodically reviews accruals for these rebates and allowances, and adjusts accruals when circumstances indicate (typically as a result of a change in sales volume expectations).
Basis of Presentation
      The ACCO Brands businesses have historically been managed largely as a stand-alone business segment of Fortune Brands, provided only with certain corporate services. The preparation of the financial statements and this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of ACCO Brands include the use of “push down” accounting procedures in which certain assets, liabilities and expenses historically recorded or incurred at the Fortune Brands parent company level, which related to or were incurred on behalf of ACCO Brands, including some related to executive compensation and consulting costs representing direct costs related to ACCO Brands, have been identified and allocated or “pushed down”, as appropriate, to the financial results of ACCO Brands for the periods presented. Allocations were made using the most relevant basis and when not directly incurred, utilized net sales, segment assets or headcount in relation to the rest of Fortune Brands’ business segments to determine a reasonable allocation.
      In addition, interest expense has been allocated to ACCO Brands as a proportion of Fortune Brands’ total interest expense. However, no debt has been allocated to ACCO Brands in relation to this interest expense. These statements are not indicative of the results of operations, liquidity or financial position that would have existed or will exist in the future assuming the ACCO Brands businesses were operated as an independent company.
      Unless otherwise specifically noted in the presentation, “sales” reflect the net sales of products, and “restructuring-related charges” represent costs related to qualified restructuring projects which can not be reported as restructuring under U.S. GAAP (e.g., loss on inventory disposal related to product category exits, manufacturing inefficiencies following the start of manufacturing operations at a new facility following closure of the old facility, SG&A reorganization and implementation costs, dedicated consulting, stay bonuses, etc.).
Fiscal 2004 Versus Fiscal 2003
Net Sales
      Sales for fiscal year 2004 increased $73.8 million, or 7%, to $1.18 billion. The increase was principally related to favorable foreign currency translation ($54.6 million) and higher sales at ACCO U.S. driven by new products and volume growth, including Kensington mobile computer accessories and Wilson Jones sheet protectors, and binding and laminating machines, partly offset by increased customer programs due to customer consolidation, customer mix, competition and volume.
Restructuring
      Fiscal year 2004’s results were impacted by restructuring charges totaling $19.4 million and restructuring-related charges of $22.2 million. Fiscal year 2003’s results were impacted by restructuring charges totaling $17.3 million and restructuring-related charges of $20.2 million. Management believes that comparative review of operating income before restructuring and restructuring-related charges allows for a better understanding of the underlying businesses’ performance and trends.

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      The following tables provide a comparison of ACCO Brands’ reported results and the amounts of restructuring and restructuring-related charges for fiscal year 2004 and fiscal year 2003.
                                   
    Fiscal Year 2004
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (Dollars in millions)
Reported Results
  $ 1,175.7     $ 461.4     $ 347.8     $ 92.9  
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring costs
                      19.4  
 
Restructuring-related costs
          8.9       13.3       22.2  
                                   
    Fiscal Year 2003
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (Dollars in millions)
Reported Results
  $ 1,101.9     $ 415.1     $ 337.8     $ 46.3  
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring costs
                      17.3  
 
Restructuring-related costs
          10.9       9.3       20.2  
Gross Profit
      Gross profit in fiscal year 2004 increased $46.3 million, or 11%, to $461.4 million and the gross profit margin increased to 39.2% from 37.7%. Included in gross profit are restructuring-related charges identified above, which negatively impacted gross profit margin by 1% in 2004. The increase in gross profit was driven by favorable foreign currency translation ($23.0 million) and the continued benefits of restructuring actions implemented throughout the 2003 to 2004 period, including facility closure and supply chain realignment initiatives. Sales growth in higher relative margin product categories such as Kensington computer accessories, and favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions at our foreign operations of outsourced products, also contributed to the improvement.
SG&A
      SG&A increased $10.0 million, or 3%, to $347.8 million in fiscal 2004, but decreased as a percentage of sales to 29.6% from 30.7%. Included in SG&A were restructuring-related charges as identified above. The increase in SG&A was driven by $13.9 million of foreign exchange translation as the U.S. dollar weakened relative to other major world currencies, partly offset by the continued cost reduction and facility integration initiatives stemming from the restructuring program, primarily in administration.
Operating Income
      Operating income increased $46.6 million, or 101%, to $92.9 million in fiscal 2004 and increased as a percentage of sales to 7.9% from 4.2%. Operating income was negatively impacted by restructuring and restructuring-related charges identified in the table above. The increase in operating income was driven by volume growth at ACCO U.S., gross profit improvements across all segments, absence of identifiable intangible write-off in 2004 (which in 2003 was $12.0 million) and the favorable impact of foreign exchange on translation ($7.2 million).
Interest, Other Expense/(Income) and Income Taxes
      Interest expense increased $0.5 million to $8.5 million in fiscal 2004. Other expense (income) increased $3.6 million to $(5.2) million in fiscal 2004, primarily due to the gains recorded on the sales of closed facilities. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2004 was 23.5% compared to 33.1% for fiscal 2003. The

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fiscal 2004 effective tax rate was reduced due to current year recognition of a deferred tax asset now expected to be realized and the reversal of reserves for items resolved more favorably than anticipated.
Net Income
      Net income increased $41.8 million, or 157%, to $68.5 million in fiscal 2004 due to increased operating income and reduced restructuring and related charges in comparison to fiscal 2003.
Segment Discussion
ACCO U.S.
      Sales for fiscal year 2004 increased $16.2 million, or 3%, to $549.0 million. The increase was driven by volume growth and new product introductions, including Kensington computer accessories, Wilson Jones sheet protectors and binding and laminating machines and Swingline stapling products, partly offset by increased customer programs due to customer consolidation, customer mix, competition and volume.
      Gross profit increased $15.6 million, or 9%, to $196.5 million in fiscal 2004 primarily due to restructuring-related savings and favorable product mix (higher margin new products as noted above), partly offset by the increase in customer programs noted above. Operating income increased $32.3 million, or 404%, to $40.3 million in fiscal 2004, due to increased gross profit, absence of identifiable intangible write-off in 2004, and reduced administration expenses due to benefits from the restructuring programs.
ACCO Europe
      Sales for fiscal year 2004 increased $47.1 million, or 15%, to $365.1 million. The increase was principally related to favorable currency translation ($37.7 million) and volume growth, including Kensington computer accessories and Rexel business machines.
      Gross profit increased $19.2 million, or 16%, to $139.5 million in fiscal 2004 primarily due to favorable currency translation ($15.2 million) and the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions of outsourced products. Operating income increased $5.2 million, or 28%, to $24.0 million in fiscal 2004, due to increased gross profit and favorable currency translation ($3.5 million), partly offset by increased restructuring and restructuring-related charges.
Rest of the World
      Sales for fiscal year 2004 increased $14.0 million, or 8%, to $183.6 million. The increase was principally related to favorable currency translation ($16.0 million) and volume growth in Australia, partly offset by price decreases in the second half of 2004 and volume decline in Canada.
      Gross profit increased $10.3 million, or 16%, to $75.0 million in fiscal 2004 primarily due to favorable currency translation ($6.9 million) and the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions of outsourced products. Operating income increased $8.4 million, or 34%, to $32.8 million in fiscal 2004 primarily due to increased gross profit and favorable currency translation ($3.2 million), partly offset by higher distribution expenses.
Day-Timers
      Sales for fiscal year 2004 decreased $2.1 million, or 3%, to $78.0 million. The decrease was driven by customer attrition in the direct channel, partly offset by share gains in the retail channel.
      Gross profit decreased $1.7 million, or 3%, to $51.6 million in fiscal 2004 due to the decline in higher margin direct sales. Operating income decreased $0.2 million, or 2%, to $10.9 million in fiscal 2004, primarily due to the decrease in sales, partly offset by reduced operating expenses.

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Fiscal 2003 Versus Fiscal 2002
Net Sales
      Sales for fiscal year 2003 decreased $3.5 million, or 0.3%, to $1.102 billion. Sales benefited from favorable currency translation ($55.7 million) and new products, offset by lower sales in the U.S. and the U.K. due to soft industry conditions, including channel destocking, price erosion and continued share gain of customer private-label and direct sourcing of products.
Restructuring
      Fiscal year 2003’s results were impacted by restructuring program charges of $17.3 million and restructuring-related charges of $20.2 million. Fiscal year 2002’s results were impacted by restructuring program charges of $34.3 million and restructuring-related charges of $13.9 million. Management believes that comparative review of operating income before restructuring and restructuring-related charges allows for a better understanding of the underlying business’ performance and trends.
      The following tables provide a comparison of ACCO Brands’ reported results and the amounts of restructuring and restructuring-related charges for fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2002.
                                   
    Fiscal Year 2003
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (Dollars in millions)
Reported Results
  $ 1,101.9     $ 415.1     $ 337.8     $ 46.3  
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring costs
                      17.3  
 
Restructuring-related costs
          10.9       9.3       20.2  
                                   
    Fiscal Year 2002
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (Dollars in millions)
Reported Results
  $ 1,105.4     $ 406.5     $ 351.5     $ 18.6  
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring costs
                      34.3  
 
Restructuring-related costs
          5.3       8.6       13.9  
Gross Profit
      Gross profit in fiscal year 2003 increased $8.6 million, or 2%, to $415.1 million and the gross profit margin increased to 37.7% from 36.8%. Included in gross profit were restructuring-related charges identified above, which negatively impacted gross profit margin. The increase in gross profit was driven by favorable foreign exchange ($23.3 million) and the continued benefits of restructuring actions implemented throughout the 2002 to 2003 period, including facility closure and supply chain realignment initiatives. Further, the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions at our foreign operations of outsourced products also contributed to the improvement. Lower sales in the U.S. and the U.K. partly offset the above gains.
SG&A
      SG&A decreased $13.7 million, or 4%, to $337.8 million in fiscal 2003 and decreased as a percentage of sales to 30.7% from 31.8%. Included in SG&A were restructuring-related charges identified above. The decrease in SG&A was driven by the continued cost reduction and facility integration initiatives attributed to the restructuring program primarily in administration and distribution. Further, the discontinuance of

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new direct mail order customer prospecting initiatives in 2002 at Day-Timers also contributed. Partly offsetting this decrease was $14.6 million of foreign exchange translation as the U.S. dollar weakened relative to other major world currencies.
Operating Income
      Operating income increased $27.7 million, or 149%, to $46.3 million in fiscal 2003 and increased as a percentage of sales to 4.2% from 1.7%. Operating income was negatively impacted by restructuring and restructuring-related charges identified in the table above. The increase in operating profit was driven by reduced operating and restructuring expenses, gross profit improvements and the favorable impact of rising foreign exchange on translation of $7.3 million and partly offset by a $12.0 million intangible write-off for Boone and Hetzel tradenames.
Interest, Other Expense/(Income) and Income Taxes
      Interest expense decreased $4.3 million to $8.0 million due to reduced allocation from Fortune Brands in fiscal 2003. Other expense (income) increased $2.4 million to $(1.6) million in fiscal 2003 due to a favorable swing in foreign currency expense. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2003 was 33.1% compared to 23.6% for fiscal 2002. The fiscal 2003 effective tax rate increased due to the utilization of net operating losses in fiscal year 2002.
Net Income
      Net income increased $22.5 million to $26.7 million in fiscal 2003, a result of the increase in operating income primarily related to cost savings related to restructuring efforts, and lower restructuring charges in 2003.
Segment Discussion
ACCO U.S.
      Sales for fiscal year 2003 decreased $21.6 million, or 4%, to $532.8 million. The decrease was driven by soft industry conditions, including channel destocking, price erosion and continued share gain of customer private-label and direct sourcing of products, partly offset by Kensington business gains and new product launches.
      Gross profit decreased $3.5 million, or 2%, to $180.9 million in fiscal 2003 primarily due to the decline in sales, partly offset by the continued benefits of restructuring actions implemented throughout the 2002 to 2003 period, including facility closure and supply chain realignment initiatives. Operating income increased $6.6 million, or 471%, to $8.0 million in fiscal 2003 primarily due to reduced restructuring expenses and reduced administration and distribution expenses related to the continued cost reduction and facility integration initiatives, and partly offset by the intangible write-off for Boone.
ACCO Europe
      Sales for fiscal year 2003 increased $21.9 million, or 7%, to $318.0 million. The increase was due to favorable currency translation ($36.4 million), partly offset by lower sales in the U.K. due to soft industry conditions and continued share gain of customer private-label products.
      Gross profit increased $12.6 million, or 12%, to $120.3 million in fiscal 2003 due to favorable currency translation ($14.5 million), the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions of outsourced products, and the continued benefits of restructuring actions implemented throughout the 2002 to 2003 period, including facility closure and supply chain realignment initiatives, partly offset by the decline in sales in the U.K. Operating income increased $7.8 million, or 71%, to $18.8 million in fiscal 2003 related to the continued cost reduction and facility integration initiatives and favorable foreign exchange ($3.3 million).

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Rest of the World
      Sales for fiscal year 2003 increased $22.9 million, or 16%, to $169.6 million. The increase was principally related to favorable currency translation ($17.7 million) and volume growth and price increases in Australia/ New Zealand.
      Gross profit increased $13.9 million, or 27%, to $64.7 million in fiscal 2003 primarily due to favorable foreign exchange ($7.3 million) and the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions of outsourced products. Operating income increased $5.6 million, or 30%, to $24.4 million in fiscal 2003 due to favorable currency translation ($3.2 million), increased gross profit and partly offset by increased distribution and freight expenses.
Day-Timers
      Sales for fiscal year 2003 decreased $23.1 million, or 22%, to $80.1 million. The decrease was driven by customer attrition in the direct channel which was partly due to discontinuance of new direct mail order customer prospecting initiatives in 2002.
      Gross profit decreased $10.0 million, or 16%, to $53.3 million in fiscal 2003 due to the decline in sales. Operating income increased $9.1 million in fiscal 2003, or 455%, to $11.1 million due to reduced operating expenses, including direct mail order customer prospecting, and restructuring initiatives to align the business to its sales volume.
Three Months Ended June 25, 2005 Versus Three Months Ended June 25, 2004
Net Sales
      Sales for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $10.8 million, or 4%, to $279.5 million. The increase was principally related to favorable foreign currency translation ($8.5 million) and volume growth in Kensington computer accessories, including new products, in both the U.S. and continental Europe. The increase was partly offset by lower sales in the U.S and Canada due to a shift in back-to-school shipments from the second quarter to the third quarter, and the negative impact of increased sales deductions/customer programs related to competitive pricing pressures.
Restructuring
      There were $2.9 million in restructuring-related charges for the three month period ended June 25, 2005. The charges related to business repositioning costs in advance of the spin-off of $2.0 million and charges related directly to the spin-off from Fortune Brands, Inc. of $0.9 million. The prior year three month period ended June 25, 2004 included restructuring charges of $16.8 million and restructuring-related charges of $12.8 million.
      During the three months ended June 25, 2004 the restructuring and associated restructuring-related costs were primarily related to the closure of manufacturing operations at ACCO Brands’ Val Reas, France and Turin, Italy facilities and transferring the majority of the production to our Tabor, Czech Republic facility; SG&A cost reduction programs and asset impairment charges in the U.S.
      Management believes that a comparative review of operating income before restructuring and restructuring-related charges allows for a better understanding of the underlying business’ performance from year to year. The following table provides ACCO Brands’ reported results and the amounts of

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restructuring and restructuring-related charges for the three month periods ended June 25, 2005 and June 25, 2004.
                                   
    Three Months Ended June 25, 2005
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (In millions of dollars)
Reported results
  $ 279.5     $ 108.9     $ 84.0     $ 24.5  
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring-related costs
              $ 2.9     $ 2.9  
                                   
    Three Months Ended June 25, 2004
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (In millions of dollars)
Reported results
  $ 268.7     $ 98.1     $ 85.8     $ (4.8 )
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring costs
                    $ 16.8  
 
Restructuring-related costs
        $ 7.0     $ 5.8     $ 12.8  
Gross Profit
      Gross profit for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $10.8 million, or 11%, to $108.9 million and the gross profit margin increased to 39.0% from 36.5%. Excluding the restructuring-related costs identified above the gross profit margin in 2004 would have been 39.1%. The decrease in margin for 2005 is attributable to an unfavorable sales mix to lower margin private label products in the U.S., offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions of outsourced products at ACCO Brands’ foreign operations and sales growth in higher relative margin product categories such as Kensington computer accessories.
SG&A (Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses)
      SG&A decreased $1.8 million, or 2%, to $84.0 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 and decreased as a percentage of net sales to 30.1% from 31.9%. Excluding the restructuring-related costs SG&A as a percentage of net sales would have been 29.0% and 29.8%, respectively. The reduction for 2005 is attributable to lower administrative expenses, partially offset by increased distribution and freight expenses.
Operating Income
      Operating income increased $29.3 million to $24.5 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 from a loss of $4.8 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2004 and increased as a percentage of sales to 8.8% from (1.8)%. The increase was driven by reduced restructuring and restructuring-related charges, higher net sales and reduced spending.
Interest, Other Expense/(Income) and Income Taxes
      Interest expense increased $0.3 million to $2.0 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005. Other expense (income) increased $4.3 million to $0.5 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005, primarily due to the gains recorded on the sales of closed facilities in the prior year and higher foreign exchange losses in the current year. Income tax expense for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $3.5 million. The effective tax rate for the period ended June 25, 2005 was 33.2% compared to 141% for the three month period ended June 25, 2004. The three month period ended

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June 25, 2004 effective tax rate was negatively impacted by the establishment of valuation allowances relating to deferred tax assets primarily stemming from certain foreign net operating losses.
Net Income
      Net income increased $21.2 million to $14.7 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 due primarily to the reduction of restructuring and related charges in comparison to the three month period ended June 25, 2004.
Segment Discussion
ACCO U.S.
      Sales for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $3.6 million, or 3%, to $129.7 million. The increase was driven by volume growth in Kensington computer accessories, including new products, partly offset by lower sales to retailers due to a shift in back-to-school shipments from the second quarter to the third quarter and increased sales deductions/customer programs related to competitive pricing pressure, the incremental impact of customer consolidations and the resolution of customer billing delays.
      Gross profit decreased $2.6 million, or 6%, to $42.5 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 primarily due to the increase in sales deductions noted above, an unfavorable sales mix to lower margin private label products and unfavorable manufacturing variances due to timing of production; partly offset by increased sales of higher relative margin computer accessories. Operating income increased $0.9 million, or 16.0%, to $6.6 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 primarily due to the absence of restructuring-related charges in the current year, partly offset by decreased gross profit and higher distribution and freight expenses.
ACCO Europe
      Sales for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $6.3 million, or 7%, to $93.2 million. The increase was related to favorable currency translation ($5.2 million) and volume growth in Kensington computer accessories and Rexel binding and laminating machines.
      Gross profit increased $11.6 million, or 42%, to $39.4 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 due to the absence of restructuring-related charges in comparison to the three month period ended June 25, 2004, the incremental benefit of facility closures and supply chain realignment completed in 2004 and increased sales. Operating income increased $24.2 million, to $12.1 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005.
Trading Companies
      Sales for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $2.6 million, or 6%, to $45.0 million. The increase was the result of favorable currency translation ($3.2 million) and was partly offset by lower sales in Canada due to a shift in back-to-school shipments from the second quarter to the third quarter.
      Gross profit increased $2.3 million, or 13%, to $19.6 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 due to higher sales and the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions of outsourced products. Operating income increased $2.4 million, or 36%, to $9.0 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 due to increased gross profit.
Day-Timers
      Sales for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 decreased $1.7 million, or 13%, to $11.6 million. The decrease was driven by a shift in sales from the second quarter to the third quarter, as Day-Timers began sales on a consignment basis to a major retail customer during the third quarter of 2004 (which impacted the timing of sales recognition related to the seasonally strong back-to-school season).

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      Gross profit decreased $0.4 million, or 5%, to $7.7 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005 primarily due to reduced sales, partly offset by higher gross margins due to favorable sales mix to the higher margin direct channel. Operating loss decreased $0.1 million to $0.3 million for the three month period ended June 25, 2005, primarily due to higher gross margins.
Six Months Ended June 25, 2005 Versus Six Months Ended June 25, 2004
Net Sales
      Sales for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $12.3 million, or 2%, to $551.9 million. Results benefited from favorable currency translation ($14.6 million) and volume growth in Kensington computer accessories, including new products, in both the U.S. and continental Europe. The increase was partly offset by lower sales in the U.S. and Canada due to a shift in back-to-school shipments from the second quarter to the third quarter, increased sales deductions/customer programs related to competitive pricing pressures and the incremental impact of customer consolidations and by weak economic conditions in the U.K. which primarily affected the first quarter.
Restructuring
      There were $2.9 million in restructuring-related charges for the six month period ended June 25, 2005. The charges related to spin repositioning costs in advance of the spin-off of $2.0 million and charges related directly to the spin-off from Fortune Brands, Inc. business of $0.9 million. The prior year six month period ended June 25, 2004 included restructuring charges of $19.4 million and restructuring-related charges of $17.4 million.
      During the six months ended June 25, 2004 the restructuring and associated restructuring-related costs were primarily related to the closure of manufacturing operations at ACCO Brands’ Val Reas, France and Turin, Italy facilities and transferring the majority of the production to our Tabor, Czech Republic facility; SG&A cost reduction programs and asset impairment charges in the U.S.
      Management believes that a comparative review of operating income before restructuring and restructuring-related charges allows for a better understanding of the underlying business’ performance from year to year. The following table provides ACCO Brands’ reported results and the amounts of restructuring and restructuring-related charges for the six month periods ended June 25, 2005 and June 25, 2004.
                                   
    Six Months Ended June 25, 2005
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (In millions of dollars)
Reported results
  $ 551.9     $ 214.7     $ 166.0     $ 47.7  
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring-related costs
              $ 2.9     $ 2.9  
                                   
    Six Months Ended June 25, 2004
     
        Gross       Operating
    Net Sales   Profit   SG&A   Income
                 
    (In millions of dollars)
Reported results
  $ 539.6     $ 199.2     $ 170.4     $ 8.8  
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges included in the above numbers
                               
 
Restructuring costs
                    $ 19.4  
 
Restructuring-related costs
        $ 8.8     $ 8.6     $ 17.4  

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Gross Profit
      Gross profit for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $15.5 million, or 8%, to $214.7 million and the gross profit margin increased to 38.9% from 36.9%. Excluding the restructuring-related costs described above, the gross profit margin in 2004 would have been 38.5%. The improvement in margin for 2005 is attributable to the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchase transactions of outsourced products at ACCO Brands’ foreign operations and sales growth in higher relative margin product categories, such as Kensington computer accessories, partly offset by increased sales deductions, and an unfavorable sales mix to lower margin private label products in the U.S.
SG&A (Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses)
      SG&A for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 decreased $4.4 million, or 3%, to $166.0 million and decreased as a percentage of sales to 30.1% from 31.6%. Excluding the restructuring-related costs, SG&A as a percentage of net sales would have been 29.6% and 30.0% for 2005 and 2004, respectively. The net improvement is attributable to lower administrative expenses, partially offset by increased distribution and freight expenses.
Operating Income
      Operating income increased $38.9 million, or 442%, to $47.7 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 and increased as a percentage of sales to 8.6% from 1.6%. The increase was driven by reduced restructuring and restructuring-related costs, reduced manufacturing labor cost and higher sales.
Interest, Other Expense/(Income) and Income Taxes
      Interest expense increased $0.2 million to $4.1 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005. Other expense (income) increased $5.1 million to $1.6 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005, primarily due to the gains recorded on the sales of closed facilities in the prior year and higher foreign exchange losses in the current year. Income tax expense for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $10.7 million. The effective tax rate for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 was 40.3% compared to 74.0% for the six month period ended June 25, 2004. The six month period ended June 25, 2005 effective tax rate was increased due to recognition of income taxes on foreign dividends repatriated to the U.S. in 2005. The six month period ended June 25, 2004 effective tax rate was negatively impacted by the establishment of valuation allowances relating to deferred tax assets primarily stemming from certain foreign net operating losses.
Net Income
      Net income increased $24.5 million to $26.6 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 as a result of increased operating income described above, partly offset by increased income tax expense.
Segment Discussion
ACCO U.S.
      Sales for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $7.1 million, or 3%, to $253.2 million. The increase was driven by new products and volume growth in Kensington computer accessories, partly offset by increased sales deductions/customer programs related to competitive pricing pressure, the incremental impact of customer consolidations and the resolution of customer billing delays (following ACCO Brands’ prior year new system implementation).
      Gross profit increased by only $0.5 million, or 1%, to $85.8 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 primarily due to increased sales deductions noted above and unfavorable sales mix to lower margin private label products, partly offset by sales growth in higher relative margin computer accessory products. Operating income increased $8.3 million, or 117%, to $15.4 million for the six month period

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ended June 25, 2005, due to the absence of restructuring and restructuring-related charges and reduced administrative costs; partly offset by increased distribution and freight expenses.
ACCO Europe
      Sales for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $6.2 million, or 3%, to $186.0 million. Favorable foreign exchange ($9.9 million) and volume growth in continental Europe from gains in Kensington computer accessories and Rexel binding and laminating machines, were partly offset by a decline in the U.K. due to weak economic conditions, primarily in the first quarter.
      Gross profit increased $13.4 million, or 21%, to $76.5 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 primarily due to a lack of restructuring-related charges in comparison to the six month period ended June 25, 2004, the incremental benefit of facility closures and supply chain realignment completed in 2004 and increased net sales. Operating income increased $25.5 million to $22.6 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 due to reduced restructuring and restructuring-related charges compared to the prior year and higher sales.
Trading Companies
      Sales for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 increased $0.6 million, or 1%, to $86.9 million due to favorable currency translation ($4.4 million) offset by a volume decline in Canada related primarily to a shift in back-to-school shipments from the second quarter to the third quarter.
      Gross profit increased $2.0 million, or 6%, to $36.8 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 principally due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange on inventory purchases of outsourced products. Operating income increased $2.1 million, or 16%, to $15.2 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 due to the increase in gross profit.
Day-Timers
      Sales for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 decreased $1.6 million, or 6%, to $25.8 million. The decrease was driven by a shift in sales from the second quarter to the third quarter, as Day-Timers began sales on a consignment basis to a major retail customer during the third quarter of 2004 (which impacted the timing of sales recognition related to the seasonally strong back-to-school season).
      Gross profit decreased $0.2 million, or 1%, to $16.3 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 primarily due to reduced sales, partly offset by higher gross margins due to favorable customer mix to the higher margin direct channel. Operating income increased $0.5 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 from a loss of $0.5 million for the six month period ended June 25, 2004, principally due to reduced operating expenses.
Liquidity and Financial Position
Cash Flow for the Six Months Ended June 25, 2005 Versus the Six Months Ended June 25, 2004
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
      Cash used by operating activities was $7.5 million for six month period ended June 25, 2005 and cash provided by operating activities was $29.4 million for six month period ended June 25, 2004.
      Net income for the six month period ended June 25, 2005 was $24.5 million higher than in 2004. Cash used by inventory was $18.0 million, an increase of $12.7 million from the $5.3 million used in 2004. The outflow resulted from inventory increases in 2005 to improve service levels in North America and to support new product offerings (Kensington mobility products and Dell peripheral contract, and binding and laminating products in the U.S.). Accounts payable used $16.7 million in cash, which was $19.9 million more than 2004, on earlier inventory replenishment and associated vendor payments. Additional uses of cash included accrued bonus and executive management incentives payments which were higher than the prior year due to overachievement of 2004 targets and a reduction in customer program accruals due to

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2005 payments of 2004 earned programs which were higher than the prior year. Cash provided by accounts receivable of $48.5 million, an increase of $23.3 million over 2004, resulted primarily from the resolution of fourth quarter 2004 customer billing delays following the company’s September 2004 systems implementation in the U.S. (which delayed receipt of payments to the first quarter of 2005) and a shift in timing of some collections due to the adverse impact of customer consolidations on negotiated payment terms.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
      Cash used by investing activities was $13.0 million for the six months ended June 25, 2005 versus cash provided of $4.4 million for the six months ended June 25, 2004. Gross capital expenditures were $12.8 million and $11.7 million for the six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In the six months ended June 25, 2004, capital spending was partly offset by proceeds of $16.1 million, principally from the sale of buildings, machinery and other assets related to facility closures and plans to outsource previously manufactured products.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
      Cash used by financing activities was $38.2 million and $17.7 million for the six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The change in this account is driven by intercompany dividends received (primarily from foreign subsidiaries) of $118.3 million and $25.8 million for the six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004, respectively, partially offset by increased borrowing from the parent to fund working capital funds required by ACCO Brands (as described above).
Adequacy of Liquidity Sources
      ACCO Brands believes that its internally generated funds, together with access to global credit markets, are adequate to meet its long- and short-term capital needs, including those that will result from its financing. However, ACCO Brands’ cash flows from operations, borrowing availability and overall liquidity are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those described under “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements”.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
      ACCO Brands is exposed to various market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as foreign currency exchange. ACCO Brands does not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. ACCO Brands enters into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign currency denominated purchases. The counterparties are major financial institutions.
      The office products industry is concentrated in a small number of major customers, principally office products superstores, large retailers, wholesalers and contract stationers. Customer consolidation and share growth of private-label products continue to increase pricing pressures, which may adversely affect margins for ACCO Brands and its competitors. ACCO Brands is addressing these challenges through design innovations, value-added features and services, as well as continued cost and asset reduction.
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
      ACCO Brands enters into forward exchange contracts principally to hedge currency fluctuations in transactions denominated in foreign currencies, thereby limiting the risk that would otherwise result from changes in exchange rates, primarily relating to anticipated inventory purchases. ACCO Brands does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The majority of ACCO Brands’ exposure to currency movements is in Europe (Pound Sterling and Euro), Australia, Canada and Mexico. All of the foreign exchange contracts have maturity dates in 2005 and 2006. Increases and decreases in the fair market values of the forward agreements are expected to be offset by gains/losses in recognized net

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underlying foreign currency transactions. Selected information related to ACCO Brands’ foreign exchange contracts as of June 25, 2005 is as follows (all items except exchange rates in millions):
                                 
    Average       Fair    
    Exchange   Notional   Market   Gain
Forward Contracts as of June 25, 2005   Rate   Amount   Value   (Loss)
                 
Currency Sold
                               
Sell Euro/ Buy USD
    1.28     $ 4.2     $ 4.3     $ 0.1  
Sell GBP/ Buy USD
    1.85       21.0       21.5       0.5  
Sell Euro/ Buy GBP
    0.70       1.7       1.8       0.1  
Other
            0.8       0.8          
                         
Total
          $ 27.7     $ 28.4     $ 0.7  
                         
Interest Rate Risk Management
      The preparation of the financial statements and this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations of ACCO Brands includes an allocation to ACCO Brands of a proportion of Fortune Brands’ total interest expense. Interest expense associated with Fortune Brands’ outstanding debt has been allocated to ACCO Brands based upon average net assets of ACCO Brands as a percentage of average net assets of Fortune Brands, Inc. However, no debt has been allocated to ACCO Brands in relation to this expense. This is not indicative of the results of operations, liquidity or financial position that would have existed assuming ACCO Brands businesses were operated as an independent company or that will exist in the future.
General Binding Corporation
Overview
      GBC is engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of office equipment, related supplies and laminating equipment and films. GBC has three primary business groups: (1) the Commercial and Consumer Group (CCG); (2) the Industrial and Print Finishing Group (IPFG); and (3) the Europe Group.
      The groups’ revenues are primarily derived from:
Commercial and Consumer Group
     
Products   Customers/Channels
     
Binding, punching and laminating equipment
  Indirect (approximately 70%)
Visual communications products
  Direct (approximately 30%)
Document shredders
   
Custom binders and folders
   
Desktop accessories
   
Related maintenance and repair services
   
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
     
Products   Customers/Channels
     
Thermal and pressure sensitive-laminating films
  Primarily direct
Mid-range and commercial high-speed laminators
   
Large-format digital print laminators
   

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Europe Group
     
Products   Customers/Channels
     
The Europe Group primarily distributes the CCG product range to customers in Europe
  Indirect (approximately 80%)
      CCG’s products are sold through both indirect channels (resellers, including office product superstores, contract/commercial stationers, wholesalers, mail order companies, mass markets and other dealers) and direct channels (salespersons, telemarketers, internet portals, etc.). This group’s products and services are sold to customers, which include the home and office markets, commercial reprographic centers, educational and training markets, and governmental agencies throughout North and South America and the Asia/ Pacific region. IPFG’s products and services are sold worldwide through direct and dealer channels primarily to commercial reprographic centers and commercial printers. The Europe Group distributes the CCG product range to customers in Europe and other export markets.
      GBC’s results are dependent upon sales of CCG and IPFG products, which are susceptible to changes in economic conditions, customer and industry consolidation, reseller business strategy (e.g., private label vs. branded products) and other factors which are difficult to predict. During periods of deteriorating economic conditions, GBC may be increasingly affected by competitive pricing pressures and decreased customer demand. In 2004, competitive pricing pressures continued to affect the office products business of CCG and the commercial laminating films business of IPFG. Additionally, during 2004 GBC was negatively impacted by increased costs on certain raw materials used in the manufacture of its products. While worldwide economic growth may continue in 2005, GBC believes that factors impacting its business will continue to be challenging. To offset its challenging business environment, GBC has continued to identify and work to achieve cost reductions and operating efficiencies through its Operational Excellence Program and to introduce new products to market.
      Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates also have a significant impact on GBC’s results, as a significant portion of GBC’s revenues and operations are located outside the U.S. In 2004, due to foreign currency translation, sales in each of GBC’s business groups benefited from a weakened U.S. dollar. This trend may continue in 2005, however, GBC would expect that a strengthening of the U.S. dollar would have an opposite and negative impact on its results.
Financial Results — 2004 Compared to 2003
Sales
      GBC’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased 2.1% to $712.3 million compared to $697.9 million in 2003. GBC’s net sales were favorably impacted by a weaker U.S. dollar in 2004 compared to 2003. The translation impact of foreign exchange rates benefited sales by approximately 3.4% in 2004. Net sales by business segment are summarized below (in thousands):
                   
    Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 447,011     $ 460,243  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    157,447       137,064  
Europe Group
    107,860       100,601  
             
 
Net Sales
  $ 712,318     $ 697,908  
             
      CCG’s sales decreased $13.2 million or 2.9% in 2004 when compared to 2003. Factors negatively affecting the group’s 2004 results include: (a) competitive pricing pressure in the group’s office products business; (b) lower direct sales due to lower than expected sales representative head count; and (c) a decision to exit a private label three-ring binder position with a customer. Sales for IPFG increased by $20.4 million or 14.9% in 2004 when compared to the prior year, primarily due to growth in the group’s European commercial films and digital print finishing businesses. Sales in the Europe Group increased

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$7.3 million or 7.2% in 2004, due primarily to the effect of a weaker U.S. dollar in 2004 compared to 2003. The effect of foreign exchange rates benefited the Europe Group by 10.3% in 2004. There was a decrease in local currency sales in Europe due to a highly competitive currency-related pricing environment.
Gross Margins, Costs and Expenses
      GBC’s gross profit margin in 2004 was 38.9% compared to 40.0% in 2003. Despite cost savings achieved through the company’s Operational Excellence initiatives, competitive pricing environments within each of the business groups and raw material price increases caused the gross profit margin decline.
      Total selling, service and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million in 2004 compared to 2003. The increase was primarily due to translation of a weaker U.S. dollar in 2004 compared to 2003. As a percentage of sales, total selling, service and administrative expenses declined in 2004 to 31.7% from 32.2% in 2003. While GBC achieved cost savings from Operational Excellence initiatives, certain costs such as distribution increased due to higher fuel costs and increased volumes. Overall, the effect of foreign exchange rates resulted in a 3.2% increase in GBC’s total selling, service and administrative expenses.
Earnings from Joint Ventures
      In 2004, GBC recognized $1.3 million in earnings from joint ventures compared to a break-even level in 2003. The joint venture earnings in 2004 were generated from the company’s Australian joint venture, Pelikan-Quartet Pty Ltd. (“Pelikan-Quartet”), which is part of the Commercial and Consumer Group. Earnings from Pelikan-Quartet more than offset losses from GBC’s investments in GMP Co. Ltd. (“GMP”) and Neschen/ GBC Graphic Films LLC (“Neschen”). In 2003, earnings from Pelikan-Quartet were entirely offset by losses from GMP and Neschen.
Segment Operating Income
      Segment operating income for GBC’s business groups, which is calculated as net sales less product cost of sales, selling, service and administrative expenses and amortization of other intangibles, plus equity earnings of joint ventures. See note 16 to the consolidated GBC financial statements included elsewhere in this offering memorandum for a reconciliation of segment operating income to income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change. Segment operating income is summarized below (in thousands):
                   
    Segment
    Operating Income
    Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 48,142     $ 59,211  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    21,563       17,965  
Europe Group
    6,880       6,085  
             
Unallocated corporate items
    (23,539 )     (28,548 )
             
 
Total
  $ 53,046     $ 54,713  
             
      Operating income for 2004 decreased 3.0% or $1.7 million compared to 2003. Operating income in CCG decreased by $11.1 million in 2004, primarily due to lower sales and gross profit margins as a result of pricing pressures, along with higher distribution expenses in the Group’s office products business. The impact of lower sales and higher expenses was partially offset by the increase in equity earnings of Pelikan-Quartet and a favorable adjustment for contingencies related to certain regulatory matters. IPFG’s operating income increased $3.7 million in 2004, due primarily to increased sales volumes in the group’s European commercial films and digital print finishing businesses. Europe’s operating income increased by $0.8 million in 2004 compared to 2003, primarily as a result of favorable exchange rates. Corporate

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expenses were lower in 2004 compared to 2003 primarily due to reduced spending on information services as a result of consolidation of resources.
Restructuring and Other
      Beginning in 2001, GBC launched its Operational Excellence Program, an on-going effort to improve the company’s financial performance and flexibility. Initiatives undertaken in connection with this program have resulted in restructuring and other expenses in 2004 and 2003.
      During 2004, GBC recorded restructuring charges of $0.9 million, which were primarily related to work force reduction programs which were announced in 2003.
      The restructuring charges associated with the 2003 projects consist of the following (in millions):
                                 
        Asset        
        Impairments        
        and Other        
Project   Severance   Exist Costs   Lease Cost   Total
                 
Relocating manufacturing from Booneville to Nuevo Laredo
  $ 2.6     $ 4.5           $ 7.1  
Plant closure — Amelia, Virginia
    0.2                   0.2  
Reduction-in-force programs
    2.5                   2.4  
Sublease manufacturing facility
                1.4       1.4  
                         
    $ 5.2     $ 4.5     $ 1.4     $ 11.1  
                         
      The relocation of manufacturing operations from Booneville, Mississippi to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico began in July 2003, and was completed during the third quarter of 2004. The Amelia, Virginia plant was closed during the first quarter of 2004. Initiatives related to work force reductions were implemented during the second half of 2003.
      During 2004, GBC also recorded $1.7 million in other charges related to the realignment of management in CCG and an impairment of GBC’s investment in GMP Co. Ltd.
      GBC has an investment in GMP of approximately 20% of the equity capital of that company, and accounts for its investment under the equity method of accounting. GMP realized significant net losses in the fourth quarter of both 2004 and 2003. In the fourth quarter of 2004 and 2003, GBC recognized its share of GMP’s loss (approximately $0.9 million in 2004 and approximately $1.2 million in 2003). As a result of GMP’s poor financial performance and other factors, GBC evaluated whether its investment in GMP was impaired. The GMP investment was valued based upon the traded value of GMP shares on the KOSDAQ exchange (Korean over-the-counter market) and projections of cash flow, earnings and sales developed by GMP management. Based upon the analysis performed, and GBC’s determination that the decline in value of its investment in GMP was other than temporary, impairment charges of $0.9 million and $4.7 million were recorded in 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Interest Expense
      Interest expense decreased by $8.5 million to $25.9 million in 2004 compared to 2003 due primarily to reduced debt levels and lower average interest rates. Included in interest expense in 2003 was $1.1 million related to the loss on the extinguishment of GBC’s previous credit facility which was refinanced in June 2003.
Other (Income) Expense
      GBC recognized other expense of $0.7 million in 2004. The most significant items included in other expense in 2004 were: (a) foreign exchange losses of $1.8 million; (b) interest income and purchase discounts of $1.2 million; and (c) a gain of $0.7 million on the sale of a former manufacturing facility.

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Income Taxes
      In 2004, income tax expense was $9.1 million on pre-tax income of $23.9 million. Factors that affected income tax expense in 2004 included: (a) a benefit for the reversal of the beginning-of-the-year valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at certain non-U.S. subsidiaries ($1.4 million); (b) a benefit for the utilization of non-U.S. net operating losses ($1.4 million); and (c) a benefit recorded for the decrease in withholding tax liabilities as a result of enacted tax rate changes ($0.8 million). Also, GBC provided for income taxes on non-U.S. earnings expected to be remitted to the U.S., which substantially offset the favorable benefits realized in 2004.
      Income tax expense was $7.6 million in 2003 on pre-tax income of $4.4 million. Factors that affected income tax expense in 2003 included: (a) the non-cash write-off of deferred tax assets as a result of the reorganization of certain international subsidiaries ($4.4 million); and (b) the combined effect of the pre-tax impairment charge and GBC’s share of the loss incurred in fiscal 2003 by GMP. These items were not tax deductible.
Net Income (Loss)
      GBC had net income of $14.8 million in 2004 compared to a net loss of $3.3 million in 2003. The 2003 net loss was impacted by the previously described restructuring charges of $11.1 million, other expense of $4.7 million, the loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million as well as the $4.4 million write-off of deferred tax assets.
Financial Results — 2003 Compared to 2002
Sales
      GBC’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003 decreased 0.5% to $697.9 million compared to $701.7 million in 2002. GBC’s net sales were favorably impacted by a weaker U.S. dollar in 2003 compared to 2002. The effect of foreign exchange rates benefited sales by approximately 4.0% in 2003. Net sales by business segment are summarized below (in thousands):
                   
    Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
     
    2003   2002
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 460,243     $ 467,543  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    137,064       138,299  
Europe Group
    100,601       95,886  
             
 
Net Sales
  $ 697,908     $ 701,728  
             
      CCG’s sales decreased $7.3 million (or 1.6%) in 2003 when compared to 2002. Lower demand for the group’s visual communication products and binding and laminating machines was partially offset by increased sales of private label three-ring binders and paper shredders. Sales for IPFG decreased $1.2 million or 0.9%. The impact of favorable exchange rates benefited the group’s sales by approximately 6.0%. A decrease in sales in the U.S. commercial film business, which was affected by pricing pressures and lower purchasing levels by certain of the group’s customers, was the primary reason for the sales decrease. In addition, the group’s U.S. commercial film business continued to be affected by weak market conditions. Sales in the Europe Group increased by $4.7 million. The impact of foreign exchange benefited sales in the Europe Group by approximately 15.0%. The group’s sales in local currencies declined due to a competitive, currency-related pricing environment, weak economic conditions in certain European markets, and the timing of new product introductions.
Gross Margins, Costs and Expenses
      GBC’s gross profit margin in 2003 increased by 0.3 points to 39.9% compared to 2002. Gross profit margins in CCG were down due to an unfavorable product mix (higher sales of private label three-ring

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binders and lower sales of visual communication products and binding and laminating machines) and increased rebate and allowance programs. IPFG’s gross profit margins were up slightly due to reduced spending on research and development. The Europe Group’s gross profit margin increased significantly due to favorable foreign exchange and increased manufacturing volumes, along with lower product costs due to sourcing initiatives.
      Total selling, service and administrative expenses in 2003 decreased $3.8 million compared to 2002, primarily due to lower spending by CCG, coupled with lower corporate expenses. Efficiencies achieved in connection with the creation of CCG resulted in reduced expenditures on certain administrative functions. Additionally, the group benefited from increased equity earnings from the Pelikan-Quartet joint venture. Corporate expenses were down in 2003 primarily as a result of reduced spending on information systems. These savings were partially offset by the recognition of GBC’s share of the net loss of GMP (see the “Restructuring and Other” and “GMP Relationship” sections of this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further discussion regarding GBC’s investment in GMP). Selling, service and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased slightly to 31.9% in 2003 from 32.3% in 2002.
Earnings from Joint Ventures
      In 2003, earnings from joint ventures were at a break-even level compared to $0.2 million in 2002. In both 2003 and 2002, earnings from Pelikan-Quartet were offset by losses from GMP and Neschen.
Segment Operating Income
      Segment operating income for GBC’s business groups, which is calculated as net sales less product cost of sales, selling, service and administrative expenses and amortization of other intangibles, plus equity earnings of joint ventures, is summarized below (in thousands):
                   
    Segment
    Operating Income
    Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
     
    2003   2002
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 59,211     $ 62,261  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    17,965       19,418  
Europe Group
    6,085       1,359  
             
Unallocated corporate items
    (28,548 )     (31,691 )
             
 
Total
  $ 54,713     $ 51,347  
             
      Segment operating income for 2003 increased 6.6% or $3.4 million compared to 2002. Operating income in CCG decreased by $3.1 million, or 4.9%, in 2003 primarily due to the lower level of sales and reduced gross profit margin, which was partially offset by lower expenses. IPFG’s operating income decreased 7.5% or $1.5 million due to the lower sales volume and higher selling, service and administrative expenses. The Europe Group’s operating income increased $4.7 million due primarily to improved gross profit margins. Unallocated corporate items decreased $3.1 million primarily due to reduced spending on information services as a result of consolidation of resources.
Inventory Rationalization
      During 2002, GBC recorded inventory charges of approximately $1.0 million primarily related to CCG. This charge relates to GBC’s product line rationalization and reflects an adjustment to the realizable value of certain products which the company decided to discontinue in 2001.

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Restructuring and Other
      Pre-tax restructuring charges in 2003 totaled $11.1 million, related to the following projects: (a) relocating the manufacturing of labor intensive visual communication products from GBC’s facility in Booneville, Mississippi to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; (b) closing a manufacturing plant in Amelia, Virginia and consolidating production in GBC’s plant in Lincolnshire, Illinois; (c) company-wide workforce reduction programs; and (d) subleasing a manufacturing facility as part of a previously announced restructuring.
      The restructuring charges associated with the 2003 projects consist of the following (in millions):
                                 
        Asset        
        Impairments        
        and Other        
Project   Severance   Exist Costs   Lease Cost   Total
                 
Relocating manufacturing from Booneville to Nuevo Laredo
  $ 2.6     $ 4.5     $     $ 7.1  
Plant closure — Amelia, Virginia
    0.2                   0.2  
Reduction-in-force programs
    2.5                   2.4  
Sublease manufacturing facility
                1.4       1.4  
                         
    $ 5.2     $ 4.5     $ 1.4     $ 11.1  
                         
      The relocation of manufacturing operations from Booneville, Mississippi to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico began in July 2003, and was completed during the third quarter of 2004. The Amelia, Virginia plant was closed in 2004. Initiatives related to work force reductions were implemented during the second half of 2003.
      During 2002, GBC recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of $8.0 million for expenses related to the following projects: (a) closing the company’s facility in Buffalo Grove, Illinois and transferring the manufacturing and administrative functions to other GBC locations; (b) downsizing a binder manufacturing facility in Amelia, Virginia; (c) severance costs associated with the creation of the CCG; and (d) charges related to the reorganization of certain corporate and other support functions.
      The restructuring charges associated with the 2002 projects consist of the following (in millions):
                                 
        Asset        
        Impairments        
        and Other        
Project   Severance   Exist Costs   Lease Cost   Total
                 
Buffalo Grove facility closure
  $ 0.7     $ 1.6     $ 0.8     $ 3.1  
Downsizing of Amelia facility
    0.8       0.3             1.1  
Commercial and Consumer Group
    1.6       0.2             1.8  
Reduction in support functions
    2.0                   2.0  
                         
    $ 5.1     $ 2.1     $ 0.8     $ 8.0  
                         
      The transition of manufacturing operations from the Buffalo Grove facility was completed in 2002. Administrative and support personnel previously located in the Buffalo Grove facility were transferred to other GBC locations by early 2003. Actions associated with the 2002 Amelia downsizing and other reductions in force were completed in 2002.
      GBC has an investment in GMP Co., Ltd. of approximately 20% of the equity capital of that company, and accounts for its investment under the equity method of accounting. In the fourth quarter of 2003, GBC recognized its share (approximating $1.2 million) of GMP’s fourth quarter 2003 loss. As a result of GMP’s poor financial performance and other business factors, GBC evaluated whether its investment in GMP was impaired. The GMP investment was valued based upon the traded value of GMP shares on the KOSDAQ exchange (Korean over-the-counter market) and projections of cash flow,

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earnings and sales developed by GMP management. Based upon the analysis performed, and GBC’s determination that the decline in value of its investment in GMP was other than temporary, an impairment charge of $4.7 million was recognized.
      During 2002, GBC incurred $1.1 million in other expenses primarily related to costs associated with the transition of production from the closed and down-sized facilities to other GBC facilities.
Interest Expense
      Interest expense decreased by $5.5 million to $34.4 million in 2003 compared to 2002 due to reduced debt levels and lower average interest rates. Included in interest expense in 2003 was $1.1 million related to the loss on the extinguishment of GBC’s previous credit facility which was refinanced in June 2003.
Other (Income) Expense
      Other expense was approximately $0.2 million in both 2003 and 2002. In 2002, other expense included non-cash losses of $1.1 million on the sale of a previously closed facility in Mexico and $1.1 million on the disposal of GBC’s investment in an Indian joint venture. These non-cash losses were offset by net interest income of $0.9 million received in connection with the settlement of a U.S. Federal income tax refund claim, as well as currency gains which primarily related to the translation of liabilities denominated in other than functional currencies.
Income Taxes
      Income tax expense was $7.6 million in 2003 on pre-tax income of $4.4 million. Factors that affected income tax expense in 2003 included: (a) the non-cash write-off of deferred tax assets as a result of the reorganization of certain international subsidiaries ($4.4 million); and (b) the combined effect of the pre-tax impairment charge and GBC’s share of the loss incurred in fiscal 2003 by GMP. These items were not tax deductible.
      In 2002, income tax expense was approximately $2.0 million on pre-tax income of approximately $1.1 million. During 2002, new U.S. tax legislation enabled GBC to carry back its 2001 domestic tax loss to 1996 and 1997. The carryback generated a $7.5 million tax refund and reduced previously utilized tax credits. The tax credits became deferred tax assets which GBC was not able to use before the expiration of the carryover period. The resulting write-off of these deferred tax assets created additional income tax expense of $1.5 million. Additionally, GBC settled a U.S. Federal income tax contingency resulting in a refund of approximately $0.9 million which is reflected as a reduction to GBC’s 2002 income tax provision.
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change
      Effective January 1, 2002, GBC implemented SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” In accordance with SFAS No. 142, GBC tested its goodwill balances to determine whether these assets were impaired. Based upon the testing performed, GBC recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $110 million ($79 million, net of tax), primarily related to the impairment of goodwill in CCG.
Net Loss
      GBC realized a net loss of $3.3 million for 2003 compared to a net loss of $80.0 million for 2002. The 2003 net loss was impacted by the previously described restructuring charges of $11.1 million, other expense of $4.7 million, the loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million as well as the $4.4 million write-off of deferred tax assets. In 2002, the net loss was impacted by the cumulative effect of accounting change of $79.0 million, net of taxes, along with $9.1 million in restructuring and other costs.

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Results of Operations — Quarter Ended June 30, 2005 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2004
Sales
      GBC’s net sales for the second quarter of 2005 increased 7.2% to $186.9 million compared to $174.4 million in the second quarter of 2004. GBC’s net sales were favorably impacted by a weaker U.S. dollar in 2005 compared to 2004. The effect of foreign exchange rates benefited sales by approximately 2% in the second quarter of 2005. Net sales by business segment are summarized below (000 omitted):
                 
    Three Months Ended
    June 30,
     
    2005   2004
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 117,511     $ 108,897  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    42,067       39,107  
Europe Group
    27,322       26,371  
             
Net Sales
  $ 186,900     $ 174,375  
             
      The Commercial and Consumer Group’s sales increased $8.6 million or 7.9% for the second quarter of 2005 when compared to 2004, primarily due to strong volume increases in sales of visual communication products in the Group’s U.S. indirect business, and significant increases in shredder sales in Japan due to changes in privacy legislation. Sales for the Industrial and Print Finishing Group increased by $3.0 million or 7.6% in the second quarter of 2005 when compared to the prior year, primarily due to growth in the Group’s U.S. and European commercial films business. Sales in the Europe Group increased $1.0 million or 3.6% in 2005, due primarily to the effect of a weaker U.S. dollar in 2005 compared to 2004. The effect of foreign exchange rates benefited the Europe Group by 3% in the second quarter of 2005. The increase in local currency sales in Europe is due to general volume increases which were offset by the continued competitive pricing environment for certain products.
Gross Margins, Costs and Expenses
      Gross margin for GBC is calculated as net sales less cost of sales. GBC’s gross profit margin in the second quarter of 2005 declined 0.5 points to 38.3% compared to the second quarter of 2004. Modest margin declines in CCG and IPFG were partially offset by a margin improvement in the Europe Group, as GBC’s operating initiatives have helped to offset market price increases in commodity raw materials.
      Selling, service and administrative expenses were up $2.7 million or 4.9% due to higher variable selling expenses in CCG and the Europe Group associated with higher sales volumes, and to a lesser extent, the adverse effect of exchange rate movements on international expenses. IPFG improved operating efficiency, holding selling, service and administrative expenses essentially flat, even with its increased sales levels. For GBC as a whole, operating expenses as a percentage of net sales dropped to 31.4% from 32.1% last year.

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Segment Operating Income
      Segment operating income for GBC’s business groups, which is calculated as net sales (i) less cost of sales, (ii) less selling, service and administrative expenses, (iii) plus equity in the earnings or losses of joint ventures, is summarized below (000 omitted):
                 
    Segment
    Operating Income
    Three Months Ended
    June 30,
     
    2005   2004
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 11,647     $ 11,267  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    5,699       5,067  
Europe Group
    2,099       1,444  
Unallocated corporate items
    (6,303 )     (6,053 )
             
Total
  $ 13,142     $ 11,725  
             
      Operating income for the second quarter of 2005 increased 12.1% or $1.4 million compared to 2004. Operating income in the Commercial and Consumer Group increased by $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2005, primarily due to higher sales volume, which was partially offset by lower margins and higher variable selling and distribution expense in the Group’s U.S. office products business and in Japan. The Industrial and Print Finishing Group’s operating income increased approximately 12.5% in the second quarter of 2005 compared to 2004, primarily in the Group’s U.S. Commercial Films business due to higher sales volumes and higher margins, while operating expenses remained relatively flat. Europe’s operating income improved by $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2005 compared to 2004, due to higher sales and improved margins, which were partially offset by increased operating expenses. Corporate expenses are higher in 2005 compared to 2004 as a result of higher incentive compensation accruals, primarily related to the merger with ACCO and fluctuations in GBC’s stock price.
Restructuring and Other
      During the second quarter of 2005, GBC incurred restructuring charges of $0.2 million primarily related to a workforce reduction at a manufacturing facility in Portugal. GBC incurred no restructuring charges during the second quarter of 2004.
      In the second quarter of 2005, GBC reported an additional $1.7 million in other expenses which were primarily professional fees incurred in connection with the ACCO merger (see section titled “Pending Merger with ACCO” below for further discussion).
Interest Expense
      Interest expense increased by $0.3 million to $6.9 million in the second quarter of 2005 compared to 2004, primarily due to higher floating interest rates on GBC’s primary senior credit facility.
Income Taxes
      Income tax expense in the second quarter of 2005 was $2.8 million on pre-tax income of $4.3 million resulting in a 64% effective tax rate. GBC’s effective income tax rate was significantly impacted by expenses related to the merger with ACCO, as many of these expenses are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. In addition, the effective tax rate was increased by the treatment of planned dividends by foreign subsidiaries.
      In the second quarter of 2004, income tax expense was $2.0 million on pre-tax income of $4.5 million, resulting in an effective rate of 43%.
      On October 22, 2004, President Bush signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”). The Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned

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abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. The deduction is subject to a number of limitations. Due to GBC’s merger with ACCO, GBC has not yet decided on whether, and to what extent, it might repatriate foreign earnings that have not yet been remitted to the U.S. Based on GBC’s analysis to date, the range of reasonably possible amounts that GBC may repatriate is between zero and $69 million (of which $44 million currently is considered permanently reinvested). GBC estimates that the related potential range of additional income tax liability is from zero to $1.4 million, based upon current legislation. Also, the amount of additional income tax expense resulting from repatriation of foreign earnings under the provision would be reduced by the part of the eligible dividend that is attributable to foreign earnings on which a deferred tax liability had been previously accrued.
Net Income (Loss)
      GBC had net income of $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2005 ($0.09 per share diluted), compared to net income of $2.6 million for the second quarter of 2004 ($0.15 per share diluted). While segment operating income for the quarter increased significantly, net income and earnings per share were significantly impacted by the expenses related to the merger with ACCO and the high effective income tax rate.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 compared to Six Months June 30, 2004
Sales
      GBC’s net sales for the first half of 2005 compared to the first half of 2004 increased 6.3% to $367.1 million. GBC’s net sales were favorably impacted by a weaker U.S. dollar in 2005 compared to 2004. The effect of foreign exchange rates benefited sales by approximately 2.0% in the first half of 2005 compared to 2004. Net sales by business segment are summarized below (000 omitted):
                 
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
     
    2005   2004
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 225,787     $ 214,325  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    84,065       76,910  
Europe Group
    57,200       54,071  
             
Net Sales
  $ 367,052     $ 345,306  
             
      The Commercial and Consumer Group’s sales increased $11.5 million or 5.3% for the first six months of 2005 when compared to 2004 primarily due to increased volume of visual communications products in the Group’s U.S. indirect business and higher sales of shredders in Japan resulting from end user demand. Sales for the Industrial and Print Finishing Group increased $7.2 million or 9.3% due to continued strong volume growth in both the U.S. and European Commercial Films business , as well as continued growth in the U.S. Digital Print Finishing business. Sales in the Asia Commercial Films business increased 34% during the first six months of 2005. Approximately 2% of the Industrial and Print Finishing Group’s sales increase was attributable to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Sales in the Europe Group increased by $3.1 million or 5.8%, in the first six months of 2005, of which approximately 4% of the increase related to exchange rate fluctuations. Sales in Europe were favorably impacted by higher sales of binding equipment, binding and laminating supplies, and strong growth in the export channel.
Gross Margins, Costs and Expenses
      Gross margin for GBC is calculated as net sales less cost of sales. GBC’s gross profit margin in the first half of 2005 declined 0.5 points to 38.0% compared to the first half of 2004. Gross margin declines in the Commercial and Consumer Group and the Industrial and Print Finishing group were partially offset by margin increases in Europe, as price increases and operating improvements were unable to fully offset the impact of higher raw material costs and price pressures in certain markets.

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      Total selling, service and administrative expenses in the first half of 2005 increased $6.8 million or 6.0% compared to 2004. Operating expenses in the first half of 2005 were approximately $1.9 million higher than 2004 due to the impact of foreign currency translation rates. In addition, higher sales volumes caused increases in variable selling and distribution expenses. Also, in comparison to the first half of 2004, GBC experienced significantly higher non-cash compensation expense tied to GBC’s stock price, which increased considerably after the announcement of GBC’s merger with ACCO. Selling, service and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 0.1% to 32.5% in the first half of 2005 compared to 2004.
Segment Operating Income
      Segment operating income for GBC’s business groups, which is calculated as net sales (i) less cost of sales, (ii) less selling, service and administrative expenses (iii) plus equity in the earnings or losses of joint ventures, is summarized below (000 omitted):
                 
    Segment
    Operating Income
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
     
    2005   2004
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 20,487     $ 19,919  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    11,455       9,925  
Europe Group
    3,904       3,594  
Unallocated corporate items
    (14,693 )     (12,775 )
             
Total
  $ 21,153     $ 20,663  
             
      Segment operating income for the first half of 2005 increased 2.4% or $0.5 million compared to 2004. Operating income in the Commercial and Consumer Group increased by $0.6 million, or 2.9%, in the first half of 2005 due to higher sales levels. The Industrial and Print Finishing Group’s operating income increased 15.4% or $1.5 million. Sales in the major divisions were partially offset by reduced gross profit margins and increased variable selling and distribution expenses. The Industrial and Print Finishing Group also benefited from income at the Group’s Neschen joint venture in the first half of 2005 compared to a loss in 2004. Corporate expenses are higher in 2005 compared to 2004 due to previously mentioned higher non-cash compensation expense tied to GBC’s stock price. The Europe Group’s operating income increased 8.6% or $0.3 million, as high sales and margins exceeded increases in operating expenses.
Restructuring and Other
      During the first half of 2005, GBC incurred restructuring charges of $1.3 million primarily related to the costs of exiting a facility in the UK and European workforce reduction programs. In 2004, GBC recorded restructuring charges of $0.8 million related to workforce reduction programs which were announced in 2003.
      In the first half of 2005, GBC reported $4.2 million in other expenses, which were primarily professional fees incurred in connection with the ACCO merger (see section titled “Pending Merger with ACCO” below for further discussion).
Interest Expense
      Interest expense increased by $0.2 million to $13.6 million in the first half of 2005 compared to 2004 due to higher floating interest rates on GBC’s primary senior credit facility.
Income Taxes
      Income tax expense in the first half of 2005 was $2.9 million on pre-tax income of $1.0 million. GBC’s income tax provision was significantly impacted by expenses related to the merger with ACCO, as

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many of these expenses are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. In addition, income tax expenses was increased by the treatment of planned dividends by foreign subsidiaries.
      In the first half of 2004, income tax expense was $2.5 million on pre-tax income of $5.5 million, resulting in an effective rate of 45%. On October 22, 2004, President Bush signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”). The Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. The deduction is subject to a number of limitations. Due to GBC’s merger with ACCO, GBC has not yet decided on whether, and to what extent, it might repatriate foreign earnings that have not yet been remitted to the U.S. Based on GBC’s analysis to date, the range of reasonably possible amounts that GBC may repatriate is between zero and $69 million (of which $44 million currently is considered permanently reinvested). GBC estimates that the related potential range of additional income tax liability is from zero to $1.4 million, based upon current legislation. Also, the amount of additional income tax expense resulting from repatriation of foreign earnings under the provision would be reduced by the part of the eligible dividend that is attributable to foreign earnings on which a deferred tax liability had been previously accrued.
Net Income (Loss)
      GBC realized a net loss of $1.9 million for the first half of 2005 compared to net income of $3.0 million for the first half of 2004.
      While segment operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2005 increased above the 2004 level, net income and earnings per share were significantly impacted by the expenses related to the merger with ACCO, and the high effective income tax rate.
     Merger
      For the six months ended June 30, 2005, GBC reported $4.2 million in other expenses, consisting primarily of professional fees incurred in connection with the merger.
Pro Forma Liquidity and Capital Resources
      We have a significant amount of indebtedness. In connection with the merger, we issued $350 million of the old notes and entered into new senior secured credit facilities providing for borrowings of up to $750 million. See “Description of Other Indebtedness — Senior Secured Credit Facilities” for a more detailed explanation of these loan facilities, including interest rates, currencies and other terms. We used the proceeds of the offering and initial borrowings under the new senior secured credit facilities, together with other available funds, to finance a dividend to ACCO Brands common stockholders and fees and expenses related to the transactions, and to refinance existing ACCO Brands and GBC indebtedness. As of June 30, 2005, after giving pro forma effect to the transactions, we had total indebtedness of approximately $957.2 million, consisting of $350 million of the old notes and $607.2 million of borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities and local lines of credit. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and the Notes — Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and prevent the issuer and the guarantors from fulfilling their obligations under the notes and the guarantees.”
      After we made our initial borrowings under the $600 million term-loan portion of the senior secured credit facilities, we had capacity to borrow additional funds under the $150 million revolving credit facility, subject to compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the senior secured credit facilities. Borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility will be reduced by the amount of any letters of credit outstanding thereunder. Immediately after the closing of the merger on August 17, 2005, we had $145.8 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility, reflecting $4.2 million of letters of credit issued or to be issued. The revolving credit facility is subject to compliance with the covenants set forth in the new senior secured credit facilities and the indenture for the notes.

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      We have the aforementioned payment obligations with respect to our indebtedness that are outstanding immediately after closing of the transactions.
      The characteristics of our business do not generally require us to make significant ongoing capital expenditures. Pro forma for the merger, we made capital expenditures of about $36 million in the twelve months ended June 2005. We estimate our capital expenditures for the twelve months ended December 2005 will be approximately $51.0 million, $22.5 million of which will be attributable to software costs for the information technologies system upgrades. We may make significant cash expenditures in the next several years in an effort to capitalize on the anticipated revenue growth and cost savings opportunities associated with the merger, and to complete the information technologies upgrade projects.
      We anticipate spending an additional $80 million of cash above normal investment levels during the first 30 months after the merger relating to the integration of the GBC and ACCO Brands businesses. This will include charges made in the opening balance sheet, restructuring and restructuring-related charges against operating income and restructuring-related capital expenditures. We anticipate that $40 million of annual cost reduction will be achieved as a result of this investment.
      We believe that the historically strong free cash flows of the businesses, and the incremental cash flow from operations that we anticipate as a result of cost savings and other improvements associated with the merger, together with available cash and available borrowings under the new senior secured credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the foreseeable future. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — We may not realize the anticipated benefits from the merger,” “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — As a result of the spin-off and merger, we will be subject to financial reporting and other requirements for which our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared” and “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and the Notes — Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and prevent the issuer and the guarantors from fulfilling their obligations under the notes and the guarantees.”

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OUR BUSINESS
Overview
      We are the world’s largest supplier of branded office products (excluding furniture, computers, printers and bulk paper) to the office products resale industry, which includes commercial contract stationers, retail superstores, wholesalers, distributors, mail order catalogs, mass merchandisers, club stores and dealers; we also supply our products to commercial end-users. We design, develop, manufacture and market a wide variety of traditional and computer-related office products, supplies, personal computer accessory products, paper-based time management products, presentation aids and label products in three groups: office products, commercial products and computer products. These three groups accounted for 69%, 22% and 9%, respectively, of our pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004. We utilize a combination of manufacturing and third-party sourcing to procure our products, depending on transportation costs, service needs and direct labor costs. We sell our products under our leading brand names, including Kensington, Swingline, Quartet, GBC and Day-Timer, as well as under our regional brand names, including Wilson Jones, ACCO, Rexel, Ibico, Marbig, Eastlight, Derwent, Twinlock, Dox, Hetzel, Perma, Maco, Apollo, Nobo, DeVisu and Val-Rex. We target premium categories, which are characterized by high brand equity, high customer loyalty and a reasonably high price gap between branded and non-branded products, and value categories, which are characterized by low brand equity, low consumer loyalty and a small price gap between branded and non-branded products, but only where we believe we have an economic advantage or it is necessary to merchandize a complete category. Through a focus on research, marketing and innovation, we seek to develop new products that meet the needs of our consumers, which, we believe, will increase the premium product positioning of our brands.
      We market our products in over 100 countries through our own sales force, distributors, telemarketing personnel and electronic commerce. Our sales are balanced geographically, with our principal markets being the United States, Europe and Australia. For the fiscal year ended December 2004, these markets represented 55%, 28% and 7% of our pro forma net sales, respectively. Our top ten customers, including Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax, United Stationers, Corporate Express, S.P. Richards, BPGI, Wal-Mart, Spicers and Ingram (supplier to Dell), accounted for 48% of our net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004. We generated $1.9 billion of pro forma net sales for the twelve months ended June 2005 and $919 million of pro forma net sales for the six months ended June 2005.
Products
      We manufacture and market products in three primary product groups: office products, commercial products and computer products.
Office Products
      Our office products group manufactures, sources and distributes traditional office products and supplies worldwide. In the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, our products are sold by our in-house sales force and independent representatives, and outside of these regions through distributors. Our office products group is organized into four business units, workspace tools, document communication, visual communication, and storage & organization, that focus on different consumer needs. These products are sold by our customers, which include office products superstores, mass merchandisers and club stores and office products distributors, wholesalers and dealers.
      Workspace Tools. We are the global leader in stapling and punching, with strong market share positions in North America, the U.K. and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the workspace tools category include:
  •  Staplers and staples
 
  •  Shredders
 
  •  Trimmers

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  •  Punches
 
  •  Calculators
      Our workspace tools products are sold under the principal brand names of Swingline and Rexel for staplers, staples and punches, GBC and Rexel for shredders, and Ibico and GBC for trimmers and calculators.
      Document Communication. We are a global leader in binding and laminating equipment and supplies, with strong market share positions in North America, Europe and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the document communication category include:
  •  Binding and laminating equipment
 
  •  Binding and laminating supplies
 
  •  Report covers
 
  •  Indexes
 
  •  Sheet protectors
      Our binding and laminating equipment and supplies are sold principally under the GBC, Rexel and Ibico brand names, while report covers, indexes and sheet protectors are marketed under the Wilson Jones, Rexel, Hetzel and Marbig brand names.
      Visual Communication. We are a global leader in the visual communication category, with strong market share positions in North America, Europe and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the visual communication category include:
  •  Dry-erase boards
 
  •  Dry-erase markers
 
  •  Easels
 
  •  Bulletin boards
 
  •  Overhead projectors
 
  •  Transparencies
 
  •  Laser pointers
 
  •  Screens
      Our visual communication products are sold under the principal brand names of Quartet, Nobo and Boone for bulletin and dry-erase boards, easels and dry-erase markers, and Apollo, Nobo and DeVisu for overhead projectors, transparencies, laser pointers and screens.
      Storage & Organization. We are a global leader in the storage & organization category, with strong market share positions in North America, Europe and Australia. Representative products that we sell in the storage & organization category include:
  •  Ring binders
 
  •  Data binders
 
  •  Storage boxes
 
  •  Labels
 
  •  Hanging file folders
 
  •  Clips and fasteners

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  •  Letter trays
 
  •  Accounting supplies
      Our storage & organization products are sold principally in local markets using regional brand names such as Wilson Jones, ACCO, Rexel, Twinlock, Eastlight, Marbig, Hetzel, Dox, Val-Rex, Perma and Maco.
Commercial Products
      Our commercial products group, primarily marketed under the GBC brand name, targets high volume commercial and industrial users of binding and laminating equipment and supplies on a global basis, and provides maintenance and repair services for these products in North America. We sell these products directly to end-users or through specialized dealers due to the high degree of specialization and after-sales service and support required. Principal GBC products include high-speed binding and laminating equipment and specialized laminating films for book printing, packaging and digital print lamination. End-users of these products and services primarily include customers in the printing, packaging, advertising, education and corporate markets. We also report our Day-Timers business, which sells to consumers through direct mail and advertising catalogs and to consumers and businesses through retailers, mass merchandisers and electronic commerce, within the commercial products group due to the high proportion of sales made directly to consumers. Principal Day-Timers products are personal organizers and time management planners.
Computer Products
      We are a niche player in the computer products segment, with a strong market share position in the mobile computing accessories category. Our computer accessories segment designs, sources and distributes accessory products for personal computers and mobile devices worldwide principally under the Kensington brand name. Our computer accessories segment is primarily focused on the mobile user and includes the following representative products:
  •  Security locks for laptops
 
  •  Power adapters for laptops
 
  •  Input devices
 
  •  Computer cleaning products
 
  •  Ergonomic devices
 
  •  Carry cases
      In the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, our products are sold by our in-house sales forces and independent representatives, and outside of these regions through distributors. Our computer accessories segment markets to consumer electronic retailers, original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs (including Dell and IBM), mass merchandisers and office products retailers.
Competitive Strengths
Leading Market Positions and Brand Names
      We have leading market share positions in a number of businesses within the product categories and segments in which we compete. Our Swingline stapling and punch products are the market share leaders in North America, and our GBC binding and laminating equipment and supplies and Kensington computer security products are the market share leaders globally. We are the global leader in dry-erase boards and easels (visual communication). Other brands that are generally leaders in their respective categories and provide us with an industry-leading global product mix include Rexel in stapling and punching, Ibico and Rexel in binding and laminating in Europe, Quartet, Boone, Apollo, Nobo and DeVisu in presentation

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products, regional brands Wilson Jones, Rexel, Eastlight and Marbig in storage and organization, Day-Timer in time management products, and GBC commercial (service sector) binding machines and supplies and commercial (industrial sector) binding and laminating machines and supplies. In addition, several of our brands, including Swingline and Day-Timer, have among the highest unaided customer awareness in the office products industry. A number of our leading brands also have a premium positioning within their respective categories, and as we continue to invest in innovation and marketing and consolidate our brand names, we expect these and other brand names to become stronger in the marketplace, providing a significant competitive advantage.
Low-Cost Operator with Industry-Leading Supply Chain
      We maintain highly automated manufacturing facilities both in local markets and in low-cost production areas adjacent to our main markets such as Mexico and the Czech Republic. Over the last three years, we have significantly re-designed our supply chain, moving production to China, Mexico and Eastern Europe, significantly reducing our number of facilities in higher cost regions such as the United States and Western Europe. Since 2001, we have closed 24 facilities, reduced its full-time employee headcount by approximately 35% (approximately 2,500 employees) and significantly streamlined its manufacturing efforts. GBC has similarly started a reorganization of its manufacturing operations in recent years. Our increased scale provides many opportunities not only for realizing significant operational cost synergies, but also for sharing manufacturing and sourcing best practices across our combined organization.
Decentralized Business Model
      We organize our product development and go-to-market strategies around distinct consumer categories that are managed as profit responsible business units focused around key consumer needs. These business units use a shared services model to gain economies of scale across distribution, freight, administration, information technology and some selling and marketing functions. Most importantly, this structure enables each of our business units to move independently to best position itself within each market in which it competes. Each of our business units can focus on its unique set of consumers, customers, competitors and suppliers. Our shared services model also allows us to more easily facilitate the integration of acquisitions, as we are able to “plug” additional businesses directly into the model and eliminate duplicative costs for the shared services functions.
Diverse Revenue Base with Global Platform
      We believe that our sales are well-balanced by product, channel, customer and geographic region. Our three product groups, office products, commercial products and computer products, accounted for 69%, 22% and 9%, respectively, of our pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004. Our office products group, in turn, comprises four sub-groups: workspace tools, document communication, visual communication and storage & organization. We have a significant presence in the indirect sales channel through our office products and computer products groups, and a significant presence in the direct sales channel through our commercial products group. Our ten largest customers accounted for 48% of our net sales over the same period with our largest customer, Office Depot and its related entities, accounting for 13% of our net sales. In addition, we have a wide geographic footprint, with pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 of 55%, 28% and 17% in the United States, Europe and Rest of the World, respectively. This diversification enables us to reach a broad set of customers with different needs and service many of them internationally as well as locally, while limiting our exposure to economic downturns in specific regions or industries. We believe that our customers wish to deal with fewer suppliers who effectively support a consumer driven marketing and merchandising strategy with innovative products at acceptable price and service levels.
Strong Free Cash Flow Generation
      We have historically generated meaningful cash flow from operating activities. Our cumulative combined cash flow from operating activities totaled $613.4 million from fiscal years 2001 through 2004.

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As a result of our business restructuring initiated in 2001, our management generated $441.4 million in cash flow from operating activities over the period of 2001 to 2004, after fully funding its restructuring effort. We believe our restructuring initiatives and business model position us to derive increased cash flow from operations. Our business requires limited capital expenditures above depreciation and we have been able reduce our capital investment and working capital requirements by utilizing a combination of company manufacturing and outsourcing. We believe that our ability to generate substantial cash flow from operations, combined with our anticipated capital expenditure requirements, will allow us to generate free cash flow to achieve financial de-leveraging. In addition, we expect annual cost savings from the integration of GBC, after our costs to implement these synergies, to further enhance our free cash flow generation capabilities.
Strong and Incentivized Management Team
      We are led by an experienced management team with a proven track record of strong operating performance, business process reengineering and restructuring, consumer focus and innovation. We believe that these managers will be able to leverage their experience in restructuring ACCO Brands when integrating GBC into our operations. Our business is additionally supported by strong geographic, product and customer focused management with significant industry experience. We believe that our management will also benefit from our strong board of directors, which consists of members with meaningful experience in the consumer and office products industries, including five directors from Fortune Brands, ACCO Brands’ former parent company, and three directors from GBC. As of September 30, 2005, our management team had options to purchase approximately 2% of our outstanding common stock, and we plan to put in place a new option program and management incentive plan tied to specific performance goals.
Business Strategy
      Our strategy remains centered around maximizing profitability and high-return growth. Specifically, we seek to leverage our platform for organic growth through greater consumer understanding, increased product development, marketing and merchandising, disciplined category expansion including possible strategic transactions and continued cost realignment. In implementing this strategy, we are focused on the following:
Realize Synergies from Business Combination
      We believe there are significant potential savings opportunities from the acquisition of GBC arising from potential cost reductions attributable to efficiencies and synergies to be derived from facility integration, headcount reduction, supply chain optimization and revenue enhancement. The combined businesses provide added scale, allowing us to leverage customer research, product development, supply chains, shared services and business support platforms. We expect the synergies from the business overlay to be derived from almost all of our geographic locations as the two businesses have similar geographic footprints and supply chain needs. Where we have multiple brands, we intend to consolidate our leading brands in each category, which will allow us to focus on building fewer, bigger and stronger brands. These business and financial synergies are expected to result in increased incremental cash flows after the initial investment phase. We expect annual cost savings to reach $40.0 million over the next three years as we consolidate overlapping facilities, leverage the existing ACCO Brands shared services model and integrate GBC into ACCO Brands’ lower cost supply chain model. We initially intend to invest in business restructuring, associated capital investment, consumer research and product innovation. We believe that this will result in strong free cash flow for de-leveraging.
Selectively Participate in Multiple Product Categories
      We view office products as falling into either “premium” or “value” categories which we believe require different strategic approaches and different levels of investment. Premium categories (e.g. computer security or stapling) are characterized by high brand equity, high customer loyalty, a reasonably high price gap between branded and non branded products and premium brand volume comprising a large

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percentage of the category. We have identified products within the premium category that we feel we can competitively supply to the office products industry as a result of our commitment to innovation, customer service and brand appeal. We have a broad mix of premium products and plan to build upon our product offering within these higher margin categories. In contrast, value categories (e.g., ring binders or storage boxes) are characterized by low brand equity, low customer loyalty, a small price gap between branded and non branded products and value brands (including customers’ private label brands) comprising a large percentage of the category. We have also identified several products within the value category that we feel we can effectively market as a result of our strong supply chain and distribution proficiencies and anticipate that we will be able to leverage our expertise when developing new value product offerings. However, there are several value categories that are not economically attractive to us due to factors including low current relative market share, low growth, little room for differentiation or low margins. We will choose not to compete against the private-label suppliers within those categories.
Invest in Research, Marketing and Innovation
      We believe that a strong commitment to understanding consumers and defining products and merchandizing strategies that speak to their needs is a key contributor to success in the office products industry. If office product suppliers do not understand consumers’ needs and develop new innovative products that are appropriately merchandised, product categories will tend toward commoditization. Many of our product categories require a supplier that can merchandise both premium and value products, and we are able to be a supplier of both types of products. We intend to continue to research consumer needs and develop additional new and innovative products that meet consumer needs. Additionally, we will seek to develop marketing that communicates the advantages of our products to consumers, which will further differentiate us from our competitors. By focusing on its consumers’ and customers’ needs, ACCO Brands has demonstrated substantial financial improvement even during periods of customer consolidation. We believe we can apply ACCO Brands’ business model and techniques to the GBC business. We believe that by increasing product innovation and marketing, consumers will increasingly associate our strong brand names with premium products.
Utilize a Combination of Manufacturing and Outsourcing
      Our business model uses a combination of manufacturing and outsourcing to supply our customers. Our products are either manufactured or sourced in a manner we believe will supply our customers with appropriate customer service, quality products, innovative solutions and attractive pricing. We have built a consumer-focused business unit model with a flexible supply chain to ensure that these factors are appropriately balanced. We tend to manufacture those products that would incur a relatively high freight expense or have high service needs and typically source those products that have a high proportion of direct labor cost; we can also use a combination of both supply chain options. Using a combination of manufacturing and third-party sourcing also will enable us to reduce our costs and effectively manage production assets, minimizing our capital investment and working capital requirements.
The Industry
Overview
      The products sold in the office products industry consist of a broad range of supplies that are essential to the functioning of a typical office. We manufacture and market our products in selected segments of the office products industry, which we refer to as our addressable market. Our management estimates that our addressable market in 2004 was $40 billion.
      The office products industry has undergone numerous changes over the past two decades. The two most significant trends that have impacted the industry include customer consolidation and private label penetration.
      Industry Consolidation. The U.S. and European office products markets have gone through a period of consolidation. U.S. based office product superstores (such as Staples and Office Depot) and mass

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merchandisers and retailers (such as Wal-Mart) have fueled consolidation among distributors of office products, which in turn has influenced consolidation among manufacturers. This evolution of the office products industry, combined with a white collar recession in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has led office products retailers to focus on improved operations, back office efficiency and customer segmentation, which lead to a period of destocking in the office products industry from 1999 to 2003. Since this period, demand in the office products industry has stabilized. Industry consolidation has lead to distributors favoring those manufacturers with strong merchandising ability, leading brand names, strong customer support both globally and on a regional basis and effective inventory and supply chain management.
      Private Label Penetration. The trend towards private label suppliers has been in Europe for over twenty years. After a period of decline, branded office product sales leveled off and have remained steady for a number of years. As China has become more developed and an inexpensive source of direct labor, coupled with the increased presence of office products superstores, the private label products have increased their penetration of the U.S. office products market. However, we believe that the U.S. market will mirror the European market, and the penetration of private label products will also hold at a steady level. While there are many products that are ideal for private label suppliers, there are also many products not suitable for private label, including those that have high degree of innovation and product development (i.e., computer accessories, desktop tools).
Key Demand Drivers
      Our management believes that demand in our addressable market generally is driven by the same factors as those affecting the office products industry. Historically, key drivers of demand in the office products industry have included trends in white collar employment levels, gross domestic product (GDP) and, more recently, the growth of small businesses and home offices. We view future industry growth as being driven by the need to organize information, present documents effectively and communicate visually, coupled with the increase in mobile computing and concern for information security. We believe our industry has stable long-term demand characteristics driven primarily by the following:
      White-Collar Employment Levels. As most developed market economies have shifted from manufacturing to service based economies, the number of white collar office workers has grown which has contributed to growth in the overall office products industry. White collar-employment in the United States, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grew 1.3% over the 2002 to 2004 time period. This statistic is the one we believe closely ties to our levels of demand. Growth remains positive but is lower than in previous economic cycles due to the move of white collar jobs offshore, which we anticipate will continue. Notwithstanding the outsourcing to other countries, service industries are expected to continue to account for a significant portion of future job growth.
      Trends in Gross Domestic Product. Demand for office products have generally correlated with growth in the economy. In 2004, real gross domestic product in the United States and Europe grew by 4.4% and 2.3%, respectively. According to the School, Home & Office Products Association (SHOPA), which covers the office products industry in the United States, the school and office products industry grew at a rate of approximately 2.7% in 2003, and is projected to grow by 3.0% in 2004. We believe high rates of GDP growth lead to increased business activity, office space churn and training needs that lead to higher demand, particularly for the document communication and presentation products group.
      Growth in Small Businesses and Home Offices. Growth in the number of small businesses and home offices, which SHOPA refers to as the home environment, has been recognized as a major growth driver in the office products markets. Increased worker mobility and the creation of secondary home offices has led to increased demand and stronger consumer choice requirements for the products in our addressable market. The growth of small businesses is estimated by the U.S. Small Business Administration to generate between 60% and 80% of jobs annually, which has positive effects on industry demand for office products. Office products contract-stationers, superstores, mass merchandisers and dealers are the main distribution channels for this market, contributing to the growing importance of retail distribution channels.

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      Growth in Sales of Mobile Devices. Worldwide use of mobile computers increased an estimated 24% in 2004 and is projected to continue to show strong growth over the next several years. This growth has increased demand for computer accessories such as power adapters, portable input devices (such as mice) and computer carry cases. In addition, increased concerns over theft and security of data stored on portable devices has increased demand for computer accessories such as computer locks and docking stations. According to a 2003 CSI/ FBI study, more than 60% of network breaches result from stolen computers.
Business Segments
      Our businesses fall into three broad categories: (i) Office Products, (ii) Commercial Products and (iii) Computer Products. We expect to have three or more business segments. Our final business segments may be more numerous than the broad categories noted above and described below as we make further determinations regarding how to manage the combined GBC and ACCO Brands businesses during the post-merger integration period.
Office Products
      Our office products segment manufactures, sources and distributes office products and supplies worldwide. We have two primary product “hubs” for our office products segment, driving much of the new product development and innovation opportunities for the North American and European regions. The two hubs coordinate product development activities to avoid duplication of effort while maintaining both global and local consumer focus. In North America, products are manufactured in the United States, Canada and Mexico or are sourced from third-party vendors. In Europe, products are manufactured in the United Kingdom and Czech Republic or are sourced from third-party vendors. The U.K. serves as the primary product hub for European offerings, while our businesses in France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary are principally engaged in selling products that are either global or have been localized for their specific geographic market. These products are either sourced from ACCO Brands’ U.K. or Czech plants (manufactured products) or supplied by third-party vendors. Our businesses in Australia and New Zealand are principally engaged in selling products that are global and products that have been localized for their geographic market. These products are either manufactured in Australia or sourced from our business hubs in the U.S. and Europe (manufactured products) or supplied by third-party vendors.
Commercial Products
      Our commercial products segment, primarily marketed under the GBC brand name, targets high volume commercial and industrial users of binding and laminating equipment and supplies on a global basis, and provides maintenance and repair services for these products in North America. We sell these products directly to end-users or through specialized dealers due to the high degree of specialization and after-sales service and support required. Principal GBC products include high-speed binding and laminating equipment and specialized laminating films for book printing, packaging and digital print lamination. The Day-Timers business is also reported within the commercial products segment. Principal Day-Timers products are time management planners.
Computer Products
      Our computer products segment designs, sources and distributes personal computer accessory products worldwide. Our computer products segment utilizes two primary product “hubs” in North America and Europe and leverages the same shared services platform and trading companies as the office products segment. Due to the relatively high proportion of direct labor cost associated with our computer accessory products, these products are primarily sourced from third-party vendors in Asia.

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Business Repositioning
      Beginning in 2000, ACCO Brands, under ownership of Fortune Brands, commenced a series of restructuring efforts in order to reposition the business to better compete in a changing industry and to improve financial results. This strategy initially centered around bringing greater control and focus to the business through stabilization and enhanced controls, improved organization with business units defined around consumer needs and leveraging a shared services cost model, a more efficient supply chain, together with clear responsibility and accountability and management focus on cash generation.
      Initial efforts were directed toward a realignment of our global and regional manufacturing and distribution facility footprint, including consideration of product manufacture versus product outsource decisions, and the associated impact on supply chain efficiencies. We also exited certain product categories that were either unprofitable or non-strategic to its overall business, including Kensington’s imaging and joystick product categories, steel furniture, and Day-Timers entry-level priced products. Four years after onset, the company had reduced its total facility footprint by more than forty percent of the starting square footage and reduced its proportion of manufactured to outsourced product. Over the same period, the company’s total headcount decreased by approximately fifty percent, equivalent to more than 5,000 total headcount reductions.
      Our businesses in the U.S. and in Europe were reorganized and refocused into business unit structures, each defined by a grouping of consumer product categories, in which the business unit heads retained responsibility for key customer pricing decisions, product development and sourcing decisions together with direct working capital needs, while leveraging sales, distribution, freight and general administrative needs from a shared services model. This allowed each major sector of the business to more effectively manage its product categories. Over the period of 2001 to 2004, ACCO Brands generated in excess of $400.0 million in cash after fully funding its restructuring effort, which cost more than $100.0 million in cash. In June 2004, ACCO Brands recorded the final charges associated with the formal restructuring program that commenced in early 2001.
Customers
      Our products are sold to office products wholesalers, commercial contract stationers, retail superstores, mail order catalogs, mass merchandisers, club stores, dealers and commercial end-users, and through our sales force, telemarketing personnel and electronic commerce. For the fiscal year ended December 2004, sales in our three principal geographic regions, the United States, Europe and Australia, were 55%, 28% and 7% of our pro forma net sales, respectively. Key distribution channels and representative customers in our two largest geographic regions include:
         
    Representative Customers in the    
Channel   United States   Representative Customers in Europe
         
Commercial contract stationers
  Staples SCC, Office Depot BSD, Corporate Express (Buhrmann NV), OfficeMax (Boise)   Office Depot (Guilbert), Lyrco, Corporate Express (Buhrmann NV)
Office products superstores
  Staples, Office Depot, OfficeMax   Staples, Office Depot, Globus, Ryman
Office products wholesalers
  United Stationers, S.P. Richards   Spicers, Kingfield/ Heath
Mass merchandisers, club stores and retailers
  Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target, Walgreens, Costco   Macro/ Metro, Auchan, Wal-Mart/ ASDA, Carrefour, Costco
Mail order distributors
  Quill (Staples), Viking (Office Depot)   Viking (Office Depot), Quill/ JPG (Staples)
Computer products wholesalers
  Ingram, Tech Data, Synnex, D&H   Ingram, GP Associates, IME, Tech Data, ADL
Consumer electronics retailers
  Best Buy, Comp USA, Circuit City   PC World, Dixons/ Elkjob, PC City, FNAC, Saturn
Other indirect (independents, buying groups, etc.)
  BPGI   BPGI, Soennecken
Direct commercial
  Kinko’s, Phoenix Color, Coral Graphics   Rotoplast, Wolff Trading, CG Graph

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      We have relationships with key industry distributors and retailers in the regions in which we compete and are also an important supplier to many of these customers. We believe we are the second largest vendor to Office Depot (after Hewlett-Packard), and we are one of six premier status vendors to Staples; a category advisor in the board category to Wal-Mart; and a category captain in stapling and punches at OfficeMax. Additionally, we hold preferred catalog positions in multiple categories with United Stationers, S.P. Richards and Spicers and have various other recognitions by our customers.
      The office products industry is concentrated in a small number of major customers, principally office products superstores (who combine contract-stationers, retail and mail order), office products distributors and mass merchandisers. This concentration increases pricing pressures to which we are subject and leads to pressures on our margins and profits. Additionally, consolidation among customers also exposes us to increased concentration of customer credit risk. Our risk is mitigated by having relationships with separate subsidiaries of certain customers based on geography. Although we are not dependent upon any single customer, the loss of, or a significant reduction in, business from one or more of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
      For the fiscal year ended December 2004, our top ten customers in terms of net sales were: Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax, United Stationers, Corporate Express, S.P. Richards, BPGI, Wal-Mart, Spicers and Ingram (supplier to Dell). These ten customers accounted for approximately 48% of net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2004, with our largest customer, Office Depot and related entities, accounting for approximately 13% of net sales. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — Our business is dependent on a limited number of customers and a substantial reduction in sales to these customers could significantly impact our operating results.”
      Our customers continue to evaluate their own opportunities to reduce costs, consolidate vendors and manage efficient supply of product. We believe that customers wish to deal with fewer suppliers with a greater breadth of products who are able to effectively support a consumer driven marketing strategy with innovative products at acceptable prices and service levels.
Product Development
      Our strong commitment to understanding our consumers and defining products that fulfill their needs drives our product development strategy, which we believe is and will be a key contributor to our success in the office products industry. Our new products are developed from our own consumer understanding, our own research and development or through partnership initiatives with inventors and vendors.
      Product development costs are capitalized and amortized into costs of goods sold. Further costs related to consumer research and product research are included in marketing costs and research and development expenses. In 2004, approximately 30% of ACCO Brands’ net sales came from new products and line extensions, as measured by net sales from new SKUs introduced in the preceding three years (starting from January 2002). Although this statistic was not previously tracked by GBC, we expect to focus on improving GBC’s new product and line extensions.
Raw Materials
      The primary materials used in the manufacturing of many of our products are paper, steel, plastics, polyester and polypropylene substrates, wood, aluminum, melamine and cork. These materials are available from a number of suppliers, and we are not dependent upon any single supplier for any of these materials. In general, our gross profit may be affected from time to time by fluctuations in the prices of these materials because our customers require advance notice and negotiation to pass through raw material price increases, creating a gap before cost-increases can be passed on to our customers. Based on experience, we believe that adequate quantities of these materials will be available in adequate supplies in the foreseeable future. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — The raw materials and labor costs we incur are subject to price increases that could adversely affect our profitability.”

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Supply
      Our products are either manufactured or sourced to ensure that we supply our customers with appropriate customer service, quality products, innovative solutions and attractive pricing. We have built a consumer-focused business unit model with a flexible supply chain to ensure that these factors are appropriately balanced. Using a combination of manufacturing and third-party sourcing also enables us to reduce our costs and effectively manage our production assets by lowering our capital investment and working capital requirements.
      We tend to manufacture those products that would incur a relatively high freight expense or have high service needs and typically source those products that have a high proportion of direct labor cost. Low cost sourcing mainly comes from China, but we also source from other Asian countries and Eastern Europe. Where supply chain flexibility is of greater importance, we source from our own factories located in intermediate cost regions, namely Mexico and the Czech Republic. Where freight costs or service issues are significant, we source from factories located in our domestic markets.
Competition
      We sell our products in highly competitive markets, and compete against large international and national companies, as well as regional competitors and against our own customers’ direct and private-label sourcing initiatives. Manufacturing and supply within the office products industry is fragmented. This is due to local market preferences for product design, storage habits and paper sizes. In addition, many manufacturers supply a relatively narrow range of products, often on a country specific basis. We have no single competitor that sells our broad range of products. Thus we face competitors who are specific to individual product categories in which we compete. The following table illustrates who we compete against in each of our product categories in our two largest regions, the United States and Europe:
         
Product Category   Competitors in the United States   Competitors in Europe
         
Office Products
  Customers’ sourcing   Customers’ sourcing
Workspace Tools
  Stanley Bostich, Hunt, Accentra, Fellowes   LegaMaster, Rapid, Esselte, Schleicher, Fellowes, Intimus, Novus
Document Communication
  Esselte, Avery Dennison   Esselte, Hamelin, Herlitz, Fellowes
Visual Communication
  3M, Rose Art, Board Dudes, Dalite   3M, LegaMaster, Bisilque, Aubecq, Ghent
Storage & Organization
  Avery Dennison, Esselte, Cardinal, Fellowes, Smead   Esselte, Hamelin, Herlitz, Avery, Smead
Commercial Products
       
Industrial Print and Film
  Neschen, Transilwrap, Mactac, Flexcon, D&K, Bryce   Neschen, Deprosa, GMP, D&K
Document Finishing
  Spiral Binding, Southwest Plastics, PDI, Bryce, CP Borg   Renz, Attalus, HOP
Day-Timers
  Mead, Franklin Covey   Filofax, Franklin Covey
Computer Products
       
Kensington
  Belkin, Targus, Logitech, Microsoft, Fellowes   Belkin, Targus, Logitech, Microsoft, Fellowes
      We compete on the basis of consumer knowledge, product quality, innovation, price, merchandising, service and responsiveness to consumer demand preferences together with our ability to supply products over a wide geography. Maintaining and improving our competitive position and market share will require continued investment in product innovation, marketing (including our branding efforts), customer service and supply chain.

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Our History
      ACCO Brands, formerly named ACCO World Corporation, was incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 1970 but can trace its heritage back to 1903. ACCO World Corporation was acquired by a subsidiary of Fortune Brands (then known as American Brands, Inc.) in 1987. Certain office products companies which were acquired by Fortune Brands prior to 1987, including Swingline, Inc. (manufacturer of staplers and punching devices) and Wilson Jones (manufacturer of binders and other paper organization products), were later merged into subsidiaries of ACCO World Corporation. Fortune Brands later acquired Day-Timers in 1988 and combined this business with us. We made a series of additional acquisitions of small businesses in the 1990’s, including Nobo Group Plc, Apollo Presentation Products, and Boone International, Inc. In December 2001, Fortune Brands sold an approximate 1.87% minority interest in ACCO World Corporation to a third party. On March 15, 2005, we entered into transaction agreements with Fortune Brands and GBC pursuant to which we separated from Fortune Brands in the spin-off and acquired GBC in the merger. Following the completion of the merger, GBC operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the issuer.
Seasonality
      Our business, as it concerns both historical sales and profit, has experienced increased sales volume in the third and fourth quarters of the calendar year. Two principal factors have contributed to this seasonality: the office products industry, its customers and ACCO Brands specifically are major suppliers of products related to the “back-to-school” season, which occurs principally during the months of June, July, August and September for our North American business; and the company’s offering includes several products which lend themselves to calendar year-end purchase timing, including Day-Timer planners, paper organization and storage products (including bindery) and Kensington computer accessories, which increase with traditionally strong fourth quarter sales of personal computers.
Intellectual Property
      We have many patents, trademarks, brand names and trade names that are, in the aggregate, important to our business. The loss of any individual patent or license, however, would not be material to us taken as a whole. Our principal trademarks are: Swingline, GBC, Quartet, Day-Timers, Kensington, Rexel, Wilson Jones, Marbig, Nobo, Microsaver, Ibico, Apollo and Boone. Many of these trademarks are only important in particular geographic markets or regions.
Environmental Matters
      We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the handling, disposal and clean-up of waste materials and otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. It is not possible to quantify with certainty the potential impact of actions regarding environmental matters, particularly remediation and other compliance efforts that we may undertake in the future. In the opinion of our management, compliance with the present environmental protection laws, before taking into account estimated recoveries from third parties, will not have a material adverse effect upon our capital expenditures, financial condition, results of operations or competitive position.
Employees
      As of December 31, 2004, we and our subsidiaries, including GBC and its subsidiaries, had 7,975 full-time employees, of whom approximately 1,550 were covered by collective bargaining agreements or, in certain countries, under collective arrangements decreed by statute. These collective bargaining agreements and arrangements expire at various times throughout the next several years. There have been no strikes or material labor disputes at any of our facilities during the past five years. We consider our employee relations to be good.

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Property
      We have manufacturing sources across North America, Europe and Asia, and maintain distribution centers in relation to the regional markets we service. We lease our principal U.S. headquarters in Lincolnshire, Illinois. The following table indicates the principal manufacturing, distributing and office facilities of our subsidiaries:
           
Location   Functional Use   Owned/Leased
         
U.S. Properties:
       
 
Corona, California
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Leased
 
Ontario, California
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Leased
 
Atlanta, Georgia
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Leased
 
Addison, Illinois
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Owned/Leased
 
Hanover Park, Illinois
  Distribution   Leased
 
Lincolnshire, Illinois
  Manufacturing   Leased
 
Wheeling, Illinois
  Manufacturing   Leased
 
Hagerstown, Maryland
  Manufacturing   Owned
 
Booneville, Mississippi
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Owned/Leased
 
Ogdensburg, New York
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Owned/Leased
 
East Texas, Pennsylvania
  Distribution/Manufacturing/Office   Owned
 
Madison, Wisconsin
  Manufacturing   Leased
 
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
  Manufacturing   Leased
Non-U.S. Properties:
       
 
Sydney, Australia
  Distribution/Manufacturing/Office   Owned
 
Brampton, Canada
  Distribution/Manufacturing/Office   Leased
 
Concord, Canada
  Distribution   Leased
 
Don Mills, Canada
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Leased
 
Tabor, Czech Republic
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Owned
 
Audenshaw, England
  Distribution   Leased
 
Basingstoke, England
  Distribution   Leased
 
Denton, England
  Manufacturing   Owned
 
Halesowen, England
  Distribution   Owned
 
Keswick, England
  Manufacturing   Owned
 
Peterborough, England
  Manufacturing   Owned
 
Dijon, France
  Distribution   Leased
 
Rudesberg, Germany
  Distribution   Leased
 
Dublin, Ireland
  Distribution   Owned
 
Dublin, Ireland
  Manufacturing   Leased
 
Tornaco, Italy
  Distribution   Leased
 
Turin, Italy
  Distribution   Leased
 
Asan, Korea
  Manufacturing   Owned
 
Lerma, Mexico
  Manufacturing/Office   Owned
 
Nogales, Mexico
  Manufacturing   Owned
 
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
  Manufacturing   Leased

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Location   Functional Use   Owned/Leased
         
Tlalnepantla, Mexico
  Distribution   Leased
Born, Netherlands
  Distribution   Leased
Kerkrade, Netherlands
  Distribution/Manufacturing   Owned/Leased
Wellington, New Zealand
  Distribution/Office   Owned
Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal
  Manufacturing   Owned
Llantrisant, Wales
  Manufacturing   Owned
      We are of the opinion that our properties are suitable to our respective businesses and have production capacities adequate to meet the needs of our businesses.
Legal Proceedings
      We are, from time to time, involved in routine litigation incidental to our operations. None of the litigation in which we are currently involved, individually or in the aggregate, is material to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations nor are we aware of any material pending or contemplated proceedings. We intend to vigorously defend or resolve any such matters by settlement, as appropriate.

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MANAGEMENT
      The following table sets forth the name, age as of September 1, 2005 and position of our directors and executive officers.
             
Name   Age   Position
         
David D. Campbell
    55     Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Neal V. Fenwick
    44     Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dennis Chandler
    51     Chief Operating Officer, Office Products Division
Boris Elisman
    43     President, Kensington Computer Accessories
John Turner
    56     President, Industrial and Print Finishing Group
Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. 
    52     Vice President, Finance and Accounting
Steven Rubin
    58     Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
George V. Bayly
    62     Director
Dr. Patricia O. Ewers
    70     Director
G. Thomas Hargrove
    66     Director
Robert J. Keller
    51     Director
Pierre E. Leroy
    57     Director
Gordon R. Lohman
    71     Director
Forrest M. Schneider
    58     Director
Norman H. Wesley
    55     Director
      David D. Campbell has been a director of the issuer since July 2004 and was appointed Chairman effective August 17, 2005. Mr. Campbell has served as Chief Executive Officer of the issuer since January 2000 and was President of the issuer from January 2000 until August 2005. Mr. Campbell was previously employed by Fortune Brands beginning in 1989 and served as President, ACCO Canada and Senior Vice-President, ACCO U.S.
      Neal V. Fenwick is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the issuer. Mr. Fenwick served as Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration and chief financial officer for the issuer from November 1999 until August 2005.
      Dennis Chandler is Chief Operating Officer, Office Products Division of the issuer. Mr. Chandler served as Chief Operating Officer for the issuer from April 2005 until August 2005; President of ACCO U.S. from April 2003 to March 2005; and President of the Wilson Jones business unit of the issuer from April 2000 to March 2003.
      Boris Elisman is President, Kensington Computer Accessories of the issuer. Mr. Elisman served as President, Kensington Computer Accessories for the issuer from November 2004 until August 2005. Mr. Elisman was Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Supplies Business Unit, Imaging and Print Group of Hewlett-Packard Corporation from 2003 to November 2004, Vice President and General Manager, Emerging Businesses Organization of Hewlett-Packard Corporation from 2001 to 2003, and Group Marketing Manager, Embedded and Personal Systems Organization of Hewlett-Packard Corporation prior thereto.
      John Turner is President, Industrial and Print Finishing Group of the issuer. Mr. Turner served as Group President, Industrial and Print Finishing Group for GBC from January 2000 until August 2005.
      Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. is Vice President, Finance and Accounting of the issuer. Prior to assuming this position with the issuer in July 2005, he was a Group Vice President, Global Finance for the medical group of Teleflex, Inc. since December 2003. Mr. O’Neill served as the Senior Vice President and CFO of and as a consultant to Philip Services Corporation from June 2001 to December 2003 and, prior to that time, served in several financial capacities for Premark International and Tupperware Corp. Mr. O’Neill is a certified public accountant.
      Steven Rubin is Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the issuer. Mr. Rubin served as Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel for GBC from 1986 until August 2005.

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      George V. Bayly has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Mr. Bayly is a private investor. Mr. Bayly served as interim Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Can Corporation from April 2004 to January 2005. Until June 2002, he had been the Chairman, President and CEO of Ivex Packaging Corporation, a specialty packaging company engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of a broad range of plastic and paper packaging products. He had held that position for more than five years. Mr. Bayly was a director of GBC from 1998 until August 2005. Mr. Bayly is also a director of Packaging Dynamics Corporation, U.S. Can Corporation, Huhtamaki Oyj and TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
      Dr. Patricia O. Ewers has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Dr. Ewers has been retired since July 2000 and was President of Pace University prior thereto. Dr. Ewers is also a Director of Fortune Brands.
      G. Thomas Hargrove has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Mr. Hargrove is a private investor. From 1999 until 2001 he had been the non-executive Chairman of AGA Creative, a catalog creative agency. He had previously been the Chairman, since 1987, of the At-A-Glance Group, a leading manufacturer of calendars, diaries and other time management products. Mr. Hargrove was a director of GBC from 2001 until August 2005.
      Robert J. Keller has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Mr. Keller is President and Chief Executive Officer of APAC Customer Services, Inc. and has held that position since March 2004. From February 1998 through September 2003, Mr. Keller served in various capacities at Office Depot, Inc., most recently as President, Business Services Group. Mr. Keller is also a Director of APAC Customer Services, Inc.
      Pierre E. Leroy has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Mr. Leroy has been retired since February 2005. Previously, Mr. Leroy was President, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division and Worldwide Parts Division of Deere & Company and held that position until the time of his retirement. He was President, Worldwide Construction and Forestry Division of John Deere Power Systems from 2000 to 2003, and President, Worldwide Construction Equipment Division of Deere & Company prior thereto. Mr. Leroy is also a Director of Fortune Brands.
      Gordon R. Lohman has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Mr. Lohman has been retired since 1999. Previously, Mr. Lohman was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amsted Industries Incorporated. Mr. Lohman is also a director of Ameren Corporation and Fortune Brands.
      Forrest M. Schneider has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Mr. Schneider is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lane Industries, Inc. and has held that position since June 2000. Prior to that appointment, he had been the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Lane Industries, Inc. Mr. Schneider was a director of GBC from 2000 until August 2005. Mr. Schneider is also a director of Harris Preferred Capital Corporation, a real estate investment company and indirect subsidiary of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank.
      Norman H. Wesley has been a director of the issuer since August 2005. Mr. Wesley is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fortune Brands and has held that position since December 1999. Mr. Wesley was President and Chief Operating Officer of Fortune Brands prior thereto. Mr. Wesley is also a director of R.R. Donnelly & Sons Company, Pactiv Corporation and Fortune Brands.
Classified Board
      ACCO Brands’ restated certificate of incorporation provides that ACCO Brands’ board of directors is divided into three classes, each class consisting of a number as close as possible to one-third of the directors. The term of the successors of each such class of directors expires at the annual stockholders meeting in the third year following the year of election.
      The members of Class I, whose terms expire at the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, are David D. Campbell, Pierre E. Leroy and G. Thomas Hargrove; the members of Class II, whose terms expire at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, are Gordon R. Lohman, Patricia O. Ewers and George V. Bayly; and the members of Class III, whose terms expire at the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, are Norman H. Wesley, Robert J. Keller and Forrest M. Schneider.

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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
      The following tables disclose compensation received by the individuals who are the chief executive officer and the next four most highly compensated executive officers of ACCO Brands based on compensation received from Fortune Brands, ACCO Brands or GBC, as applicable, for the fiscal years indicated. These officers are referred to as named executive officers in other parts of this prospectus. References in this section to ACCO Brands’ 2002, 2003 and 2004 fiscal years refer to the fiscal years which ended on December 27, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, and references to GBC’s 2002, 2003 and 2004 fiscal years refer to the fiscal years which ended on December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Summary Compensation Table
ACCO Brands
      The following table discloses compensation received from Fortune Brands or ACCO Brands, as applicable, by the named executive officers who were employees of Fortune Brands or ACCO Brands as of the end of the most recent full fiscal year of ACCO Brands.
                                                           
            Long-Term    
        Annual Compensation   Compensation    
                 
            Awards   Payouts    
                     
            Securities        
            Other Annual   Underlying   LTIP   All Other
        Salary   Bonus   Compensation   Options/   Payout   Compensation
Name and Principal Position   Year   ($)   ($)(1)   ($)(2)   SARs (#)   ($)(3)   ($)(4)
                             
David Campbell
    2004       525,000       1,273,116       30,780       75,000       3,885,480       103,854  
 
Chairman of the Board, President and
    2003       500,000       1,183,100       25,841       75,000       581,429       92,473  
 
Chief Executive Officer
    2002       475,000       1,369,640       15,952       66,700       241,656       87,546  
Neal V. Fenwick
    2004       286,886       434,568             18,000       1,500,000       3,446  
 
Executive Vice President and
    2003       261,417       406,411             15,000             3,416  
 
Chief Financial Officer
    2002       248,509       507,916             15,350             3,128  
Dennis Chandler
    2004       293,700       437,586             18,000       1,500,000       14,334  
 
Chief Operating Officer,
    2003       260,550       348,239             15,000             13,580  
 
Office Products Division
    2002       236,736       380,243             12,700             12,456  
 
(1)  The annual bonus amounts are earned and accrued during the fiscal year indicated, and paid subsequent to the end of such year.
  Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler received payments under two incentive plans, a traditional annual incentive plan and three one-year transitional incentive plans. Payments under the traditional annual incentive plan for 2004, 2003 and 2002 were: $558,400, $475,750 and $331,265 for Mr. Campbell; $228,018, $194,236 and $196,404 for Mr. Fenwick; and $208,086, $136,064 and $137,956 for Mr. Chandler. Payments under the one-year transitional incentive plans for 2004, 2003 and 2002 were: $688,875, $707,250 and $1,038,375 for Mr. Campbell; $206,550, $212,175 and $311,512 for Mr. Fenwick; and $229,500, $212,175 and $242,288 for Mr. Chandler.
(2)  “Other Annual Compensation” for Mr. Campbell represents dividends paid on performance awards under Fortune Brands’ Long-Term Incentive Plans.
 
(3)  The amounts listed in the “LTIP Payout” column for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler are the value of performance awards for the performance period that ended in the year reported and paid subsequent to the end of such year. Amounts listed represent a one-time, non-recurring incentive payment of $3,150,000 for Mr. Campbell, and $1,500,000 for each of Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler related to a three-year incentive plan aligned to certain business repositioning and restructuring goals established by Fortune Brands.
  Additionally, Mr. Campbell received performance shares under the Fortune Brands Performance Share Plan with a value of $735,480 in 2004, $581,429 in 2003, and $241,656 in 2002.
(4)  The amount listed in the “All Other Compensation” column includes: (a) ACCO Brands contributions to the tax qualified defined contribution plans, (b) profit-sharing amounts under the

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Fortune Brands Supplemental Plan, and (c) the value of premiums paid by ACCO Brands under executive long term disability and life insurance programs. As described below:

  (a)  Defined Contribution Plan and Supplemental Plan Contributions. Amounts are contributions made to individual defined contribution plan accounts pursuant to ACCO Brands’ matching contribution policy in 2004, 2003 and 2002: $21,963, $21,980 and $24,044 for Mr. Campbell in the Fortune Brands Plans; and $9,225, $9,022 and $8,581 for Mr. Chandler in the ACCO Brands Plan.
 
  (b)  Additional Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Programs. Certain executive officers receive life insurance and long term disability programs in addition to those offered to the general employee population. The amounts include the dollar value of life insurance premiums paid by ACCO Brands in 2004, 2003 and 2002. These amounts are: $8,941, $8,378 and $7,423 for Mr. Campbell; $2,046, $2,016 and $2,016 for Mr. Fenwick; and $3,709, $3,158 and $2,730 for Mr. Chandler. In addition, the following amounts relate to company payment of supplemental long-term disability insurance premiums in 2004, 2003 and 2002: $1,333, $1,400 and $1,169 for Mr. Campbell; $1,400, $1,400 and $1,112 for Mr. Fenwick; and $1,400, $1,400 and $1,145 for Mr. Chandler.
GBC
      The following table discloses compensation received from GBC by the named executive officers who were employees of GBC as of the end of the most recent full fiscal year of GBC.
                                                           
            Long-Term    
        Annual Compensation   Compensation    
                 
            Awards   Payouts    
                     
            Securities        
            Other Annual   Underlying   LTIP   All Other
        Salary   Bonus   Compensation   Options/   Payout   Compensation
Name and Principal Position   Year   ($)   ($)(1)   ($)(2)   SARs (#)   ($)   ($)(6)
                             
John Turner
    2004       304,881 (7)     106,708             20,000       42,987 (3)     14,318  
 
President, Industrial and
    2003       293,155       20,521             20,000       21,599 (4)     16,820  
 
Print Finishing Group
    2002       292,378       80,618       1,983       30,000       82,504 (5)     15,558  
Steven Rubin
    2004       218,395 (7)     33,748             7,500       12,681 (3)     11,274  
 
Vice President,
    2003       214,274       32,141             7,500       25,780 (4)     11,700  
 
General Counsel and
    2002       207,384       72,853       782       9,000       24,958 (5)     10,608  
 
Secretary
                                                       
 
(1)  Annual bonus amounts we earned and accrued during the fiscal years indicated, and paid subsequent to the end of such year.
 
(2)  The above named individuals received certain non-cash personal benefits, the aggregate cost of which to GBC was below applicable reporting thresholds. The amounts included in this column represent the amounts included in income to the named individuals for such personal benefits.
 
(3)  Represents the value of restricted stock units awarded to the named individuals on February 26, 2004 as of that date which were earned for the year 2004 pursuant to performance criteria established by the Executive Compensation and Development Committee of the Board of Directors of GBC. In general, the performance based restricted stock units which were earned were to have vested in full on February 26, 2007, provided the named individual remains continuously employed by GBC or its subsidiaries until such date. No dividends were to be paid on restricted stock units. The target performance restricted stock unit awards for 2004 for the named individuals were 4,267 units for Mr. Turner and 1,600 units for Mr. Rubin. The total number of restricted stock units actually earned for the year 2004 by the named individuals and their aggregate market value at December 31, 2004 was: Mr. Turner, 2,588 units valued at $33,799; and Mr. Rubin, 971 units valued at $12,681. The aggregate market value is based on the fair market value of GBC common stock as of December 31, 2004 of $13.06. Completion of the merger resulted in the accelerated vesting of those restricted stock

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units which had been earned as of the effective date of the merger plus a pro rata portion of the remaining target restricted stock units, with each being converted into one share of unrestricted stock of ACCO Brands. The vesting date for the non-accelerated portion of these restricted stock units was February 26, 2007 (with the holder needing be employed by GBC or an affiliate thereof through February 27, 2007).

(4)  Represents the value of restricted stock units awarded to the named individuals on February 27, 2003 as of that date which were earned for the years 2003 and 2004 pursuant to performance criteria established by the Executive Compensation and Development Committee of the Board of Directors of GBC. In general, the performance based restricted stock units which were earned were to have vested in full on February 27, 2006, provided the named individual remained continuously employed by GBC or its subsidiaries until such date. No dividends were to be paid on restricted stock units. The target performance restricted stock unit awards for the years 2003 and 2004 for the named individuals were 9,248 units for Mr. Turner and 3,468 units for Mr. Rubin. The total number of restricted stock units actually earned for the years 2003 and 2004 by the named individuals and their aggregate market value at December 31, 2004 was: Mr. Turner, 5,265 units valued at $68,761; and Mr. Rubin, 1,974 units valued at $25,780. The aggregate market value is based on the fair market value of GBC common stock as of December 31, 2004 of $13.06. Completion of the merger resulted in the accelerated vesting of those restricted stock units which had been earned in addition to the remaining target award for the year 2005 with each being converted into one share of unrestricted stock of ACCO Brands.
 
(5)  Represents the value of restricted stock units awarded to the named individuals on February 15, 2002 as of that date. These restricted stock units vested on February 15, 2005. At that time, all restrictions on those units lapsed and an equivalent number of shares of the GBC common stock was distributed to the named individuals. The total number of the restricted stock units awarded in 2002 and their aggregate market value at December 31, 2004 was: Mr. Turner, 6,371 units valued at $83,205; and Mr. Rubin, 1,911 units valued at $24,958. The aggregate market value is based on the fair market value of the GBC common stock as of December 31, 2004 of $13.06.
 
(6)  These amounts represent contributions by GBC to GBC’s 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan on behalf of the named individuals and to their respective accounts established pursuant to GBC’s non-tax qualified Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
(7)  Current annualized base salaries for Messrs. Turner and Rubin are $317,000 and $300,000 respectively.
Option/ SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
ACCO Brands
      The following table provides information about options to acquire shares of Fortune Brands common stock granted by Fortune Brands in 2004 to named executive officers who were employees of Fortune Brands or ACCO Brands as of the end of the most recent full fiscal year of ACCO Brands.
                                         
        Percent of Total            
    Number of   Options/SARs            
    Securities   Granted to            
    Underlying   ACCO Brands   Exercise or       Grant Date
    Options/SARs   Employees in   Base Price   Expiration   Present
Name   Granted (#)(1)   Fiscal year(2)   ($/SH)   Date   Value ($)(3)
                     
David Campbell
    75,000       19.0       72.75       10/28/14       16.44  
Neal V. Fenwick
    18,000       4.6       72.75       10/28/14       16.44  
Dennis Chandler
    18,000       4.6       72.75       10/28/14       16.44  
 
(1)  All options are for shares of common stock of Fortune Brands. No stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) were granted during 2004. Options are generally not exercisable for one year after the date of grant. The options granted during 2004 become exercisable in three equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant.

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(2)  The percentage reported for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler represents the percentage of Fortune Brands stock options granted in 2004 to ACCO Brands employees, not to employees of Fortune Brands as a whole.
 
(3)  “Grant Date Present Value” for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following assumptions:
          (a) an expected option term of four and a half years which is less than the actual ten-year term of the options, reflecting the historical data regarding the average length of time an optionee holds the option before exercising;
 
          (b) a risk-free weighted-average rate of return of 3.2%, the rate of a five-year U.S. Treasury Zero Coupon Bond corresponding to the expected option term;
 
          (c) stock price volatility of 26.7% based on daily closing stock market quotations for the period March 2000 to September 2004; and
 
          (d) a yield of 1.8% based on the annual dividend rate of $1.32 per share at the date of grant.
The Grant Date Present Values in the table are only theoretical values and may not accurately determine present value. The actual value, if any, to be realized by an optionee will depend on the excess of the market value of the common stock over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised.
GBC
      The following table provides information about stock options granted by GBC in 2004 to named executive officers who were employees of GBC as of the end of the most recent full fiscal year of GBC.
                                         
    Number of   Percent of Total            
    Securities   Options/SARs            
    Underlying   Granted to GBC   Exercise or       Grant Date
    Options/SARs   Employees in   Base Price   Expiration   Present
Name   Granted (#)(1)   Fiscal Year   ($/SH)   Date   Value ($)(2)
                     
John Turner
    20,000       4.2       16.61       2/25/14       12.02  
Steven Rubin
    7,500       1.6       16.61       2/25/14       12.02  
 
(1)  All options granted to the named individuals were granted under GBC’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan for Employees. Twenty-five percent (25%) of each option first becomes exercisable one (1) year after the respective grant date and an additional 25% vests on each successive anniversary of the grant date. All of these options were granted at the fair market value of GBC’s common stock on the grant date in the NASDAQ stock market. No SARs were granted in connection with these option grants. Completion of the merger would result in accelerated vesting of these options.
 
(2)  Based on the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model. Option term was assumed to be ten years and various assumptions were made for volatility (59.2%) and risk free interest rates (4.41%). The actual value, if any, a named individual may realize will depend on the market value of the underlying shares at the time the option is exercised, so there is no assurance the value realized will be at or near the value estimated by the Black-Scholes model. GBC’s use of this model should not be construed as an endorsement of its accuracy at valuing stock options.

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Aggregated Option/ SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option/ SAR Values
ACCO Brands
      The following table provides information about option exercises during 2004 by the named executive officers who were employees of Fortune Brands or ACCO Brands as of the end of the most recent full fiscal year of ACCO Brands and the value of their unexercised options as of the end of 2004.
                                 
            Number of Securities   Value of Unexercised
            Underlying Unexercised   In-The-Money
    Shares       Options/SARs at   Options/SARs at
    Acquired on   Value   FY-End (#)   FY-End ($)
    Exercise   Realized   Exercisable/   Exercisable/
Name   (#)(1)   ($)   Unexercisable   Unexercisable(2)
                 
David Campbell
    79,184       3,635,019       145,109/147,233       5,255,272/1,942,553  
Neal V. Fenwick
    1,250       54,844       57,284/33,116       2,308,540/420,597  
Dennis Chandler
    11,000       485,643       44,467/32,233       1,802,530/395,803  
 
(1)  No SARs were exercised during 2004 and no SARs were outstanding as of December 31, 2004.
 
(2)  Based on fair market value of $71.49 per share of Fortune Brands common stock on December 31, 2004.
GBC
      The following table provides information about option exercises during 2004 by the named executive officers who were employees of GBC as of the end of the most recent full fiscal year of GBC and the value of their unexercised options as of the end of 2004.
                                 
            Number of Securities   Value of Unexercised
            Underlying Unexercised   In-The-Money
    Shares       Options/SARs at   Options/SARs at
    Acquired on   Value   FY-End (#)   FY-End ($)
    Exercise   Realized   Exercisable/   Exercisable/
Name   (#)(1)   ($)   Unexercisable   Unexercisable(2)
                 
John Turner
    9,000       85,500       62,250/78,375       206,890/218,030  
Steven Rubin
    3,805       30,607       19,813/21,350       67,005/37,500  
 
(1)  No SARs were exercised during 2004 and no SARs were outstanding as of December 31, 2004.
 
(2)  Based on fair market value of $13.06 per share of GBC common stock on December 31, 2004.
Long-Term Incentive Plan — Awards in Last Fiscal Year
      The following table provides information concerning long-term compensation awards made during 2004 to the named executive officers who were employees of ACCO Brands as of the end of the most recent full fiscal year of ACCO Brands. GBC did not have an established Long-Term Incentive Plan, and therefore did not grant any awards in 2004.
Performance Period 2004-2006
                                         
        Performance or   Estimated Future Payouts Under
    Number of Shares,   Other Period Until   Non-Stock Price-Based Plans
    Units or Other   Maturation or    
Name   Rights (#)(1)   Payout   Threshold ($)   Target ($)   Maximum ($)
                     
David Campbell
    750       3 yrs.       75,000       300,000       750,000  
Neal V. Fenwick
    225       3 yrs.       22,500       90,000       225,000  
Dennis Chandler
    250       3 yrs.       25,000       100,000       250,000  

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(1)  The payout figures represent the number of dollars that were to have been awarded upon attainment of the Operating Income, Return on Net Tangible Assets, Reductions in Sales, General and Administrative costs, and Net Sales Growth targets for the Performance Period 2004-2006.
      The award for the Performance Period 2004-2006 will be prorated based on performance for 2004 and 2005 and paid after the close of 2005. The award for the Performance Period 2005-2007 and the 2006 portion of the award for the Performance Period 2004-2006 have been cancelled. These cancelled awards will be made up by part of the initial grant under the ACCO Brands’ Long-Term Incentive Plan. See “Proposed Employment Agreements for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler.”
Fortune Brands Performance Share Plan
      Mr. Campbell received performance share awards under the Fortune Brands Long-Term Incentive Plan payable in Fortune Brands’ Common Stock for the following performance periods assuming achievement of target performance: 2003-2005 — 6,000 shares; 2004-2006 — 6,000 shares; 2005-2007 — 4,600 shares. These awards will be paid assuming that target performance has been achieved during the applicable performance period, but prorated in the case of each performance period based on the number of days in such performance period prior to the effective date of the merger.
Retirement Plans
ACCO Brands Corporation Pension Plan
      The ACCO Brands Corporation Pension Plan for Salaried and Certain Hourly Paid Employees, which became effective as of June 1, 1956, is a non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan covering salaried and certain hourly paid employees. Benefits are payable under this plan when participants achieve 65 years of age with a minimum of 5 years of service. Alternatively, a participant may choose “early retirement” between 55 and 65 years of age with a minimum of 5 years of service.
      Benefits under this plan are equal to the sum of (A) and (B):
        (A) For credited service accrued prior to January 1, 2002:
        0.75% of Final Average Base Earnings up to Social Security Covered Compensation, plus 1.25% of Final Average Base Earnings in excess of Social Security Covered Compensation, multiplied by the number of years of Credited Service accrued prior to January 1, 2002 (up to a maximum of 30 years).
 
        “Final Average Base Earnings” is defined as average base compensation (base rate of pay) during the five consecutive calendar years within the 10 years of service prior to the date of termination that provide the highest average.
 
        “Covered Compensation” is defined as the 35 year average of the FICA taxable wage bases ending with the earlier of the year the participant reaches Social Security retirement age or the year of termination or retirement.
        (B) For credited service accrued after December 31, 2001:
        1.25% of Final Average Total Earnings multiplied by the number of years of Credited Service accrued after December 31, 2001.
 
        “Final Average Total Earnings” is defined as average total earnings (base rate of pay plus annual bonus) during the five consecutive calendar years within the 10 years of service prior to the date of termination that provide the highest average.
      The ACCO Brands Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan, or Supplemental Plan, is an unfunded excess benefit plan that pays the difference between the benefits payable under ACCO Brands’ tax qualified pension plan and the amount that would have been paid, but for the Internal Revenue Code annual benefit limits on tax qualified pension plans. The current Internal Revenue Code limit is the lesser

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of $170,000 or the employee’s average annual compensation during the three highest-paid consecutive years of employment. The Internal Revenue Code also provides that benefits under tax qualified plans cannot be based on compensation in excess of a certain limit, currently $210,000. The Supplemental Plan provides the difference between the amount paid under ACCO Brands’ tax qualified plans and the amount that would have been paid if the limit on compensation were not included therein.
      Mr. Chandler is a participant in this plan with 10 years of credited service as of December 31, 2004. The estimated annual benefit payable upon retirement at normal retirement age for Mr. Chandler will be $106,684 under the ACCO Brands Pension Plan, plus $98,840 under the ACCO Brands Supplemental Retirement Plan. In connection with the spin-off, Messrs. Campbell and Fenwick became participants in this plan.
Fortune Brands Pension Plan
      During 2004 and in 2005 prior to the merger, Mr. Campbell was a participant in the Fortune Brands Pension and Supplemental Plans. The following table sets forth the highest estimated annual retirement benefits payable to Mr. Campbell in the specified compensation and years of service classifications upon retirement at normal retirement date, assuming election of an annuity for the life of the employee only, under the plans of ACCO Brands under which executive officers of ACCO Brands would be entitled to benefits:
Pension Plan Table
                                                 
    Estimated Annual Retirement Benefits for Representative Years of Credited Service
     
Remuneration   10   15   20   25   30   35
                         
$  500,000
  $ 87,500     $ 131,250     $ 156,250     $ 187,500     $ 225,000     $ 262,500  
   600,000
    105,000       157,500       187,500       225,000       270,000       315,000  
   700,000
    122,500       183,750       218,750       262,500       315,000       367,500  
   800,000
    140,000       210,000       250,000       300,000       360,000       420,000  
   900,000
    157,500       236,250       281,250       337,500       405,000       472,500  
 1,000,000
    175,000       262,500       312,500       375,000       450,000       525,000  
 1,100,000
    192,500       288,750       343,750       412,500       495,000       577,500  
 1,200,000
    210,000       315,000       375,000       450,000       540,000       630,000  
 1,300,000
    227,500       341,250       406,250       487,500       585,000       682,500  
 1,400,000
    245,000       367,500       437,500       525,000       630,000       735,000  
 1,600,000
    280,000       420,000       500,000       600,000       720,000       840,000  
 1,800,000
    315,000       472,500       562,500       675,000       810,000       945,000  
 2,000,000
    350,000       525,000       625,000       750,000       900,000       1,050,000  
      The estimated retirement benefits in the preceding table include any offset for Social Security benefits. The compensation covered by the plans that provide retirement benefits to executive officers generally includes the categories of “Salary” and annual incentive plan payments from the Summary Compensation Table and footnote (1) shown above on page 93, averaged over the five highest consecutive years. As of December 31, 2004, Mr. Campbell had completed 15 years of service with Fortune Brands.
      The Supplemental Plan also pays the difference between the benefits payable under Fortune Brands’ tax qualified pension and profit-sharing and 401(k) defined contribution plans and the amount that would have been paid if the Internal Revenue Code did not have a limit on the amount of annual benefits that may be paid from, and the contribution that could be made to, tax qualified plans. The current Internal Revenue Code limit for tax qualified pension benefits is the lesser of $170,000 or the employee’s average annual compensation during the three highest-paid consecutive years of employment. The Internal Revenue Code also provides that benefits under, and contributions to, tax qualified plans cannot be based

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on compensation in excess of a certain limit, currently $210,000. The Supplemental Plan provides the difference between the amount paid under Fortune Brands’ tax qualified plans and the amount that would have been paid if the limit on compensation were not included therein. In calculating benefits, no credit is given for service in excess of 35 years.
      Subject to the recommendation of the ACCO Brands’ Compensation Committee and approval of its Board of Directors, Mr. Campbell will be assured of a retirement benefit based on the greater of (i) the formula under the Fortune Brands Pension and Supplemental Plans in effect on the effective date of the merger and (ii) the formula under the ACCO Pension Plan and Supplemental Plan at his date of retirement. As Mr. Campbell also participated in the Fortune Brands tax qualified defined contribution plan providing him with a profit-sharing benefit, it will be proposed that he be provided with a supplemental benefit under the ACCO Supplemental Plan equal to the 2005 profit-sharing contribution under the Fortune Brands plan that he will have foregone.
ACCO Europe Pension Plan
      During 2004 and in 2005 prior to the merger, Mr. Fenwick was a participant in the ACCO Europe Pension Plan. The following table sets forth the highest estimated annual retirement benefits payable to Mr. Fenwick in the specified compensation and years of service classifications upon retirement at normal retirement date, assuming election of an annuity payment, rather than a discounted lump sum:
Pension Plan Table
                                                 
    Estimated Annual Retirement Benefits for Representative Years of Credited Service
     
Remuneration   10   15   20   25   30   35
                         
$  188,400
  $ 35,500     $ 53,300     $ 71,100     $ 88,800     $ 106,600     $ 124,400  
   282,500
    53,300       80,000       106,600       133,300       159,900       186,600  
   376,700
    71,100       106,600       142,200       177,700       213,200       248,800  
   470,900
    88,800       133,300       177,700       222,100       266,500       311,000  
   565,100
    106,600       159,900       213,200       266,500       319,900       373,200  
   659,300
    124,400       186,600       248,800       311,000       373,200       435,400  
   753,400
    142,200       213,200       284,300       355,400       426,500       497,600  
   847,600
    159,900       239,900       319,900       399,800       479,800       559,700  
   941,800
    177,700       266,500       355,400       444,200       533,100       621,900  
 1,036,000
    195,500       293,200       390,900       488,700       586,400       684,100  
 1,130,200
    213,200       319,900       426,500       533,100       639,700       746,300  
 
(1)  The table above assumes the exchange rate of £1.00 = $1.884, which was in effect on May 9, 2005.
      The compensation covered by the plans that provide retirement benefits to executive officers generally includes the categories of “Salary,” “Bonus” and “Long-Term Incentive Payments” from the Summary Compensation Table shown above on page 93. As of December 31, 2004, Mr. Fenwick had completed 17 years of pensionable service with ACCO Europe.
      It will be proposed, subject to the recommendation of the ACCO Brands’ Compensation Committee and approval of its Board of Directors, that Mr. Fenwick, who will participate in the ACCO Pension Plan after the effective date of the merger, will be assured of a retirement benefit based on the greater of (i) the formula under the ACCO Europe Pension Plan in effect on the effective date of the merger and (ii) the ACCO Pension Plan and Supplemental Plan at his date of retirement.
Current Cash Compensation for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler
      The current cash compensation described below has been approved by the ACCO Brands Compensation Committee to be effective as of August 17, 2005.

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      Salary. The annual base salary is $700,000 for Mr. Campbell and $375,000 for each of Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler.
      Annual Incentive Bonus. The annual incentive cash target bonus, as a percentage of base salary, is set at 90% for Mr. Campbell and 65% for each of Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler. Actual payouts could range from 0% to 200% of target depending on achievement of performance goals.
Proposed Employment Agreements for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler
      It is intended that the additional compensation described below for Messrs. Campbell Fenwick and Chandler will be proposed to the ACCO Brands Compensation Committee for its recommendation and to the ACCO Brands Board of Directors for approval. The compensation is intended to be reflected in employment agreements for a three-year term.
      Salary and Annual Incentive Bonus. The employment agreements for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler would provide for annual base salary and annual incentive cash target bonus, as a percentage of base salary, based on achievement of performance goals. See “— Current Cash Compensation for Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler.”
      Long-Term Incentive Program. The initial grant of equity compensation valued as a percentage of base salary using a customary long-term incentive compensation valuation methodology is proposed to be 285% for Mr. Campbell and 115% for Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler. As it is not intended that the ACCO Brands cash long-term incentive plan (see “Long-Term Incentive Plan — Awards in Last Fiscal Year” on page 95) continue in the future, the initial grant is designed in part to compensate the executives for the loss of certain awards that had been made under that plan.
      Perquisites. It is proposed that Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler will be eligible for reimbursement of club membership fees, an automobile allowance of $16,000 per year for Mr. Campbell and $13,992 per year for Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler and for financial, estate planning and tax advice reimbursed by ACCO Brands up to $25,000 annually.
      In addition, it is proposed that Mr. Fenwick be provided with reimbursement for (i) financial advice for special U.S. and U.K. taxation issues of up to $10,000 per year, (ii) one flight back to England per year for Mr. Fenwick and his family, (iii) private education for one child for the 2007-2008 school year and (iv) repatriation benefits to England at the termination of his employment. It will be further proposed that ACCO Brands provide Mr. Fenwick with additional life insurance equal to three times base salary and target bonus.
      Severance Arrangements. It is proposed that ACCO Brands’ agreements with Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler provide that if their employment is involuntarily terminated without cause or they terminate employment with good reason (as such terms are to be defined in the agreements), they will be paid one and one-half times (two times in the case of Mr. Campbell) their base salary and target bonus and will be provided with an additional eighteen months of medical benefits (two years in the case of Mr. Campbell). The severance multiple for Mr. Fenwick may be increased up to two times in order to replicate current arrangements that include U.K. minimum/statutory requirements. In the event of termination of employment upon a change in control (as such term is to be defined in the agreements) the multiplier is increased to three times for Mr. Campbell and two times in the case of each of Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler. The executives are also to be reimbursed, under certain circumstances, in the event that they are subject to the special excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code.
Executive Severance/ Change in Control Agreements
      Messrs. Campbell, Fenwick and Chandler are currently covered by the ACCO Executive Severance Plan. This plan provides benefits in the event that the executive’s employment is terminated involuntarily (other than for cause, as defined in the plan) or in the event of a voluntary termination by the executive in connection with a demotion of two or more salary grades, a 25% or more decrease in salary or a relocation of the executive’s principal office of more than 35 miles in connection with a corporate

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restructuring. Upon such a termination, Mr. Campbell would be entitled to 24 months of base salary plus two years bonus payments; Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler would be entitled to 18 months of base salary and one year of bonus. If the termination were to occur within 18 months following a change in control of the executive’s employer (as defined in the plan), such severance payments would be 36 months of base salary plus three years bonus payments for Mr. Campbell; 24 months base salary and one year of bonus for Messrs. Fenwick and Chandler. In addition to the foregoing, in the event of any involuntary termination of Mr. Fenwick’s employment he would be entitled to receive an additional twenty-one and one-half weeks of base salary as a result of United Kingdom statutory requirements. Severance payments are made in a lump sum Benefit coverage continues during the applicable severance period. Coverage under this plan is expected to cease when the proposed compensation arrangements for these executives described above become effective.
      Messrs. Turner and Rubin are each parties to an Executive Severance/ Change in Control Agreement, referred to in this document as the “change in control agreements”, entered into with GBC. Under the terms of the change in control agreements, Mr. Turner or Rubin, as applicable, would be entitled to severance payments and other benefits (as summarized below) if he is terminated within twenty-four months following completion of the merger by ACCO Brands without “cause” or by Mr. Turner or Rubin, as applicable, for “good reason” (each as defined in the change in control agreements). In the event of an eligible termination, we must pay Mr. Turner or Rubin, as applicable, a single lump-sum cash payment equal to 2.25 times the sum of his respective annual base salary plus the greater of either his target bonus for 2005 (the year in which the merger occurred) or his bonus based on actual performance for 2005.
      If Mr. Turner’s or Rubin’s employment terminates in a “change in control termination” and he is entitled to receive severance payments under his change in control agreement, he would also receive:
  •  continued participation in our medical and dental plans on a cost-sharing basis for two years following termination;
 
  •  to the extent not already vested and exercisable, he would be entitled to exercise any or all stock options (other than stock options issued in 2005) that were outstanding immediately prior to the merger for the earlier of one year following termination or the expiration date of the stock option;
 
  •  outplacement services of an amount not to exceed ten percent of his base salary in effect at the time of termination; and
 
  •  a gross-up for any “golden parachute” excise tax that may be payable by him under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and any income and employment withholding taxes on the gross-up payment, with respect to the severance payments and other benefits due to him (whether under the change in control plan or otherwise), unless the amount of any “excess parachute payments” paid or payable to him does not exceed 330% of his base pay as determined pursuant to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, in which case the gross-up payment shall not be paid and the severance payable to him will be reduced so that no amounts paid or payable to the executive will be deemed “excess parachute payments” for purposes of Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
      Additionally, if Mr. Turner’s or Rubin’s employment terminates in a “change in control termination,” he will be deemed to have satisfied the age and service requirements for retiree medical benefits as in effect at GBC on February 10, 2005, and he and his eligible dependents may commence coverage for such retiree benefits at any time following the expiration of the active employee medical and dental continuation coverage period as described in his respective change in control agreement to the same extent and on the same cost-sharing basis as do other GBC retirees with the same combined age and years of service as of his date of termination.

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OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK
      The table below sets forth the beneficial ownership of the issuer’s common stock as of September 20, 2005. The table sets forth the beneficial ownership by the following individuals or entities:
  •  each person who owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the issuer’s common stock;
 
  •  the named executive officers;
 
  •  the directors of the issuer; and
 
  •  all directors and executive officers of the issuer as a group.
      Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as otherwise indicated, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of the issuer’s common stock shown as beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property laws. As of September 20, 2005, 52,367,409 shares of the issuer’s common stock were issued and 52,322,945 shares of the issuer’s common stock were outstanding. In computing the number of shares of ACCO Brands common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of ACCO Brands common stock that are subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or that are exercisable within 60 days of September 20, 2005 are deemed outstanding. These shares are not, however, deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
                                   
    Beneficial Ownership    
         
        Number of        
    Number of   Shares Subject to        
Name   Shares   Options(1)   Total   Percent
                 
Lane Industries, Inc. 
    9,873,237 (2)           9,873,237       18.9 %
 
1200 Shermer Road, 4th Floor
                               
 
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
                               
Ariel Capital Management, LLC 
    4,162,383 (3)           4,162,383       8.0  
 
200 E. Randolph Drive, Suite 2900
                               
 
Chicago, Illinois 60601
                               
Scout Capital Management, L.L.C. and affiliates(4)
    2,637,100             2,637,100       5.0  
 
320 Park Avenue, 33rd Floor
                               
 
New York, New York 10022
                               
David D. Campbell
    5,843 (5)     281,208       287,051       *  
George V. Bayly
          25,000       25,000       *  
Dr. Patricia O. Ewers
    1,472             1,472       *  
G. Thomas Hargrove
    10,000       15,000       25,000       *  
Robert J. Keller
                      *  
Pierre E. Leroy
    317             317       *  
Gordon R. Lohman
    352             352       *  
Forrest M. Schneider
    20,474 (6)     15,000       35,474       *  
Norman H. Wesley
    29,671             29,671       *  
Neal V. Fenwick
    2,515 (7)     64,267       66,782       *  
Dennis Chandler
    2,570       60,746       63,316       *  
John Turner
    16,321       70,250       86,571       *  
Steven Rubin
    18,968       37,038       56,006       *  
All directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)
    108,506       568,509       677,015       1.3  
 
  * Less than 1%
(1)  Indicates the number of shares of ACCO Brands common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of September 20, 2005.

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(2)  Based solely on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on August 26, 2005 by Lane Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
 
(3)  Based solely on (a) a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2005 by Ariel Capital Management, LLC reporting shared voting power with respect to 2,634,133 shares of GBC common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 4,159,333 shares of GBC common stock and (b) the assumption that such shares were replaced by shares of the issuer’s common stock in accordance with the terms of the merger.
 
(4)  Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on September 9, 2005 by Scout Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Scout Partners”), reporting shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 62,800 shares directly owned by it; Scout Capital Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Scout Partners II”), reporting shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 308,900 shares directly owned by it; Scout Capital, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Scout Capital”), reporting shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares directly owned by Scout Partners and Scout Partners II; Scout Capital Management, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Scout Capital Management”), which serves as investment manager to Scout Capital Fund, Ltd. (“Scout Capital Fund”) and Scout Capital Fund II, Ltd. (“Scout Capital Fund II”), each a Cayman Islands exempted company, and other discretionary managed accounts (collectively, the “Accounts”), reporting shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,265,400 shares, consisting of the shares directly owned by Scout Partners and Scout Partners II and shares directly owned by the Accounts; and Adam Weiss and James Crichton reporting shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares directly owned by each of Scout Partners, Scout Partners II, Scout Capital Fund, Scout Capital Fund II and the Accounts.
 
(5)  Includes 163 shares owned by Mr. Campbell through the Fortune Brands savings plan.
 
(6)  Includes 2,375 shares owned by Mr. Schneider’s wife and 600 shares owned by his children.
 
(7)  Includes 430 shares owned by Mr. Fenwick’s wife and an additional 286 shares held by Mr. Fenwick’s wife through the Fortune Brands savings plan.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Arrangements with Lane Industries
Registration Rights Agreement
      In connection with the merger, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Lane Industries, Inc., our largest stockholder. Under the terms of the registration rights agreement, Lane Industries has the right, subject to certain restrictions, to demand that we file, prior to the fifth anniversary of the effective time of the merger, up to three registration statements to register the resale of Lane Industries’ ACCO Brands common stock. We are required to use our commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the shares, but we are not required to cause any registration statement demanded by Lane Industries to become effective prior to the day that is 180 days after the effective time of the merger. In addition, subject to customary limitations, Lane Industries will have the right to cause us to include Lane Industries’ ACCO Brands common stock in other registration statements we file.
Tax Allocation Agreement
      Through the date of the consummation of the merger, the results of operations of GBC and certain of its subsidiaries were included in the consolidated United States federal tax returns and certain consolidated, combined, unitary or similar state tax returns of Lane Industries. In connection with the merger, GBC and Lane Industries entered into the Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement which provides for the termination of all rights and obligations of the parties under all of the existing federal and state tax allocation agreements among GBC, Lane Industries and certain of the other members of Lane Industries’ consolidated, combined, unitary and similar groups. The Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement allocates between GBC (and its subsidiaries) and Lane Industries (and its non-GBC subsidiaries) the tax liabilities for pre- and post-merger tax periods and the responsibility for preparing and filing tax returns with respect to those tax periods. In general, Lane Industries is responsible for separate tax returns filed in respect of Lane Industries or any non-GBC subsidiary of Lane Industries and any related taxes, and for consolidated, combined and unitary tax returns and any related taxes (subject to reimbursement by GBC for GBC’s and its subsidiaries’ share of such taxes, as determined under the provisions of the Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement). GBC is responsible for separate tax returns filed in respect of GBC or of any subsidiary of GBC and any related taxes, except that GBC is also responsible for consolidated, combined or unitary group state tax returns and any related taxes for the 2004 tax year (subject to reimbursement by Lane Industries for Lane Industries’ and its non-GBC subsidiaries’ share of such taxes, as determined under the provisions of the Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement). In addition, the Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement requires Lane Industries to indemnify GBC for all taxes attributable to the proposed unagreed adjustments relating to an ongoing Internal Revenue Service audit for the 1999 tax year. Also, the Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement requires GBC to indemnify Lane Industries for any losses and expenses incurred by Lane Industries as a result of or in connection with any recapture of dual consolidated losses relating to GBC or any of its subsidiaries.
      The Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement also requires GBC or Lane Industries, as applicable, to indemnify the other party for the loss of pre-2005 net operating losses under certain circumstances, as well as to compensate the other party for any tax savings realized by it for the 2005 tax year as a result of the filing of consolidated, combined or unitary tax returns for such tax year. The Lane Industries/ GBC tax allocation agreement also addresses other tax-related matters, including refunds, tax contests, transfer taxes and cooperation and the exchange of information.
Related Party Transactions
      ACCO Brands was a majority-owned subsidiary of, and was controlled by, Fortune Brands prior to the spin-off. ACCO Brands and Fortune Brands have a history of arrangements arising out of their status as

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majority-owned subsidiary and parent, including those entered into in connection with the spin-off and the merger which are described in this prospectus.
      ACCO Brands will address any conflicts of interest and future transactions it may have with its affiliates or other interested parties in accordance with applicable law. Delaware law provides that any transaction between a company and any director or officer or other entity in which any of the company’s directors or officers are also directors or officers, or have a financial interest, will not be void or voidable solely due to the fact of the interest or affiliation, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meetings of the board or committee that authorizes the contract or transaction, so long as (1) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; (2) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (3) the contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the board of directors, a committee or the stockholders.

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
      On August 17, 2005, ACCO Brands and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ACCO Brands Europe Ltd., referred to in this section of the prospectus as ACCO Europe, and Furlon Holding B.V. (to be renamed ACCO Nederland Holdings B.V.), referred to in this section of the prospectus as ACCO Netherlands and, together with ACCO Brands and ACCO Europe, as the borrowers, entered into a credit agreement, dated as of August 17, 2005, governing senior secured credit facilities with Citicorp North America, Inc., ABN AMRO Bank, N.V. and a syndicate of lenders.
      The senior secured credit facilities provide for the following facilities:
  •  a $400.0 million U.S. term loan facility;
 
  •  a $130.0 million dollar revolving credit facility (including a $40.0 million letter of credit sublimit and a provision for loans, referred to as swing-line loans, that may be requested on an expedited basis in a maximum aggregate amount of $30.0 million);
 
  •  a £63.6 million sterling term loan facility;
 
  •  68.2 million euro term loan facility; and
 
  •  a $20.0 million dollar equivalent euro revolving credit facility.
      ACCO is the borrower under the U.S. term loan facility and the dollar revolving credit facility, ACCO Europe is the borrower under the sterling term loan facility and the dollar equivalent euro revolving credit facility and ACCO Netherlands is the borrower under the euro term loan facility. Each of the term loan facilities was fully drawn on August 17, 2005. No amounts were borrowed initially, and $4.9 million undrawn face amount of letters of credit was outstanding, under the revolving facilities on August 17, 2005.
      Each borrower is entitled to make borrowings at an interest rate based on (1) in the case of ACCO only, the base rate (which means the higher of (i) the Citibank, N.A., base rate and (ii) the Federal Funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1%) or (2) the applicable eurocurrency rate plus, in each case, an applicable margin. Until the end of the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2006 and after the delivery by ACCO to the lenders of its financial statements for such fiscal quarter, (i) the applicable margin for term loans to ACCO equals 0.75% with respect to base rate loans and 1.75% with respect to eurocurrency rate loans, (ii) the applicable margin for dollar revolving loans which are base rate loans equals 1.00% and (iii) the applicable margin for eurocurrency borrowings under sterling and euro term loans and each revolving credit facility equals 2.00%. At the end of the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2006 and after the delivery by ACCO to the lenders of its financial statements for such fiscal quarter, the applicable margins will be determined as specified in pricing grids based on the then applicable leverage ratio. Each borrower may elect interest periods of 1, 2, 3 or 6 months (or, if agreed to by all of the lenders, 9 or 12 months) for eurocurrency borrowings. Interest on the loans is calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed in a year of 360 days (or 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, in the case of base rate loans and sterling term loans). Interest is payable in arrears (a) for loans accruing interest at a rate based on the applicable eurocurrency rate, at the end of each interest period (or every three months for interest periods greater than three months) and on the applicable maturity date and (b) for loans accruing interest based on the base rate, quarterly in arrears and on the applicable maturity date. ACCO is also required to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the senior secured credit facilities.
      The term loan to ACCO matures on August 17, 2012, and amortizes in quarterly installments over such period commencing on December 31, 2005 with the balance due at maturity. The term loans to ACCO Europe and ACCO Netherlands mature on August 17, 2010, and amortize in quarterly installments over such period commencing December 31, 2005 with the balance due on maturity. Each revolving credit facility terminates on August 17, 2010 with the balance due on such date.

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      The senior secured credit facilities are guaranteed by substantially all of the domestic subsidiaries of ACCO, referred to in this section of the prospectus as the U.S. guarantors, and secured by (A) a perfected first priority lien, subject to permitted liens, on all of the capital stock and intercompany notes held by each U.S. guarantor, except that with respect to the capital stock of non-U.S. subsidiaries held by ACCO or any U.S. guarantor, the lien securing the loans and letters of credit to ACCO (but not the loans to ACCO Europe and ACCO Netherlands) are limited to 65% of the voting stock of such non-U.S. subsidiaries and (B) a perfected first priority lien, subject to permitted liens, on all of the material tangible and intangible properties and assets (including all contract rights, real property interests, trademarks, trade names, equipment and proceeds of the foregoing) of ACCO and each U.S. guarantor, subject to certain exceptions.
      In addition, the loans to ACCO Europe and ACCO Netherlands are guaranteed (subject to U.K. pension-related limitations and local law limitations) by certain foreign subsidiaries of ACCO and are secured, subject to the same limitations, by liens in the material property, plant and equipment and current assets and certain other assets of the foreign borrowers and foreign guarantors, subject to specified exceptions.
      Optional prepayments of borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities and optional reductions of the unutilized portion of the revolving credit facilities are permitted without premium or penalty at any time, subject to, among other things, reimbursement of the lenders’ redeployment costs, if any, in the case of a prepayment of eurocurrency borrowings. In certain instances (such as upon certain asset sales, insurance and condemnation or eminent domain events, issuances of debt or equity and the generation of excess cash flow), subject to specified exceptions, prepayments are mandatory.
      Under the terms of the senior secured credit facilities, ACCO is required to meet specified financial tests, including a maximum ratio of total indebtedness to trailing four quarter EBITDA, and a minimum ratio of trailing four quarter EBITDA to cash interest expense, each as defined in the credit agreement. In addition, the credit agreement contains covenants that apply to the borrowers and their respective subsidiaries and, among other things,
  •  limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens, capital expenditures, loans and investments;
 
  •  limit the ability of the borrowers and their respective subsidiaries to take action with respect to dividends, redemptions and repurchases with respect to capital stock;
 
  •  place limitations on prepayments, redemptions and repurchases of debt;
 
  •  limit the borrowers’ and their respective subsidiaries’ ability to enter into mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, asset dispositions and sale/leaseback transactions and transactions with affiliates; and
 
  •  restrict changes in business, amendments of debt, organizational documents and other material agreements, and place restrictions on distributions from subsidiaries, the issuance and sale of capital stock of subsidiaries and other matters customarily restricted in senior secured loan agreements.
      The senior secured credit facilities also contain customary representations and warranties and affirmative covenants. The senior secured credit facilities contain customary events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults and cross-accelerations, certain bankruptcy or insolvency events, judgment defaults, specified ERISA-related events, changes in control or ownership, and invalidity of any collateral or guarantee document or other specified types of document relating to the borrowings under the credit agreement.
Capital Leases and Short-Term Debt Facilities
      We have capital lease obligations relating to the lease of a building for our Italian operations. As of June 25, 2005, outstanding obligations under the leases totaled approximately $0.7 million. In addition, we expect to maintain customary debt facilities in Japan, Korea and Portugal to meet working capital needs associated with our activities in those countries. These debt facilities bear variable rates of interest with the weighted averages as of June 25, 2005 as follows: Japan 1.2%, Korea 7.4% and Portugal 0.0%. The amounts outstanding as of June 25, 2005 were $2.3 million (74% of amount available), $2.5 million (100% of amount available) and $0.6 million (100% of amount available), respectively.

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Purpose of the Exchange Offer
      On August 5, 2005, $350,000,000 principal amount of the issuer’s 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, the old notes to which the exchange offer applies, were issued to a group of initial purchasers in reliance on exemptions from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The old notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated basis, by substantially all of the issuer’s domestic subsidiaries. Under the registration rights agreement, the issuer and the guarantors agreed, among other things, to:
  •  file with the SEC an exchange offer registration statement relating to the new notes on or prior to April 4, 2006;
 
  •  use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective on or prior to June 13, 2006; and
 
  •  use their commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the exchange offer not more than 30 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the exchange offer is mailed to holders of the notes.
      The issuer and the guarantors are conducting the exchange offer to satisfy these obligations under the registration rights agreement.
      Under some circumstances, the issuer and the guarantors may be required to use their commercially reasonable efforts to file and cause to be declared effective, in addition to or in lieu of the exchange offer registration statement, a shelf registration statement covering resales of the old notes. If the issuer and the guarantors fail to meet specified deadlines under the registration rights agreement, then the issuer will be obligated to pay additional interest to holders of the old notes. See “— Registration Rights; Additional Interest.”
Terms of the Exchange Offer
      The issuer and the guarantors are offering to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $325.0 million of new notes and guarantees thereof for a like aggregate principal amount of old notes and guarantees thereof. The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes for which they are exchanged and will, like the old notes, be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the indenture. The form and terms of the new notes issued in the exchange offer will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the old notes, except that the new notes:
  •  will have been registered under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not bear restrictive legends restricting their transfer under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not entitle holders to the registration rights that apply to the old notes; and
 
  •  will not contain provisions relating to additional interest in connection with the old notes under circumstances related to the timing of the exchange offer.
      The exchange offer is not extended to holders of old notes in any jurisdiction where the exchange offer would not comply with the securities or blue sky laws of that jurisdiction.
      As of the date of this prospectus, $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of old notes is outstanding and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. Only registered holders of the old notes, or their legal representatives or attorneys-in-fact, as reflected on the records of the trustee under the indenture, may participate in the exchange offer. The issuer and the guarantors will not set a fixed record date for determining registered holders of the old notes entitled to participate in the exchange

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offer. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is being sent to all registered holders of old notes and to others believed to have beneficial interests in the old notes.
      Upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, the issuer will accept for exchange old notes which are properly tendered on or before the expiration date and not withdrawn as permitted below. The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2005 or such later date and time to which the issuer may extend the exchange offer, such date referred to as the expiration date.
      Old notes tendered in the exchange offer must be in denominations of the principal amount of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The exchange offer is not conditioned upon holders tendering a minimum principal amount of old notes.
      If you do not tender your old notes or if you tender old notes that are not accepted for exchange, your old notes will remain outstanding. Existing transfer restrictions would continue to apply to old notes that remain outstanding. See “— Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes” for more information regarding old notes outstanding after the exchange offer. Holders of the old notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters’ rights in connection with the exchange offer.
      None of the issuer and the guarantors, their respective boards of directors or their management recommends that you tender or not tender old notes in the exchange offer or has authorized anyone to make any recommendation. You must decide whether to tender old notes in the exchange offer and, if you decide to tender, the aggregate amount of old notes to tender.
      The issuer has the right, in its reasonable discretion and in accordance with applicable law, at any time:
  •  to extend the expiration date;
 
  •  to delay the acceptance of any old notes;
 
  •  to terminate the exchange offer and not accept any old notes for exchange if the issuer determines that any of the conditions to the exchange offer described below under “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer” have not occurred or have not been satisfied; and
 
  •  to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.
      During an extension, all old notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer and may be accepted for exchange by the issuer.
      We will give oral or written notice of any extension, delay, non-acceptance, termination or amendment to the exchange agent as promptly as practicable and make a public announcement of the extension, delay, non-acceptance, termination or amendment. In the case of an extension, the announcement will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.
      If the issuer amends the exchange offer in a manner that we consider material, we will as promptly as practicable distribute to the holders of the old notes a prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, an updated prospectus from a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, disclosing the change and extend the exchange offer for a period of five to ten business days, depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during the five to ten business day period.
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
Valid Tender
      When the holder of old notes tenders, and the issuer accepts, old notes for exchange, a binding agreement between the issuer and the guarantors, on the one hand, and the tendering holder, on the other

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hand, is created, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal.
      Except as described below under “— Guaranteed Delivery,” a holder of old notes who wishes to tender old notes for exchange must, on or prior to the expiration date:
  •  transmit a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, together with all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, to the exchange agent at the address provided below under “— Exchange Agent”; or
 
  •  if old notes are tendered in accordance with the book-entry procedures described below under “— Book-Entry Transfers,” arrange with DTC to cause an agent’s message to be transmitted to the exchange agent at the address provided below under “— Exchange Agent.”
      The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted to the exchange agent by DTC which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment that the tendering holder agrees to be bound by the letter of transmittal and that the issuer and the guarantors may enforce the letter of transmittal against that holder.
      In tendering old notes, you must warrant in the letter of transmittal or in an agent’s message that:
  •  you have full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer old notes;
 
  •  we will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the tendered old notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and other encumbrances; and
 
  •  the old notes tendered for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies.
      You also must warrant and agree that you will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents requested by us or the exchange agent to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the old notes.
      In addition, on or prior to the expiration date:
  •  the exchange agent must receive the certificates for the old notes being tendered; or
 
  •  the exchange agent must receive a confirmation, referred to as a “book-entry confirmation,” of the book-entry transfer of the old notes being tendered into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, and the book-entry confirmation must include an agent’s message; or
 
  •  the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below under “— Guaranteed Delivery.”
      If you beneficially own old notes and those notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee or custodian and you wish to tender your old notes in the exchange offer, you should contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct it to tender the old notes on your behalf and comply with the instructions set forth in this prospectus and the letter of transmittal.
      The method of delivery of certificates for the old notes, the letter of transmittal and all other required documents is at your election and sole risk. If delivery is by mail, we recommend registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, or overnight delivery service. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to ensure delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date. Delivery is complete when the exchange agent actually receives the items to be delivered. Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent. Do not send letters of transmittal, certificates representing old notes or other documents to the issuer or any guarantor.
      The issuer and the guarantors will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a letter of transmittal or by causing the transmission of an agent’s message, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.

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Signature Guarantees
      Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed unless the old notes surrendered for exchange are tendered:
  •  by a registered holder of old notes, unless such holder has completed either the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on the letter of transmittal; or
 
  •  for the account of an eligible institution.
      An “eligible institution” is a firm or other entity which is identified as an “Eligible Guarantor Institution” in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act, including:
  •  a bank;
 
  •  a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer;
 
  •  a credit union;
 
  •  a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or
 
  •  a savings association.
      If signatures on a letter of transmittal or notice of withdrawal are required to be guaranteed, the guarantor must be an eligible institution.
      If old notes are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of the letter of transmittal, the old notes surrendered for exchange must be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by the issuer and the guarantors in their sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder with the holder’s signature guaranteed by an eligible institution, and must also be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as the issuer and the guarantors or the trustee under the indenture for the old notes may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the old notes.
Book-Entry Transfers
      For tenders by book-entry transfer of old notes cleared through DTC, the exchange agent will make a request to establish an account at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer. Any financial institution that is a DTC participant may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer the old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer. The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC may use the Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, procedures to tender old notes. Accordingly, any participant in DTC may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer those old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s ATOP procedures.
      Notwithstanding the ability of holders of old notes to effect delivery of old notes through book-entry transfer at DTC, either:
  •  the letter of transmittal or an agent’s message in lieu of the letter of transmittal, with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, such as endorsements, bond powers, opinions of counsel, certifications and powers of attorney, if applicable, must be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent prior to the expiration date at the address given below under “— Exchange Agent”; or
 
  •  the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.
Guaranteed Delivery
      If a holder wants to tender old notes in the exchange offer and (1) the certificates for the old notes are not immediately available or all required documents are unlikely to reach the exchange agent before

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the exchange offer expires or (2) a book-entry transfer cannot be completed on time, the old notes may be tendered if:
  •  the tender is made by or through an eligible institution;
 
  •  the eligible institution delivers a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form provided, to the exchange agent by hand, facsimile, mail or overnight delivery service on or prior to the expiration date:
  •  stating that the tender is being made;
 
  •  setting forth the name and address of the holder of the old notes being tendered and the amount of the old notes being tendered; and
 
  •  guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery, the certificates for all physically tendered old notes, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, or an agent’s message in lieu thereof, with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal, will be deposited by the eligible institution with the exchange agent; and
  •  the exchange agent receives the certificates for the old notes, or a book-entry confirmation, and a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, or an agent’s message in lieu thereof, with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery.
Determination of Validity
      The issuer, in its sole discretion, will resolve all questions regarding the form of documents, validity, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance for exchange of any tendered old notes. The determination of these questions by the issuer, as well as its interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. A tender of old notes is invalid until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Holders must cure any defects and irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes for exchange within such reasonable period of time as the issuer and the guarantors will determine, unless they waive the defects or irregularities. None of the issuer and the guarantors, any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent or any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders, nor will any of them be liable for failing to give any such notice.
      The issuer reserves the absolute right, in its sole and absolute discretion:
  •  to reject any tenders determined to be in improper form or unlawful;
 
  •  to waive any of the conditions of the exchange offer; or
 
  •  to waive any condition or irregularity in the tender of old notes by any holder, whether or not the issuer waives similar conditions or irregularities in the case of other holders.
      If any letter of transmittal, certificate, endorsement, bond power, power of attorney or any other document required by the letter of transmittal is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, that person must indicate such capacity when signing. In addition, unless waived by the issuer, the person must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the issuer, in its sole discretion, of the person’s authority to so act.

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Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New Notes
      Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the exchange offer, the issuer will, promptly after the expiration date, accept for exchange and cancel all old notes properly tendered and issue new notes registered under the Securities Act. See “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer” for a discussion of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived before old notes are accepted for exchange. The exchange agent might not deliver the new notes to all tendering holders at the same time. The timing of delivery depends upon when the exchange agent receives and processes the required documents.
      For purposes of the exchange offer, the issuer will be deemed to have accepted properly tendered old notes for exchange when it gives oral or written notice to the exchange agent of acceptance of the tendered old notes, with written confirmation of any oral notice to be given promptly thereafter. The exchange agent is the agent of the issuer for receiving tenders of old notes, letters of transmittal and related documents.
      In all cases, the issuer will issue new notes in the exchange offer for old notes that are accepted for exchange only after the exchange agent timely receives:
  •  certificates for those old notes or a timely book-entry confirmation of the transfer of those old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC;
 
  •  a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or an agent’s message; and
 
  •  all other required documents, such as endorsements, bond powers, opinions of counsel, certifications and powers of attorney, if applicable.
      For each old note accepted for exchange and cancelled, the holder will receive a new note registered under the Securities Act having a principal amount equal to, and in the denomination of, that of the surrendered old note. Accordingly, registered holders of new notes issued in the exchange offer on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the consummation of the exchange offer will receive interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the old notes or, if no interest has been paid on the old notes, from August 5, 2005. Old notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date of consummation of the exchange offer and will be cancelled promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer.
      If for any reason under the terms and conditions of the exchange offer the issuer does not accept any tendered old notes, or if a holder submits old notes for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, the issuer will return the unaccepted or non-exchanged old notes without cost to the tendering holder promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer. In the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer through DTC, any unexchanged old notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC.
Resales of New Notes
      Based on interpretive letters issued by the SEC staff to other, unrelated issuers in transactions similar to the exchange offer, we believe that a holder of new notes, other than a broker-dealer, may offer new notes (together with the guarantees thereof) for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the new notes (and the related guarantees) without delivering a prospectus to prospective purchasers, if the holder:
  •  acquired the new notes in its ordinary course of business;
 
  •  is not engaged in, does not intend to engage in and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution,” as defined under the Securities Act, of the new notes; and
 
  •  is not an “affiliate,” as defined under the Securities Act, of the issuer or any guarantor.
We will not seek our own interpretive letter. As a result, we cannot assure you that the SEC staff would take the same position with respect to this exchange offer as it did in interpretive letters to other parties in similar transactions.

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      If the holder is an affiliate of the issuer or any guarantor or is engaged in, or intends to engage in, or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the new notes, that holder or other person may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
      By tendering old notes, the holder of those old notes will represent to the issuer and the guarantors that, among other things, the holder:
  •  is acquiring the new notes in its ordinary course of business;
 
  •  is not engaged in, does not intend to engage in and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the new notes;
 
  •  is not an affiliate of the issuer or any guarantor; and
 
  •  is not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations.
      Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where the old notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus that meets the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the new notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. See “Plan of Distribution and Selling Restrictions” for a discussion of the exchange and resale obligations of broker-dealers in connection with the exchange offer and the new notes.
Withdrawal Rights
      You can withdraw tenders of old notes at any time prior to the expiration date. For a withdrawal to be effective, you must deliver a written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent or comply with the appropriate procedures of ATOP. Any notice of withdrawal must:
  •  specify the name of the person that tendered the old notes to be withdrawn;
 
  •  identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the principal amount of those old notes; and
 
  •  where certificates for old notes are transmitted, the name of the registered holder of the old notes, if different from that of the person withdrawing the old notes.
      If you delivered or otherwise identified certificated old notes to the exchange agent, you must submit the serial numbers of the old notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution, except in the case of old notes tendered for the account of an eligible institution. See “— Procedures for Tendering Old Notes — Signature Guarantees” for further information on the requirements for guarantees of signatures on notices of withdrawal. If you tendered old notes in accordance with applicable book-entry transfer procedures, the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn old notes and you must deliver the notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent. You may not rescind withdrawals of tender; however, old notes properly withdrawn may again be tendered at any time on or prior to the expiration date in accordance with the procedures described under “— Procedures for Tendering Old Notes.”
      The issuer will determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, all questions regarding the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of notices of withdrawal. Its determination of these questions as well as its interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. None of the issuer and the guarantors, any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent or any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal, nor will any of them be liable for failing to give any such notice.

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      Withdrawn old notes will be returned to the holder as promptly as practicable after withdrawal without cost to the holder. In the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer through DTC, the old notes withdrawn will be credited to an account maintained with DTC.
Conditions to the Exchange Offer
      Notwithstanding any other provision of the exchange offer, the issuer is not required to accept for exchange, or to issue new notes in exchange for, any old notes, and the issuer and the guarantors may terminate or amend the exchange offer, if at any time prior to the expiration date, the issuer and the guarantors determine that the exchange offer violates applicable law or SEC policy. In addition, with respect to any holder, the exchange offer is conditioned on the tender of the old notes to us by such holder in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal.
      The foregoing conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition, or we may waive the conditions, completely or partially, whenever or as many times as we choose, in our reasonable discretion. The foregoing rights are not deemed waived because we fail to exercise them, but continue in effect, and we may still assert them whenever or as many times as we choose. If we determine that a waiver of conditions materially changes the exchange offer, the prospectus will be amended or supplemented, and the exchange offer extended, if appropriate, as described under “— Terms of the Exchange Offer.”
      In addition, at a time when any stop order is threatened or in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or with respect to the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, we will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and no new notes will be issued in exchange for any such old notes.
      If the issuer and the guarantors are not permitted to consummate the exchange offer because the exchange offer is not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, the registration rights agreement requires that the issuer and the guarantors as promptly as practicable file with the SEC, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective under the Securities Act, a shelf registration statement relating to the offer and sale of notes. See “— Registration Rights; Additional Interest.”

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Exchange Agent
      Wachovia Bank, National Association is serving as exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for notices of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent. Holders of old notes seeking to tender old notes in the exchange offer should send certificates for old notes, letters of transmittal and any other required documents to the exchange agent by registered, certified or regular mail, hand delivery, overnight delivery service or facsimile, as follows:
For all forms of delivery:
Wachovia Bank, National Association
Corporate Actions — NC1153
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., 3C3
Charlotte, NC 28288-1153
Attention: Marsha Rice
Facsimile:
(704) 590-7628
For confirmation call
(704) 590-7413
      If you deliver the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to an address other than as set forth above or transmit the letter of transmittal or any other required documentation via facsimile to a number other than as indicated above, your tender of old notes will be invalid.
Fees and Expenses
      The registration rights agreement provides that the issuer and the guarantors will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of their obligations relating to the registration of the new notes and the conduct of the exchange offer. These expenses include, among others, registration and filing fees, accounting and legal fees and printing costs. We will pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by them in forwarding this prospectus and related documents to their clients that are holders of old notes and for handling or tendering for those clients.
      We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not pay any fee or commission to any broker, dealer, nominee or other person, other than the exchange agent, for soliciting tenders of old notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
Transfer Taxes
      Holders who tender their old notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection with the exchange. If, however, new notes issued in the exchange offer are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the holder of the old notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of old notes in connection with the exchange offer, then any such transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other person, will be payable by the holder or such other person. If satisfactory evidence of payment of, or exemption from, such taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to the tendering holder.
Accounting Treatment
      The new notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the old notes. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes. We intend to amortize the expenses of the exchange offer and the issuance of the old notes over the term of the new notes.

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Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes
      Holders of the old notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters’ rights in the exchange offer. Old notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the consummation of the exchange offer, remain outstanding and continue to be subject to the provisions in the indenture regarding the transfer and exchange of the old notes and the existing restrictions on transfer set forth in the legends on the old notes. In general, the old notes, unless registered under the Securities Act, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Following the consummation of the exchange offer, except in limited circumstances with respect to specific types of holders of old notes in accordance with the registration rights agreement, the issuer and the guarantors will have no further obligation to provide for the registration under the Securities Act of the old notes. See “— Registration Rights; Additional Interest.” We do not currently anticipate that we will take any action following the consummation of the exchange offer to register the old notes under the Securities Act or under any state securities laws.
      Consummation of the exchange offer may have adverse consequences to non-tendering old note holders, including that the reduced amount of outstanding old notes as a result of the exchange offer may adversely affect the trading market, liquidity and market price of the old notes. See “Risk Factors — Risks Associated with the Exchange Offer — Any outstanding old notes after the consummation of the exchange offer will continue to be subject to existing transfer restrictions, and the holders of old notes after the consummation of the exchange offer may not be able to sell their old notes” for further information.
      The new notes and any old notes which remain outstanding after consummation of the exchange offer will vote together for all purposes as a single class under the indenture.
Registration Rights; Additional Interest
      If:
  •  applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit the issuer and the guarantors to effect an exchange offer;
 
  •  for any reason the exchange offer is not declared effective on or prior to June 13, 2006 or the exchange offer is not consummated within 30 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the exchange offer registration statement is declared effective;
 
  •  the initial purchasers so request with respect to old notes that are not eligible to be exchanged for new notes in the exchange offer; or
 
  •  any holder of old notes (other than an initial purchaser) is not eligible to participate in the exchange offer or does not receive freely tradeable new notes in exchange for old notes constituting any portion of an unsold allotment other than by reason of such holder being an affiliate of the issuer,
then the issuer and the guarantors will, at their cost,
  •  as promptly as practicable, file a shelf registration statement with the SEC covering resales of the old notes or the new notes;
 
  •  use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to declared effective under the Securities Act; and
 
  •  use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective until the earliest of (x) the second anniversary of the date of original issuance of the notes, (y) the date on which all of the notes or exchange notes, as applicable, covered by the shelf registration statement have been sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement. and (z) the expiration of the time period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

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      If:
  •  neither the exchange offer registration statement nor the shelf registration statement has been filed on or prior to April 4, 2006;
 
  •  neither the exchange offer registration statement nor the shelf registration statement has been declared effective on or prior to June 13, 2006;
 
  •  notwithstanding that the issuer and the guarantors have consummated the exchange offer, the issuer and the guarantors are required to file a shelf registration statement and such shelf registration statement is not filed or has not been declared effective within the time period provided for in the registration rights agreement; or
 
  •  after either the exchange offer registration statement or the shelf registration statement has been declared effective, such registration statement thereafter ceases to be effective or usable (subject to certain exceptions) in connection with resales of old notes or new notes in accordance with and during the periods specified in the registration rights agreement,
then interest, referred to in this section of the prospectus as additional interest, will accrue on the principal amount of the old notes and the new notes (in addition to the stated interest on the old notes and the new notes) from and including the date on which any such registration default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all registration defaults have been cured. Additional interest will accrue at a rate of 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a registration default and shall increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period, but in no event shall such rate exceed 1.00% per annum. Upon the cure of all registration defaults, the accrual of additional interest shall cease.
      Holders of the old notes will be required to make specified representations to the issuer in order to participate in the exchange offer. In order to have their old notes included in the shelf registration statement and benefit from the provisions regarding default damages set forth above, holders of the old notes will be required to deliver specified information to be used in the shelf registration statement. By acquiring old notes or new notes, a holder will be deemed to have agreed to indemnify the issuer and the guarantors against certain losses arising out of information furnished by such holder in writing for inclusion in any shelf registration statement. Holders of old notes will also be required to suspend their use of the prospectus included in the shelf registration statement under specified circumstances upon receipt of written notice to that effect from the issuer.
      For further information concerning the registration rights of holders of old notes, you should refer to the registration rights agreement, which we have filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

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DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES
General
      The old notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of August 5, 2005, with Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee. The issuer will issue the new notes under the indenture, as amended by a supplemental indenture. We have filed copies of the indenture and the supplemental indenture as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2, respectively, to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Except where the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to the indenture are to the indenture as amended by the supplemental indenture.
      The terms of the new notes will be identical in all material respects to the terms of the old notes, except that the new notes:
  •  will have been registered under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not bear restrictive legends restricting their transfer under the Securities Act;
 
  •  will not entitle holders to the registration rights that apply to the old notes; and
 
  •  will not contain provisions relating to additional interest in connection with the old notes under circumstances related to the timing of the exchange offer.
      This “Description of New Notes” section is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture and the new notes. It does not purport to restate those documents in their entirety and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the indenture and the notes, including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the TIA. Capitalized terms used in this “Description of New Notes” section and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in this section under the caption “Certain Definitions.” As used in this “Description of New Notes” section, each of the terms “issuer,” “we,” “us” and “our” refers to ACCO Brands Corporation (“ACCO”) and not any of its Subsidiaries, and the term “notes” refers to the new notes.
Terms of the Notes
      The notes will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the issuer and will mature on August 15, 2015. Each note will bear interest at the rate per annum of 75/8% from August 5, 2005 or from the most recent date to which interest on the old notes or the new notes has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually to holders of record at the close of business on the February 1 or August 1 immediately preceding the interest payment date on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 2006. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360 day year composed of twelve 30 day months.

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Optional Redemption
      On and after August 15, 2010, the issuer may redeem the notes, at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address (except that a redemption notice may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is given in connection with a discharge of the indenture under the satisfaction and discharge provisions of the indenture, a legal defeasance or a covenant defeasance), at the following redemption prices, expressed as a percentage of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, on the notes redeemed to the redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on August 15, of the years set forth below:
         
Period   Redemption Price
     
2010
    103.813 %
2011
    102.542 %
2012
    101.271 %
2013 and thereafter
    100.000 %
      In addition, prior to August 15, 2010, the issuer may redeem the notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address (except that a redemption notice may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is given in connection with a discharge of the indenture under the satisfaction and discharge provisions of the indenture, a legal defeasance or a covenant defeasance), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, on the notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
      Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to August 15, 2008, the issuer may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued under the indenture, calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by the issuer or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of the issuer to the extent the net cash proceeds of such Equity Offering by such direct or indirect parent of the issuer are contributed to the common equity capital of the issuer or used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the issuer from it, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 107.625% in the case of the notes plus, accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, on the notes redeemed to the redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date; provided, however, that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued under the indenture, calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes, in the case of each redemption of notes, and provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 120 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of notes being redeemed (except that a redemption notice may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is given in connection with a discharge of the indenture under the satisfaction and discharge provisions of the indenture, a legal defeasance or a covenant defeasance) and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture.
      Any redemption of notes at the issuer’s option may, if so provided in the applicable redemption notice, be made subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.
      The issuer may acquire notes by means other than a redemption, whether pursuant to an issuer tender offer, open market purchase or otherwise, so long as the acquisition does not otherwise violate the terms of the indenture.

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Selection
      In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such notes are listed, or if such notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements; provided that no notes of $1,000 or less, shall be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such note must state the portion of the principal amount of that note to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note will be issued in the name of the holder of the new note upon cancellation of the original note. On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the issuer has deposited with the applicable paying agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest (if any) on, the notes to be redeemed.
Ranking
      The indebtedness evidenced by the notes will be unsecured senior subordinated Indebtedness of the issuer, will be subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the indenture, to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the issuer, will rank equally, or be pari passu, in right of payment with all existing and future senior subordinated Indebtedness of the issuer and will be senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the issuer. In addition, in the event that secured creditors of the issuer, including lenders under the Credit Agreement, exercise their rights with respect to the issuer’s assets pledged to them, those secured creditors would be entitled to be repaid in full from the proceeds of those assets before those proceeds would be available for distribution to other creditors, including holders of the notes. However, payment from the money or the proceeds of Government Obligations held in any defeasance trust described under “— Defeasance” below will not be subordinated to any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions described herein if the deposit of such money or Government Obligations into the defeasance trust did not otherwise violate the subordination provisions of the indenture.
      The notes will be guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the issuer, as described under “— Guarantees,” below. Each Guarantee will be unsecured senior subordinated Indebtedness of the applicable Guarantor, will be subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the indenture, to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, will rank equally, or be pari passu, in right of payment with all existing and future senior subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor and will be senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor. In addition, in the event that the secured creditors of the Guarantors, including lenders under the Credit Agreement, exercise their rights with respect to a Guarantor’s assets pledged to them, those secured creditors would be entitled to be repaid in full from the proceeds of those assets before those proceeds would be available for distribution to other creditors, including holders of the notes. A substantial portion of the issuer’s subsidiaries will not be Guarantors. Former ACCO World subsidiaries that will not guarantee the Notes had net sales of $578.5 million, or 49.2% of ACCO World’s net sales for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2004 and operating income of $63.2 million, or 68.0% of ACCO World’s consolidated operating income for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2004. As of March 31, 2005, these non-Guarantor subsidiaries had assets of $476.6 million, or 51.3% of ACCO World’s consolidated assets. GBC’s subsidiaries that will not guarantee the notes had net sales of $326.9 million, or 45.9% of GBC’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and operating income of $33.4 million, or 63.1% of GBC’s consolidated operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. As of March 31, 2005, GBC’s subsidiaries that will not guarantee the Notes had assets of $219.1 million, or 40.2% of GBC’s consolidated assets. The assets of the issuer’s Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors will be subject to the prior claims of all creditors, including trade creditors, of those Subsidiaries.

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      As of June 30, 2005, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the transactions:
  •  the issuer and its subsidiaries would have had $957.2 million principal amount of indebtedness on a consolidated basis, of which:
  •  $607.2 million principal amount, including $607.2 million of borrowings and guarantees under our senior secured credit facilities, would have been contractually senior to the notes and the guarantees, and
 
  •  $607.2 million principal amount would have been secured debt;
 
  •  none consist of Pari Passu Indebtedness (other than the notes and the Guarantees) or Subordinated Indebtedness;
  •  an additional $132 million is available for borrowing on a secured basis under our senior secured credit facilities (giving effect to $0 million in revolving credit facility borrowings and $18 million of outstanding letters of credit immediately after the completion of the merger), which borrowings would have been contractually senior to the notes and the guarantees and would be secured; and
 
  •  subsidiaries of the issuer that are not guarantors of the notes would have had $277.1 million principal amount of indebtedness and other borrowings, including trade payables but excluding intercompany liabilities.
      Although the indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness which the issuer and its Subsidiaries may Incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such Indebtedness may be Senior Indebtedness. See “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” below.
      A significant portion of the operations of the issuer are conducted through its Subsidiaries. Unless the Subsidiary is a Guarantor, claims of creditors of such Subsidiaries, including trade creditors, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of such Subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such Subsidiaries over the claims of creditors of the issuer, including holders of the notes. The notes, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders (if any) of Subsidiaries of the issuer that are not Guarantors. Although the indenture limits the Incurrence of Indebtedness by and the issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of certain of the issuer’s Subsidiaries, such limitation is subject to a number of significant qualifications.
      “Senior Indebtedness” with respect to the issuer or any Guarantor means all Indebtedness of the issuer or such Guarantor, including interest thereon (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the issuer or any Subsidiary of the issuer at the rate specified in the documentation with respect thereto whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) and other amounts (including fees, expenses, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit and indemnities) owing in respect thereof, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such obligations are not superior, or are on parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, as applicable; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include, as applicable:
        (1) any Obligation of the issuer to any Subsidiary of the issuer, or of such Guarantor to the issuer or any Subsidiary of the issuer, in each case other than any Receivables Repurchase Obligation to the extent that such Receivables Repurchase Obligation constitutes an Obligation,
 
        (2) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the issuer or such Guarantor,
 
        (3) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors,
 
        (4) any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock, or

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        (5) the portion of any Indebtedness Incurred in violation of the indenture but, as to any such Indebtedness Incurred under the Credit Agreement, no such violation shall be deemed to exist for purposes of this clause (5) if the holders of such Indebtedness or their Representative shall have received an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that the Incurrence of such Indebtedness does not (or, in the case of a revolving credit facility thereunder, the Incurrence of the entire committed amount thereof at the date on which the initial borrowing thereunder is made would not) violate the indenture.
      If any Senior Indebtedness is disallowed, avoided or subordinated pursuant to the provisions of Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any applicable state fraudulent conveyance law, such Senior Indebtedness nevertheless will constitute Senior Indebtedness.
      Only Indebtedness of the issuer or a Guarantor that is Senior Indebtedness will rank senior to the notes or the relevant Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the indenture. The notes and each Guarantee will in all respects rank pari passu with all other Pari Passu Indebtedness of the issuer and the relevant Guarantor, respectively.
      The issuer may not pay principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, the notes or make any deposit pursuant to the provisions described under “— Defeasance” below and may not otherwise purchase, redeem or otherwise retire any notes, except that holders may receive and retain (a) Permitted Junior Securities and (b) payments made from the trust described under “— Defeasance” below (collectively, “pay the notes”), if:
        (1) a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest or any other amount on any Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period, or
 
        (2) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms,
unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents.
      The issuer may, however, pay the notes without regard to the foregoing if the issuer and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of the Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth in clause (1) or (2) of the immediately preceding sentence has occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (1) or (2) of the second preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the issuer may not pay the notes for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the issuer) of written notice (a “Blockage Notice”) of such default from the Representative of the Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (1) by written notice to the Trustee and the issuer from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice; (2) by repayment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of such Designated Senior Indebtedness; or (3) because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice has been cured or waived). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this paragraph and in the succeeding paragraph), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or a payment default exists, the issuer may resume payments on the notes after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period. In no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods are in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this paragraph, no default or event of

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default that existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days (it being understood that any subsequent action or any breach of any financial covenants for a period commencing after the date of commencement of such Payment Blockage Period that, in either case, would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision of the Designated Senior Indebtedness under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose).
      Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the issuer upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution or reorganization of or similar proceeding relating to the issuer or its property, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of the Senior Indebtedness (including interest accruing after, or which would accrue but for, the commencement of any such proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Indebtedness, whether or not a claim for such interest would be allowed) before the noteholders are entitled to receive any payment and until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, any payment or distribution to which noteholders would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the indenture will be made to holders of the Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear (except that holders of notes may receive and retain (1) Permitted Junior Securities, and (2) payments made from the trust described under “— Defeasance” so long as, on the date or dates the respective amounts were paid into the trust, such payments were made with respect to the notes without violating the subordination provisions described herein). If a distribution is made to noteholders that due to the subordination provisions of the indenture should not have been made to them, such noteholders are required to hold it in trust for the holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.
      If payment of the notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the issuer or the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representative) of the acceleration. If any Designated Senior Indebtedness is outstanding, the Issuer may not pay the notes until five (5) Business Days after such holders or the Representative of the Designated Senior Indebtedness receive notice of such acceleration and, thereafter, may pay the notes only if the subordination provisions of the indenture otherwise permit payment at that time.
      By reason of such subordination provisions contained in the indenture, in the event of insolvency, creditors of the issuer who are holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the noteholders, and creditors of the issuer who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness or of Pari Passu Indebtedness (including the notes) may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of Pari Passu Indebtedness.
      The indenture contains substantially similar subordination provisions relating to each Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee.
Guarantees
      The following subsidiaries of the issuer are Guarantors under the indenture: ACCO Brands International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, ACCO Brands USA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ACCO International Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Boone International, Inc., a California corporation, Day-Timers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, GBC International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Polyblend Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Swingline Inc., a Delaware corporation, and VeloBind, Incorporated, a Delaware corporation. The Guarantors will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee on an unsecured senior subordinated basis, in the same manner and to the same extent that the notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness, all payment obligations, whether at Stated

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Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of the issuer under the indenture and the notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or additional interest on the notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such Guarantors being herein called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Guarantors will be required to pay, in addition to the amount stated above, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the holders in enforcing any rights under the Guarantees.
      Each Guarantee is limited in amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. The issuer will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than any Receivables Subsidiary, that is a Domestic Subsidiary but not a Guarantor that guarantees Indebtedness of the issuer or any Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes, as described in the preceding paragraph and under “Certain Covenants — Future Guarantors” below.
      Each Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and shall, subject to the provisions of the indenture described in the next succeeding paragraph:
        (1) remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations;
 
        (2) be binding upon each such Guarantor and its successors; and
 
        (3) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Trustee, the holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.
      A Guarantee of a Guarantor will be automatically released upon:
        (1) the sale, disposition or other transfer (including through merger or consolidation) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of the issuer), or all or substantially all the assets, of the applicable Guarantor, if such sale, disposition or other transfer is made in compliance with the indenture;
 
        (2) the issuer designating such Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of the indenture described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments” and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;
 
        (3) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary which after the Assumption Date is required to guarantee the notes pursuant to the covenant of the indenture described under “Certain Covenants — Future Guarantors,” the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the notes; or
 
        (4) any legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as described under “— Defeasance.”
      A Guarantee also will be automatically released upon the applicable Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary of the issuer as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof or if such Subsidiary is released from its guarantees of, and all pledges and security interests granted in connection with, the Credit Agreement and any other Indebtedness of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer which results in the obligation to guarantee the notes.
Change of Control
      Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, a “Change of Control”), each holder will have the right to require the issuer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such holder’s notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record

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on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the issuer elects to redeem notes as described under “— Optional Redemption” within 30 days following the Change of Control:
        (1) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of ACCO and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person; or
 
        (2) ACCO becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase, of ultimate beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of ACCO or any direct or indirect parent of ACCO; or
 
        (3) individuals who on the Assumption Date constituted the Board of Directors of ACCO (together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors of ACCO or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of ACCO, as the case may be, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of ACCO, as the case may be, then still in office who were either directors on the Assumption Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of ACCO then in office.
      In the event that at the time of such Change of Control the terms of the Bank Indebtedness or other Senior Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant, then prior to the mailing of the notice to holders provided for in the immediately following paragraph but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the issuer shall:
        (1) repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and such Senior Indebtedness; or
 
        (2) obtain the requisite consent, if required, under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness and such Senior Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the notes as provided for in the immediately following paragraph.
      Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the issuer has exercised its right to redeem the notes as described under “— Optional Redemption,” the issuer shall mail a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:
        (1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the issuer to purchase such holder’s notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);
 
        (2) the circumstances and relevant facts (including, if applicable, financial information) regarding such Change of Control;
 
        (3) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and
 
        (4) the instructions determined by the issuer, consistent with this covenant, that a holder must follow in order to have its notes purchased.
      A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control and conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

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      The issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the issuer and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
      The issuer will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict or compliance.
      This Change of Control repurchase provision is a result of negotiations between the issuer and the Initial Purchasers. The issuer has no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that the issuer could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the issuer could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect the issuer’s capital structure or credit ratings.
      The occurrence of events which would constitute a Change of Control would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Assumption Date. Future Senior Indebtedness of the issuer may contain prohibitions on certain events which would constitute a Change of Control or require such Senior Indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require the issuer to repurchase the notes could cause a default under such Senior Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the issuer. Finally, the issuer’s ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by the issuer’s then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.
      In the event a Change of Control occurs at a time when the issuer is prohibited from purchasing the notes, the issuer is required to seek the consent of the lenders under its Senior Indebtedness to the purchase of notes or refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If the issuer did not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the issuer would remain prohibited from purchasing the notes. In such case, the issuer’s failure to purchase tendered notes would constitute an Event of Default under the indenture, which would, in turn, likely constitute a default under such Senior Indebtedness. In those circumstances, the subordination provisions in the indenture would likely restrict payments to the holders of notes.
      The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or transfer of “all or substantially all” the assets of the issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require the issuer to repurchase such notes as a result of a sale, lease or transfer of less than all of the assets of the issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.
Certain Covenants
      The indenture contains covenants including, among others, the following:
        Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock. The indenture provides that:
        (1) the issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness, including Acquired Indebtedness or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and

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        (2) the issuer will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock;
provided, however, that the issuer and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock and any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer that is a Guarantor may issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
      The foregoing limitations will not apply to:
        (a) the Incurrence by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Guarantors of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $750.0 million outstanding at any one time, less the amount of any such Indebtedness permanently retired with the Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale applied from and after the Issue Date to reduce the outstanding amounts pursuant to the covenant described under “— Asset Sales”;
 
        (b) the Incurrence by the issuer and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the notes (not including any additional notes) and the Guarantees, and the exchange notes and guarantees to be issued pursuant to the registration rights agreement, as applicable;
 
        (c) Indebtedness under the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes and the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes Indenture; provided, that, within one (1) Business Day following the Assumption Date, either an irrevocable notice of redemption related to the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes shall have been delivered to the holders thereof under the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes Indenture or the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes Indenture shall have been discharged;
 
        (d) the Existing Indebtedness of the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
        (e) Indebtedness Incurred by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit (other than letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement), such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing;
 
        (f) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of the issuer in accordance with the terms of the indenture;
 
        (g) Indebtedness of the issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary provided that (i) any such Indebtedness is made pursuant to an intercompany note and (ii) any such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the issuer under the notes; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Equity Interest or other event that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness;

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        (h) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock;
 
        (i) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) any such Indebtedness is made pursuant to an intercompany note and (ii) if a Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests or other event that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness;
 
        (j) Hedging Obligations that are Incurred in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the Transactions and not for speculative purposes;
 
        (k) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (l) any guarantee by the issuer or a Guarantor of Indebtedness or other obligations of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness is permitted under the terms of the indenture (other than pursuant to clause (t) below); provided that if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee shall be subordinated in right of payment to the notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable;
 
        (m) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within two (2) Business Days of its Incurrence;
 
        (n) the Incurrence by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to extend, refund, refinance, renew, replace or defease any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under the first paragraph of this covenant and clauses (b), (d), (o) and (r) of this paragraph or any Indebtedness issued to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness (subject to the following proviso, “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:
        (1) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or defeased;
 
        (2) has a Stated Maturity which is no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or defeased;
 
        (3) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pari passu with, or subordinated to, right of payment of the notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is pari passu with, or subordinated, at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refinanced, refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or defeased, to right of payment of the notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable;

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        (4) is Incurred or issued in an aggregate principal amount or face or liquidation amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate accreted value) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount or face or liquidation amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or defeased plus all accrued interest and premiums, fees, expenses and prepayment penalties Incurred in connection with such refinancing, refunding, renewing, replacement or defeasance; and
 
        (5) is Incurred either by the issuer or by the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
        (o) the incurrence by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary (where, in the case of a purchase, such purchase may be effected either directly or through the purchase of the Capital Stock of the Person owning such property, plant or equipment), in an aggregate principal amount including all Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the indenture to refund, refinance, renew or defease or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the provision of the indenture described in this clause (o), not to exceed 5% of Total Assets;
 
        (p) the incurrence by a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer of Indebtedness in connection with, and in contemplation of, the concurrent disposition of such Restricted Subsidiary to the stockholders of the issuer; provided, that such disposition occurs concurrently with such incurrence and, following such disposition, neither the issuer nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any liability with respect to such Indebtedness;
 
        (q) Indebtedness of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent the net proceeds thereof are promptly (x) used to purchase notes tendered pursuant to a Change of Control Offer made as a result of a Change in Control or (y) deposited to defease the notes;
 
        (r) the incurrence of Acquired Indebtedness; provided that, after giving effect to the transactions that result in the incurrence or issuance thereof, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would be greater than immediately prior to such transactions;
 
        (s) the incurrence by a Receivables Subsidiary of Indebtedness in a Qualified Receivables Transaction that is without recourse (other than pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into in the ordinary course of business in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction) to the issuer or to any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer or their assets (other than such Receivables Subsidiary and its assets), and is not guaranteed by any such Person;
 
        (t) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount, accreted value or face amount and with an aggregate liquidation preference not to exceed $100.0 million at any one time outstanding; and
 
        (u) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary of the issuer that is not a Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount, accreted value or face amount and with an aggregate liquidation preference not to exceed the U.S. dollar equivalent of $100.0 million at any one time outstanding.
      For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (t) above or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the issuer shall, in its sole discretion, be permitted to classify or later reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in any manner that complies with this

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covenant, and such Indebtedness will be treated as only having been Incurred pursuant to the provision described in one of such clauses or pursuant to such first paragraph; provided that all Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement outstanding on the Assumption Date will be deemed to have been Incurred pursuant to the provision described in such clause (a), and the issuer will not be permitted to reclassify all or any portion of such Indebtedness. Accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of the same class and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness, provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this covenant.
      Limitation on Restricted Payments. The indenture provides that the issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
        (1) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of the issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the issuer, other than (A) dividends or distributions by the issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the issuer; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;
 
        (2) purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary held by Persons other than the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer;
 
        (3) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (g) and (i) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; or
 
        (4) make any Restricted Investment,
all such payments and other actions described in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments,” unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:
        (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;
 
        (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the provisions of the first paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; and
 
        (c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (8), (13) and (15) of the next succeeding paragraph,

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  but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of, without duplication,

        (1) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the issuer for the period, taken as one accounting period, from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter commencing July 1, 2005 to the end of the issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit, plus
 
        (2) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than cash, received by the issuer since the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer (excluding Refunding Capital Stock, Disqualified Stock and Equity Interests, the proceeds of which are used in the manner described in clauses (10) and (11) of the next succeeding paragraph), including Equity Interests issued upon conversion of Disqualified Stock or Indebtedness or upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer), plus
 
        (3) 100% of the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the issuer received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than cash since the Issue Date, excluding Refunding Capital Stock and Disqualified Stock, plus
 
        (4) 100% of the aggregate amount received by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than cash received by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from:
        (A) the sale or other disposition (other than to the issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries) of Restricted Investments made by the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and from repayments of loans or advances which constituted Restricted Investments,
 
        (B) the sale (other than to the issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and
 
        (C) a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus
        (5) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the issuer has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of the Investment of the issuer in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), after deducting any Indebtedness of the Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated or combined or any Indebtedness to which the assets so transferred or conveyed.
The Fair Market Value of property other than cash covered by clauses (c)(2), (3), (4) and (5) above shall be determined in good faith by the issuer and
        (A) in the event of property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $5.0 million, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or
 
        (B) in the event of property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $30.0 million, shall be set forth in a resolution approved by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the issuer.

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      The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:
        (1) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the indenture;
 
        (2) (a) the payment, repurchase, retirement, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Retired Capital Stock”) of the issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer or any Subordinated Indebtedness of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of the issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer or contributions to the equity capital of the issuer, other than any Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer (collectively, including any such contributions, “Refunding Capital Stock”) and
 
        (b) the declaration and payment of accrued dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale, other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer, of Refunding Capital Stock;
 
        (3) the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of any Subordinated Indebtedness of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer or Disqualified Stock made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the issuer which is Incurred in accordance with the provisions of the indenture described in clause (n) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” or Disqualified Stock;
 
        (4) the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of Capital Stock upon exercise or conversion of securities exercisable or convertible into Capital Stock of the issuer;
 
        (5) any purchase or acquisition from, or withholding on issuances to, any employee of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer of Equity Interests of the issuer, or Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the issuer, in order to satisfy any applicable Federal, state or local tax payments in respect of the receipt of the such Equity Interests;
 
        (6) any withholding on issuances to any employee of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer of Equity Interests of the issuer, or Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the issuer, in order to pay the purchase price of such Equity Interests or similar instruments pursuant to a stock option, equity incentive or other employee benefit plan or agreement of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
        (7) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of options or warrants if such Equity Interests represents all or a portion of the exercise price thereof;
 
        (8) any other repurchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition (or dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer to finance any such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition) for value of Equity Interests of the issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer or any other Subsidiary of the issuer pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement; provided, however, that the aggregate amounts paid under this clause (8) do not exceed $3.0 million in any calendar year; provided, further, that the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may carry over and make in any subsequent calendar year, in addition to the amounts otherwise permitted for such calendar year, the amount of purchases, retirements, redemptions, other acquisitions for value and dividends permitted to have been made but not made in any preceding calendar year, and any of this amount not paid in any calendar year may be carried forward to a subsequent calendar year;

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        (9) declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued or incurred in accordance with the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;
 
        (10) Restricted Investments acquired in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance of Equity Interests, other than Disqualified Stock, of the issuer;
 
        (11) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any Disqualified Stock of the issuer in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Disqualified Stock that is permitted by the terms of the indenture to be issued;
 
        (12) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
 
        (13) any purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition for value of Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of such Indebtedness upon a Change of Control or an Asset Sale after the issuer shall have complied with the provisions of the indenture described under the caption “— Optional Redemption” or “— Limitation on Asset Sales,” as the case may be;
 
        (14) any payments made in connection with the Transactions, including the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes pursuant to the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes Indenture;
 
        (15) payments or distributions, in the nature of satisfaction of dissenters’ rights, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with the provisions hereof applicable to mergers, consolidations and transfers of all or substantially all the assets of the issuer in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million;
 
        (16) purchases of receivables pursuant to a Receivables Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; and
 
        (17) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million; provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under this clause (17), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.
      In determining the extent to which any Restricted Payment may be limited or prohibited by the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments,” the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may allocate all or any portion of such Restricted Payment among the categories described in clauses (1) through (17) of the immediately preceding paragraph or among such categories and the types of Restricted Payments described in the first paragraph under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments.”
      As of the date of this prospectus, all of the issuer’s Subsidiaries are Restricted Subsidiaries. The issuer will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” In the event of any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the issuer will be deemed to have made an Investment in such Subsidiary in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will only be permitted if such Investment would be permitted by the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments” at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuer may not at any time designate the issuer as an Unrestricted Subsidiary for any purpose under the indenture or the notes.
      Limitation on dividend and other payment restrictions affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The indenture provides that the issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly

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or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
        (a) (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or by, its profits or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
        (b) make loans or advances to the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
 
        (c) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
        (1) encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Assumption Date, including pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Senior Credit Documents and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those existing under, by reason of or with respect to the Credit Agreement, the other Senior Credit Documents or other agreement, as applicable, as in effect on the Assumption Date;
 
        (2) (A) the indenture governing the notes or the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes Indenture, (B) the notes or the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes, and (C) guarantees of the notes or the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes;
 
        (3) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;
 
        (4) any agreement or other instrument relating to Indebtedness of a Person acquired by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which was in existence at the time of such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired;
 
        (5) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;
 
        (6) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the indenture that limits the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;
 
        (7) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (8) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (9) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (c) above on the property so acquired;
 
        (10) customary provisions contained in leases and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the type described in clause (c) above on the property subject to such lease;
 
        (11) other Indebtedness Incurred after the Assumption Date by any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer (i) that is a Guarantor and such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred

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  Stock” or (ii) that is a Foreign Subsidiary of issuer and is incurred pursuant to clauses (o), (t) or (u) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;
 
        (12) Refinancing Indebtedness permitted under the terms of the indenture; provided, that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
 
        (13) any instrument or agreement governing any other Indebtedness the incurrence of which is permitted by the indenture; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions under that instrument or agreement are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the indenture at the time of incurrence of such other Indebtedness;
 
        (14) Indebtedness or other contractual requirements of a Receivables Subsidiary governing a Qualified Receivables Transaction; provided that such restrictions apply only to such Receivables Subsidiary; and
 
        (15) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above imposed by any extensions, amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (14) above; provided that such extensions, amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the issuer, not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such extension, amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

      Limitation on Asset Sales. The indenture provides that the issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale, unless (x) the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the issuer) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) except in the case of Permitted Asset Swaps, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:
        (a) any liabilities, as shown on the issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent consolidated balance sheet or in the notes thereto, of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets, and
 
        (b) any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received in that conversion)
shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this provision.
      Within 365 days after the issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option and to the extent it so elects:
        (1) to permanently reduce Obligations under the Credit Agreement (and, in the case of revolving Obligations, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto) or other Senior Indebtedness or Pari Passu Indebtedness (provided that if the issuer or any Guarantor shall so reduce Obligations under Pari Passu Indebtedness, the issuer will equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the notes by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount

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  thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, the pro rata principal amount of notes) or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the issuer or an Affiliate of the issuer;
 
        (2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, Similar Businesses; provided, that in the case of any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Similar Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer;
 
        (3) to make capital expenditures; or
 
        (4) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Similar Business;

provided, that the issuer will be deemed to have complied with clause (2) or (4), as applicable, if, within 365 days of such Asset Sale, the issuer shall have entered into a definitive agreement covering such Investment which is thereafter completed within 180 days after the first anniversary of such Asset Sale.
      Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities. The indenture provides that any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied or invested as provided and within the time period set forth in the preceding paragraph (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase notes, as described in clause (1) above, shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the issuer shall make an offer to all holders of notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes, that is an integral multiple of $1,000 that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture. The issuer will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purposes permitted by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the notes to be purchased in the manner described below. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
      The issuer will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the indenture, the issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
      If more notes are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the issuer is required to purchase, selection of such notes for purchase will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such notes are listed, or if such notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements); provided that no notes of $1,000 or less shall be purchased in part.
      Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of notes at such holder’s registered address. If any note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

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      A new note in principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of any note purchased in part will be issued in the name of the holder of the new note upon cancellation of the original note. On and after the purchase date, unless the issuer defaults in payment of the purchase price, interest shall cease to accrue on notes or portions thereof purchased.
      Limitation on transactions with Affiliates. The indenture provides that the issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5.0 million, unless:
        (a) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not, taken as a whole, materially less favorable to the issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate; and
 
        (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $30.0 million, the issuer delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the issuer, approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with the provisions described in clause (a) above.
      The foregoing provisions will not apply to the following:
        (1) (a) transactions between or among the issuer and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) any merger of the issuer and any direct parent company of the issuer, provided that such parent company shall have no material liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of the issuer and such merger is otherwise in compliance with the terms of the indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;
 
        (2) Restricted Payments permitted by the provisions of the indenture described above under the covenant “— Limitation on Restricted Payments” and Permitted Investments;
 
        (3) reasonable fees, expenses and compensation paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer or the issuer as determined by the Board of Directors of the issuer;
 
        (4) any agreement or arrangement as in effect as of the Assumption Date or any amendment, modification or supplement thereto or any replacement thereof so long as any such agreement or arrangement as so amended, modified, supplemented or replaced, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or any transaction contemplated by any of the foregoing agreements or arrangements;
 
        (5) the existence of, or the performance by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Spin-off Documents, Merger Documents, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) or any tax sharing agreement to which it is a party as of the Assumption Date and any amendment, modification or supplement thereto, any replacement thereof or similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (5) to the extent that the terms of any such existing agreement together with all amendments, modifications, supplements or replacements thereto, taken as a whole, or new agreement are not

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  otherwise more disadvantageous to the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;
 
        (6) the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions which are described in this prospectus;
 
        (7) (a) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the indenture, which are fair to the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the issuer, and are on terms that, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that might reasonably have been obtained at such time from a Person that is not an Affiliate or (b) transactions with joint ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the purchase or sale of chemicals, equipment and services entered into in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice;
 
        (8) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests, other than Disqualified Stock, of the issuer to any Affiliate or to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer or any Subsidiary of the issuer;
 
        (9) fees and compensation paid to members of the Board of Directors of the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in their capacity as such;
 
        (10) advances to employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (11) transactions pursuant to agreements in effect as of the date of the indenture disclosed in or contemplated by “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” or elsewhere in this prospectus;
 
        (12) the grant of stock options or similar rights to officers, employees, consultants and directors of the issuer and, to the extent otherwise permitted under the indenture, any Restricted Subsidiary, pursuant to plans approved by the Board of Directors of the issuer and the issuance of securities pursuant thereto;
 
        (13) any employment, consulting, service or termination agreement, or reasonable and customary indemnification arrangements, entered into by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the payment of compensation to officers and employees of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans, employee stock option or similar plans, in each case in the ordinary course of business and approved by the Board of Directors of the issuer;
 
        (14) transactions effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and
 
        (15) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the issuer solely because the issuer directly or indirectly owns Equity Interests in, or controls, such Person.

      Limitation on Liens. The indenture provides that the issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset or property of the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, that secures any obligations of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens, unless the notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a contractually prior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the notes) the obligations so secured or until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.
      The indenture provides that no Guarantor will directly or indirectly create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset or property of such Guarantor or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, that secures any obligations of such Guarantor, other than Permitted Liens, unless the Guarantee of such Guarantor is equally and ratably secured with (or on a contractually prior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantor’s

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Guarantee) the obligations so secured or until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.
      Limitation on other Indebtedness. The indenture provides that the issuer will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is contractually subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the issuer or any Indebtedness of any such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is either:
        (1) pari passu in right of payment with the notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, as the case may be, or
 
        (2) contractually subordinated by its terms in right of payment to the notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, as the case may be;
provided that no Indebtedness of the issuer or any Guarantor will be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the issuer or any of its Subsidiaries solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of the fact that the holders of such Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor agreements or other arrangements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.
      Reports and Other Information. The indenture provides that, notwithstanding that the issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the issuer will file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC),
        (1) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (or such shorter period as may be required by the SEC), annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form),
 
        (2) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (or such shorter period as may be required by the SEC), reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form),
 
        (3) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified for filing current reports on Form 8-K by the SEC), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form), and
 
        (4) any other information, documents and other reports which the issuer would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
provided, however, that the filing by the issuer in the SEC’s EDGAR system of any such report will be deemed to satisfy the Company’s obligation to provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof; and provided, further, that the issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the issuer will make available such information to prospective purchasers of notes, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time the issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
      In the event that:
        (a) the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the issuer and any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and
 
        (b) such parent entity of the issuer is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of the issuer,
such consolidated reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this covenant for the issuer will satisfy this covenant.

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      Future Guarantors. The indenture provides that the issuer will cause any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than a Receivables Subsidiary, that is a Domestic Subsidiary but not a Guarantor that
  •  guarantees any Indebtedness of the issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer; or
 
  •  Incurs any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (1) permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the provisions of the indenture described in clauses (a) or (t) of the second paragraph under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” or (2) not permitted to be Incurred by the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”
to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which that Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes on an unsecured senior subordinated basis. Any such Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering such Guarantee, as it relates to that Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
      Each Guarantee described in the preceding paragraph will be released in accordance with the provisions of the indenture described under “Guarantees” above.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets
      The indenture provides that the issuer may not consolidate or merge with or into, whether or not the issuer is the surviving corporation, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:
        (1) the issuer is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, if other than the issuer, or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the issuer or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”);
 
        (2) the Successor Company, if other than the issuer, expressly assumes all the obligations of the issuer under the indenture and the notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
 
        (3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
 
        (4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either (a) the Successor Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first sentence of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” or (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company will be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company immediately prior to such transaction;
 
        (5) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under the indenture and the notes; and

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        (6) the issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures (if any) comply with the indenture.
      The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, the issuer under the indenture and the notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (3) and (4), (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the issuer or to another Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) the issuer may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the issuer in another state of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
      The indenture further provides that subject to certain limitations in the indenture governing release of a Guarantee upon the sale or disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer that is a Guarantor, each Guarantor will not, and the issuer will not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into, whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving corporation, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person (other than any such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition in connection with the Transactions described in the Offering Memorandum) unless:
        (1) such Guarantor is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, if other than such Guarantor, or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Guarantor”);
 
        (2) Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under the indenture and such Guarantors’ Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
 
        (3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Guarantor or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
 
        (4) the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the indenture.
      Subject to certain limitations described in the indenture, the Successor Guarantor will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under the indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Guarantor may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Guarantor in another state of the United States, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Guarantor may merge with the issuer or another Guarantor.
Defaults
      An Event of Default is defined in the indenture as:
        (1) a default in any payment of interest on any note when due, whether or not prohibited by the provisions described under “— Ranking” above, continued for 30 consecutive days,
 
        (2) a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise, whether or not prohibited by the provisions described under “— Ranking” above,

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        (3) the failure by the issuer to comply with its obligations under the covenant described under “— Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets” above,
 
        (4) the failure by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations under the covenants described under “— Change of Control,” “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments” or “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” above (in each case, other than a failure to purchase notes),
 
        (5) the failure by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in the notes or the indenture,
 
        (6) the failure by the issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness owing to the issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $25.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (the “cross-acceleration provision”),
 
        (7) specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the issuer or a Significant Subsidiary (the “bankruptcy provisions”),
 
        (8) failure by the issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent, net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers, which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 consecutive days (the “judgment default provision”), or
 
        (9) the Guarantee of a Guarantor ceases to be in full force and effect, except as contemplated or permitted by the terms of the Guarantee or the indenture, or any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the indenture or any Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days.
      The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
      However, a default under clause (4) or (5) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of outstanding notes notify the issuer of the default and the issuer does not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (4) and (5) hereof after receipt of such notice.
      If an Event of Default, other than a Default arising from specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the issuer, occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of then outstanding notes by notice to the issuer may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default arising from specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the issuer occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of then outstanding notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences.
      In the event any Event of Default specified in clause (6) of the first paragraph above has occurred and is continuing, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the notes, if within 30 days after such Event of Default arose the issuer delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been

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cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.
      Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:
        (1) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing,
 
        (2) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have requested in writing that the Trustee pursue the remedy,
 
        (3) such holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense,
 
        (4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and
 
        (5) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
      Holders of the notes may not enforce the indenture or the notes except as provided in the indenture. Subject to certain limitations, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
      The indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. In addition, the issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The issuer also is required to deliver to the Trustee, not later than ten (10) Business Days after any senior officer of the issuer obtains actual knowledge of such Default, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the issuer is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.
Amendments and Waivers
      Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding, including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes, and any past or existing default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of at least majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding, including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes; provided, however, that if any amendment, waiver or other modification will only affect the notes, only the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes and not the consent of at least a majority of all notes, as the case may be, shall be required.

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However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment, supplement or waiver may, with respect to any non-consenting holder:
        (1) reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver,
 
        (2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any note,
 
        (3) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any note,
 
        (4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any note or change the time at which any note may be redeemed as described under “Optional Redemption” above,
 
        (5) make any note payable in money other than that stated in such note,
 
        (6) make any change to the subordination provisions of the indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holder,
 
        (7) impair or waive the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s notes,
 
        (8) make any change in the amendment and waiver provisions which require each holder’s consent,
 
        (9) modify the Guarantees in any manner adverse to the holders, or
 
        (10) make any changes in the issuer’s obligations to redeem the notes in a Special Mandatory Redemption.
      Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder, the issuer and Trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation, partnership or limited liability company of the obligations of the issuer under the indenture, to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes (provided that the uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to add Guarantees with respect to the notes, to secure the notes, to add to the covenants of the issuer for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the issuer, to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder, to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the TIA, to make certain changes to the indenture to provide for the issuance of additional notes, to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a guarantee with respect to the notes, to conform the text of the indenture or the notes to any provision of this “Description of Notes” to the extent that such provision in this “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture or the notes, or as evidence and to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee.
      The consent of the noteholders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.
      After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, the issuer is required to mail to the respective noteholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all noteholders entitled to receive such notice, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
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issuer or the Guarantors under the notes, the indenture, the guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Transfer and Exchange
      A noteholder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the registrar and the Trustee may require a noteholder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the issuer may require a noteholder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the indenture. The issuer is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption or to transfer or exchange any note (1) for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of notes to be redeemed or (2) tendered and not withdrawn in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer. The notes will be issued in registered form and the registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of such note for all purposes.
Satisfaction and Discharge
      The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect, except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of notes, as expressly provided for in the indenture, as to all outstanding notes when:
        (1) either (a) all the notes theretofore authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed notes which have been replaced or paid and notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the issuer and thereafter repaid to the issuer or discharged from such trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (b) all of the notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (iii) if redeemable at the option of the issuer, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the issuer, and the issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the issuer directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
 
        (2) the issuer and/or the Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under the indenture; and
 
        (3) the issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with.
Defeasance
      The issuer at its option and at any time may terminate all its obligations under the notes and the indenture (“legal defeasance”), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes. The issuer at its option and at any time may terminate its obligations under the covenants described under “Certain Covenants,” the operation of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries and the judgment default provision described under “Defaults” and the undertakings and covenants contained under “Change of Control” and “Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets” (“covenant defeasance”). If the issuer exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Guarantee.

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      The issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries, (8) with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries or (9) under “— Defaults” above or because of the failure of the issuer to comply with “— Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets” above.
      In order to exercise either defeasance option, the issuer must irrevocably deposit in trust (the “defeasance trust”) with the Trustee money, Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on the applicable issue of notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or change in applicable Federal income tax law).
Concerning the Trustee
      Wachovia Bank, National Association is the Trustee under the indenture and has been appointed by the issuer as Registrar and a paying agent with regard to the notes. Wachovia Bank, National Association is acting as exchange agent for the exchange offer and will receive customary fees in connection therewith. In connection with the Credit Agreement, Wachovia Bank, National Association is acting as a lender and will receive customary fees in connection therewith.
      In addition, Wachovia Bank, National Association served as trustee, registrar and paying agent under the Existing GBC Subordinated Notes Indenture and received customary fees in connection therewith.
Governing Law
      The indenture provides that it and the notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Certain Definitions
      “Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:
        (1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and
 
        (2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person,
in each case, other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by such Person, or such asset was acquired by such person, as applicable.
      “Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person (other than the issuer or any Subsidiary of the issuer) in which a Receivables Subsidiary makes an Investment in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction will be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries solely by reason of such Investment.

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      “Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any note on any applicable redemption date, the greater of:
        (1) 1.0% of the then outstanding principal amount of the note; and
 
        (2) the excess of:
        (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the note, as applicable, at August 15, 2010 (such redemption price being set forth in the applicable table appearing above under the caption “— Optional Redemption”) plus (ii) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such note through August 15, 2010 excluding accrued but unpaid interest, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 75 basis points; over
 
        (b) the then outstanding principal amount of the note.
      “Asset Sale” means:
        (1) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of a Sale/ Leaseback Transaction) of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”) or
 
        (2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),
in each case other than:
        (a) a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete uneconomical, surplus or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (b) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions of the indenture described above under “Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets” or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;
 
        (c) any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, is made under the covenant of the indenture described above under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments” or any Permitted Investment;
 
        (d) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary with an aggregate Fair Market Value of less than $5.0 million;
 
        (e) any disposition of property or assets by a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer to the issuer or by the issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries to another Restricted Subsidiary;
 
        (f) sales of assets received by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon the foreclosure on a Lien;
 
        (g) sales or leases of inventory, equipment, accounts receivable or other current assets in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (h) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the issuer or to another Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer;
 
        (i) the surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release or surrender of a contract, tort or other litigation claim in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (j) any issuance of employee stock options or stock awards pursuant to benefit plans of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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        (k) any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition deemed to occur with creating or granting a Lien not otherwise prohibited by the indenture;
 
        (l) sales, conveyances or other transfers of accounts receivable and related assets and grants of security interests or creation of Liens of the type specified in the definition of Qualified Receivables Transaction, or a fractional undivided interest therein, by a Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction;
 
        (o) the lease, assignment or sub-lease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business; and
 
        (p) the disposition of assets since the Issue Date in connection with or related to the reorganization of the issuer and its Subsidiaries in connection with the ongoing reorganization plans or the Transactions with an Aggregate Fair Market Value of not more than $50.0 million.
      “Assumption Date” means 12:02 a.m. on August 17, 2005.
      “Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of the Credit Agreement, the other Senior Credit Documents, as amended, supplemented, waived, replaced, restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the issuer whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.
      “Board of Directors” means as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.
      “Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York State.
      “Capital Stock” means:
        (1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
 
        (2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
 
        (3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
 
        (4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
      “Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP.
      “Cash Equivalents” means:
        (1) U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, or, in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;
 
        (3) certificates of deposit, time deposits, money market deposits, demand deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in

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  each case with maturities not exceeding one year from the date of acquisition and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and whose long-term debt is rated at least “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P;
 
        (4) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
 
        (5) commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the issuer) rated at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;
 
        (6) investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (5) above;
 
        (7) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;
 
        (8) Indebtedness issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; and
 
        (9) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary:

        (a) direct obligations of the sovereign nation, or any agency thereof, in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized and is conducting business or in obligations fully and unconditionally guaranteed by such sovereign nation, or any agency thereof;
 
        (b) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (1) through (8) above of foreign obligors, which investments or obligors, or the direct or indirect parents of such obligors, have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies; or
 
        (c) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (1) through (8) above of foreign obligors, or the direct or indirect parents of such obligors, which investments or obligors, or the direct or indirect parents of such obligors, are not rated as provided in such clauses or in clause (b) above but which are, in the reasonable judgment of the issuer, comparable in investment quality to such investments and obligors, or the direct or indirect parent of such obligors.
      “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
      “Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
        (1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations and excluding amortization of deferred financing fees); and
 
        (2) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued;
less interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

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      “Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:
        (1) the Net Income of any Person (other than the issuer) that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;
 
        (2) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (c)(1) of the first paragraph of “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments,” the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived at the date of determination;
 
        (3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;
 
        (4) any net after-tax extraordinary or nonrecurring gains or losses or income or expenses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), including, without limitation, any severance expenses, transition expenses incurred as a direct result of the transition of the issuer to an independent public company in connection with the Transactions and fees, expenses or charges related to any Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition or Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under the indenture (in each case, whether or not successful), including any such fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions, in each case, will be excluded;
 
        (5) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded;
 
        (6) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness will be excluded;
 
        (7) other non-cash items which would otherwise increase or decrease Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior or period or an accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in a future period) will be excluded; and
 
        (8) restructuring charges and other one-time expenses associated with the issuer’s integration plan as described in the Offering Memorandum will be excluded.
      “Consolidated Taxes” means provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.
      “Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:
        (1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

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        (2) to advance or supply funds:
        (a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or
 
        (b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or
        (3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.
      “Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement entered into in connection with, and on or prior to, the consummation of the Transactions, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, among the issuer, certain Subsidiaries of the issuer, the financial institutions named therein and Citicorp North America, Inc., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.
      “Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
      “Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.
      “Designated Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the issuer or a Guarantor:
        (1) the Bank Indebtedness and
 
        (2) other Senior Indebtedness of the issuer or such Guarantor which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof, are committed to lend up to, at least $20.0 million and is specifically designated by the issuer or such Guarantor in the instrument evidencing or governing such Senior Indebtedness as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of the indenture.
      “Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person or any option, warrant or other right to acquire Capital Stock which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof, or upon the happening of any event:
        (1) matures, excluding any maturity as the result of the redemption thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
 
        (2) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, or
 
        (3) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part,
in each case prior to 91 days after the maturity date of the notes; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock or other security which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, however, that if such Capital Stock or other security is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the issuer or any of its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided,

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further, that any class of Capital Stock or other security of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the issuer to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the issuer may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant described above under “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments.”
      “Domestic Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.
      “EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:
        (1) Consolidated Taxes; plus
 
        (2) Consolidated Interest Expense.
      “Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
      “Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock of the issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer, as applicable, other than Disqualified Stock, other than public offerings with respect to the issuer’s or such direct or indirect parent company’s common stock registered on Form S-8.
      “Existing GBC Subordinated Notes” means up to $150.0 million of General Binding Corporation’s 9 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008.
      “Existing GBC Subordinated Notes Indenture” means the indenture governing General Binding Corporation’s Existing GBC Subordinated Notes.
      “Existing Indebtedness” means the Indebtedness of the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of the Issue Date.
      “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
      “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.
      “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Preferred Stock, and the use of proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
      For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has made after the Issue Date and during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma

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basis as if all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations or discontinued operations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or discontinued operation, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger or consolidation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
      For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the issuer. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility or on revolving advances under any Qualified Receivables Financing computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the issuer may designate. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable determination of the issuer, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from any acquisition or merger (including, to the extent applicable, from the Transactions) and (2) all adjustments used in connection with the calculation of pro forma Adjusted EBITDA as described under “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements” elsewhere in this prospectus to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period; provided that any such adjustment (x) in excess of $5.0 million shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate and (y) in excess of $30.0 million shall be set forth in a resolution approved by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the issuer.
      “Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:
        (1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, and
 
        (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
      “Foreign Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof and any direct or indirect subsidiary of such Restricted Subsidiary.
      “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of the indenture, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

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      “Government Obligations” means securities that are:
        (1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or
 
        (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,
which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.
      “guarantee” means a guarantee, other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner, including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.
      “Guarantee” means any guarantee of the obligations of the issuer under the indenture and the notes by any Person in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.
      “Guarantor” means any Person that Incurs a Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance with the indenture, such Person ceases to be a Guarantor.
      “Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the net payment obligations of such Person under:
        (1) currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements, currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and
 
        (2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.
      “holder” or “noteholder” means the Person in whose name a note is registered on the Registrar’s books.
      “Incur” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such person at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.
      “Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:
        (1) any indebtedness of such Person, without duplication, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), excluding letters of credit securing obligations other than obligations described in subclauses (a), (b), (e) and (f) of this clause (1) and entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person, to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon, or, if drawn upon, to the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement), (c) in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (d) representing the deferred balance and unpaid purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or

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  trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor and excluding any such balance or unpaid purchase price to the extent that it is either required to be or at the option of such Person may be satisfied solely through the issuance of Equity Interests of the issuer that are not Disqualified Stock, (e) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or (f) representing any Hedging Obligations, other than Hedging Obligations that are incurred in the normal course of business and not for speculative purposes, and that do not increase the Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time other than as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or foreign currency exchange rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;
 
        (2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the Indebtedness of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and
 
        (3) to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

provided that Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business shall be deemed not to constitute Indebtedness.
      “Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in a Similar Business, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith determination of the issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.
      “Initial Purchasers” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., ABN AMRO Incorporated, Harris Nesbitt Corp., NatCity Investments, Inc., Piper Jaffray & Co. and such other initial purchasers party to the purchase agreement entered into in connection with the offer and sale of the notes.
      “Investment Grade Securities” means:
        (1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents) and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition,
 
        (2) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clause (1) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and
 
        (3) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.
      “Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons, including Affiliates, in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, payroll, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments”:
        (1) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to such Person’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person

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  at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that the portion (proportionate to such Person’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary will be considered a reduction in outstanding Investments; and
 
        (2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer.

      “Issue Date” means August 5, 2005, the date on which the notes were originally issued.
      “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.
      “Merger” means the merger, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, which will result in Gemini Acquisition Sub, Inc. merging into General Binding Corporation and General Binding Corporation becoming a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of ACCO Brands Corporation.
      “Merger Agreement” means the agreement and plan of merger, dated March 15, 2005, among Fortune Brands, Inc., ACCO Brands Corporation (f/k/a ACCO World Corporation), Gemini Acquisition Sub, Inc. and General Binding Corporation, as amended.
      “Merger Documents” means the Merger Agreement and any other document entered into in connection therewith, in each case as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.
      “Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
      “Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
      “Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related thereto), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Asset Sales”) to be paid as a result of such transaction, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the issuer as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the issuer after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.
      “Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness;

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provided that Obligations with respect to the notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of the Trustee and other third parties other than the holders of the notes.
      “Offering Memorandum” means means the offering memorandum relating to the offering of the old notes dated August 2, 2005.
      “Officer” means the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, any executive vice president, senior vice president or vice president, the treasurer, the controller or the secretary of the issuer.
      “Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the issuer by two Officers of the issuer, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the issuer, that meets the requirements set forth in the indenture.
      “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the issuer or the Trustee.
      “Pari Passu Indebtedness” means:
        (1) with respect to the issuer, the notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the notes; and
 
        (2) with respect to any Guarantor, its Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Guarantor’s Guarantee.
      “Permitted Asset Swap” means any transfer of properties or assets by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in which the consideration received by the transferor consists primarily of properties or assets to be used in a Similar Business; provided that (1) the fair market value (determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer if such amount is reasonably likely to exceed $50.0 million) of properties or assets received by the issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Permitted Asset Swap is at least equal to the fair market value (determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer if such amount is reasonably likely to exceed $50.0 million) of properties or assets transferred by the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Permitted Asset Swap and (2) the aggregate fair market value of assets transferred by the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with all transactions that the issuer designates as Permitted Asset Swaps after the Closing Date does not exceed 15% of Total Assets.
      “Permitted Investments” means:
        (1) any Investment in the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer;
 
        (2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
 
        (3) any Investment by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer;
 
        (4) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to the provisions of the indenture described under “Certain Covenants — Asset Sales” or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
 
        (5) any Investment existing on the Assumption Date and any amendment, modification, restatement, supplement, extension, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing, in whole or in part thereof; provided that such amendment does not increase the aggregate principal amount thereof;
 
        (6) advances to employees not in excess of $30.0 million outstanding at any one time in the aggregate;

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        (7) any Investment acquired by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in satisfaction of judgments, settlements of debt or compromises of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (8) any Investment acquired by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
 
        (9) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (i) of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;
 
        (10) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses, commission and payroll advances and other similar expenses or advances, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (11) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the issuer, other than Disqualified Stock, or any direct or indirect parent company of the issuer, as applicable; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (c) of the first paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments”;
 
        (12) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Transactions with Affiliates” (except transactions described in clauses (2), (7), (10), (14) and (15) of such paragraph);
 
        (13) guarantees issued in accordance with the covenants described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” and “— Future Guarantors”;
 
        (14) any Investment by Restricted Subsidiaries of the issuer in other Restricted Subsidiaries of the issuer and Investments by Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries in other Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries of the issuer;
 
        (15) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (16) Investments resulting from the receipt of non-cash consideration in an Asset Sale received in compliance with the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Asset Sales” or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
 
        (17) additional Investments in joint ventures and other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value, measured on the date each such Investment was made, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (17) since the Issuer Date not to exceed the greater of (x) 5% of Total Assets and (y) $100.0 million;
 
        (18) Investments deemed to have been made as a result of the acquisition of a Person that at the time of such acquisition held instruments constituting Investments that were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such Person;
 
        (19) Investments in prepaid expenses and lease, utility and workers’ compensation performance and other similar deposits;

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        (20) Investments consisting of intercompany indebtedness between the issuer and the Guarantors or between Guarantors and permitted under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;
 
        (21) Investments consisting of guarantees of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;
 
        (22) Investments in a Receivables Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivables Subsidiary in any other Person, in each case, in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and
 
        (23) endorsements of negotiable instruments and other similar negotiable documents.
      “Permitted Junior Securities” shall mean unsecured debt or equity securities of the issuer or any Guarantor or any successor corporation issued pursuant to a plan of reorganization or readjustment of the issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, that are subordinated to the payment of all then-outstanding Senior Indebtedness of the issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, at least to the same extent that the notes are subordinated to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, on the Issue Date, so long as to the extent that any Senior Indebtedness of the issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, outstanding on the date of consummation of any such plan of reorganization or readjustment is not paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents on such date, the holders of any such Senior Indebtedness not so paid in full in cash have consented to the terms of such plan of reorganization or readjustment.
      “Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:
        (1) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent or deposits as security for payment of insurance related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto), in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (2) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, and deposits made to obtain the release of such Liens in each case for sums not overdue for a period in excess of 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;
 
        (3) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
 
        (4) Liens in favor of issuers of judgment, appeal, performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;
 
        (5) minor survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
 
        (6) Liens securing Indebtedness or other Obligations under the Credit Agreement or other Senior Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the covenant described under “Certain

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  Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;
 
        (7) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the provisions of the indenture described in clauses (o), (t) and (u) of the second paragraph under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; provided that in the case of such clause (u), such Liens do not extend to the property or assets of any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer other than a Foreign Subsidiary;
 
        (8) Liens existing on the Assumption Date;
 
        (9) Liens on property, assets or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other assets or shares owned by the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
 
        (10) Liens on property or assets at the time the issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer acquired the property or assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, consolidation, combination or amalgamation with or into the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided, further, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property or assets owned by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
        (11) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be Incurred in accordance with the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;
 
        (12) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under the indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;
 
        (13) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
 
        (14) leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
 
        (15) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (16) Liens in favor of the issuer or any Guarantor;
 
        (17) Liens on equipment of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the issuer’s client at which such equipment is located;
 
        (18) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12) and (15); provided, however, that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12) and (15) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under the indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and

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  expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
 
        (19) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business; provided that such amounts are not more than 30 days overdue;
 
        (20) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event of Default under clause (8) of the first paragraph under the caption “Defaults” and Liens arising from the rendering of a judgment that is not a final judgment or order against the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to which the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is then proceeding with an appeal or other proceeding for review or in connection with surety or appeal bonds in connection with such attachment or judgment;
 
        (21) Liens under licensing agreements for use of intellectual property entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, including, without limitation, the licensing of any intellectual property that the issuer or any of its subsidiaries determined to no longer utilize;
 
        (22) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any operating lease or capital lease;
 
        (23) rights of set-off;
 
        (24) Liens incurred or deposits made in connection with account netting and other similar treasury management functions;
 
        (25) Liens arising out of consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (25) Liens on assets of a Receivables Subsidiary incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and
 
        (26) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding.

      “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
      “Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
      “Qualified Receivables Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in which the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (1) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and (2) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and any related assets, including all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets (including contract rights) which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable.
      “Receivables Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

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      “Receivables Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the issuer that engages in no activities other than in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction and which is designated by the Board of Directors of the issuer, in the manner described below, as a Receivables Subsidiary (1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other Obligations, contingent or otherwise, of which (a) is guaranteed by the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer, excluding Guarantees of Obligations, other than the principal of and interest on Indebtedness, pursuant to reasonably customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into in connection with accounts receivable transactions, (b) is recourse to or obligates the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer in any way other than pursuant to reasonably customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into in connection with accounts receivable transactions or (c) subjects any property or asset of the issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer, other than accounts receivable and related assets as provided in the definition of “Qualified Receivables Transaction,” directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to reasonably customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into in connection with accounts receivable transactions, (2) with which neither the issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms not materially less favorable to the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the issuer, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable and (3) with which neither the issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer has any obligation to maintain or preserve such Subsidiary’s financial condition or to cause such Subsidiary to achieve specified levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the issuer must be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to that designation.
      “Representative” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness or Designated Senior Indebtedness, as applicable; provided that if, and for so long as, such Senior Indebtedness lacks such a Representative, then the Representative for such Senior Indebtedness shall at all times constitute the holder or holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of obligations under such Senior Indebtedness.
      “Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
      “Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this “Description of Notes,” all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the issuer.
      “S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
      “Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries whereby the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between the issuer and a Restricted Subsidiary of the issuer or between Restricted Subsidiaries of the issuer.
      “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
      “Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien.
      “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
      “Senior Credit Documents” means the collective reference to the Credit Agreement, the notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
      “Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the issuer within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

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      “Similar Business” means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the type of activities conducted by the issuer and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.
      “Spin-off” means the distribution of ACCO’s common stock to Fortune Brands, Inc.’s common stockholders on a pro rata basis pursuant to the Spin-off Agreement.
      “Spin-off Agreement” means the distribution agreement dated as of March 15, 2005, between Fortune Brands, Inc. and ACCO World Corporation, as amended prior to August 17, 2005.
      “Spin-off Documents” means the Spin-off Agreement and any other documents entered into in connection therewith, in each case as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.
      “Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).
      “Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the issuer, any Indebtedness of the issuer which is expressly by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the notes, and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor which is expressly by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Guarantee.
      “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
      “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the indenture.
      “Total Assets” means the total consolidated assets of the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the issuer.
      “Transactions” means the spin-off and the merger and the transactions related thereto, the offering of the old notes and borrowings made pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other transactions related thereto.
      “Treasury Rate” means as of the applicable redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity, as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two (2) Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data), most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to August 15, 2010; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to August 15, 2010 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

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      “Trust Officer” means:
        (1) any officer within the corporate trust department of a Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of that Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and
 
        (2) who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of the indenture.
      “Trustee” means the party named as such in the indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the terms of the indenture and, thereafter, means the successor serving as such under the indenture.
      “Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
        (1) any Subsidiary of the issuer that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the issuer in the manner provided below; and
 
        (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
      The Board of Directors of the issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the issuer (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the issuer) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the issuer or any other Subsidiary of the issuer that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, further, however, that either:
        (a) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or
 
        (b) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under the covenant described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments.”
      The Board of Directors of the issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation:
        (x) (1) the issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock,” or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio for the issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and
 
        (y) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
      Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the issuer shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
      “Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

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      “Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years, calculated to the nearest one-twelfth, from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.
      “Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
      “Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

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BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
      Except as set forth below, new notes will be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. New notes will be issued at the closing of the exchange offer only against surrender of old notes.
      The new notes initially will be represented by one or more notes in registered, global form without interest coupons attached (the “Global Note”). On the date of the closing of the exchange offer, the Global Note will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below.
      Unless definitive new notes are issued, the Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Note may be exchanged for Notes in certificated form. See “— Exchange of Global Note for Certificated Notes.”
      Ownership of interests in the Global Note (“Book-Entry Interests”) will be limited to persons that have accounts with DTC, or persons that hold interests through such Participants (as defined below). Except under the limited circumstances described below, beneficial owners of Book-Entry Interests will not be entitled to physical delivery of new notes in definitive form.
      Book-Entry Interests will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained in book-entry form by DTC or DTC’s nominees and Participants. In addition while the new notes are in global form, holders of Book-Entry Interests will not be considered the owners or “holders” of new notes for any purpose. So long as the new notes are held in global form, DTC or its nominees will be considered the sole holders of the Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture. In addition, Participants must rely on the procedures of DTC and Indirect Participants (as defined below) must rely on the procedures of DTC and the Participants through which they own Book-Entry Interests to transfer their interests or to exercise any rights of holders under the indenture. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its Participants or Indirect Participants, which may change from time to time.
Depository Procedures
      The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC is provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC and are subject to change. Neither we nor the trustee take any responsibility for or are liable for these operations and procedures, including the records relating to Book-Entry Interests, and we urge investors to contact DTC or its Participants directly to discuss these matters.
      DTC has advised the issuer that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
      DTC has also advised the issuer that, pursuant to procedures established by it:
        (1) upon deposit of the Global Note, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants pursuant to the corresponding letters of transmittal with portions of the principal amount of the Global Note; and

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        (2) ownership of these interests in the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interest in the Global Note).
      We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event that we request any action of holders of new notes, or an owner of a beneficial interest in the Global Note desires to take any action that DTC, as the holder of such Global Note, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the Participants to take the action and the Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the Participants to take the action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of the beneficial owners. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of notes by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the notes.
      All interests in a Global Note may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. The laws of some jurisdictions, including certain states of the United States, require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of themselves and Indirect Participants, the ability of a Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge or transfer such interests to Persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.
      Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Note will not have Notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “Holders” thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.
      Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered Holder of the Global Note under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the issuer and the Trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global Note, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither the issuer, the Trustee nor any agent of the issuer or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
        (1) any aspect of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in the Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note; or
 
        (2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.
      DTC has advised the issuer that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the Notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or the issuer. Neither the issuer nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes, and the issuer and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
      Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds.

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      DTC has advised the issuer that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder of Notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Note and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the Notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Note for legended Notes in certificated form, and to distribute such Notes to its Participants.
      Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Note among participants in DTC, DTC is under obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. Neither the issuer nor the Trustee nor any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its Participants or Indirect Participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing DTC’s operations.
Exchange of Global Note for Certificated Note
      A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive notes in registered certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) if:
        (1) DTC (a) notifies the issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Note and the issuer fails to appoint a successor depository within 90 days after receiving such notice or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in each case the issuer fails to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after becoming aware of this condition;
 
        (2) the issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes; or
 
        (3) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.
      In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for Certificated Notes upon prior written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with the Indenture. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in the Global Note will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Note
      Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the Indenture) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such Notes.
Redemption of the Global Note
      In the event the Global Note, or any portion thereof, is redeemed, DTC will redeem an equal amount of the Book-Entry Interests in such Global Note from the amount received by it in respect of the redemption of such Global Note. The redemption price payable in connection with the redemption of such Book-Entry Interests will be equal to the amount received by DTC in connection with the redemption of such Global Note or any portion thereof. We understand that, under existing practices of DTC, if fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, DTC will credit its Participants’ accounts on a proportionate basis, with adjustments to prevent fractions, or by lot or on such other basis as DTC deems fair and appropriate; provided, however, that no Book-Entry Interest of $1,000 principal amount or less may be redeemed in part.

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Same Day Settlement and Payment
      The issuer will make payments in respect of the Notes represented by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note Holder. The issuer will make all payments of principal, interest and premium with respect to Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder’s registered address. The Notes represented by the Global Note are expected to trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such Notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. The issuer expects that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.

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CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
      The following discussion summarizes certain material U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations of (i) the exchange of the old notes for new notes pursuant to the exchange offer by holders of the old notes that acquired their old notes on original issuance for cash at the initial offering price and (ii) the ownership and disposition of the new notes as of the date of this prospectus. The discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations, judicial authorities, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). This discussion is limited to persons that hold the old notes, and will hold the new notes, as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular person or to persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws (such as financial institutions, U.S. expatriates, tax-exempt organizations, real estate investment companies, regulated investment companies, cooperatives, insurance companies and broker-dealers), to persons that will hold the new notes through a pass-through entity or to persons that will hold the new notes as part of a straddle, hedge or synthetic security transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax aspects set forth below.
      Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal income, estate and gift tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the new notes, as well as the effects of state, local and non-U.S. tax laws.
      As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is for U.S. federal income or estate tax purposes, as applicable:
  •  an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
 
  •  a corporation created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
 
  •  an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
 
  •  a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more U.S. fiduciaries who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
      As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is not a U.S. Holder or a partnership.
      If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Each partner and partnership should consult its own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be applicable.
Consequences to U.S. Holders
Exchange Offer
      The exchange of new notes for old notes pursuant to the exchange offer will not be treated as a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, the new notes received by a U.S. Holder will be treated as a continuation of the old notes in the hands of such U.S. Holder. Accordingly, such a U.S. Holder will have the same tax basis and holding period in the new notes as it had in the old notes immediately prior to the exchange.

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Interest
      A U.S. Holder must generally include stated interest on a new note as ordinary income at the time such interest is received or accrued in accordance with such U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Sale or Other Disposition of New Notes
      A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a new note a equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition (less an amount attributable to any accrued and unpaid interest, which will be treated as a payment of interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will be taxable as ordinary income as described above) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the new note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a new note generally will be the US. Holder’s cost therefor. Such recognized gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, and if the U.S. Holder is an individual that has held the new note for more than one year, any such capital gain will be eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
      In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of principal and interest on new notes and to the proceeds of sale, exchange or other disposition of a new note paid to U.S. Holders other than certain exempt recipients (such as corporations). In addition, such amounts may be subject to backup withholding (currently imposed at a rate of 28%) if a U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications or has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it is subject to backup withholding.
      Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided that the requisite procedures are followed and certain information is provided to the IRS.
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
Exchange Offer
      The exchange of new notes for old notes pursuant to the exchange offer will not be treated as a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, the new notes received by a Non-U.S. Holder will be treated as a continuation of the old notes in the hands of such Non-U.S. Holder. Accordingly, such a Non-U.S. Holder will have the same tax basis and holding period in the new notes as it had in the old notes immediately prior to the exchange.
Interest
      Subject to the discussion below concerning information reporting and backup withholding, payments of interest on a new note to a Non-U.S. Holder will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income and withholding taxes, unless any of the following is true:
  •  the interest is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder;
 
  •  the Non-U.S. Holder actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote;
 
  •  the Non-U.S. Holder is a controlled foreign corporation to which we are a related person for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

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  •  the Non-U.S. Holder fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, on a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN (or a permissible substitute) that it is a Non-U.S. Holder and provides its name and address.
      If a Non-U.S. Holder does not qualify for the above exemption, interest paid on a note to such Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides us (or our paying agent) with a properly completed:
  •  IRS Form W-8BEN claiming an exemption from (or reduction in) withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty; or
 
  •  IRS Form W-8ECI stating that the interest paid on the note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If, however, the interest is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder, the interest will be subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed on a net income basis generally in the same manner as applicable to U.S. persons and, in the case of a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, potentially also a 30% branch profits tax.
      Each Non-U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding any applicable income tax treaty that, may provide for an exemption from or reduction in U.S. withholding tax and for rules different from those described above.
Sale or Other Disposition of New Notes
      Subject to the discussion below concerning information reporting and backup withholding, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of a new note will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States or (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
      Payments of interest made in respect of new notes held by a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding if the Non-U.S. Holder properly certifies as to its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will provide such information (and other required certifications) on IRS Form W-8BEN.
      The payment of the proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of a new note (including a redemption or retirement) by or through the U.S. office of a broker is subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the Non-U.S. Holder properly certifies as to its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury. Information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will also generally apply to payments of proceeds of sales or other taxable dispositions of new notes by or through non-U.S. offices of U.S. brokers or by or through non-U.S. brokers with certain types of relationships to the United States unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and such broker has no actual knowledge or reason to know to the contrary or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Neither information reporting nor backup withholding will generally apply to a payment of the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of a new note by or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker not described in the preceding sentence.

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      Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the requisite procedures are followed and certain information is provided to the IRS.
Treatment of the New Notes for U.S. Federal Estate Tax Purposes
      New notes held by an individual who is a Non-U.S. Holder at the time of his or her death generally will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax provided that income or gain from the new notes would not have been effectively connected with a U.S. business of the Non-U.S. Holder and, at the time of death, the Non-U.S. Holder is exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax under the rules described above without regard to the requirement that it certifies its non-U.S. Holder status.

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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
      The following is a summary of considerations associated with the purchase of the old notes and new notes by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of ERISA, plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or provisions under any federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Code or ERISA (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements (each a “Plan”).
General Fiduciary Matters
      ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of such Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such a Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such a Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such a Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the Plan.
      In considering an investment in the notes, a Plan fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary’s duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code or any other applicable Similar Laws.
      Any insurance company proposing to invest assets of its general account in the notes should consider the extent that each investment would be subject to the requirements of ERISA in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Harris Trust and Savings Bank, 510 U.S. 86 (1993), and under any subsequent legislation or other guidance that has or may become available relating to that decision, including the enactment of Section 401(c) of ERISA by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Prohibited Transaction Issues
      Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition or holding of old notes or new notes by a Plan with respect to which the issuer is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs, that may apply to the acquisition and holding of the old notes and new notes. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 75-1, respecting transactions between plans and registered broker-dealers, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment trust partnerships, PTCE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers, although there can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied. It should be noted; however, that even if the conditions specified in one or more of these exemptions are met, the scope of relief provided by these exemptions may not necessarily cover all acts that might be construed as prohibited transactions.

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      Because of the foregoing, the old notes should not be acquired or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such acquisition and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.
Representations
      Accordingly, by acquiring an old note or a new note, each acquiring person and each subsequent transferee of a note will be deemed to have represented and warranted that either (i) no portion of the assets used by such acquiring person or transferee to acquire the old notes or new notes constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the acquisition and holding of the notes by such acquiror or transferee will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.
      The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons acquiring new notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their legal counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to the acquisition or holding of the notes and whether an exemption would be applicable to such acquisition or holding.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION AND SELLING RESTRICTIONS
      The exchange offer is not being made to, nor will we accept surrenders of old notes for exchange from, holders of old notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.
      The distribution of this prospectus and the offer and sale of the new notes may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus or any of the new notes must inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction in which you purchase, offer or sell the new notes or possess or distribute this prospectus and, in connection with any purchase, offer or sale by you of the new notes, must obtain any consent, approval or permission required under the laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction to which you are subject or in which you make such purchase, offer or sale.
      In reliance on interpretations of the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties in similar transactions, we believe that the new notes issued in the exchange offer in exchange for the old notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders’ business and the holders are not engaged in and do not intend to engage in and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution” (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of new notes. This position does not apply to any holder that is
  •  an “affiliate” of the issuer (as defined under the Securities Act); or
 
  •  a broker-dealer.
      Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The issuer and the guarantors have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business 180 days after the expiration date, they will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
      The issuer and the guarantors will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by broker-dealers. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the new notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such new notes. Any broker-dealer that resells new notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such new notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit of any such resale of new notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
      For a period of 180 days after the expiration date, the issuer will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. The issuer and the guarantors have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of old notes) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of old notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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      To date, the SEC has taken the position that broker-dealers may use a prospectus such as this one to fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to resales of new notes received in an exchange such as the exchange pursuant to the exchange offer, if the old notes for which the new notes were received in the exchange were acquired for their own accounts as a result of market-making or other trading activities.
      A broker-dealer intending to use this prospectus in the resale of new notes must so notify us on or prior to the expiration date. This notice may be given in the space provided in the letter of transmittal or may be delivered to the exchange agent.
      We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of the new notes by broker-dealers. Broker-dealers acquiring new notes for their own accounts may sell the notes in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through writing options on the new notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of such new notes.

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LEGAL MATTERS
      The validity of the new notes offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Certain matters of Nevada law will be passed upon for us by Jones Vargas, Las Vegas, Nevada.
EXPERTS
      The consolidated financial statements of ACCO Brands as of December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and for each of the years then ended included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
      The consolidated financial statements of General Binding Corporation as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) as of December 31, 2004 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           
    Page
     
Consolidated Financial Statements of ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
       
    F-2  
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
       
      F-3  
      F-4  
      F-5  
      F-6  
      F-7  
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 25, 2005 and December 27, 2004 and for the three and six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004
       
      F-37  
      F-38  
      F-39  
      F-40  
      F-58  
Consolidated Financial Statements of General Binding Corporation and Subsidiaries
       
    F-59  
    F-60  
       
      F-61  
      F-62  
      F-63  
      F-64  
      F-66  
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
       
      F-96  
      F-98  
      F-100  
      F-106  

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ACCO Brands Corporation
      In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders’ equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries at December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These 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 of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 29, 2005, except for notes 13 and 16
for which the date is September 30, 2005

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                               
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Assets
                       
Current assets
                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 79.8     $ 60.5     $ 43.3  
 
Accounts receivable less allowances for discounts, doubtful accounts and returns; $18.5, $19.3 and $24.4 for 2004, 2003 and 2002
    320.1       258.2       249.4  
 
Inventories, net
                       
   
Raw materials and supplies
    24.7       25.7       26.2  
   
Work in process
    5.8       7.4       8.1  
   
Finished products
    142.0       123.1       101.8  
                   
      172.5       156.2       136.1  
 
Deferred income taxes
    4.2       3.9       6.5  
 
Income taxes receivable
                2.0  
 
Other current assets
    19.9       21.4       19.5  
                   
     
Total current assets
    596.5       500.2       456.8  
Property, plant and equipment
                       
 
Land and improvements
    13.2       14.4       20.5  
 
Buildings and improvements to leaseholds
    117.8       132.7       135.6  
 
Machinery and equipment
    346.5       399.5       398.6  
 
Construction in progress
    15.0       4.4       4.7  
                   
      492.5       551.0       559.4  
 
Less accumulated depreciation
    334.8       381.0       364.1  
                   
     
Property, plant and equipment, net
    157.7       170.0       195.3  
Deferred income taxes
    21.7       25.2       18.9  
Intangibles resulting from business acquisitions, net of accumulated amortization; $63.3, $61.0 and $59.6 for 2004, 2003 and 2002
    117.6       117.3       128.8  
Property, plant and equipment held for sale
          7.0       13.9  
Prepaid pension expense
    87.1       60.1       40.0  
Other assets
    3.9       6.9       6.8  
                   
     
Total assets
  $ 984.5     $ 886.7     $ 860.5  
                   
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                       
Current liabilities
                       
 
Notes payable to banks
  $ 0.1     $ 2.8     $ 4.3  
 
Current portion of long-term debt
                0.4  
 
Accounts payable
    120.6       96.4       87.2  
 
Accrued income taxes due to Parent
    14.3       6.6        
 
Accrued customer programs
    81.6       54.8       62.1  
 
Accrued compensation, restructuring and other liabilities
    108.2       105.2       97.1  
                   
     
Total current liabilities
    324.8       265.8       251.1  
Postretirement and other liabilities
    42.9       87.8       80.6  
                   
     
Total liabilities
    367.7       353.6       331.7  
Stockholders’ equity
                       
 
Common stock, par value $1 per share and 53,476 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
    0.1       0.1       0.1  
 
Parent company investment
    (269.5 )     (225.1 )     (167.6 )
 
Paid-in capital
    1,835.1       1,832.6       1,829.8  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    15.9       (41.2 )     (73.5 )
 
Accumulated deficit
    (964.8 )     (1,033.3 )     (1,060.0 )
                   
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    616.8       533.1       528.8  
                   
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 984.5     $ 886.7     $ 860.5  
                   
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                           
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars, except per share data)            
Net sales
  $ 1,175.7     $ 1,101.9     $ 1,105.4  
                   
Cost of products sold
    714.3       686.8       698.9  
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    347.8       337.8       351.5  
Amortization of intangibles
    1.3       1.7       2.1  
Write-down of intangibles
          12.0        
Restructuring charges
    19.4       17.3       34.3  
Interest expense, including allocation from Parent
    8.5       8.0       12.3  
Other (income) expense, net
    (5.2 )     (1.6 )     0.8  
                   
 
Income before income taxes
    89.6       39.9       5.5  
Income taxes
    21.1       13.2       1.3  
                   
 
Net income
  $ 68.5     $ 26.7     $ 4.2  
                   
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 1.96     $ 0.76     $ 0.12  
                   
Unaudited pro forma earnings per share (see Note 15)
                       
 
Basic
  $ 1.29                  
                   
 
Diluted
  $ 1.28                  
                   
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                           
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Operating activities
                       
Net income
  $ 68.5     $ 26.7     $ 4.2  
Write-down of intangibles
          12.0        
Restructuring non-cash charges
    6.4       9.7       12.1  
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
    1.5       9.2       0.1  
Depreciation
    28.2       33.3       37.0  
Amortization
    1.3       1.7       2.1  
Decrease in deferred income taxes
    (13.7 )     (3.9 )     (9.7 )
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable
    (51.1 )     6.7       7.1  
(Increase) decrease in inventories
    (9.6 )     (10.6 )     38.2  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expense and other liabilities
    35.8       (11.6 )     16.2  
Increase in accrued taxes
    12.0       9.4       26.5  
Other operating activities, net
    (15.6 )     (15.4 )     28.1  
                   
 
Net cash provided from operating activities
    63.7       67.2       161.9  
Investing activities
                       
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (27.6 )     (16.3 )     (22.0 )
Proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and equipment
    21.5       14.6       4.8  
                   
 
Net cash used by investing activities
    (6.1 )     (1.7 )     (17.2 )
Financing activities
                       
Decrease in parent company investment
    (42.6 )     (54.8 )     (128.3 )
Repayments on long-term debt
          (0.4 )     (0.9 )
Repayments of short-term debt
    (2.7 )     (1.6 )      
Borrowings of short-term debt
                0.5  
                   
 
Net cash used by financing activities
    (45.3 )     (56.8 )     (128.7 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
    7.0       8.5       2.4  
                   
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    19.3       17.2       18.4  
Cash and cash equivalents
                       
Beginning of year
    60.5       43.3       24.9  
                   
End of year
  $ 79.8     $ 60.5     $ 43.3  
                   
Cash paid during the year for
                       
Interest
  $ 0.3     $ 0.4     $ 0.5  
                   
Income taxes
  $ 16.9     $ 14.1     $ 11.4  
                   
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Years Ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                                                     
                Accumulated        
        Parent       Other   Accumulated    
    Common   Company   Paid-in   Comprehensive   Earnings    
    Stock   Investment   Capital   Income (Loss)   Deficit   Total
(in millions of dollars)                        
Balance at December 27, 2001
  $ 0.1     $ (42.7 )   $ 1,826.9     $ (55.7 )   $ (1,064.2 )   $ 664.4  
Comprehensive income
                                               
 
Net income
                            4.2       4.2  
 
Minimum pension liability adjustment
                      (29.8 )           (29.8 )
 
Changes in currency translation adjustment and other
                0.4       12.0             12.4  
                                     
   
Total comprehensive income (loss)
                0.4       (17.8 )     4.2       (13.2 )
Net transfers to Parent
          (124.9 )                       (124.9 )
Tax benefit from stock options
                2.5                   2.5  
                                     
Balance at December 27, 2002
    0.1       (167.6 )     1,829.8       (73.5 )     (1,060.0 )     528.8  
Comprehensive income
                                               
 
Net income
                            26.7       26.7  
 
Minimum pension liability adjustment
                      (3.0 )           (3.0 )
 
Changes in currency translation adjustment
                      35.3             35.3  
                                     
   
Total comprehensive income
                      32.3       26.7       59.0  
Net transfers to Parent
          (57.5 )                       (57.5 )
Tax benefit from stock options
                2.8                   2.8  
                                     
Balance at December 27, 2003
    0.1       (225.1 )     1,832.6       (41.2 )     (1,033.3 )     533.1  
Comprehensive income
                                               
 
Net income
                            68.5       68.5  
 
Minimum pension liability adjustment
                      32.8             32.8  
 
Changes in currency translation adjustment
                      24.3             24.3  
                                     
   
Total comprehensive income (loss)
                      57.1       68.5       125.6  
Net transfers to Parent
          (44.4 )     (0.4 )                 (44.8 )
Tax benefit from stock options
                2.9                   2.9  
                                     
Balance at December 27, 2004
  $ 0.1     $ (269.5 )   $ 1,835.1     $ 15.9     $ (964.8 )   $ 616.8  
                                     
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
      ACCO Brands Corporation (the “Company”) is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fortune Brands, Inc. (the “Parent”). The minority interest owner owns 1,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, representing approximately 1.9%. The Company is primarily involved in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of office products — including paper fastening, document management, computer accessories, time management, presentation and other office products — selling primarily to large resellers. The Company’s subsidiaries operate principally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
      Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year’s financial statements to conform with the current year presentation.
Basis of Presentation
      The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results for future periods could differ from those estimates. The Company’s fiscal year end is December 27th, while interim reporting periods end on the 25th of the month. Operations, principally in Europe and Australia, representing approximately 39.3%, 36.5% and 32.8% of consolidated net sales for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, are included in the consolidated financial statements on the basis of fiscal years ending November 30 in order to facilitate timely consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
      Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are included in cash and cash equivalents.
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
      Trade receivables are stated net of discounts, allowances for doubtful accounts and allowance for returns. The allowances represent estimated uncollectible receivables associated with potential customer non-payment on contractual obligations, usually due to customers’ potential insolvency. The allowances include amounts for certain customers where a risk of non-payment has been specifically identified. In addition, the allowances include a provision for customer non-payment on a general formula basis when it is determined the risk of some non-payment is probable and estimatable, but cannot yet be associated with specific customers. The assessment of the likelihood of customer non-payment is based on various factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical experience and existing economic conditions.
Inventories
      Inventories are priced at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory costs include labor, material and overhead. Inventory balances are net of valuation reserves.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
      Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is provided, principally on a straight-line basis, over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Gains or losses resulting from dispositions are included in income. Betterments and renewals which improve and extend the life of an asset are capitalized; maintenance and repair costs are expensed. Purchased computer software, as well as internally-developed software, is capitalized and amortized over the software’s useful life. The following table shows estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment:
         
Buildings
    40 to 50 years  
Leasehold improvements
    1 to 10 years  
Machinery, equipment and furniture
    3 to 10 years  
Computer hardware and software
    3 to 7 years  
Automobiles
    2 to 4 years  
Long-Lived Assets
      In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (SFAS 144), “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” a long-lived asset or asset group is tested for recoverability wherever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such events occur, the Company compares the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group to the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group. If this comparison indicates that there is an impairment, the amount of the impairment is typically calculated using discounted expected future cash flows. The discount rate applied to these cash flows is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital, which represents the blended after-tax costs of debt and equity.
Intangibles
      In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142), indefinite-lived intangibles are tested for impairment on an annual basis and under certain circumstances, written down where impaired, rather than amortized as previous standards required. In addition, SFAS 142 requires purchased intangible assets other than goodwill to be amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be indefinite. Certain of the Company’s trade names have been assigned an indefinite life as it was deemed that these trade names are currently anticipated to contribute cash flows to the Company indefinitely. Indefinite-lived intangible assets will not be amortized, but are required to be evaluated at each reporting period to determine whether the indefinite useful life is appropriate.
      The Company reviews indefinite lived intangibles for impairment annually, and whenever market or business events indicate there may be a potential impact on that intangible. The Company considers the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, pricing, competition, and technology) and internal factors (e.g., product costs, margins, support expenses, capital investment) and their potential impact on cash flows for each business in both the near and long term, as well as their impact on any identifiable intangible asset associated with the business. Based on recent business results, consideration of significant external and internal factors, and the resulting business projections, indefinite lived intangible assets are reviewed to determine whether they are likely to remain indefinite lived, or whether a finite life is more appropriate. In addition, based on events in the period and future expectations, the Company considers whether the potential for impairment exists as required by FAS 142.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of the carrying value of our identifiable intangibles as prescribed by SFAS 142, the Company recorded a non-cash write-off of identifiable intangibles, primarily trademarks, of $12.0 million, $8.0 million after tax, in June 2003. The write-off recognized the diminished fair values of selected identifiable intangibles resulting from the repositioning of the Boone and Hetzel business.
      The Company’s purchased intangible assets are comprised of indefinite-lived and definite-lived trade names carried at cost less accumulated amortization. The gross carrying value of the company’s indefinite-lived assets was $96.8 million as of December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002. Definite-lived trade names are amortized over their estimated useful lives, either 15 or 30 years, based on assessment of a number of factors that may impact useful life. The gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets were $39.6 million and $18.8 million, $37.0 million and $16.5 million, $47.0 million and $15.1 million, respectively, as of December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company’s intangible amortization was $1.3 million, $1.7 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Estimated 2005 through 2009 intangible amortization is $1.7 million per year.
Warranty Reserves
      The Company offers its customers various warranty terms based on the type of product that is sold. Warranty expense is generally recorded at the time of sale.
                         
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Reserve balance at the beginning of the year
  $ (1.2 )   $ (0.7 )   $ (0.9 )
Provision for warranties issued
    (3.4 )     (1.6 )     (1.7 )
Settlements made (in cash or in kind)
    1.9       1.1       1.9  
                   
Reserve balance at the end of year
  $ (2.7 )   $ (1.2 )   $ (0.7 )
                   
Employee Benefit Plans
      The Company and its subsidiaries provide a range of benefits to their employees and retired employees, including pension, postretirement, postemployment and health care benefits. The Company records annual amounts relating to these plans based on calculations specified by GAAP, which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed rates of return, compensation increases, turnover rates and health care cost trend rates. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is deemed appropriate to do so. As required by GAAP, the effect of the modifications are generally recorded or amortized over future periods. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans, which are presented in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, are reasonable based on its experience and on input from its actuaries. The Company will continue to monitor these assumptions as market conditions warrant.
Income Taxes
      In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” deferred tax liabilities or assets are established for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting bases and are subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      Deferred income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, aggregating approximately $208.0 million at December 27, 2004, as such earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested in these companies.
Parent Company Investment
      Certain services were provided to the Company by the Parent. Executive compensation and consulting expenses which were paid by the Parent on behalf of the Company have been allocated based on actual direct costs incurred. Where specific identification of expenses was not practicable, the cost of such services was allocated based on the most relevant allocation method to the service provided. Costs for the most significant of these services, legal and internal audit, were allocated to the Company based on the relative percentage of net sales and total assets, respectively, of the Company to the Parent. The cost of all other services have been allocated to the Company based on the most relevant allocation method to the service provided, either net sales of the Company as a percentage of net sales of the Parent, total assets of the Company as a percentage of total assets of the Parent, or headcount of the Company as a percentage of headcount of the Parent. Total expenses allocated to the Company were $13.0 million, $10.3 million and $7.8 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
      In addition, interest expense associated with the Parent’s outstanding debt has been allocated to the Company based upon average net assets of the Company as a percentage of average net assets plus average consolidated debt not attributable to other operations of the Parent. The Company believes this method of allocating interest expense produces reasonable results because average net assets is a significant factor in determining the amount of parent company borrowings. No debt has been allocated by the Parent to the Company’s balance sheet. Total interest expense allocated to the Company was $10.4 million, $9.5 million and $13.2 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
      The Company recognizes revenues from product sales when earned, net of applicable provisions for discounts, returns and allowances, as defined by GAAP and in accordance with SEC Bulletins No. 101 and No. 104. For product sales, revenue is not recognized until title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer, generally upon shipment. The Company provides its estimates of potential doubtful accounts at the time of revenue recognition.
Net Sales
      Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are classified in “advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses.” Shipping and handling costs included in “advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses” were $50.2 million, $47.4 million and $45.1 million as of December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Customer Program Costs
      The Company generally recognizes customer program costs as a deduction to “gross sales” at the time the time that the associated revenue is recognized. Certain customer incentives that do not directly relate to future revenues are expensed when initiated. Customer program costs include, but are not limited to, sales rebates which are generally tied to achievement of certain sales volume levels, in-store promotional allowances, shared media and customer catalog allowances and other cooperative advertising arrangements, and freight allowance programs. In addition, incentives to the Company’s end consumer, such as mail-in rebates and coupons, are also reported as sales deductions.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      In addition, “accrued customer programs” principally include, but are not limited to, sales volume rebates, promotional allowances, shares media and customer catalog allowances and other cooperative advertising arrangements, and freight allowances as discussed above.
Advertising Costs
      Advertising costs amounted to $81.5 million, $74.8 million and $85.2 million for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These costs include, but are not limited to, cooperative advertising and promotional allowances as described in “Customer Program Costs” above, and are principally expensed as incurred.
      The Company capitalizes certain direct-response advertising costs which are primarily from catalogs and reminder mailings sent to customers. Such costs are generally amortized in proportion to when related revenues are recognized, usually no longer than three months. In addition, direct response advertising includes mailings to acquire new customers, and this cost is amortized over the periods that benefits are realized. Direct response advertising amortization of $6.9 million, $7.3 million and $16.5 million was recorded in the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and is included in the above amounts.
      At December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002 there were $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of unamortized direct response advertising costs included in other current assets.
Research and Development
      Research and development expenses, which amounted to $8.1 million, $8.3 million and $9.5 million for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, are charged to expense as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
      The Company applies Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock options. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the stock option plans. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 (SFAS 148), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure,” requires disclosure of pro forma net income and pro forma earnings per share amounts as if compensation expense was recognized.
      Pursuant to SFAS 148, the Company, for purposes of its pro forma disclosure in Note 8, determined its compensation expense in accordance with the Black-Scholes option-pricing model fair value method.
Foreign Currency Translation
      Foreign currency balance sheet accounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange in effect during the year. The related translation adjustments are made directly to a separate component of the Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (OCI) caption in stockholder’s equity. Some transactions are made in currencies different from an entity’s functional currency. Gain and losses on these foreign currency transactions are generally included in income as they occur.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
      The Company records all derivative instruments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (SFAS 133), “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and its related amendment Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 138 (SFAS 138), “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities.” These statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. It requires recognition of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and the measurement of those instruments at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge and is effective, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings in the same period. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income and are recognized in the income statement when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings.
      Derivative gains or losses included in OCI are realized into earnings at the time the forecasted revenue or expense is recognized. The Company has experienced no material gains or losses on hedging activities.
Foreign Currency Risk
      Certain forecasted transactions, assets and liabilities are exposed to foreign currency risk. The Company continually monitors its foreign currency exposures in order to maximize the overall effectiveness of its foreign currency hedge positions. Principal currencies hedged include the U.S. dollar and Pound sterling.
Concentration of Credit Risk
      Sales to the Company’s four largest customers were $436.0 million, $433.0 million and $421.4 million for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Trade receivables from these customers were $157.7 million, $118.1 million and $100.6 million at December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
      Office Depot sales were $215.8 million, $213.1 million and $196.8 million for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, which represented more than 10% of the total sales.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
      In May 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 106-2 (FSP 106-2), “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2004 (the “Medicare Prescription Act”).” FSP 106-2 provides guidance on the accounting for, and disclosure of, the effects of the Medicare Prescription Act enacted in December 2003. The Medicare Prescription Act will provide a prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D, as well as provide a federal subsidy to employers that provide a program for prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.
      The Company adopted FSP 106-2 prospectively in the third quarter of 2004. Several of the postretirement plans qualify for the federal subsidy; however, the adoption of FSP 106-2 did not have a material impact on the results of operations. The subsidy, which will result in lower future expense, reduced the Company’s accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by an insignificant amount.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 109-2 (FSP 109-2), “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act).” The Act provides for a special one-time dividend received deduction on the repatriation of foreign earnings. As a result of FSP 109-2, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.2 million in 2004.
      In December 2004, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) (FAS 123R), “Share-Based Payment.” FAS 123R replaces FAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” FAS 123R requires compensation expense, measured over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. The Company intends to adopt FAS 123R using the “modified prospective” transition method as defined in FAS 123R. Under the modified prospective method, companies are required to record compensation cost for new and modified awards over the related vesting period of such awards prospectively and record compensation cost prospectively for the unvested portion, at the date of adoption, of previously issued and outstanding awards over the remaining vesting period of such awards. FAS 123R is effective January 1, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact of FAS 123R on the results and financial position.
      In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, “Inventory Costs” (Statement 151). The provisions of this Statement become effective for the Company in fiscal 2006. This Statement amends the existing guidance on the recognition of inventory costs to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Existing rules indicate that under some circumstances, items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage, double freight, and rehandling costs may be so abnormal as to require treatment as current period charges. Statement 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal.” In addition, Statement 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The impact of the Statement on the valuation of inventory and operating results is currently being evaluated by the Company.
      In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” The objective of FIN 46 is to improve financial reporting by companies involved with variable interest entities. Prior to FIN 46, companies generally included another entity in its consolidated financial statements only if it controlled the entity through voting interests. FIN 46 was effective for newly created variable interest entities as of January 31, 2003 and was effective for existing variable interest entities as of October 1, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have an impact on the Company’s results or financial position.
      In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46 (46R) to clarify some of the provision of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” and to exempt certain entities from its requirements. Special effective dates apply to enterprises that have fully or partially applied Interpretation 46 prior to issuance of 46R. Otherwise, application of 46R or FIN 46 was required in financial statements of public entities that have interests in structures that are special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003. Both 46R and FIN 46 did not have an impact on the Company’s results or financial position.
      In November 2003, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 150-3 (FSP 150-3), “Effective Date, Disclosure, and Transition for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest under FASB Statement No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity.”

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
FSP 150-3 defers the effective date for certain mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest indefinitely pending further FASB action. The adoption of SFAS 150 did not have an impact on the Company’s results or financial position.
2. Pension and Other Retiree Benefits
      The Company has a number of pension plans, principally in the United States and United Kingdom, covering substantially all employees. The plans provide for payment of retirement benefits, mainly commencing between the ages of 60 and 65, and also for payment of certain disability and severance benefits. After meeting certain qualifications, an employee acquires a vested right to future benefits. The benefits payable under the plans are generally determined on the basis of an employee’s length of service and earnings. Annual contributions to the plans are made as necessary to ensure legal funding requirements are satisfied.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      The Company provides postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to certain employees and retirees in the United States and certain employee groups outside the United States. Many employees and retirees outside the United States are covered by government health care programs.
                                                   
    Pension Benefits   Postretirement Benefits
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)                        
Change in projected
benefit obligation (PBO)
                                               
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 294.0     $ 244.3     $ 217.5     $ 10.8     $ 12.6     $ 10.8  
Service cost
    7.2       6.3       7.1       0.2       0.2       0.3  
Interest cost
    17.4       15.0       14.4       0.7       0.7       0.7  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    7.9       24.7       6.7             (3.0 )     0.7  
Participants’ contributions
    1.3       1.2       1.0             0.1       0.1  
Foreign exchange rate changes
    19.2       16.7       9.9       0.7       0.8       0.6  
Benefits paid
    (16.9 )     (14.2 )     (12.3 )     (0.7 )     (0.6 )     (0.6 )
Curtailments
                      (0.6 )            
                                     
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
    330.1       294.0       244.3       11.1       10.8       12.6  
                                     
Change in plan assets
                                               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
    264.4       214.6       240.4                    
Actual return on plan assets
    18.9       26.9       (25.1 )                  
Employer contributions
    30.9       22.8       2.2       0.6       0.5       0.5  
Participants’ contributions
    1.3       1.2       1.0       0.1       0.1       0.1  
Foreign exchange rate changes
    16.9       13.6       8.8                    
Benefits paid
    (16.9 )     (14.2 )     (12.3 )     (0.7 )     (0.6 )     (0.6 )
Other Items
    0.5       (0.5 )     (0.4 )                  
                                     
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
    316.0       264.4       214.6                    
                                     
Funded status (Fair value of plan assets less PBO)
    (14.1 )     (29.6 )     (29.7 )     (11.2 )     (10.8 )     (12.6 )
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)
    94.1       83.6       67.1       (6.1 )     (6.5 )     (3.9 )
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)
    4.4       3.0       1.0       (0.2 )     (0.2 )     (0.2 )
                                     
 
Net amount recognized
  $ 84.4     $ 57.0     $ 38.4     $ (17.5 )   $ (17.5 )   $ (16.7 )
                                     
      Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
                                                   
    Pension Benefits   Postretirement Benefits
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
                         
(in millions of dollars)    
Prepaid pension benefit
  $ 87.1     $ 60.1     $ 11.9     $     $     $  
Accrued benefit liability
    (2.7 )     (53.9 )     (19.7 )     (17.5 )     (17.5 )     (16.7 )
Intangible assets
          3.8       2.0                    
Accumulated other comprehensive income
          47.0       44.2                    
                                     
 
Net amount recognized
  $ 84.4     $ 57.0     $ 38.4     $ (17.5 )   $ (17.5 )   $ (16.7 )
                                     

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $307.3 million, $274.0 million and $224.8 million at December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
      Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Projected benefit obligation
  $ 2.3     $ 174.9     $ 231.7  
Accumulated benefit obligation
    1.6       163.0       212.2  
Fair value of plan assets
          140.8       192.9  
      The change is primarily due to two plans that are no longer underfunded as of December 27, 2004.
      Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                                                 
    Pension Benefits   Postretirement Benefits
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)                        
Service cost
  $ 7.2     $ 6.3     $ 7.1     $ 0.2     $ 0.2     $ 0.3  
Interest cost
    17.4       15.0       14.4       0.7       0.7       0.7  
Expected return on plan assets
    (21.9 )     (19.7 )     (21.0 )     (0.6 )     (0.2 )      
Amortization of prior service cost
    0.9       1.3       0.2                    
Amortization of net loss (gain)
    4.3       2.0             (1.0 )     (0.6 )     (0.4 )
                                     
Net periodic benefit cost (income)
  $ 7.9     $ 4.9     $ 0.7     $ (0.7 )   $ 0.1     $ 0.6  
                                     
      Additional information:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
(Decrease) increase in minimum liability included in intangible assets, liabilities and other comprehensive income
  $ (32.8 )   $ 3.0     $ 44.2  
     
      Assumptions:
      Weighted average assumptions used to determine net cost for years ended December 27:
                                                 
        Postretirement
    Pension Benefits   Benefits
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
                         
Discount rate
    5.7 %     5.9 %     6.3 %     5.7 %     5.9 %     6.2 %
Rate of compensation increase
    4.0 %     3.5 %     3.5 %                  
      Assumptions:
      Weighted average assumptions used to determine net cost for years ended December 27:
                                                 
        Postretirement
    Pension Benefits   Benefits
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
                         
Discount rate
    5.9 %     6.3 %     6.7 %     5.9 %     6.2 %     6.7 %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
    7.9 %     8.0 %     8.0 %                  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.8 %     3.5 %     4.0 %                  
      The Company’s expected 7.9% long-term rate of return is based on a melded allocation of equity and fixed income.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      Assumed health care cost trend rates used to determine benefit obligations and net cost at December 27:
                         
    Postretirement Benefits
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
    10 %     10 %     10 %
Rate that the cost trend rate is assumed to decline
(the ultimate trend rate)
    5 %     5 %     5 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
    2015       2014       2008  
      Assumed health care cost trend rates have significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
                         
    1-Percentage-   1-Percentage-   1-Percentage-
    Point Increase   Point Decrease   Point Decrease
(in millions of dollars)            
Effect on total of service and interest cost
  $ 0.1     $ (0.1 )   $ (0.1 )
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
    1.0       (1.0 )     (1.0 )
Plan Assets
      The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:
                           
    Pension Plan Assets
    at December 27
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Asset category
                       
Cash
    4 %     1 %     1 %
Equity securities
    70       73       61  
Fixed income
    26       26       38  
                   
 
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %
                   
      The investment strategy for the Company, which has numerous domestic pension plans under several master trusts, is to optimize investment returns through a diversified portfolio of investments, taking into consideration underlying plan liabilities and asset volatility. Master trusts were established to hold the assets of the Company’s domestic defined benefit plans. The defined benefit asset allocation policy of these trusts allow for an equity allocation of 45% to 75%, a fixed income allocation of 25% to 50% and a cash allocation of up to 25%. Each master trust has a different target asset allocation which is reviewed periodically and is based on the underlying liability structure. The asset allocation for non-U.S. plans is set by the local plan trustees. Some non-U.S. plans allow for an investment of 10% in real estate.
Cash Flows Contributions
      The Company expects to contribute $5.0 million to its pension plans in 2005.
      The Company sponsors a number of defined contribution plans. Contributions are determined under various formulas. Costs related to such plans amounted to $4.5 million, $3.9 million and $4.5 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be paid:
                 
    Pension   Postretirement
    Benefits   Benefits
(in millions of dollars)        
2005
  $ 13.9     $ 0.7  
2006
    14.1       0.7  
2007
    14.2       0.7  
2008
    20.3       0.8  
2009
    15.1       0.8  
Years 2010 — 2013
    90.9       4.6  
3. Lease Commitments
      Future minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 27, 2004 are as follows:
         
(in millions of dollars)    
2005
  $ 16.8  
2006
    14.8  
2007
    14.0  
2008
    12.2  
2009
    11.6  
Remainder
    53.3  
       
Total minimum rental payments
    122.7  
Less minimum rentals to be received under noncancelable subleases
    (2.5 )
       
    $ 120.2  
       
      Total rental expense for all operating leases (reduced by minor amounts from subleases) amounted to $19.5 million, $18.3 million and $20.7 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
4. Income Taxes
      The components of income (loss) before income taxes are as follows:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Domestic operations
  $ 30.0     $ (10.1 )   $ (24.7 )
Foreign operations
    59.6       50.0       30.2  
                   
    $ 89.6     $ 39.9     $ 5.5  
                   

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      A reconciliation of income taxes at the 35% federal statutory income tax rate to income taxes as reported is as follows:
                           
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Income taxes computed at federal statutory income tax rate
  $ 31.2     $ 13.9     $ 1.8  
Other income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    1.3       0.3       (0.6 )
Intangible write-down and amortization not deductible for income tax purposes
    0.4       0.9       0.7  
Foreign income taxed at lower effective tax rate
    (3.4 )     (3.2 )     (0.5 )
Release of valuation allowance
    (3.7 )            
Reversal of reserves for items resolved more favorably than anticipated
    (3.7 )            
Effect of foreign earnings repatriation under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004
    1.2              
Miscellaneous
    (2.2 )     1.3       (0.1 )
                   
 
Income taxes as reported
  $ 21.1     $ 13.2     $ 1.3  
                   
      During the third quarter of 2004, in conjunction with the conclusion of a restructuring effort, ACCO Brands reported a $3.7 million deferred tax benefit relating to the release of the valuation allowance associated with foreign subsidiary deductible temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards in one jurisdiction. Positive evidence supporting the release of the valuation allowance included twelve trailing quarters of positive pretax earnings, improved product mix profitability, improved marketplace position, product cost restructuring, and strong management.
      The components of the income tax provision (benefit) are as follows:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Currently payable
                       
Federal
  $ 17.8     $ 2.7     $ .2  
Foreign
    15.3       13.9       11.7  
Other
    1.7       0.5       (0.9 )
 
Deferred
                       
Federal and other
    (10.3 )     (4.2 )     (9.2 )
Foreign
    (3.4 )     0.3       (0.5 )
                   
    $ 21.1     $ 13.2     $ 1.3  
                   

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      The components of net deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
                           
    2004   2003   2002
(in millions of dollars)            
Current assets
                       
Compensation and benefits
  $ 0.9     $ 0.1     $ 0.6  
Other reserves
    4.8       3.7       3.8  
Restructuring
    1.2       0.8       2.7  
Accounts receivable
    3.6       5.3       6.0  
Miscellaneous
    4.2       3.9       4.4  
                   
      14.7       13.8       17.5  
Current liabilities
                       
Dividends receivable
    (2.0 )            
Pensions
    (8.1 )     (8.6 )     (8.6 )
Miscellaneous
    (0.4 )     (0.3 )     (1.4 )
                   
 
Current deferred income taxes
    4.2       4.9       7.5  
Noncurrent assets
                       
Net operating loss carryforwards
    12.4       12.7       10.8  
Compensation and benefits
    11.5       8.1       4.5  
Pension
          9.9       14.4  
Goodwill basis
    18.0       19.6       21.1  
Miscellaneous
    3.1       2.5       3.0  
                   
      45.0       52.8       53.8  
Noncurrent liabilities
                       
Depreciation
    (1.0 )     (7.6 )     (10.0 )
Pensions
    (6.6 )           (2.5 )
Identifiable intangibles
    (4.0 )     (3.6 )     (7.2 )
Miscellaneous
    (2.0 )     (3.7 )     (4.4 )
                   
 
Noncurrent deferred income taxes
    31.4       37.9       29.7  
                   
 
Valuation allowance
    (9.7 )     (13.7 )     (11.8 )
                   
 
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 25.9     $ 29.1     $ 25.4  
                   
      The deferred tax asset valuation allowances are provided for net deferred tax assets in those jurisdictions where the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
5. Short-Term Borrowings and Credit Facilities
      At December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, there were $10.4 million, $10.3 million and $4.3 million committed under bank lines of credit, respectively. Included in this amount as of December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, were $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million of borrowings outstanding, respectively. The Company had committed bank credit agreements that provide for unsecured borrowings of up to $8.9 million, $8.5 million and $7.1 million at December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, for general

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
corporate purposes, including acquisitions. In addition, the Company had uncommitted bank lines of credit, which provide for unsecured borrowings for working capital of up to $78.8 million as of December 27, 2004. The weighted average interest rate on these outstanding borrowings was 6.04%, 6.04% and 3.09% in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
6.  Financial Instruments
      The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Financial instruments are used to principally reduce the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The principal financial instruments used are forward foreign exchange contracts. The counterparties are major financial institutions. Although the Company’s theoretical risk is the replacement cost at the then estimated fair value of these instruments, management believes that the risk of incurring losses is remote and that such losses, if any, would be immaterial.
      The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts principally to hedge currency fluctuations in transactions denominated in foreign currencies, thereby limiting the Company’s risk that would otherwise result from changes in exchange rates. The periods of the forward foreign exchange contracts correspond to the periods of the hedged transactions.
      At December 27, 2004, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts to purchase $39.1 million of various foreign currencies (principally Pounds sterling and U.S. dollars) with maturity dates in fiscal 2005, with a weighted average maturity of 133 days.
      At December 27, 2003, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts to purchase $30.2 million of various foreign currencies (principally Pounds sterling and U.S. dollars) with maturity dates in fiscal year 2004, with a weighted average maturity of 133 days.
      At December 27, 2002, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts to purchase $2.2 million of various foreign currencies (principally Pounds sterling and Hong Kong dollars) with maturity dates in fiscal year 2003, with a weighted average maturity of 30 days.
      The estimated fair value of foreign currency contracts represents the amount required to enter into offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based on quoted market prices. At December 27, 2004, the fair value of all outstanding contracts was $2.2 million less than the carrying amounts.
      The estimated fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, notes payable to banks and commercial paper approximates the carrying amounts due principally to their short maturities. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the operating companies’ domestic and international customer base, thus spreading the credit risk.
      Raw materials used by the Company are subject to price volatility caused by weather, supply conditions, geopolitical and economic variables, and other unpredictable external factors.
7.  Restructuring and Restructuring-Related Charges
      On April 19, 2001, the Company announced that as a result of its evaluation of strategic options, it would immediately begin implementing a plan designed to improve both financial results and the long-term value of the business.
      As part of this restructuring program, the Company recorded $19.4 million of pre-tax restructuring charges in the year 2004. This amount includes a release of $1.6 million of excess amounts established in a

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
prior year. The charges relate to employee termination costs (283 positions) and to asset write-offs with a significant portion related to consolidation or closure of manufacturing facilities in the U.S., United Kingdom and mainland Europe and operational downsizing throughout the Company.
      Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 146, the following table represents the reconciliation of the restructuring charges for actions initiated after December 31, 2002.
                                           
    Balance at               Balance at
    December 27,   2004   Cash   Non-Cash   December 27,
(in millions of dollars)   2003   Provision   Expenditures   Write-Offs   2004
                     
Rationalization of operations
                                       
 
Employee termination costs
  $ 1.3     $ 12.9     $ (14.1 )   $     $ 0.1  
 
Other
    0.2       (0.1 )     (0.4 )     0.4       0.1  
International distribution and
                                       
 
lease agreements
    1.1       (0.5 )     (0.3 )           0.3  
Loss on disposal of assets
          7.6       1.1       (8.7 )      
                               
    $ 2.6     $ 19.9     $ (13.7 )   $ (8.3 )   $ 0.5  
                               
                                           
    Balance at               Balance at
    December 27,   2003   Cash   Non-Cash   December 27,
(in millions of dollars)   2002   Provision   Expenditures   Write-Offs   2003
                     
Rationalization of operations
                                       
 
Employee termination costs
  $     $ 8.8     $ (7.5 )   $     $ 1.3  
 
Other
          0.5       (0.3 )           0.2  
International distribution and
                                       
 
lease agreements
          1.2       (0.2 )     0.1       1.1  
Loss on disposal of assets
          8.8       5.1       (13.9 )     0.0  
                               
    $     $ 19.3     $ (2.9 )   $ (13.8 )   $ 2.6  
                               
      Of the 2,048 positions planned for elimination under restructuring initiatives from 2001 to 2004, 2,048 had been eliminated as of December 27, 2004.
      Reconciliation of the entire restructuring liability as of December 27, 2004 is as follows:
                                             
    Balance at               Balance at
    December 27,   Total   Cash   Noncash   December 27,
(in millions of dollars)   2003   Provision   Expenditures   Write-Offs   2004
                     
Rationalization of operations
                                       
   
Employee termination costs
  $ 2.6     $ 12.5     $ (15.0 )   $ 0.1     $ 0.2  
   
Other
    0.8             (0.8 )            
International distribution and
                                       
 
lease agreements
    4.3       (0.7 )     (1.1 )     0.2       2.7  
Loss on disposal of assets
    0.2       7.6       1.0       (8.8 )      
                               
    $ 7.9     $ 19.4     $ (15.9 )   $ (8.5 )   $ 2.9  
                               

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      Reconciliation of the entire restructuring liability as of December 27, 2003, is as follows:
                                           
    Balance at               Balance at
    December 27,   Total   Cash   Noncash   December 27,
(in millions of dollars)   2002   Provision   Expenditures   Write-Offs   2003
                     
Rationalization of operations
                                       
 
Employee termination costs
  $ 9.0     $ 6.8     $ (13.7 )   $ 0.5     $ 2.6  
 
Other
    (0.2 )     0.9       (0.6 )     0.7       0.8  
International distribution and
                                       
 
lease agreements
    4.3       1.1       (1.5 )     0.4       4.3  
Loss on disposal of assets
    0.8       8.5       11.8       (20.9 )     0.2  
                               
    $ 13.9     $ 17.3     $ (4.0 )   $ (19.3 )   $ 7.9  
                               
      Reconciliation of the entire restructuring liability as of December 27, 2002, is as follows:
                                           
    Balance at               Balance at
    December 27,   Total   Cash   Non-Cash   December 27,
(in millions of dollars)   2001   Provision   Expenditures   Write-Offs   2002
                     
Rationalization of operations
                                       
 
Employee termination costs
  $ 7.6     $ 19.8     $ (18.7 )   $ 0.3     $ 9.0  
 
Other
    0.4       (0.2 )     (0.4 )           (0.2 )
International distribution and
                                       
 
lease agreements
    5.2       1.5       (2.7 )     0.3       4.3  
Loss on disposal of assets
    2.1       13.2             (14.5 )     0.8  
                               
    $ 15.3     $ 34.3     $ (21.8 )   $ (13.9 )   $ 13.9  
                               
      Of the 1,765 positions planned for elimination under restructuring initiatives from 2001 through 2003, 1,726 had been eliminated as of December 27, 2003.
      In association with the Company’s plan to abandon one long-term lease agreement, a charge for $2.6 million was recorded in the year 2001. Cash expenditures related to this lease are expected to continue through 2007.
      The Company expects that all other activity will be completed within the next 12 months.
      In association with the Company’s restructuring, certain non-recurring costs were expensed to cost of products sold and advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses in the income statement. These charges were principally related to strategic product category exits and to implementation of the new company footprint. These charges totaled $22.2 million, $20.2 million and $13.9 million for the years ended December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
8.  Stock Plans
      As a subsidiary of the Parent, the Company has no employee stock option plan; however, certain employees of the Company have been granted stock options and performance awards under the incentive plans of the Parent, including the 1999 and 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plans. The 1999 and 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plans authorize the granting to key employees of the Parent and its subsidiaries, including the Company, of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards and other stock-based awards, any of which may be granted alone or in combination

F-23


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
with other types of awards or dividend equivalents. Grants under the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan may be made on or before December 31, 2008 for up to 12 million shares of common stock. Under each plan, no more than two million shares may be granted to any one individual. No new stock-based awards may be made under the Parent’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, but existing awards already issued may continue to be exercised or paid pursuant to their terms.
      Stock options under the Plans have exercise prices equal to fair market values at dates of grant. Options generally may not be exercised prior to one year or more than ten years from the date of grant. Options issued since November 1998 generally vest one-third each year over a three year period after the date of grant. Performance awards are currently amortized into expense over the three-year vesting period, and are generally paid in stock but can be paid in cash if individual stock ownership guidelines are met.
      The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock plans as allowed under SFAS Statement No. 148. Had compensation cost for the fixed stock options granted in 2004, 2003 and 2002 been determined consistent with SFAS 148, pro forma net income and earnings per common share of the Company would have been as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars, except per share data)   2004   2003   2002
             
Net income — as reported
  $ 68.5     $ 26.7     $ 4.2  
Add: Stock based employee compensation (performance awards) included in reported net income, net of tax
    0.5       0.5       0.3  
Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation (stock options and performance awards) determined under the fair-value based method for all awards, net of tax
    (3.7 )     (3.0 )     (2.7 )
                   
Pro forma net income
  $ 65.3     $ 24.2     $ 1.8  
                   
Pro forma net earnings per basic share
  $ 1,221     $ 453     $ 34  
                   
      Changes during the three years ended December 31, 2004 in shares under options were as follows:
                 
        Weighted-
        Average
        Exercise
    Options   Price
         
Outstanding at December 31, 2001
    1,920,726     $ 30.31  
Granted
    395,200       49.00  
Exercised
    (687,324 )     30.29  
Lapsed
    (152,321 )     32.71  
             
Outstanding at December 31, 2002
    1,476,281       35.07  
Granted
    393,100       57.30  
Exercised
    (374,055 )     31.03  
Lapsed
    (45,458 )     40.50  
             
Outstanding at December 31, 2003
    1,449,868       41.97  
Granted
    392,100       72.87  
Exercised
    (259,718 )     32.78  
Lapsed
    (22,509 )     50.19  
             
Outstanding at December 31, 2004
    1,559,741     $ 51.15  
             

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      The weighted-average fair values of options granted during 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $16.28, $13.40 and $11.62, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2004, 2003 and 2002:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
Expected dividend yield
    1.8 %     2.1 %     2.3 %
Expected volatility
    26.7 %     29.4 %     30.6 %
Risk-free interest rate
    3.2 %     2.8 %     2.7 %
Expected term
    4.5 years       4.5 years       4.5 years  
      Options outstanding at December 31, 2004 were as follows:
                         
        Weighted-    
        Average   Weighted-
        Remaining   Average
    Number   Contractual   Exercise
Range of Exercise Prices   Outstanding   Life   Price
             
$22.78 to $32.05
    343,642       6.1     $ 29.24  
34.18 to 49.10
    464,246       6.5       44.13  
57.46 to 78.09
    751,853       9.3       65.49  
                   
$22.78 to $78.09
    1,559,741       7.8     $ 51.15  
                   
      Options exercisable at the end of each of the three years ended December 31, 2004 were as follows:
                 
        Weighted-
        Average
    Options   Exercise
    Exercisable   Price
         
December 31, 2004
    802,939     $ 38.92  
December 31, 2003
    717,659     $ 32.74  
December 31, 2002
    735,212     $ 30.47  
      Options exercisable at December 31, 2004 were as follows:
             
    Weighted-
    Average
Number   Exercise
Exercisable   Price
     
  343,642     $ 29.24  
  348,207       42.56  
  111,090       57.46  
         
  802,939     $ 38.92  
         
      At December 31, 2004, performance awards were outstanding pursuant to which up to 9,000 shares, 9,000 shares, 9,000 shares and 6,900 shares may be issued in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, depending on the extent to which certain specified performance objectives are met. 8,256 shares, 5,463 shares and 3,426 shares were issued pursuant to performance awards during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The costs of performance awards are expensed over the performance period.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      Compensation expense for the stock based plans recorded for 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
9.  Comprehensive Income (Loss)
      Comprehensive income is defined as net income (loss) and other changes in stockholders’ equity from transactions and other events from sources other than stockholders. The components of and changes in other comprehensive loss are as follows:
                         
        Minimum   Accumulated
    Foreign   Pension   Other
    Currency   Liability   Comprehensive
(in millions of dollars)   Adjustments   Adjustment   Income (Loss)
             
Balance at December 27, 2001
  $ (55.7 )   $     $ (55.7 )
Changes during the year (net of taxes of $1.3)
    12.0       (29.8 )     (17.8 )
                   
Balance at December 27, 2002
    (43.7 )     (29.8 )     (73.5 )
Changes during the year (net of taxes of $1.3)
    35.3       (3.0 )     32.3  
                   
Balance at December 27, 2003
    (8.4 )     (32.8 )     (41.2 )
Changed during the year (net of taxes of $14.5)
    24.3       32.8       57.1  
                   
Balance at December 27, 2004
  $ 15.9     $     $ 15.9  
                   
10.  Pending Litigation
      The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in lawsuits associated with their business and operations. It is not possible to predict the outcome of the pending actions, but management believes that there are meritorious defenses to these actions and that these actions will not have a material adverse effect upon the results of operations, cash flows or financial condition of the Company. These actions are being vigorously contested.
11.  Environmental
      The Company is subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. While it is not possible to quantify with certainty the potential impact of actions regarding environmental matters, particularly remediation and other compliance efforts that the Company’s subsidiaries may undertake in the future, in the opinion of management, compliance with the present environmental protection laws, before taking into account estimated recoveries from third parties, will not have a material adverse effect upon the results of operation, cash flows or financial condition of the Company.
12.  Information on Business Segments
      The Company is organized into business segments based on the products and markets served. The Company’s business segments are described below:
        ACCO U.S. — ACCO U.S. sells to U.S. customers and serves as one of two primary product ‘hubs’ for the business, driving much of the new product development and innovation opportunities for the North American region. The two ‘hubs’ coordinate product development activities to avoid duplication of effort while maintaining both global and local consumer focus.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
        ACCO Europe — In Europe, ACCO U.K. sells to customers in the United Kingdom, and serves as the primary product ‘hub’ for the European offerings. ACCO Europe businesses in France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary are principally engaged in selling products that are global or products that have been localized for their geographic market. These products are sourced from ACCO Brands’ U.K. product ‘hub’ (manufactured product), supplied by third party vendors, or manufactured regionally.
 
        Trading companies — The Company’s businesses in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and Chile, referred to as our “Trading Companies”, are principally engaged in selling product which is either global or products that have been localized for their geographic market. These products are sourced from ACCO Brands’ business ’hubs’ in the U.S. and Europe (manufactured product), supplied by third party vendors, or manufactured locally.
 
        Day-Timers — The Company’s Day-Timers business is based in the U.S. and includes subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. They manufacture a significant amount of their paper-based product in the United States, and source the remaining materials and finished goods from third parties.
      The Company operates primarily in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and Canada.
      Reconciliation of segment net sales to consolidated net sales is as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars)   2004   2003   2002
             
ACCO U.S. 
  $ 549.0     $ 532.8     $ 554.4  
ACCO Europe
    365.1       318.0       296.1  
Trading Companies
    183.6       169.6       146.7  
Day-Timers
    78.0       80.1       103.2  
Other
          1.4       5.0  
                   
    $ 1,175.7     $ 1,101.9     $ 1,105.4  
                   
      Operating income is as follows:
                           
(in millions of dollars)   2004   2003   2002
             
ACCO U.S. 
  $ 40.3     $ 8.0     $ 1.4  
ACCO Europe
    24.0       18.8       11.0  
Trading Companies
    32.8       24.4       18.8  
Day-Timers
    10.9       11.1       2.0  
Corporate expenses
    (15.1 )     (16.0 )     (14.6 )
                   
 
Total income from operations
  $ 92.9     $ 46.3     $ 18.6  
                   
Interest expense
    8.5       8.0       12.3  
Other (income) expense
    (5.2 )     (1.6 )     0.8  
                   
 
Income before taxes
  $ 89.6     $ 39.9     $ 5.5  
                   

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      Segment assets(a) are as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars)   2004   2003   2002
             
ACCO U.S. 
  $ 367.3     $ 337.8     $ 369.4  
ACCO Europe
    302.3       267.8       219.2  
Trading Companies
    152.8       128.1       106.3  
Day-Timers
    35.6       29.5       29.7  
                   
    $ 858.0     $ 763.2     $ 724.6  
                   
 
 
  (a)  Represents total assets excluding intangible assets, net.
     Reconciliation of segment assets(a) to consolidated total assets is as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars)   2004   2003   2002
             
Segment assets
  $ 858.0     $ 763.2     $ 723.6  
Intangible assets
    117.6       117.3       128.8  
Corporate
    8.9       6.2       8.1  
                   
    $ 984.5     $ 886.7     $ 860.5  
                   
      Long-lived assets(b) are as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars)   2004   2003   2002
             
United States
  $ 79.1     $ 88.7     $ 109.0  
United Kingdom
    40.4       42.2       48.5  
Australia
    15.9       15.4       11.6  
Canada
    4.9       4.8       4.5  
Other countries
    17.4       18.9       21.7  
                   
    $ 157.7     $ 170.0     $ 195.3  
                   
 
 
  (b)  Represents property, plant and equipment, net.
     Net sales by geographic region are as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars)   2004   2003   2002
             
United States
  $ 608.8     $ 581.7     $ 631.7  
United Kingdom
    184.5       186.6       163.3  
Australia
    94.2       82.4       66.0  
Canada
    68.1       80.0       73.8  
Other countries
    220.1       171.2       170.6  
                   
    $ 1,175.7     $ 1,101.9     $ 1,105.4  
                   

F-28


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      Capital expenditures are as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars)   2004   2003   2002
             
ACCO U.S. 
  $ 15.9     $ 6.1     $ 9.3  
ACCO Europe
    6.1       6.6       10.9  
Trading Companies
    5.0       3.1       1.6  
Day-Timers
    0.6       0.5       0.2  
                   
    $ 27.6     $ 16.3     $ 22.0  
                   
13.  Earnings per Share
      Following the Distribution of shares, the Company’s total shares outstanding will increase significantly to 35.0 million from 53,476. The number of shares outstanding after the Distribution have been used in the earnings (loss) per common share calculation below. Basic earnings (loss) per common share are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period. A dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share is not required due to the lack of potentially dilutive securities under the Company’s simple capital structure.
      The computation of basic earnings per common share for “Net Income” is as follows:
                         
(in millions of dollars, except per share amounts)   2004   2003   2002
             
Net income
  $ 68.5     $ 26.7     $ 4.2  
                   
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    35.0       35.0       35.0  
                   
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 1.96     $ 0.76     $ 0.12  
                   
14.  Subsequent Event
      The Parent announced on March 16, 2005 that they would spin-off to their shareholders its ACCO Brands Corporation (“ACCO”) office products unit, and that ACCO would merge with General Binding Corporation (GBC) to create the world’s largest supplier of branded office products. The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of the Parent and GBC, will be tax-free to U.S. shareholders of both companies. ACCO Brands, the proposed name of the new company, plans to seek listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The spin-off and merger are subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The merger is also subject to approval by GBC shareholders. GBC’s majority shareholder has agreed to vote for the merger. This transaction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2005.
15.  Unaudited Pro Forma Earnings per Share
      The pending transaction discussed in Note 14 will significantly impact the capital structure of the Company. Immediately prior to the spin-off from Fortune Brands, the Company will pay a dividend of $625.0 million to the shareholders. Following the Distribution of shares, the Company’s total shares outstanding will increase significantly to 35.0 million from 53,476. The number of shares outstanding after the Distribution have been used in the earnings (loss) per common share calculation below.

F-29


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
      Pro-forma earnings per share as of December 27, 2004 for the ACCO Brands is as follows:
         
(in millions, except per share data)   2004
     
Net Income, as reported
  $ 68.5  
Less: Pro-forma interest expense(1)
    (23.3 )
       
Pro-forma net income
  $ 45.2  
Pro-forma common shares outstanding — basic
    35.0  
Exercise of stock options(2)
    0.4  
       
Pro-forma common shares outstanding — diluted
    35.4  
Basic pro-forma earnings per share
  $ 1.29  
Diluted pro-forma earnings per share
  $ 1.28  
 
(1)  Pro-forma interest expense ($35.9 million) is calculated based upon assumed financing of the company of $625 million to fund the dividend payable to the shareholders at an interest rate of 5.75%, net of tax of $12.6 million.
 
(2)  Assumes that pro-forma outstanding common shares were increased by shares of those unvested stock options in the Parent company stock, for which market price of the Parent exceeds exercise price of the option, less shares which could have been purchased by the Company with related proceeds. This amount is then multiplied by the estimated 4.255 ratio of Parent company shares to ACCO Brands shares upon spin-off to arrive at the pro-forma dilutive impact of unvested stock options at year-end.
16.  Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
With respect to the Company’s anticipated spin-off from its Parent and merger with GBC described in Note 14, the Company expects that its domestic subsidiaries will be required to jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee its Senior Subordinated Notes. Rather than filing separate financial statements for each guarantor subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company has elected to present the following consolidating financial statements which detail the results of operations as of December 27, 2004, December 27, 2003 and December 27, 2002, cashflows for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2004, December 27, 2003 and December 27, 2002 and financial position as of December 27, 2004, December 27, 2003 and December 27, 2002, of the Company and its guarantors, and non-guarantors subsidiaries (in each case carrying investments under the equity method), and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the reported consolidated financial statements of the Company.

F-30


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                                               
    December 27, 2004
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Assets
                                       
Current assets
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ (13.4 )   $ 93.2     $     $ 79.8  
 
Accounts receivable, net
          175.6       144.5             320.1  
 
Inventory, net
          88.4       84.1             172.5  
 
Receivables from affiliates
    8.6       25.5       22.2       (56.3 )      
 
Deferred taxes receivable
    0.2       5.6       (1.6 )           4.2  
 
Other current assets
    0.1       5.8       14.0             19.9  
                               
   
Total current assets
    8.9       287.5       356.4       (56.3 )     596.5  
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    0.1       53.2       104.4             157.7  
 
Deferred income taxes
    5.2       23.9       (7.4 )           21.7  
 
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    70.4       30.3       16.9             117.6  
 
Prepaid pension expense
          30.0       57.1             87.1  
 
Other assets
    1.9       2.0                   3.9  
 
Investment in/ L-T receivable from affiliates
    617.6       43.1             (660.7 )      
                               
   
Total assets
  $ 704.1     $ 470.0     $ 527.4     $ (717.0 )   $ 984.5  
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Current liabilities
                                       
 
Notes payable to banks
  $     $     $ 0.1     $     $ 0.1  
 
Accounts payable
          60.1       60.5             120.6  
 
Accrued current income taxes
    4.9       4.8       4.6             14.3  
 
Accrued customer programs
          47.5       34.1             81.6  
 
Accrued compensation, restructuring and other liabilities
    9.0       52.1       47.1             108.2  
 
Payables to affiliates
    67.2       34.0       14.4       (115.6 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    81.1       198.5       160.8       (115.6 )     324.8  
 
Long-term notes payable to affiliates
          348.0       3.4       (351.4 )      
 
Postretirement and other liabilities
    6.2       10.9       25.8             42.9  
                               
   
Total liabilities
    87.3       557.4       190.0       (467.0 )     367.7  
Stockholder’s equity
                                       
 
Common stock
    0.1       0.9       9.6       (10.5 )     0.1  
 
Parent company investment
    (269.5 )     (53.4 )     (13.8 )     67.2       (269.5 )
 
Paid-in capital
    1,835.1       619.3       114.9       (734.2 )     1,835.1  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    15.9       (1.3 )     19.4       (18.1 )     15.9  
 
Accumulated deficit
    (964.8 )     (652.9 )     207.3       445.6       (964.8 )
                               
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    616.8       (87.4 )     337.4       (250.0 )     616.8  
                               
     
Total liability and stockholders equity
  $ 704.1     $ 470.0     $ 527.4     $ (717.0 )   $ 984.5  
                               

F-31


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                                             
    December 27, 2003
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Assets
                                       
Current assets
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ (6.9 )   $ 67.4     $     $ 60.5  
 
Accounts receivable, net
          130.0       128.2             258.2  
 
Inventory, net
          74.5       81.7             156.2  
 
Receivables from affiliates
    7.5       9.3       4.5       (21.3 )      
 
Deferred taxes
    0.3       3.7       (0.1 )           3.9  
 
Other current assets
          8.1       13.3             21.4  
                               
   
Total current assets
    7.8       218.7       295.0       (21.3 )     500.2  
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    0.1       63.8       106.1             170.0  
 
Deferred income taxes
    0.4       27.2       (2.4 )           25.2  
 
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    70.5       30.5       16.3             117.3  
 
Prepaid pension expense
          29.5       30.6             60.1  
 
Other assets
    1.6       7.8       4.5             13.9  
 
Investment in/long term receivable from affiliates
    504.1       46.1             (550.2 )      
                               
   
Total assets
  $ 584.5     $ 423.6     $ 450.1     $ (571.5 )   $ 886.7  
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Current liabilities
                                       
 
Notes payable to banks
  $     $     $ 2.8     $     $ 2.8  
 
Accounts payable
          39.7       56.7             96.4  
 
Accrued current income taxes
    7.0       (1.9 )     1.5             6.6  
 
Accrued customer programs
          29.3       25.5             54.8  
 
Accrued compensation, restructuring and other liabilities
    6.1       47.8       51.3             105.2  
 
Payables to affiliates
    32.7       13.1       9.4       (55.2 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    45.8       128.0       147.2       (55.2 )     265.8  
 
Long-term notes payable to affiliates
          348.0       0.5       (348.5 )      
 
Postretirement and other liabilities
    5.6       25.8       56.4             87.8  
                               
   
Total liabilities
    51.4       501.8       204.1       (403.7 )     353.6  
Stockholders’ equity
                                       
 
Common stock
    0.1       0.9       9.6       (10.5 )     0.1  
 
Parent company investment
    (225.1 )     (0.4 )     (32.3 )     32.7       (225.1 )
 
Paid-in capital
    1,832.6       617.1       121.1       (738.2 )     1,832.6  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (41.2 )     (12.7 )     (26.4 )     39.1       (41.2 )
 
Accumulated deficit
    (1,033.3 )     (683.1 )     174.0       509.1       (1,033.3 )
                               
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    533.1       (78.2 )     246.0       (167.8 )     533.1  
                               
   
Total liability and stockholders’ equity
  $ 584.5     $ 423.6     $ 450.1     $ (571.5 )   $ 886.7  
                               

F-32


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                                             
    December 27, 2002
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Assets
                                       
Current assets
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ (5.4 )   $ 48.7     $     $ 43.3  
 
Accounts receivable, net
          135.6       113.8             249.4  
 
Inventory, net
          67.8       68.3             136.1  
 
Receivables from affiliates
    17.6       3.2       6.5       (27.3 )      
 
Deferred taxes
                6.5             6.5  
 
Income taxes receivable
    (6.9 )     9.8       (0.9 )           2.0  
 
Other current assets
          8.7       10.8             19.5  
                               
   
Total current assets
    10.7       219.7       253.7       (27.3 )     456.8  
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    5.9       71.2       118.2             195.3  
 
Deferred income taxes
    0.6       (3.0 )     21.3             18.9  
 
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    70.6       41.8       16.4             128.8  
 
Prepaid pension expense
          27.7       12.3             40.0  
 
Other assets
    2.5       15.3       2.9             20.7  
 
Investment in/long term receivable from affiliates
    458.0       43.3             (501.3 )      
                               
   
Total assets
  $ 548.3     $ 416.0     $ 424.8     $ (528.6 )   $ 860.5  
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Current liabilities
                                       
 
Notes payable to banks
  $     $     $ 4.3     $     $ 4.3  
 
Current portion of long-term debt
          0.2       0.2             0.4  
 
Accounts payable
          38.6       48.6             87.2  
 
Accrued current income taxes
          2.9       (2.9 )            
 
Current deferred tax liability
    (0.2 )     (6.2 )     6.4              
 
Accrued customer programs
          39.5       22.6             62.1  
 
Accrued compensation, restructuring and other liabilities
    3.7       53.6       39.8             97.1  
 
Payables to affiliates
    7.8       13.5       6.6       (27.9 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    11.3       142.1       125.6       (27.9 )     251.1  
 
Deferred income taxes
    1.1       (17.9 )     16.8              
 
Long-term notes payable to affiliates
          348.0       0.5       (348.5 )      
 
Postretirement and other liabilities
    7.1       7.1       66.4             80.6  
                               
   
Total liabilities
    19.5       479.3       209.3       (376.4 )     331.7  
Stockholders’ equity
                                       
 
Common stock
    0.1       0.9       10.3       (11.2 )     0.1  
 
Parent company investment
    (167.6 )     8.3       (7.8 )     (0.5 )     (167.6 )
 
Paid-in capital
    1,829.8       614.3       119.5       (733.8 )     1,829.8  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (73.5 )     (1.2 )     (70.5 )     71.7       (73.5 )
 
Accumulated deficit
    (1,060.0 )     (685.6 )     164.0       521.6       (1,060.0 )
                               
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    528.8       (63.3 )     215.5       (152.2 )     528.8  
                               
   
Total liability and stockholders’ equity
  $ 548.3     $ 416.0     $ 424.8     $ (528.6 )   $ 860.5  
                               

F-33


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                                           
    Year ended December 27, 2004
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $     $ 621.8     $ 553.9     $     $ 1,175.7  
Affiliated sales
          17.6       24.6       (42.2 )      
                               
 
Net sales
          639.4       578.5       (42.2 )     1,175.7  
 
Cost of products sold
          401.8       354.7       (42.2 )     714.3  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    13.0       191.5       143.3             347.8  
 
Amortization of intangibles
    0.1       0.1       1.1             1.3  
 
Restructuring charges
          3.2       16.2             19.4  
 
Interest (income)/expense from affiliates
    (17.4 )     17.4                    
 
Interest (income), expense, including allocation from Parent
    11.1       (0.2 )     (2.4 )           8.5  
 
Other (income) expense, net
    (0.4 )     (9.2 )     4.4             (5.2 )
                               
 
Income (loss) before taxes and earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (6.4 )     34.8       61.2             89.6  
Income taxes
    (4.9 )     12.0       14.0             21.1  
 
Income (loss) before earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (1.5 )     22.8       47.2             68.5  
 
Earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    70.0       6.5             (76.5 )      
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 68.5     $ 29.3     $ 47.2     $ (76.5 )   $ 68.5  
                               
                                           
    Year ended December 27, 2003
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $     $ 606.9     $ 495.0     $     $ 1,101.9  
Affiliated sales
          18.2       26.6       (44.8 )      
                               
 
Net sales
          625.1       521.6       (44.8 )     1,101.9  
 
Cost of products sold
    4.0       396.8       330.8       (44.8 )     686.8  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    9.8       194.9       133.1             337.8  
 
Amortization of intangibles
    0.1       0.5       1.1             1.7  
 
Write-down of intangibles
          11.2       0.8             12.0  
 
Restructuring charges
    1.6       6.1       9.6             17.3  
 
Interest (income)/expense from affiliates
    (17.1 )     17.1                    
 
Interest (income)/expense, including allocation from Parent
    9.7       0.3       (2.0 )           8.0  
 
Other (income) expense, net
    3.8       (5.4 )                 (1.6 )
                               
 
Income (loss) before taxes and earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (11.9 )     3.6       48.2             39.9  
Income taxes
    (3.6 )     1.7       15.1             13.2  
 
Income (loss) before earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (8.3 )     1.9       33.1             26.7  
 
Earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    36.1       1.1             (37.2 )      
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 27.8     $ 3.0     $ 33.1     $ (37.2 )   $ 26.7  
                               

F-34


Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                                           
    Year ended December 27, 2002
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $     $ 649.6     $ 455.8     $     $ 1,105.4  
Affiliated sales
          17.8       50.2       (68.0 )      
                               
 
Net sales
          667.4       506.0       (68.0 )     1,105.4  
 
Cost of products sold
          424.2       342.7       (68.0 )     698.9  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    9.4       216.2       125.9             351.5  
 
Amortization of intangibles
    0.1       0.9       1.1             2.1  
 
Restructuring charges
    2.0       14.4       17.9             34.3  
 
Interest (income)/expense from affiliates
    (18.7 )     18.7                    
 
Interest (income)/expense, including allocation from Parent
    11.0       1.4       (0.1 )           12.3  
 
Other (income) expense, net
          1.0       (0.2 )           0.8  
                               
 
Income (loss) before taxes and earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (3.8 )     (9.4 )     18.7             5.5  
Income taxes
    (1.8 )     (3.9 )     7.0             1.3  
 
Income (loss) before earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (2.0 )     (5.5 )     11.7             4.2  
 
Earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    0.7       (5.5 )           4.8        
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (1.3 )   $ (11.0 )   $ 11.7     $ 4.8     $ 4.2  
                               
                                   
    Year ended December 27, 2004
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
  $ (5.1 )   $ 31.5     $ 37.3     $ 63.7  
                         
Investing activities:
                               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
          (16.5 )     (11.1 )     (27.6 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
          18.8       2.7       21.5  
                         
 
Net cash (used)/provided by investing activities
          2.3       (8.4 )     (6.1 )
Financing activities:
                               
Decrease in parent company investment
    (42.6 )                 (42.6 )
Intercompany financing
    28.7       (47.9 )     19.2        
Intercompany dividends
    19.0       7.6       (26.6 )      
Repayments on short-term debt
                (2.7 )     (2.7 )
                         
 
Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities
    5.1       (40.3 )     (10.1 )     (45.3 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
                7.0       7.0  
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
          (6.5 )     25.8       19.3  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
          (6.9 )     67.4       60.5  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $     $ (13.4 )   $ 93.2     $ 79.8  
                         

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
December 27, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
                                   
    Year ended December 27, 2003
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash (used)/provided by operating activities:
  $ 57.3     $ 19.0     $ (9.1 )   $ 67.2  
                         
Investing activities:
                               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
          (5.3 )     (11.0 )     (16.3 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
          0.2       14.4       14.6  
                         
 
Net cash (used)/provided by investing activities
          (5.1 )     3.4       (1.7 )
Financing activities:
                               
Decrease in parent company investment
    (54.8 )                 (54.8 )
Intercompany financing
    (22.5 )     (15.2 )     37.7        
Intercompany dividends
    20.0             (20.0 )      
Repayments on long-term debt
          (0.2 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )
Repayments on short-term debt
                  (1.6 )     (1.6 )
                         
 
Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities
    (57.3 )     (15.4 )     15.9       (56.8 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
                8.5       8.5  
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
          (1.5 )     18.7       17.2  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
          (5.4 )     48.7       43.3  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $     $ (6.9 )   $ 67.4     $ 60.5  
                         
                                   
    Year ended December 27, 2002
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
(in millions of dollars)   (Parent)   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash (used)/provided by operating activities:
  $ 127.8     $ 114.2     $ (80.1 )   $ 161.9  
                         
Investing activities:
                               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
          (9.3 )     (12.7 )     (22.0 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
          1.1       3.7       4.8  
                         
 
Net cash (used)/provided by investing activities
          (8.2 )     (9.0 )     (17.2 )
Financing activities:
                               
Decrease in parent company investment
    (128.3 )                 (128.3 )
Intercompany financing
    0.5       (105.2 )     104.7        
Intercompany dividends
          0.3       (0.3 )      
Repayments on long-term debt
          (0.2 )     (0.7 )     (0.9 )
Repayments on short-term debt
                  0.5       0.5  
                         
 
Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities
    (127.8 )     (105.1 )     104.2       (128.7 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
                2.4       2.4  
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
          0.9       17.5       18.4  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
          (6.3 )     31.2       24.9  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $     $ (5.4 )   $ 48.7     $ 43.3  
                         

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                               
    Pro forma        
    June 25,        
    2005   June 25,   December 27,
    (Note 3)   2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)            
    (Unaudited)    
Assets
                       
Current assets
                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18.2     $ 18.2     $ 79.8  
 
Accounts receivable, net
    267.0       267.0       320.1  
 
Inventories, net
                       
   
Raw materials and supplies
    23.7       23.7       24.7  
   
Work in process
    6.4       6.4       5.8  
   
Finished products
    157.7       157.7       142.0  
                   
      187.8       187.8       172.5  
 
Deferred income taxes
    7.6       7.6       4.2  
 
Other current assets
    24.1       24.1       19.9  
                   
     
Total current assets
    504.7       504.7       596.5  
Property, plant and equipment
                       
 
Land and improvements
    12.8       12.8       13.2  
 
Buildings and improvements to leaseholds
    116.7       116.7       117.8  
 
Machinery and equipment
    347.4       347.4       346.5  
 
Construction in progress
    9.8       9.8       15.0  
                   
      486.7       486.7       492.5  
 
Less accumulated depreciation
    (332.0 )     (332.0 )     (334.8 )
                   
     
Property, plant and equipment, net
    154.7       154.7       157.7  
Deferred income taxes
    12.2       12.2       21.7  
Intangibles resulting from business acquisitions, net
    115.9       115.9       117.6  
Prepaid pension expense
    84.9       84.9       87.1  
Other assets
    5.1       5.1       3.9  
                   
     
Total assets
  $ 877.5     $ 877.5     $ 984.5  
                   
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                       
Current liabilities
                       
 
Notes payable to banks
  $ 0.9     $ 0.9     $ 0.1  
 
Accounts payable
    101.6       101.6       120.6  
 
Accrued income taxes due to Parent
    3.6       3.6       14.3  
 
Accrued customer programs
    76.3       76.3       81.6  
 
Accrued compensation, restructuring and other liabilities
    61.0       61.0       108.2  
 
Dividend payable to shareholders
    625.0              
                   
     
Total current liabilities
    868.4       243.4       324.8  
Postretirement and other liabilities
    37.4       37.4       42.9  
                   
     
Total liabilities
    905.8       280.8       367.7  
Stockholders’ equity
                       
 
Common stock, par value $1 per share, 53,476 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at June 25, 2005 and December 27, 2004
    0.1       0.1       0.1  
 
Parent company investment
    (309.3 )     (309.3 )     (269.5 )
 
Paid-in capital
    1,213.0       1,838.0       1,835.1  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    6.1       6.1       15.9  
 
Accumulated deficit
    (938.2 )     (938.2 )     (964.8 )
                   
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    (28.3 )     596.7       616.8  
                   
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 877.5     $ 877.5     $ 984.5  
                   
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss)
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                                   
    Three Months Ended    
    June 25,   Six Months Ended June 25,
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
         
(in millions of dollars, except per share data)   2005   2004   2005    
                2004
Net sales
  $ 279.5     $ 268.7     $ 551.9     $ 539.6  
Cost of products sold
    170.6       170.6       337.2       340.4  
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    84.0       85.8       166.0       170.4  
Amortization of intangibles
    0.4       0.3       1.0       0.6  
Restructuring charges
          16.8             19.4  
Interest expense, including allocation from parent
    2.0       1.7       4.1       3.9  
Other expense (income), net
    0.5       (3.8 )     1.6       (3.5 )
                         
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    22.0       (2.7 )     42.0       8.4  
Income taxes
    7.3       3.8       17.0       6.3  
                         
 
Income (loss) before change in accounting principle
    14.7       (6.5 )     25.0       2.1  
Change in accounting principle
                1.6        
                         
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 14.7     $ (6.5 )   $ 26.6     $ 2.1  
                         
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
                               
 
Income (loss) before change in accounting principle
  $ 0.42     $ (0.19 )   $ 0.71     $ 0.06  
 
Change in accounting principle
  $     $  —     $ 0.05     $  
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.42     $ (0.19 )   $ 0.76     $ 0.06  
Unaudited pro-forma basic earnings per common share:
                               
 
Income before change in accounting principle
  $ 0.26             $ 0.39          
 
Change in accounting principle
  $             $ 0.05          
 
Net income
  $ 0.26             $ 0.44          
Unaudited pro-forma diluted earnings per common share:
                               
 
Income before change in accounting principle
  $ 0.26             $ 0.39          
 
Change in accounting principle
  $             $ 0.05          
 
Net income
  $ 0.26             $ 0.44          
Average number of common shares outstanding (in millions)
                               
 
Basic
    35.0       35.0       35.0       35.0  
Average number of pro-forma common shares outstanding (in millions)
                               
 
Basic
    35.0               35.0          
 
Diluted
    35.4               35.4          
Number of common shares outstanding are the ACCO Brands shares issued in conjunction with the spin-off from Fortune Brands completed on August 16, 2005 (see note 1).
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                   
    Six months ended
    June 25,
    (Unaudited)
     
    2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)        
Net cash (used in)/ provided by operating activities
  $ (7.5 )   $ 29.4  
Investing activities
               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (12.8 )     (11.7 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
    0.2       16.1  
Other investing activities
    (0.4 )      
             
 
Net cash (used in)/ provided by investing activities
    (13.0 )     4.4  
Financing activities
               
Decrease in parent company investment
    (39.0 )     (17.9 )
Other financing activities
    0.8       0.2  
             
 
Net cash used by financing activities
    (38.2 )     (17.7 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
    (2.9 )     2.1  
             
 
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (61.6 )     18.2  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year
    79.8       60.5  
             
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period
  $ 18.2     $ 78.7  
             
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
1.  Basis of Presentation
ACCO Brands Corporation (“ACCO Brands” or the “Company”), now doing business under the name ACCO Brands Corporation (“ACCO Brands”), supplies branded office products to the office products resale industry. On August 16, 2005, Fortune Brands, Inc. (“Fortune Brands” or the “Parent”), then the majority stockholder of ACCO Brands, completed its spin-off of the Company by means of the pro rata distribution (the “Distribution”) of all outstanding shares of ACCO Brands, which had been renamed from ACCO Brands, common stock held by Fortune Brands to its stockholders. In the Distribution, each Fortune Brands stockholders received one share of ACCO Brands common stock for every 4.255 shares of Fortune Brands common stock held of record as of the close of business on August 9, 2005. Following the Distribution, ACCO Brands became an independent, separately traded, publicly held company. On August 17, 2005, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 15, 2005, as amended as of August 4, 2005 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Fortune Brands, ACCO Brands, Gemini Acquisition Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Acquisition Sub”) and General Binding Corporation (“GBC”), Acquisition Sub merged with and into GBC (the “Merger”). Each outstanding share of GBC common stock and GBC Class B common stock was converted into the right to receive one share of ACCO Brands common stock and each outstanding share of Acquisition Sub common stock was converted into one share of GBC common stock. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Acquisition Sub ceased and GBC continues as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACCO Brands.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 25, 2005, the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months and six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004, and the related condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of only normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. Interim results may not be indicative of results for a full year.
The financial statements include the allocation of general and administrative expenses and interest expense from the Company’s parent, Fortune Brands, Inc. (as further described in note 4. “Parent Company Investment” to the financial statements contained herein). The financial statements are prepared on a basis consistent with that contained in ACCO Brands’ Registration Statement on Form S-4/ A (Commission File # 333-124946), except that the financial statements for 2005 also include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to the elimination of a one month lag in reporting by two of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries to align their reporting period with the Company’s fiscal calendar.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
The effect of this change is as follows:
                           
    Three months ended March 25, 2005
     
        Restated for Effect
        Effect of Change in   of Change in
    As Reported   Accounting Principle   Accounting Principle
(in millions of dollars)            
Net sales
  $ 275.2     $ (2.8 )   $ 272.4  
Cost of products sold
    168.5       (1.9 )     166.6  
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    82.5       (0.5 )     82.0  
Amortization of intangibles
    0.6             0.6  
Interest expense, including allocation from parent
    2.1             2.1  
Other expense (income), net
    1.2       (0.1 )     1.1  
                   
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    20.3       (0.3 )     20.0  
Income taxes
    9.8       (0.1 )     9.7  
                   
 
Income (loss) before change in accounting principle
    10.5       (0.2 )     10.3  
Change in accounting principle
          1.6       1.6  
                   
 
Net income
  $ 10.5     $ 1.4     $ 11.9  
The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes do not contain certain information included in our annual consolidated financial statements and notes. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from the audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in the 2004 audited historical financial statements included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4/ A.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results for future periods could differ from those estimates used by management.
2.  Stock Based Compensation
As a subsidiary of Fortune Brands, Inc., the Company has no employee stock option plan; however, certain employees of the Company have been granted stock options and performance awards under the incentive plans of the Parent, including the 1999 and 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plans.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock plans as allowed under SFAS Statement No. 148. Had compensation cost for the fixed stock options granted during the three months and six months ended

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
June 25, 2005 and 2004 been determined consistent with SFAS 148, pro-forma net income and earnings per common share of the Company would have been as follows:
                 
    Three months
    ended
    June 25,
     
    2005   2004
(in millions of dollars, except share data)        
Net income (loss) — as reported
  $ 14.7     $ (6.5 )
Add: Stock based employee compensation (performance awards) included in reported net income, net of tax
    0.1       0.1  
Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation (stock options and performance awards) determined under the fair-value based method for all awards, net of tax
    (1.1 )     (0.8 )
             
Pro-forma net income (loss)
  $ 13.7     $ (7.2 )
             
Pro-forma net earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.39     $ (0.21 )
             
                 
    Six months
    ended
    June 25,
     
    2005   2004
(in millions of dollars, except share data)        
Net income — as reported
  $ 26.6     $ 2.1  
Add: Stock based employee compensation (performance awards) included in reported net income, net of tax
    0.2       0.2  
Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation (stock options and performance awards) determined under the fair-value based method for all awards, net of tax
    (2.1 )     (1.7 )
             
Pro-forma net income
  $ 24.7     $ 0.6  
             
Pro-forma net earnings per common share
  $ 0.71     $ 0.02  
             
The Company’s Parent applies the “nominal vesting period approach” under APB 25, recognizing pro forma compensation cost over the three year vesting period, including for awards held by individuals who are eligible for retirement provisions under the applicable plan. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123 “Share Based Payment”, expected at a future date, we will change the approach to recognize expense for retirement eligible employees over a period of less than one year.
3.  Spin-off of the Company and Acquisition
The Distribution and the Merger were unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. and GBC. The Merger was approved by GBC shareholders on August 15, 2005. The name of the new company formed is ACCO Brands Corporation, and the Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ABD.
Prior to the Distribution, the Company declared a dividend of $625.0 million to its shareholders.
4.  Parent Company Investment
Certain services were provided to the Company by the Parent. Executive compensation and consulting expenses which were paid by the Parent on behalf of the Company have been allocated based on actual

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
direct costs incurred. Where specific identification of expenses was not practicable, the cost of such services was allocated based on the most relevant allocation method to the service provided. Costs for the most significant of these services, legal and internal audit, were allocated to the Company based on the relative percentage of net sales and total assets, respectively, of the Company to the Parent. The cost of all other services have been allocated to the Company based on the most relevant allocation method to the service provided, either net sales of the Company as a percentage of net sales of the Parent, total assets of the Company as a percentage total assets of the Parent, or headcount of the Company as a percentage of headcount of the Parent. Total expenses allocated to the Company were $0.7 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $1.4 million and $2.3 million for the six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004 respectively.
In addition, interest expenses associated with the Parent’s outstanding debt have been allocated to the Company based upon average net assets of the Company as a percentage of average net assets plus average consolidated debt not attributable to other operations of the Parent. The Company believes this method of allocating interest expense produces reasonable results because average net assets are a significant factor in determining the amount of parent company borrowings. No debt has been allocated by the Parent to the Company’s balance sheet. Total interest expense allocated to the Company was $2.5 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004, respectively and $5.2 million and $4.9 million for the six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004 respectively.
5.  Pension and Other Retiree Benefits
The components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and postretirement benefits for the three months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004 and six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
                                 
    Three months ended June 25,
     
    Pension   Postretirement
    Benefits   Benefits
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)                
Service cost
  $ 2.1     $ 1.8     $     $  
Interest cost
    4.6       4.3       0.1       0.1  
Deferred asset loss
          0.1              
Expected return on plan assets
    (6.1 )     (5.7 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    0.3       0.3              
Amortization of net (gain)/loss
    1.2       1.1       (0.3 )     (0.3 )
Curtailment (gain)/loss
          0.1             (0.2 )
                         
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 2.1     $ 2.0     $ (0.2 )   $ (0.4 )
                         

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                                 
    Pension   Postretirement
    Benefits   Benefits
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)                
Service cost
  $ 4.1     $ 3.6     $ 0.1     $ 0.1  
Interest cost
    9.2       8.7       0.3       0.3  
Deferred asset loss
          0.1              
Expected return on plan assets
    (12.2 )     (11.3 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    0.6       0.5              
Amortization of net (gain)/loss
    2.4       2.2       (0.5 )     (0.5 )
Curtailment (gain)/loss
          0.2             (0.3 )
                         
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 4.1     $ 4.0     $ (0.1 )   $ (0.4 )
                         
The Company expects to contribute $5.0 million to its pension plans in 2005.
6.  Product Warranties
The Company offers its customers various warranty terms based on the type of product that is sold. Warranty expense is generally recorded at the time of sale. The following table summarizes activity related to our product warranty liability during the three and six month periods ended June 25, 2005 and 2004:
                 
    Three months
    ended
    June 25,
     
    2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)        
Reserve balance as of March
  $ (2.7 )   $ (1.2 )
Provision for warranties issued
    (0.2 )     (0.2 )
Settlements made (in cash or kind)
    0.5       0.2  
             
Reserve balance as of June
  $ (2.4 )   $ (1.2 )
             
                 
    Six months
    ended
    June 25,
     
    2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)        
Reserve balance as of year end
  $ (2.7 )   $ (1.2 )
Provision for warranties issued
    (1.1 )     (0.6 )
Settlements made (in cash or kind)
    1.4       0.6  
             
Reserve balance as of June
  $ (2.4 )   $ (1.2 )
             
7.  Income Taxes
During the first half of 2005, the Company recorded income tax expense of $2.6 million related to foreign earnings no longer considered permanently reinvested. Of this charge, $1.2 million is associated with foreign earnings repatriation under the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. As a result, the Company reported a 40% effective tax rate as of June 25, 2005. For the six month period ended June 25, 2004, the effective tax rate was 74.0% and was negatively impacted by the establishment of valuation allowances relating to deferred tax assets primarily stemming from certain foreign net operating losses.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
8.  Restructuring Charges
On April 19, 2001, the Company announced that as a result of its evaluation of strategic options, it would immediately begin implementing a plan designed to improve both financial results and the long-term value of the business. As part of this restructuring program, the Company recorded $19.4 million of pre-tax restructuring charges for the six month period ended June 25, 2004. This amount included a release of $1.6 million of excess amounts established in a prior year. The charges related to employee termination costs (approximately 283 positions) and to asset write-offs, and were primarily related to the consolidation or closure of manufacturing facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. There were no restructuring charges recorded for the six month period ended June 25, 2005.
Reconciliation of the restructuring liability as of June 25, 2005 is as follows:
                                         
    Balance at               Balance at
    December 27,   2005   Cash   Non-Cash   June 25,
    2004   Provision   Expenditures   Write-Offs   2005
(in millions of dollars)                    
Employee termination costs
  $ 0.2     $     $ (0.1 )   $     $ 0.1  
International distribution and lease agreements
    2.7             (0.3 )     (0.1 )     2.3  
                               
    $ 2.9     $     $ (0.4 )   $ (0.1 )   $ 2.4  
                               
9.  Information on Business Segments
The Company is organized into business segments based on the products and markets served. The Company’s business segments are described below:
ACCO U.S. — ACCO U.S. sells to U.S. customers and serves as one of two primary product ‘hubs’ for the business, driving much of the new product development and innovation opportunities for the North American region. The two ‘hubs’ coordinate product development activities to avoid duplication of effort while maintaining both global and local consumer focus.
ACCO Europe — In Europe, ACCO U.K. sells to customers in the United Kingdom, and serves as the primary product ‘hub’ for the European offerings. ACCO Europe businesses in France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary are principally engaged in selling products that are global or products that have been localized for their geographic market. These products are sourced from ACCO Brands’ U.K. product ‘hub’ (manufactured product), supplied by third party vendors, or manufactured regionally.
Trading companies — The Company’s businesses in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and Chile, referred to as our “Trading Companies”, are principally engaged in selling product which is either global or products that have been localized for their geographic market. These products are sourced from ACCO Brands’ business ‘hubs’ (manufactured product) in the U.S. and Europe, supplied by third party vendors, or manufactured locally.
Day-Timers — The Company’s Day-Timers business is based in the U.S. and includes subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. They manufacture a significant amount of their paper-based product in the United States, and source the remaining materials and finished goods from third parties.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
Net sales for the three and six month periods ended June 25 by segment are as follows:
                                   
    Three months   Six months
    ended   ended
    June 25,   June 25,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)                
ACCO U.S. 
  $ 129.7     $ 126.1     $ 253.2     $ 246.1  
ACCO Europe
    93.2       86.9       186.0       179.8  
Trading Companies
    45.0       42.4       86.9       86.3  
Day-Timers
    11.6       13.3       25.8       27.4  
                         
 
Total
  $ 279.5     $ 268.7     $ 551.9     $ 539.6  
                         
Operating income for the three and six month periods ended June 25 by segment is as follows:
                                   
    Three months   Six months
    ended   ended
    June 25,   June 25,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
(in millions of dollars)                
ACCO U.S. 
  $ 6.6     $ 5.7     $ 15.4     $ 7.1  
ACCO Europe
    12.1       (12.1 )     22.6       (2.9 )
Trading Companies
    9.0       6.6       15.2       13.1  
Day-Timers
    (0.3 )     (0.4 )           (0.5 )
Corporate expenses
    (2.9 )     (4.6 )     (5.5 )     (8.0 )
                         
    $ 24.5     $ (4.8 )   $ 47.7     $ 8.8  
                         
Interest expense
    2.0       1.7       4.1       3.9  
Other expense (income)
    0.5       (3.8 )     1.6       (3.5 )
                         
 
Income (loss) before taxes
    22.0       (2.7 )     42.0       8.4  
Income taxes
    7.3       3.8       17.0       6.3  
                         
Net income before change in accounting principle
  $ 14.7     $ (6.5 )   $ 25.0     $ 2.1  
                         
Operating income as presented in the segment table above is defined as i) net sales, ii) less cost of products sold, iii) less advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses, iv) less amortization of intangibles, and v) less restructuring charges.
10.  Earnings per Share
Following the Distribution of shares, the Company’s total shares outstanding will increase significantly to 35.0 million from 53,476. The number of shares outstanding after the Distribution have been used in the earnings (loss) per common share calculation below. Basic earnings (loss) per common share are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period. A dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share is not required due to the lack of potentially dilutive securities under the Company’s simple capital structure.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
The computation of basic earnings per common share for “Net income (loss)” is as follows:
                                 
    Three months   Six months
    ended   ended
    June 25,   June 25,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
(in millions, except per share amounts)                
Net income (loss)
  $ 14.7     $ (6.5 )   $ 26.6     $ 2.1  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    35.0       35.0       35.0       35.0  
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.42     $ (0.19 )   $ 0.76     $ 0.06  
11.  Unaudited Pro-forma Earnings per Share
The transaction discussed in Note 3 significantly impacted the capital structure of the Company. Immediately prior to the spin-off from Fortune Brands, Inc., the Company paid a dividend of $625.0 million to its shareholders. Upon the spin-off, the total shares outstanding of the Company increased significantly — for every 4.255 shares outstanding of Fortune Brands, Inc. stock, 1 share of ACCO Brands, the post-spin company, was issued to shareholders of the Parent. In addition, outstanding unvested stock options held by employees of the Company were converted from Fortune Brands, Inc. stock options to ACCO Brands stock options.
      Pro-forma earnings per share as of June 25, 2005 for ACCO Brands are as follows:
                 
    Three months   Six months
    ended   ended
    June 25,   June 25,
    2005   2005
(in millions, except per share amounts)        
Net income before change in accounting principle
  $ 14.7     $ 25.0  
Less: Pro-forma interest expense(1)
    (5.6 )     (11.3 )
             
Pro-forma net income before change in accounting principle
    9.1       13.7  
Change in accounting principle
          1.6  
             
Pro-forma net income
  $ 9.1     $ 15.3  
Common shares outstanding — basic(2)
    35.0       35.0  
Exercise of stock options(3)
    0.4       0.4  
             
Pro-forma common shares outstanding — diluted
    35.4       35.4  
Basic pro-forma earnings per common share before change in accounting principle
  $ 0.26     $ 0.39  
Change in accounting principle
  $     $ 0.05  
Basic pro-forma earnings per common share
  $ 0.26     $ 0.44  
Diluted pro-forma earnings per common share before change in accounting principle
  $ 0.26     $ 0.39  
Change in accounting principle
  $     $ 0.05  
Diluted pro-forma earnings per common share
  $ 0.26     $ 0.44  
 
(1)  Pro-forma interest expense for the six months ended June 25, 2005 ($17.4 million) is calculated based upon assumed financing of the Company of $625.0 million to fund the dividend payable to the shareholders at an interest rate of 5.56%, net of tax of $6.1 million. Pro-forma interest expense for the three months ended June 25, 2005 was ($8.7 million), net of tax of $3.1 million.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
(2)  Shares of stock outstanding are the number of ACCO Brands shares issued in conjunction with the spin-off from Fortune Brands completed on August 16, 2005.
 
(3)  Assumes that pro-forma outstanding common shares were increased by shares of those unvested stock options in the Parent company stock, for which the market price of the Parent company stock exceeds the exercise price of the option, less shares which could have been purchased by the Company with related proceeds. The total number of options exchanged as a result of the spin-off from Fortune Brands were 0.7 million, with an exercise price range of $5.35 to $19.18 per share.
12.  Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income is defined as net income (loss) and other changes in stockholders’ equity from transactions and other events from sources other than stockholders, including currency translation gains and losses. Total comprehensive income (loss) recognized during the three months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004 was $3.5 million and ($11.3 million), respectively and during the six months ended June 25, 2005 and 2004 was $16.8 million and $6.1 million respectively.
13.  Subsequent Event
In conjunction with the spin-off of ACCO Brands Corporation to the shareholders of Fortune Brands, Inc., and the Merger with General Binding Corporation (GBC), ACCO Brands Corporation issued $350 million in senior subordinated notes with a fixed interest rate of 7.625% due 2015 (the “Notes”). Additionally, ACCO Brands and a subsidiary of ACCO Brands located in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of ACCO Brands located in the Netherlands have entered into the following new senior secured credit facilities with Citicorp North America, Inc., ABN AMRO Bank, N.V. and a syndicate of other lenders.
The senior secured credit facilities provide for the following facilities:
•  a $400.0 million U.S. term loan facility, with quarterly amortization, maturing on August 17, 2012, with interest based on either LIBOR or a base rate;
 
•  a $130.0 million dollar revolving credit facility (including a $40.0 million letter of credit sublimit) maturing on August 17, 2010, with interest based on either LIBOR or a base rate;
 
•  a £63.6 million sterling term loan facility, with quarterly amortization, maturing on August 17, 2010, with interest based on LIBOR;
 
•  a 68.2 million euro term loan facility, with quarterly amortization, maturing on August 17, 2010, with interest based on EURIBOR; and
 
•  a $20.0 million dollar equivalent euro revolving credit facility maturing on August 17, 2010 with interest based on EURIBOR.
ACCO Brands is the borrower under the U.S. term loan facility and the dollar revolving credit facility, the United Kingdom subsidiary is the borrower under the sterling term loan facility and the dollar equivalent euro revolving credit facility and the Netherlands subsidiary is the borrower under the euro term loan facility. Borrowings under the facilities are subject to a “pricing grid” which provides for lower interest rates in the event that certain financial ratios improve in future periods.
The net proceeds of the senior subordinate bond issue, together with borrowings under the new senior secured credit facilities and cash on hand were used to finance the repayment of special dividend notes issued by ACCO Brands to its stockholders, repay existing indebtedness of GBC and ACCO Brands and fund fees and expenses related to the note offering.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
The senior secured credit facilities are guaranteed by substantially all of the domestic subsidiaries of ACCO Brands (the “U.S. guarantors”) and secured by substantially all of the assets of the borrowers and each U.S. guarantor.
The Company must meet certain restrictive financial covenants as defined under the senior secured credit facilities. The covenants become more restrictive over time and require the Company to maintain certain ratios related to total leverage and interest coverage. There are also other restrictive covenants, including restrictions on dividend payments, acquisitions, additional indebtedness, and capital expenditures.
The senior secured credit facilities contain customary events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults and cross-accelerations, certain bankruptcy or insolvency events, judgment defaults, certain ERISA-related events, changes in control or ownership, and invalidity of any collateral or guarantee or other document.
Each of ACCO Brands’ domestic subsidiaries that guarantees obligations under the senior secured credit facilities, also unconditionally guarantees the Notes on an unsecured senior subordinated basis.
The indenture governing the Notes contains covenants limiting, among other things, ACCO Brands’ ability, and the ability of the ACCO Brands’ restricted subsidiaries to, incur additional debt, pay dividends on capital stock or repurchase capital stock, make certain investments, enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates, limit dividends or other payments by our restricted subsidiaries to ACCO Brands, use assets as security in other transactions and sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies.
As of the closing date, the amount available for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility was $145.1 million (allowing for $4.9 million of letters of credit outstanding as of the closing date).
14.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
Following the Distribution and Merger the Company’s domestic subsidiaries were required to jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the Notes (see Note 13). Rather than filing separate financial statements for each guarantor subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company has elected to present the following consolidating financial statements which detail the results of operations, for the three months and six months ended June 25, 2005 and June 25, 2004, cashflows for the six months ended June 25, 2005 and June 25, 2004 and financial position as of June 25, 2005 and December 27, 2004, of the Company and its guarantor, and non-guarantor subsidiaries (in each case carrying investments under the equity method), and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the reported consolidated financial statements of the Company.

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
Consolidating Balance Sheets
                                             
    June 25, 2005 (unaudited)
     
    ACCO Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Assets
                                       
Current assets
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1.0     $ (6.7 )   $ 23.9     $     $ 18.2  
 
Accounts receivable, net
          136.3       130.7             267.0  
 
Inventory, net
          105.0       82.8             187.8  
 
Receivables from affiliates
    13.5       15.3       (5.6 )     (23.2 )      
 
Deferred taxes
    (1.7 )     6.7       2.6             7.6  
 
Income taxes receivable
    0.1       1.0       (1.1 )            
 
Other current assets
    0.2       11.4       12.5             24.1  
                               
   
Total current assets
    13.1       269.0       245.8       (23.2 )     504.7  
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    0.1       53.0       101.6             154.7  
 
Deferred income taxes
    2.7       19.7       (10.2 )           12.2  
 
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    70.3       30.3       15.3             115.9  
 
Prepaid pension expense
          29.3       55.6             84.9  
 
Other assets
    2.0       3.1                   5.1  
 
Investment in /long term receivable from affiliates
    519.6       25.7             (545.3 )      
                               
   
Total assets
  $ 607.8     $ 430.1     $ 408.1     $ (568.5 )   $ 877.5  
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Current liabilities
                                       
 
Notes payable to banks
  $     $  —     $ 0.9     $     $ 0.9  
 
Accounts payable
          50.8       50.8             101.6  
 
Accrued current income taxes
    2.2       (3.1 )     4.5             3.6  
 
Accrued customer programs
          39.3       37.0             76.3  
 
Accrued compensation, restructuring and other liabilities
    2.2       27.2       31.6             61.0  
 
Payables to affiliates
    1.3       11.2       7.9       (20.4 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    5.7       125.4       132.7       (20.4 )     243.4  
 
Long-term notes payable to affiliates
          348.0       6.5       (354.5 )      
 
Postretirement and other liabilities
    5.4       8.8       23.2             37.4  
                               
   
Total liabilities
    11.1       482.2       162.4       (374.9 )     280.8  
Stockholder’s equity
                                       
 
Common stock
    0.1       0.9       9.6       (10.5 )     0.1  
 
Parent company investment
    (309.3 )     (21.3 )     25.3       (4.0 )     (309.3 )
 
Paid-in capital
    1,838.0       620.2       101.4       (721.6 )     1,838.0  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    6.1       (1.2 )     9.3       (8.1 )     6.1  
 
Accumulated deficit
    (938.2 )     (650.8 )     100.1       550.7       (938.2 )
                               
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    596.7       (52.2 )     245.7       (193.5 )     596.7  
                               
   
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 607.8     $ 430.1     $ 408.1     $ (568.5 )   $ 877.5  
                               

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Table of Contents

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                                             
    December 27, 2004
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Assets
                                       
Current assets
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ (13.4 )   $ 93.2     $     $ 79.8  
 
Accounts receivable, net
          175.6       144.5             320.1  
 
Inventory, net
          88.4       84.1             172.5  
 
Receivables from affiliates
    8.6       25.5       22.2       (56.3 )      
 
Deferred taxes receivable
    0.2       5.6       (1.6 )           4.2  
 
Other current assets
    0.1       5.8       14.0             19.9  
                               
   
Total current assets
    8.9       287.5       356.4       (56.3 )     596.5  
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    0.1       53.2       104.4             157.7  
 
Deferred income taxes
    5.2       23.9       (7.4 )           21.7  
 
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    70.4       30.3       16.9             117.6  
 
Prepaid pension expense
          30.0       57.1             87.1  
 
Other assets
    1.9       2.0                   3.9  
 
Investment in /long term receivable from affiliates
    617.6       43.1             (660.7 )      
                               
   
Total assets
  $ 704.1     $ 470.0     $ 527.4     $ (717.0 )   $ 984.5  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Current liabilities
                                       
 
Notes payable to banks
  $     $  —     $ 0.1     $     $ 0.1  
 
Accounts payable
          60.1       60.5             120.6  
 
Accrued current income taxes
    4.9       4.8       4.6             14.3  
 
Accrued customer programs
          47.5       34.1             81.6  
 
Accrued compensation, restructuring and other liabilities
    9.0       52.1       47.1             108.2  
 
Payables to affiliates
    67.2       34.0       14.4       (115.6 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    81.1       198.5       160.8       (115.6 )     324.8  
 
Long-term notes payable to affiliates
          348.0       3.4       (351.4 )      
 
Postretirement and other liabilities
    6.2       10.9       25.8             42.9  
                               
   
Total liabilities
    87.3       557.4       190.0       (467.0 )     367.7  
Stockholder’s equity
                                       
 
Common stock
    0.1       0.9       9.6       (10.5 )     0.1  
 
Parent company investment
    (269.5 )     (53.4 )     (13.8 )     67.2       (269.5 )
 
Paid-in capital
    1,835.1       619.3       114.9       (734.2 )     1,835.1  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    15.9       (1.3 )     19.4       (18.1 )     15.9  
 
Accumulated deficit
    (964.8 )     (652.9 )     207.3       445.6       (964.8 )
                               
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    616.8       (87.4 )     337.4       (250.0 )     616.8  
                               
   
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 704.1     $ 470.0     $ 527.4     $ (717.0 )   $ 984.5  
                               

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
Consolidating Income Statements
                                           
    Three months ended June 25, 2005 (unaudited)
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Unaffiliated sales
  $     $ 140.6     $ 138.9     $     $ 279.5  
Affiliated sales
          4.7       4.4       (9.1 )      
                               
 
Net sales
          145.3       143.3       (9.1 )     279.5  
 
Cost of products sold
          96.0       83.7       (9.1 )     170.6  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    3.0       43.1       37.9             84.0  
 
Amortization of intangibles
    0.1             0.3             0.4  
 
Interest (income)/expense from affiliates
    (5.4 )     5.4                    
 
Interest (income)/expense, including allocation from Parent
    2.7       (0.3 )     (0.4 )           2.0  
 
Other (income)/expense, net
    (1.0 )     0.7       0.8             0.5  
                               
 
Income before taxes and earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    0.6       0.4       21.0             22.0  
Income taxes
    0.4       0.7       6.2             7.3  
                               
 
Income (loss) before earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    0.2       (0.3 )     14.8             14.7  
 
Earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    16.2       0.6             (16.8 )      
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 16.4     $ 0.3     $ 14.8     $ (16.8 )   $ 14.7  
                               

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                                           
    Three months ended June 25, 2004 (unaudited)
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Unaffiliated sales
  $     $ 138.6     $ 130.1     $     $ 268.7  
Affiliated sales
          (5.4 )     7.9       (2.5 )      
                               
 
Net sales
          133.2       138.0       (2.5 )     268.7  
 
Cost of products sold
          83.7       89.4       (2.5 )     170.6  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    4.1       45.6       36.1             85.8  
 
Amortization of intangibles
                0.3             0.3  
 
Restructuring charges
          1.6       15.2             16.8  
 
Interest (income)/expense from affiliates
    (4.2 )     4.2                    
 
Interest (income)/expense, including allocation from Parent
    2.6       (0.1 )     (0.8 )           1.7  
 
Other (income)/expense, net
          (4.0 )     0.2             (3.8 )
                               
 
Income (loss) before taxes and earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (2.5 )     2.2       (2.4 )           (2.7 )
Income taxes
    (0.9 )     1.9       2.8             3.8  
 
Income (loss) before earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (1.6 )     0.3       (5.2 )           (6.5 )
 
Earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (2.6 )     2.2             0.4        
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (4.2 )   $ 2.5     $ (5.2 )   $ 0.4     $ (6.5 )
                               

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                                           
    Six months ended June 25, 2005 (unaudited)
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Unaffiliated sales
  $     $ 277.4     $ 274.5     $     $ 551.9  
Affiliated sales
          7.8       11.1       (18.9 )      
                               
 
Net sales
          285.2       285.6       (18.9 )     551.9  
 
Cost of products sold
          186.0       170.1       (18.9 )     337.2  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    5.1       85.4       75.5             166.0  
 
Amortization of intangibles
    0.1             0.9             1.0  
 
Interest (income)/expense from affiliates
    (10.4 )     10.4                    
 
Interest (income)/expense, including allocation from Parent
    5.6       (0.4 )     (1.1 )           4.1  
 
Other (income)/expense, net
    (5.9 )     0.6       6.9             1.6  
                               
 
Income before taxes and earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    5.5       3.2       33.3             42.0  
Income taxes
    2.3       2.1       12.6             17.0  
                               
Net income before change in accounting principle
    3.2       1.1       20.7             25.0  
Change in accounting principle
                1.6               1.6  
                               
 
Income (loss) before earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    3.2       1.1       22.3             26.6  
 
Earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    25.1       1.7             (26.8 )      
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 28.3     $ 2.8     $ 22.3     $ (26.8 )   $ 26.6  
                               

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                                           
    Six months ended June 25, 2004 (unaudited)
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Unaffiliated sales
  $     $ 271.8     $ 267.8     $     $ 539.6  
Affiliated sales
          (0.9 )     12.2       (11.3 )      
                               
 
Net sales
          270.9       280.0       (11.3 )     539.6  
 
Cost of products sold
          173.7       178.0       (11.3 )     340.4  
 
Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses
    6.9       91.0       72.5             170.4  
 
Amortization of intangibles
                0.6             0.6  
 
Restructuring charges
          2.9       16.5             19.4  
 
Interest (income)/expense from affiliates
    (8.4 )     8.4                    
 
Interest (income)/expense, including allocation from Parent
    5.3       (0.1 )     (1.3 )           3.9  
 
Other (income)/expense, net
          (4.0 )     0.5             (3.5 )
                               
 
Income (loss) before taxes and earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (3.8 )     (1.0 )     13.2             8.4  
Income taxes
    (1.3 )     0.8       6.8             6.3  
 
Income (loss) before earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (2.5 )     (1.8 )     6.4             2.1  
 
Earnings/(losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries
    6.9       2.3             (9.2 )      
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 4.4     $ 0.5     $ 6.4     $ (9.2 )   $ 2.1  
                               

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
                                           
    Six months ended June 25, 2005 (unaudited)
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
  $ (2.7 )   $ (26.9 )   $ 22.1     $     $ (7.5 )
                               
Investing activities:
                                       
Additions to property, plant and equipment
          (5.2 )     (7.6 )           (12.8 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
                0.2             0.2  
Other investing activities
    (0.4 )                       (0.4 )
                               
 
Net cash (used)/provided by investing activities
    (0.4 )     (5.2 )     (7.4 )           (13.0 )
Financing activities:
                                       
Decrease in parent company investment
    (39.0 )                       (39.0 )
Intercompany financing
    (74.7 )     38.3       36.4              
Intercompany dividends
    117.8       0.5       (118.3 )            
Repayments on short-term debt
                  0.8               0.8  
                               
 
Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities
    4.1       38.8       (81.1 )           (38.2 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
                (2.9 )           (2.9 )
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    1.0       6.7       (69.3 )           (61.6 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
          (13.4 )     93.2             79.8  
                               
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 1.0     $ (6.7 )   $ 23.9     $     $ 18.2  
                               

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ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Majority Owned Subsidiary of Fortune Brands)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued
Six months ended June 25, 2005
 
                                           
    Six months ended June 25, 2004 (unaudited)
     
    ACCO    
    Brands    
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
(in millions of dollars)                    
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
  $ (6.2 )   $ 7.3     $ 28.3     $     $ 29.4  
                               
Investing activities:
                                       
Additions to property, plant and equipment
          (7.9 )     (3.8 )           (11.7 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
          13.8       2.3             16.1  
                               
 
Net cash (used)/provided by investing activities
          5.9       (1.5 )           4.4  
Financing activities:
                                       
Decrease in parent company investment
    (17.9 )                         (17.9 )
Intercompany financing
    5.1       (19.0 )     13.9              
Intercompany dividends
    19.0       6.8       (25.8 )            
Repayments on short-term debt
                0.2             0.2  
                               
 
Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities
    6.2       (12.2 )     (11.7 )           (17.7 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
                2.1             2.1  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
          1.0       17.2             18.2  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
          (6.9 )     67.4             60.5  
                               
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $     $ (5.9 )   $ 84.6     $     $ 78.7  
                               

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Selected Quarterly Financial Data
                                                                 
    Mar-03   Jun-03   Sep-03   Dec-03   Mar-04   Jun-04   Sep-04   Dec-04
    Qtr   Qtr   Qtr   Qtr   Qtr   Qtr   Qtr   Qtr
                                 
Net Sales
    249.9       252.7       286.7       312.6       270.9       268.7       303.8       332.3  
Cost of products sold
    158.5       167.5       175.1       185.7       169.8       170.6       183.2       190.7  
Operating Income/(Loss)(1)
    5.0       (4.8 )     15.4       30.7       13.6       (4.8 )     36.1       48.0  
Net Income (Loss)
    4.2       (2.5 )     6.8       18.2       8.6       (6.5 )     38.5       27.9  
 
(1)  Included in Operating Income (Loss) above were the following business repositioning costs:
                                                                 
Restructuring Charges
    2.1       3.7       9.4       2.1       2.6       16.8              
Restructuring implementation costs
    7.6       2.8       3.6       6.2       4.6       12.8       1.5       3.3  
Write-down of intangibles
          12.0                                      
                                                 
Total
    9.7       18.5       13.0       8.3       7.2       29.6       1.5       3.3  
                                                 

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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of General Binding Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,2004. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, the Company’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2004, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which appears herein.
General Binding Corporation
March 15, 2005

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of General Binding Corporation:
     We have completed an integrated audit of General Binding Corporation’s 2004 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 and audits of its 2003 and 2002 consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented below.
Consolidated Financial Statements
     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of General Binding Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These 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 of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
     As discussed in notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     Also, in our opinion, management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
     A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
     Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
  Chicago, Illinois
  March 15, 2005, except for note 19,
  for which the date is
  September 30, 2005

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(000 omitted, except per share data)
                             
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Sales:
                       
 
Domestic sales
  $ 419,925     $ 440,337     $ 459,836  
 
International sales
    292,393       257,571       241,892  
                   
Net sales
    712,318       697,908       701,728  
Costs and expenses:
                       
 
Cost of sales:
                       
   
Product cost of sales, including development and engineering
    434,908       418,655       422,517  
   
Inventory rationalization and write-down charges
                1,049  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    225,631       224,552       228,085  
 
Earnings from joint ventures
    (1,267 )     (12 )     (221 )
 
Interest expense
    25,923       34,408       39,898  
 
Restructuring and other:
                       
   
Restructuring
    851       11,102       8,013  
   
Other
    1,690       4,679       1,081  
 
Other expense, net
    706       156       247  
                   
Income before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    23,876       4,368       1,059  
 
Income tax expense
    9,114       7,630       2,045  
                   
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change
    14,762       (3,262 )     (986 )
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes
                79,024  
                   
Net income (loss)
  $ 14,762     $ (3,262 )   $ (80,010 )
                   
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes of $0.6 million in 2004 and $1.1 million in 2003:
                       
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    4,704       8,695       5,791  
 
Minimum pension liabilities
    1,678       1,749       (10,205 )
 
Income on derivative financial instruments
    585       686       (873 )
                   
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 21,729     $ 7,868     $ (85,297 )
                   
Net income (loss) per common share:(1)
                       
 
Basic
  $ 0.91     $ (0.20 )   $ (5.04 )
 
Diluted
  $ 0.88     $ (0.20 )   $ (5.04 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding(2)
                       
 
Basic
    16,171       15,978       15,883  
 
Diluted
    16,839       15,978       15,883  
 
(1)  Amounts represent per share amounts for both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
 
(2)  Weighted average shares includes both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(000 omitted, except share data)
                         
    December 31,   December 31,
    2004   2003
         
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 6,259     $ 9,568  
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns: 2004 — $16,476 and 2003 — $16,614
    141,445       128,391  
 
Inventories, net
    97,996       86,240  
 
Deferred tax assets
    12,437       20,096  
 
Prepaid expenses
    7,234       6,915  
 
Other
    6,809       6,426  
             
     
Total current assets
    272,180       257,636  
Capital assets at cost:
               
 
Land and land improvements
    5,589       6,136  
 
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    52,623       51,634  
 
Machinery and equipment
    142,723       150,587  
 
Computer hardware and software
    71,157       67,503  
             
Total capital assets at cost
    272,092       275,860  
Less — accumulated depreciation
    (187,399 )     (180,874 )
             
 
Net capital assets
    84,693       94,986  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
    150,383       150,775  
Other
    33,158       26,934  
             
 
Total assets
  $ 540,414     $ 530,331  
             
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 49,758     $ 51,253  
 
Accrued liabilities:
               
   
Salaries, wages and retirement plan contributions
    15,096       13,273  
   
Deferred income on service maintenance agreements
    12,750       10,512  
   
Accrued customer allowances
    28,606       22,180  
   
Restructuring reserve
    1,235       6,327  
   
Other
    32,518       34,255  
 
Notes payable
    7,788       5,819  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    25,925       14,176  
             
       
Total current liabilities
    173,676       157,795  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    255,165       282,019  
Other long-term liabilities
    33,727       36,308  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Common stock, $.125 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 15,696,620 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003
    1,962       1,962  
 
Class B common stock, $.125 par value; 4,796,550 shares authorized; 2,398,275 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003
    300       300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    26,445       26,727  
 
Treasury stock — 1,871,047 and 2,062,641 shares at December 31, 2004 and 2003
    (21,398 )     (23,588 )
 
Retained earnings
    78,171       63,409  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (7,634 )     (14,601 )
             
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,846       54,209  
             
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 540,414     $ 530,331  
             
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(000 omitted)
                             
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 14,762     $ (3,262 )   $ (80,010 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
                79,024  
 
Depreciation
    17,494       20,141       22,836  
 
Amortization
    4,055       5,021       5,576  
 
Equity earnings from joint ventures
    (1,267 )     (12 )     (221 )
 
Restructuring and other
    1,691       11,102       9,094  
 
Provision for doubtful accounts and sales returns
    1,974       3,090       4,095  
 
Provision for inventory reserves
    4,266       5,524       4,561  
 
Inventory rationalization and write-down charges
                1,049  
 
Non-cash sale of subsidiary
                1,150  
 
Non-cash loss on disposal or impairment of investment
    850       4,679       1,137  
 
(Increase) decrease in non-current deferred taxes
    (4,666 )     5,244       6,428  
 
(Increase) decrease in other long-term assets
    3,221       5,984       2,801  
 
Other
    (1,365 )     (731 )     128  
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
                   
 
Increase in receivables
    (10,678 )     (1,404 )     (6,135 )
 
(Increase) decrease in inventories
    (13,728 )     5,400       3,973  
 
(Increase) decrease in other current assets
    (32 )     2,669       577  
 
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax assets
    7,413       324       (2,482 )
 
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (3,314 )     (11,194 )     (9,227 )
 
Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes
    2,034       (951 )     2,112  
                   
   
Net cash provided by operating activities
    22,710       51,624       46,466  
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
                       
 
Capital expenditures
    (7,347 )     (8,468 )     (9,010 )
 
Payments for acquisitions and investments
    (3,327 )     (2,162 )     (416 )
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary
                470  
 
Dividend from joint venture investment
    1,430              
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    1,001       102       1,286  
                   
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (8,243 )     (10,528 )     (7,670 )
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
                       
 
Proceeds from long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    227,375       182,640       344,610  
 
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (235,351 )     (122,586 )     (270,827 )
 
Net change in debt-maturities of 90 days or less
    7,000       (91,179 )     (151,684 )
 
Decrease in current portion of long-term debt
    (12,469 )     (9,418 )     (186 )
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (52 )     (4,154 )     (3,438 )
 
(Distribution) contribution related to tax allocation agreement
    (1,261 )     2,537       1,490  
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    1,661       737       1,164  
                   
   
Net cash used in financing activities
    (13,097 )     (41,423 )     (78,871 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash
    (4,679 )     (8,356 )     (1,610 )
                   
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (3,309 )     (8,683 )     (41,685 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    9,568       18,251       59,936  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 6,259     $ 9,568     $ 18,251  
                   
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
 
Cash paid during the period for:
                       
   
Interest paid
  $ 25,423     $ 30,814     $ 34,263  
   
Income taxes paid (recovered), net
    6,294       3,772       (7,052 )
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(000 omitted excepts share data)
                                                         
                        Accumulated    
        Class B   Additional           Other    
        Common   Paid in   Retained   Treasury   Comprehensive    
    Stock   Stock   Capital   Earnings   Stock   Income(2)   Total
                             
Balance at December 31, 2001
  $ 1,962     $ 300     $ 21,640     $ 146,681     $ (26,284 )   $ (20,444 )   $ 123,855  
Net loss
                      (80,010 )                 (80,010 )
Capital contribution(1)
                1,490                         1,490  
Exercise of stock options
                (488 )           1,652             1,164  
Compensation for restricted stock units
                389                         389  
Tax benefit of options exercised
                530                         530  
Losses on derivative financial instruments
                                  (873 )     (873 )
Minimum pension liabilities
                                  (10,205 )     (10,205 )
Translation adjustment
                                  5,791       5,791  
                                           
Balance at December 31, 2002
    1,962       300       23,561       66,671       (24,632 )     (25,731 )     42,131  
                                           
Net loss
                      (3,262 )                 (3,262 )
Capital contribution(1)
                2,537                         2,537  
Exercise of stock options
                (307 )           1,044             737  
Compensation for restricted stock units
                727                         727  
Tax benefit of options exercised
                209                         209  
Income on derivative financial instruments
                                  686       686  
Minimum pension liabilities
                                  1,749       1,749  
Translation adjustment
                                  8,695       8,695  
                                           
Balance at December 31, 2003
    1,962       300       26,727       63,409       (23,588 )     (14,601 )     54,209  
                                           
Net income
                      14,762                   14,762  
Capital distribution(1)
                (1,261 )                       (1,261 )
Exercise of stock options
                (529 )           2,190             1,661  
Compensation for restricted stock units
                936                         936  
Tax benefit of options exercised
                572                         572  
Income on derivative financial instruments
                                  585       585  
Minimum pension liabilities
                                  1,678       1,678  
Translation adjustment
                                  4,704       4,704  
                                           
Balance at December 31, 2004
  $ 1,962     $ 300     $ 26,445     $ 78,171     $ (21,398 )   $ (7,634 )   $ 77,846  
                                           

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(1)  Amount represents a capital contribution from (distribution to) GBC’s majority shareholder (Lane Industries, Inc) under Tax Allocation Agreements. See notes 1 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
 
(2)  The net-of-tax components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at December 31 were: a) 2004 — currency translation, $545, hedging activities, ($1,401), minimum pension liabilities, ($6,778); and b) 2003 — currency translation, ($4,159), hedging hedging activities, ($1,986), minimum pension liabilities, ($8,456); and c) 2002 — currency translation, ($12,854), hedging activities, ($2,672), minimum pension liabilities, ($10,205).
          Shares of Capital Stock
                                 
        Class B        
    Common   Common   Treasury    
    Stock   Stock   Stock(3)   Net Shares
                 
Shares at December 31, 2001
    15,696,620       2,398,275       (2,299,038 )     15,795,857  
Exercise of stock options
                145,010       145,010  
                         
Shares at December 31, 2002
    15,696,620       2,398,275       (2,154,028 )     15,940,867  
Exercise of stock options
                91,387       91,387  
                         
Shares at December 31, 2003
    15,696,620       2,398,275       (2,062,641 )     16,032,254  
Exercise of stock options
                191,594       191,594  
                         
Shares at December 31, 2004
    15,696,620       2,398,275       (1,871,047 )     16,223,848  
                         
(3)  Shares held in treasury are shares of Common Stock.
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1)  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
     (a)  Consolidation
      The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of General Binding Corporation (“GBC”) and its domestic and international subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in companies which are 20% to 50% owned are treated as equity investments. GBC has equity investments in the following joint ventures: Pelikan-Quartet Pty Ltd (“Pelikan-Quartet”) — 50% ownership; GMP Ltd. Co (“GMP”) — approximately 20% ownership; and Neschen/ GBC Graphic Films (“Neschen”) — 50% ownership. GBC’s share of earnings from equity investment are included on the line entitled “earnings from joint ventures” in the consolidated statements of income. Investments in companies where GBC owns in excess of 50% have been consolidated.
      Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.
     (b)  Cash and Cash Equivalents
      Temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, GBC designated $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, as available for customer deposits in Australia.
     (c)  Inventory Valuation
      Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory costs include labor, material and overhead. Inventory balances are net of valuation allowances.
     (d)  Depreciation of Capital Assets
      Depreciation of capital assets for financial reporting is computed principally using the straight-line method over the following estimated lives:
     
Buildings
    8-50 years
Machinery and equipment
    3-20 years
Computer hardware and software
    2-7 years
Leasehold improvements
  Lesser of lease term or useful life
      Routine repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Significant repair or maintenance costs incurred which extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized.
     (e)  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
      Effective January 1, 2002, GBC adopted SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” With the adoption of SFAS No 142, goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its useful life. Rather, goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. GBC performs its annual impairment test during the first quarter of each year, commencing with the first quarter of 2002. Also, under the new rules, an acquired intangible asset (other than goodwill) would be separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer’s intent to do so.
     (f)  Income Taxes
      Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
respective tax bases. Future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carry forwards, are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not.
      GBC’s policy is to record U.S. income taxes on the earnings of its international subsidiaries that are expected to be distributed to GBC. As of December 31, 2004, the cumulative amount of undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries upon which U.S. income taxes have not been recorded was approximately $43.8 million. In the opinion of management, this amount remains permanently invested in the international subsidiaries.
      GBC is included in the consolidated U.S. Federal Income tax return and certain U.S. State Income tax returns of its majority shareholder, Lane Industries, Inc. The amount of income tax liability for which GBC will be responsible is determined by Tax Allocation Agreements between the Company and Lane Industries. Differences between GBC’s liability on a “separate return” basis and that computed under the Tax Allocation Agreements are reflected in GBC’s financial statements as either a capital contribution or distribution.
     (g)  Revenue Recognition
      GBC recognizes revenues from product sales and services when earned, as defined by GAAP, and in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 101 and No. 104. Specifically, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. For product sales, revenue is not recognized until title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer, generally upon shipment. The Company also derives income from service maintenance agreements. Income from such agreements is deferred and recognized over the term of the agreement (generally one to three years), primarily on a straight-line basis. An allowance for potential sales returns is established as revenue is recognized. This allowance is based upon historical trends for specific customer groups. In addition, the Company monitors inventory levels for certain resellers of its products. The allowance is adjusted periodically based upon such relevant information.
     (h)  Sales Incentives
      GBC offers a variety of sales incentives to resellers and consumers of its products. The incentives primarily consist of rebates, volume and growth incentives, marketing development funds, catalog allowances and cooperative advertising. The cost of these incentives is estimated based upon the terms of the customer agreements, along with historical and projected customer purchase volumes, and is recorded as a reduction in revenue.
     (i)  Use of Estimates
      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the entity’s assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
     (j)  Financial Instruments
      Many of GBC’s financial instruments (including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes payable, and other accrued liabilities) carry short-term maturities; as a result, their fair values approximate carrying values. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 44% of GBC’s long-term debt obligations, including current maturities of long-term debt obligations, had floating interest rates, and the remaining debt obligations had a fixed interest rate. With the exception of the senior subordinated notes (see note 8), the fair value of these instruments approximates the carrying value.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Amounts currently due to or due from interest rate swap counterparties are recorded in interest expense in the period in which they accrue. Gains and losses on hedging firm foreign currency commitments are deferred and included as a component of the related transaction which is being hedged.
     (k)  Related Parties
      GBC has relationships with several related parties. Lane Industries, Inc. is GBC’s majority shareholder, and controls a majority of the voting shares of GBC. Transactions between GBC and Lane Industries, which primarily relate to shared administrative services, are immaterial. However, as described in note 1(f), GBC and Lane Industries have entered into “Tax Allocation Agreements,” which may significantly impact the amount of U.S. taxes received or paid by GBC in any year.
      GBC also has relationships with certain unconsolidated joint ventures. As part of the on-going relationships with these entities, GBC both buys and sells products from/to these entities. Transactions, with respect to sales and credit terms, are conducted at “arms-length” terms.
     (l)  New Accounting Standards
      In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision to SFAS No. 123, “Share Based Payment.” This statement requires companies to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. Prior to the revision to SFAS No. 123, companies had an alternative to either recognize the cost of employee services based upon fair value at the grant date, or to use the intrinsic value method of accounting under APB No. 25. GBC currently accounts for stock options in accordance with APB No. 25 under which stock options issued to employees generally result in no compensation expense. GBC’s adoption of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) will result in compensation expense related to stock options issued. The standard is required to be adopted in the third quarter of 2005. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004). See note 1(m) for proforma disclosure information related to stock compensation expense.
      In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (“AJCA”). The AJCA, enacted in October 2004, introduces a temporary 85% dividends received deduction on the repatriation of certain foreign earnings of a U.S. taxpayer, provided certain criteria are met. FAS 109-2 provides accounting and disclosure guidance for the repatriation provision. It allows companies time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the AJCA on unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries for the purpose of applying the “indefinite reversal criterion” under APB Opinion No. 23, “Accounting for Income Taxes — Special Areas.” FAS 109-2 also requires explanatory disclosures from companies that have not yet completed the evaluation. GBC has begun, but has not yet completed, its evaluation of the repatriation provision and has not decided whether, and to what extent, it will repatriate unremitted foreign earnings under the provision.
      During 2004, GBC revised certain disclosures about pension plans and other post retirement benefit plans in accordance with the December 2003 FASB revision to SFAS No. 132, “Employers Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” The additional disclosures required by this statement include: information describing the types of plan assets; investment strategy; measurement date(s); plan obligations; and cash flows.
     (m)  Stock Compensation Plan
      GBC has a stock-based employee compensation plan that provides for stock options and restricted stock units. The Company applies the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
accounting for these plans. In accordance with the intrinsic value method, no compensation expense is recognized for the Company’s fixed stock option plans. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share (EPS) if the company had applied the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, to all stock-based employee compensation (000 omitted):
                           
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Net income (loss), as reported
  $ 14,762     $ (3,262 )   $ (80,010 )
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax
    608       473       253  
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value method, net of tax
    (3,151 )     (2,539 )     (3,004 )
                   
Pro forma net income (loss)
  $ 12,219     $ (5,328 )   $ (82,761 )
                   
Earnings per basic common share
                       
 
As reported
  $ 0.91     $ (0.20 )   $ (5.04 )
                   
 
Pro forma
  $ 0.76     $ (0.33 )   $ (5.21 )
                   
Earnings per Diluted common share
                       
 
As reported
  $ 0.88     $ (0.20 )   $ (5.04 )
                   
 
Pro forma
  $ 0.73     $ (0.33 )   $ (5.21 )
                   
      Pro forma compensation expense for stock options was calculated using the Black-Scholes model, with the following weighted-average assumptions for grants in 2004, 2003, and 2002 respectively: expected life of ten years for 2004, 2003 and 2002; expected volatility of 59%, 56% and 50%; and risk-free interest rates of 4.43%, 3.75%, and 4.87%. The weighted-average fair values of stock options granted were $11.96, $6.07 and $8.89 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
(2)  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
      In accordance with SFAS No. 142, GBC tests its goodwill balances to determine whether these assets are impaired. The annual impairment test is performed as of January 1. After performing the impairment test in 2002, GBC recorded a non-cash charge of $110 million ($79 million after-tax or $4.97 per share), primarily related to the impairment of goodwill in the Commercial and Consumer Group.
      SFAS No. 142 also requires that previously recognized intangible assets, other than goodwill, be reassessed to determine the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of these assets. Intangible assets determined to have finite lives are amortized over those lives, and intangible assets that have indefinite lives are not amortized. As of December 31, 2004, there have been no events or circumstances which would warrant a revision to the remaining useful lives of these assets.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      GBC’s carrying values for goodwill by business segment as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 are summarized below (000 omitted). The change in the carrying amount for goodwill between December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 is related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates (000 omitted).
                   
    Carrying Amount at
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
    144,133       143,843  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    4,440       4,440  
Other
    292       292  
             
 
Total
  $ 148,865     $ 148,575  
             
      GBC’s other intangible assets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 are summarized below (000 omitted):
                                   
    Gross Carrying   Accumulated
    Amount at   Amortization at
    December 31,   December 31,
         
    2004   2003   2004   2003
                 
Customer agreements and relationships
  $ 5,767     $ 5,767     $ (4,318 )   $ (3,860 )
Patents
    1,544       1,464       (1,475 )     (1,171 )
                         
 
Total
  $ 7,311     $ 7,231     $ (5,793 )   $ (5,031 )
                         
      Amortization expense related to GBC’s other intangible assets is summarized below (000 omitted):
         
    Amortization
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,   Expense
     
2005
    527  
2006
    458  
2007
    458  
2008
    75  
(3)  Summarized Financial Information — Joint Ventures (unaudited)
      Summarized financial information for GBC’s joint ventures, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, is as follows (000s omitted):
                         
Statement of Income Information   2004   2003   2002
             
Net sales
  $ 109,596     $ 80,832     $ 78,767  
Gross profit
    35,616       24,404       18,471  
Net loss
    (935 )     (5,377 )     (475 )
                         
Balance Sheet Information   2004   2003    
             
Current assets
  $ 63,646     $ 60,222          
Non-current assets
    37,810       43,580          
Current liabilities
    53,828       51,541          
Non-current liabilities
    21,943       24,815          
      The summarized financial information is presented as of and for the end of the fiscal year for each of the joint ventures. Pelikan-Quartet and GMP each have September 30 fiscal year ends and Neschen’s fiscal year end is December 31.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(4)  Foreign Currency Exchange and Translation
      The assets and liabilities of GBC’s subsidiaries outside the U.S. are translated from their local functional currencies at year end rates of exchange; income and cash flow statements are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of income, and as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
      The accompanying consolidated statements of income include net gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, and translation gains and losses of assets and liabilities denominated in other than functional currencies. Such amounts are reported as other income (expense) and are summarized as follows (000 omitted):
         
    Foreign Currency
Year Ended December 31,   Transaction Gain/(Loss)
     
2004
  $ (1,816 )
2003
    (899 )
2002
    718  
(5)  Inventories
      Inventories are summarized as follows (000 omitted):
                   
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Raw material
  $ 20,637     $ 19,239  
Work in progress
    6,584       6,445  
Finished goods
    82,394       74,532  
             
 
Gross inventory
    109,615       100,216  
Less reserves
    (11,619 )     (13,976 )
             
 
Net inventory
  $ 97,996     $ 86,240  
             
(6)  Restructuring and Other
      During 2004, GBC recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of $0.9 million primarily related to workforce reduction programs which were announced in 2003.
      Pre-tax restructuring charges in 2003 totaled $11.1 million, related to the following projects: a) relocating the manufacturing of labor intensive visual communication products from the Company’s facility in Booneville, Mississippi to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; b) closing a binder manufacturing plant in Amelia, Virginia and consolidating production in the Company’s plant in Lincolnshire, Illinois; c) company-wide workforce reduction programs; and d) subleasing a manufacturing facility as part of a previously announced restructuring. Approximately 420 employees were affected as a result of these actions.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The restructuring charges associated with the 2003 projects consist of the following (in millions):
                                 
        Asset        
        Impairments   Lease    
        and Other   Cancellation    
Project   Severance   Exit Costs   Costs   Total
                 
Relocating manufacturing from Booneville to Nuevo Laredo
  $ 2.6     $ 4.5     $     $ 7.1  
Plant closure — Amelia, Virginia
    0.2                   0.2  
Reduction-in-force programs
    2.4                   2.4  
Sublease manufacturing facility
                1.4       1.4  
                         
    $ 5.2     $ 4.5     $ 1.4     $ 11.1  
                         
      The transition of manufacturing operations from Booneville, Mississippi to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico began in July 2003, and was completed in 2004. The closing of the Amelia, Virginia plant commenced in the first quarter of 2004 and was completed by the end of second quarter of 2004. Initiatives related to work force reductions were implemented during the second half of 2003.
      During 2002, GBC recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of $8.0 million for expenses related the following projects: a) closing the Company’s facility in Buffalo Grove, Illinois and transferring the manufacturing and administrative functions to other GBC locations; b) downsizing a binder manufacturing facility in Amelia, Virginia; c) severance costs associated with the creation of the Commercial Consumer Group; and d) charges related to the reorganization of certain corporate and other support functions.
      The restructuring charges associated with the 2002 projects consist of the following (in millions):
                                 
        Asset        
        Impairments   Lease    
        and Other   Cancellation    
Project   Severance   Exit Costs   Costs   Total
                 
Buffalo Grove facility closure
  $ 0.7     $ 1.6     $ 0.8     $ 3.1  
Downsizing of Amelia facility
    0.8       0.3             1.1  
Commercial and Consumer Group
    1.6       0.2             1.8  
Reduction in support functions
    2.0                   2.0  
                         
    $ 5.1     $ 2.1     $ 0.8     $ 8.0  
                         
      The transition of manufacturing operations from the Buffalo Grove facility was completed in 2002; administrative and support personnel previously located in the Buffalo Grove facility were transferred to other GBC locations by early 2003. Actions associated with the Amelia facility and other reductions in force were completed in 2002.
      Management believes that the restructuring provisions recorded will be adequate to cover estimated restructuring costs related to these activities that will be paid in future periods. Management expects that the remaining balance of the liability for severance and asset impairment and other exit costs will be paid in 2005. Lease cancellation payments average approximately $0.2 million annually until the lease terminates in 2013. The balance in the restructuring reserve at December 31, 2004 is primarily related to severance and lease cancellation costs.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Changes in the restructuring reserve for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were as follows (000 omitted):
                                   
        Asset        
        Impairment   Lease    
        and Other   Cancellation    
    Severance   Exit Costs   Costs   Total
                 
Balance at December 31, 2002
  $ 4,026     $ 810     $ 700     $ 5,536  
Activities during the year:
                               
 
Provision
    5,240       4,457       1,405       11,102  
 
Cash charges
    (3,850 )     (210 )     (676 )     (4,736 )
 
Non-cash charges
          (4,497 )     839       (3,658 )
                         
Balance at December 31, 2003
    5,416       560       2,268       8,244  
Activities during the year:
                               
 
Provision
    851                   851  
 
Cash charges
    (5,193 )           (309 )     (5,502 )
 
Non-cash charges
    (34 )     (677 )           (711 )
 
Reclassification
    (113 )     216       (103 )      
                         
Balance at December 31, 2004(1)
  $ 927     $ 99     $ 1,856     $ 2,882  
                         
 
(1)  The restructuring reserve at December 31, 2004 consisted of $1.2 million related to current items reported in the balance sheet as a separate item, and $1.6 million related to long-term lease cancellation costs reported in the balance sheet as a component of other long-term liabilities.
      During 2004, 2003 and 2002, GBC incurred other charges of $1.7 million, $4.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The components of these charges are as follows (000 omitted):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Reorganization realignment severance benefits
  $ 840     $     $ 456  
Production transition costs of closed/down-sized facilities
                625  
Impairment of investment in GMP
    850       4,679        
                   
    $ 1,690     $ 4,679     $ 1,081  
                   
      In 2004 and 2003, GBC recorded non-cash charges to reflect impairment in its investment in GMP. The Company has an ownership interest in GMP of approximately 20% and accounts for the investment under the equity method of accounting. At December 31, 2004, GBC’s equity investment in GMP is $1.0 million.
(7)  Retirement Plans and Post-retirement Benefits
      GBC sponsors a 401(k) plan for its full-time domestic employees. The participants of the 401(k) plan may contribute from 1% to 25% of their eligible compensation on a pretax basis. GBC makes annual contributions that match 100% of pretax contributions up to 4.5% of eligible compensation. Substantially all eligible full-time domestic employees can participate in the 401(k) plan. GBC’s contributions to the plan were $2,874,000 in 2004, $3,003,000 in 2003 and $3,319,000 in 2002.
      GBC’s international subsidiaries sponsor a variety of defined benefit and defined contribution plans. These plans provide benefits that are generally based upon the employee’s years of credited service. The

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
benefits payable under these plans, for the most part, are provided by the establishment of trust funds or the purchase of insurance annuity contracts.
      In 2001, GBC established a defined benefit Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for the Company’s current Chairman, President and CEO. Benefits under the SERP vest over nine years. At age 62 and, assuming full vesting, the SERP would pay an annual pension benefit of $450,000. This plan is not currently funded.
      GBC currently provides certain health care benefits for eligible domestic retired employees. Employees may become eligible for those benefits if they have fulfilled specific age and service requirements. GBC monitors the cost of the plan, and has, from time to time, changed the benefits provided under this plan. GBC does not pre-fund its obligations and reserves the right to make additional changes or terminate these benefits in the future. Any changes in the plan or revisions of the assumptions affecting expected future benefits may have a significant effect on the amount of the obligation and annual expense.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      GBC’s measurement date is December 31 for domestic plans and September 30 for international plans. The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in GBC’s benefit plan obligations and the fair value of plan assets (000 omitted):
                                                   
    Pension Benefits        
         
            Other Benefits
    2004   2003    
            2004   2003
    Domestic   International   Domestic   International   Domestic   Domestic
                         
Change in benefit obligation:
                                               
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 791     $ 30,324     $ 431     $ 26,418     $ 10,332     $ 8,470  
 
Interest cost
    47       1,597       28       1,388       600       531  
 
Service cost
    314       716       275       615       823       719  
 
Contributions
          282             245              
 
Actuarial loss (gain)
    85       (384 )     57       (382 )     (3,572 )     1,574  
 
Plan amendment
                                (1,063 )     (385 )
 
Benefit payments
          (1,125 )           (1,219 )     (444 )     (577 )
 
Special Benefits
                            332        
 
Exchange rate fluctuations
          2,318             3,259              
                                     
Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 1,237     $ 33,728     $ 791     $ 30,324     $ 7,008     $ 10,332  
                                     
Change in plan assets:
                                               
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $     $ 21,802     $     $ 16,828     $     $  
 
Actual return on plan assets
          1,662             2,245              
 
Contributions
          3,386             1,517       444       577  
 
Benefit payments
          (1,125 )           (1,219 )     (444 )     (577 )
 
Effect of plans merger
          68                          
 
Exchange rate fluctuations
          1,893             2,431              
                                     
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $     $ 27,686     $     $ 21,802     $     $  
                                     
Funded status at end of year
  $ (1,237 )   $ (6,042 )   $ (791 )   $ (8,522 )   $ (7,008 )   $ (10,332 )
 
Unrecognized transition (asset) obligation
                                  373  
 
Unrecognized prior service costs
          771             (773 )     (732 )      
 
Unrecognized loss
    190       8,600       109       10,240       (138 )     3,663  
                                     
Net amount recognized
  $ (1,047 )   $ 3,329     $ (682 )   $ 945     $ (7,878 )   $ (6,296 )
                                     

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The following table provides the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets (000 omitted):
                                                 
    Pension Benefits   Other Benefits
         
    2004   2003    
            2004   2003
    Domestic   International   Domestic   International   Domestic   Domestic
                         
Prepaid benefit cost
  $     $ 3,105     $     $ 1,490     $     $  
Accrued benefit liability
    (1,237 )     (8,469 )     (791 )     (10,104 )     (7,878 )     (6,296 )
Accumulated other Comprehensive income
    190       8,693       109       9,559              
                                     
Net amount recognized
  $ (1,047 )   $ 3,329     $ (682 )   $ 945     $ (7,878 )   $ (6,296 )
                                     
      The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension was $32.4 and $29.2 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
      The following table summarizes information for pension plans, with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets (000 omitted):
                 
    2004   2003
         
Projected benefit obligation
  $ 29,542     $ 26,767  
Accumulated benefit obligation
  $ 28,401     $ 25,801  
Fair Value of plan assets
  $ 19,686     $ 15,861  
      The following table provides the components of net periodic pension cost (000 omitted):
                                                   
    2004   2003   2002
             
    Domestic   International   Domestic   International   Domestic   International
                         
Service cost
  $ 314     $ 716     $ 275     $ 615     $ 230     $ 668  
Interest cost
    47       1,597       28       1,388       10       1,206  
Expected return on plan assets
          (1,526 )           (1,182 )           (1,278 )
Amortization of unrecognized:
                                               
 
Net transition asset
                      (108 )           (101 )
 
Prior-service cost
          (58 )           (52 )           (48 )
 
Net loss
    4       491       1       570             273  
                                     
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 365     $ 1,220     $ 304     $ 1,231     $ 240     $ 720  
                                     
      The following table provides the components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for the plans for 2004, 2003, and 2002 (000 omitted):
                           
    Other Benefits
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Service cost
  $ 823     $ 719     $ 708  
Interest cost
    600       531       601  
Amortization of unrecognized:
                       
 
Net transition obligation
    41       85       63  
 
Net loss
    229       113       231  
                   
Total recognized post retirement benefit cost
  $ 1,693     $ 1,448     $ 1,603  
                   

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The following information summarizes changes in the minimum pension liability included in other comprehensive income (000 omitted):
                 
    2004   2003
         
Decrease in minimum liability
  $ (1,678 )   $ (1,749 )
      The assumptions used in the measurement of the Company’s benefit obligations are shown in the following table:
                                                   
    Pension Benefits        
         
            Other Benefits
    2004   2003    
            2004   2003
    Domestic   International   Domestic   International   Domestic   Domestic
                         
Weighted-average assumptions as of December 31:
                                               
Discount rate
    6.00 %     1.75-6.50 %     6.50 %     1.50- 6.50 %     6.00 %     6.00 %
Expected return on plan assets
    N/A       2.00-8.50 %     N/A       2.00- 8.50 %     N/A       N/A  
 
Rate of compensation increase
    N/A       1.50-4.50 %     N/A       1.50- 4.50 %     N/A       N/A  
      The expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets is determined based upon the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets.
      For measurement purposes, a 6.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2004. The rate was assumed to be 6.0% during 2005 and remain at this level thereafter.
      Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A 1.0% change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects (000 omitted):
                 
    1.0% Increase   1.0% Decrease
         
Effect on total of service and interest cost components of Net periodic post retirement health care benefit costs
  $ 141     $ (125 )
Effect on the health care component of the accumulated Post retirement benefit obligation
  $ 513     $ (466 )
      The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations are as follows:
                 
Asset Category   2004   2003
         
Cash
    5.0 %     3.0 %
Equity Securities
    55.0 %     56.0 %
Fixed Income
    7.0 %     9.0 %
Other
    33.0 %     32.0 %
             
      100.0 %     100.0 %
             
      The investment strategy for the Company, which has several foreign pension plans under separately managed trusts, is to optimize investment returns through a diversified portfolio of investments. The Company has one pension plan in the UK which represents approximately 70% of the total assets of all GBC pension plans. The assets of the UK pension plan are managed through trusts under an asset allocation of 5% to 55%, property allocation of up to 5% and a cash allocation of up to 20%.
      The Company expects to contribute $2.7 million to its pension plans in 2005 and $0.5 million to its post-retirement benefit plan in 2005.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The following benefit payments, which reflect future service, are expected to be paid (in millions):
                 
    Pension   Post-Retirement
    Benefits   Benefits
         
2005
  $ 1.1     $ 0.5  
2006
    1.4       0.6  
2007
    1.4       0.6  
2008
    1.7       0.5  
2009
    1.9       0.6  
2010-2014
    11.7       3.9  
(8)  Debt and Credit Arrangements
      GBC has two financing arrangements that provide the Company with the majority of its debt capacity. In 2003, the Company completed the refinancing of its primary senior credit facility (the “Primary Facility”). As of December 31, 2004, the Primary Facility includes a $72.5 million multicurrency revolving credit line and $112.0 million in term loans. The maturity date on the Primary Facility is January 15, 2008. Outstanding borrowings under the Primary Facility at December 31, 2004 included $112.0 million in term loans and outstanding letters of credit of $12.4 million which further reduces GBC’s availability under the revolving credit line. No borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2004. In April 2003, GBC entered into a new multicurrency revolving credit facility in the Netherlands (the “Netherlands Facility”). The maturity date on the Netherlands Facility is April 9, 2008. As of December 31, 2004, the Netherlands Facility had no outstanding borrowings.
      Interest rates on the Primary Facility borrowings are variable and, during 2004, were set at LIBOR plus 3.5% or 3.75% for borrowings under the $72.5 million multicurrency revolving credit line, and LIBOR plus 4.50% for the term loans. Borrowings under the Primary Facility are subject to a pricing grid which provides for lower interest rates in the event that certain of GBC’s financial ratios improve in future periods.
      GBC must meet certain restrictive financial covenants as defined under the Primary Facility. The covenants become more restrictive over time and require the Company to maintain certain ratios related to total leverage, senior leverage, fixed charge coverage, as well as a minimum level of consolidated net worth. There are also other covenants, including restrictions on dividend payments, acquisitions, additional indebtedness, and capital expenditures. In addition to the restrictive covenants, multicurrency revolving credit line borrowings are subject to a “borrowing base” which is determined based upon certain formulas tied to GBC’s trade receivables and inventory. With the exception of certain domestic assets (primarily property, plant and equipment) pledged under a mortgage financing, substantially all of the assets of General Binding Corporation and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as a portion of equity in certain foreign subsidiaries are pledged as collateral under the Primary Facility.
      In January 2005, the Company entered into an amendment to the Primary Facility. The amendment, among other things, modifies certain financial covenants related to Total Leverage and Senior Leverage, as those terms are defined in the Primary Facility, to make them less restrictive. The modifications also provided for the planned disposition of certain real property. The Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Primary Facility before the amendment.
      As of and for the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The book value of GBC’s variable rate debt approximated the fair market value as of December 31, 2004 and 2003. The market value of the Senior Subordinated Notes was approximately 100% of book value as of December 31, 2004.
      Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2004 and 2003 (000 omitted):
                   
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Revolving Credit Facility
               
U.S. Dollar borrowings — Term loan — (weighted average floating interest rate of 6.70% at December 31, 2004 and 5.66% at December 31, 2003)
  $ 112,000     $ 122,500  
Industrial Revenue/ Development Bonds (“IRB” or “IDB”)
               
IDB, due March 2026 — (floating interest rate of 2.06% at December 31, 2004 and 1.25% at December 31, 2003 )
    6,840       6,840  
Notes Payable
               
Senior Subordinated Notes, U.S. Dollar borrowing, due 2008 — (fixed interest rate of 9.375%)
    150,000       150,000  
Notes Payable, U.S. Dollar borrowing, due monthly August 2003 to July 2008 — (fixed interest rate of 6.62%)
    11,133       13,798  
Other borrowings
    8,905       8,876  
             
 
Total debt
    288,878       302,014  
Less-current maturities
    (33,713 )     (19,995 )
             
 
Total long-term debt
  $ 255,165     $ 282,019  
             
      The scheduled maturities of debt for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2004, are as follows (000 omitted):
         
Year Ending December 31,   Amount
     
2005
  $ 33,713  
2006
    17,189  
2007
    13,897  
2008
    216,944  
2009
    148  
Thereafter
    6,987  
       
Total
  $ 288,878  
       
      Currently, GBC has various short-term, variable-rate credit arrangements with borrowing capacity of $11.7 million. Outstanding borrowings under these arrangements totaled $7.8 million at December 31, 2004. Interest rates on these arrangements are primarily based on the lenders’ costs of funds plus applicable margins. None of the lenders under these credit arrangements are committed to continue to extend credit after the maturities of outstanding borrowings or to extend the maturities of any borrowings.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Information regarding short-term debt, variable-rate credit arrangements for the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is as follows (000 omitted):
                                         
            Maximum Month-        
    Notes Payable   Weighted   End Balance   Average Amount   Weighted
    to Banks   Average Interest   Outstanding   Outstanding   Average Interest
    Balance at End   Rate at End of   During the   During the   Rate During the
    of Year(1)   Year(2)   Year(3)   Year(4)   Year(5)
                     
2004
  $ 7,788       3.7 %   $ 7,919     $ 6,682       5.1 %
2003
    5,819       4.0       10,085       7,919       5.9  
2002
    10,806       5.3       10,806       8,111       6.6  
 
(1)  Notes payable by GBC’s foreign subsidiaries were $7,788 at December 31, 2004, $5,819 at December 31, 2003, and $10,806 at December 31, 2002.
 
(2)  The weighted average interest rate is computed by dividing the annualized interest expense for the short-term debt outstanding by the short-term debt outstanding at December 31.
 
(3)  The composition of GBC’s short-term debt will vary by category at any point in time during the year.
 
(4)  Average amount outstanding during the year is computed by dividing the total daily outstanding principal balances by 365 or 366 days.
 
(5)  The weighted average interest rate during the year is computed by dividing the actual short-term interest expense by the average short-term debt outstanding.
(9)  Derivative Financial Instruments
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
      From time to time, GBC has entered into interest rate swap agreements to hedge its floating interest rate exposures. Under interest rate swap agreements, GBC agrees with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the differences between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional amount. The swap agreement outstanding at December 31, 2004 matured in February 2005. GBC has applied hedge accounting for these instruments, and the fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are estimated using the net present value of the anticipated future cash flows. To the extent the hedges are effective, unrealized gains and losses are recorded in other comprehensive income; unrealized gains and losses on ineffective hedges are recognized in the income statement. Selected information related to GBC’s interest rate swap agreements is as follows (in millions):
                 
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Notional amount
  $ 5.0     $ 60.0  
Fair value-net unrecognized (loss) gain
          (0.8 )
      GBC is exposed to potential losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the interest rate swap, although the Company attempts to mitigate this risk by diversifying its counterparties.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
      GBC enters into foreign exchange contracts to hedge foreign currency risks. These contracts hedge firmly committed transactions such as inventory purchases, royalties, management fees, and intercompany loans. Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are recorded in a comparable manner to the underlying transaction being hedged (e.g., costs related to inventory purchases are recorded to inventory and recognized in cost of sales). Obligations under foreign exchange contracts are valued at either the spot

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
rate or an appropriate forward rate at the respective balance sheet date. Selected information related to GBC’s foreign exchange contracts is as follows (in millions):
                 
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Notional amount
  $ 69.3     $ 80.3  
Fair value — net unrealized (loss)(1)
    (2.5 )     (3.3 )
 
(1)  As of December 31, 2004, GBC recorded cumulative unrealized losses of approximately $0.2 million in its consolidated statement of income related to hedges of intercompany loans (hedge accounting has not been applied to these transactions). Unrealized losses of approximately $2.3 million related to hedges of intercompany inventory purchases have been recorded in other comprehensive income.
      Foreign exchange contracts as of December 31, 2004 had various maturities through December 2005. The unrealized gains and losses are substantially offset by changes in the valuation of the underlying items being hedged.
(10)  Rents and Leases
      GBC has entered into numerous operating leases, primarily for manufacturing and office facilities. Future minimum rental payments required for all non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2004 are as follows (000 omitted):
           
    Operating
Year Ending December 31,   Lease Payments
     
2005
  $ 13,240  
2006
    11,899  
2007
    9,801  
2008
    8,163  
2009
    4,764  
After 2009
    11,146  
       
 
Total minimum lease payments
  $ 59,013  
       
      Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $14.7 million, $15.4 million and $16.3 million, respectively.
(11)  Common Stock and Earnings Per Share
      GBC’s Certificate of Incorporation provides for 40,000,000 authorized shares of Common Stock, $0.125 par value per share, and 4,796,550 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.125 par value per share. Each Class B share is entitled to 15 votes and is to be automatically converted into one share of common stock upon transfer thereof. All of the Class B shares are owned by Lane Industries, Inc., GBC’s majority stockholder.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (000 omitted except per share data):
                           
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Numerator:
                       
 
Net income (loss) income available to common shareholders
  $ 14,762     $ (3,262 )   $ (80,010 )
Denominator:
                       
 
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average number of common shares outstanding(1)
    16,171       15,978       15,883  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
 
Employee stock options(3)
    429              
 
Restricted stock options(3)
    239              
                   
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted-average shares(1) and assumed conversions
    16,839       15,978       15,883  
                   
Earnings (loss) per share — basic(2)
  $ 0.91     $ (0.20 )   $ (5.04 )
                   
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted(2)
  $ 0.88     $ (0.20 )   $ (5.04 )
                   
 
(1)  Weighted average shares includes both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
 
(1)  Amounts represent per share amounts for potentially both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
 
(2)  GBC had 668,067, 457,255 and 479,648 potentially dilutive shares outstanding as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively. These options were not included in the calculation of earnings per share for 2003 and 2002 as they would have been anti-dilutive.
(12)  Stock Compensation Plans
      GBC has a non-qualified stock incentive plan for employees (the “Employee Plan”) and non-employee directors (the “Director Plan”). Options may be granted under both plans at a price not less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of the grant. Options granted under the Employee Plan generally vest at a rate of 25% per year and can begin to be exercised one year after the grant date. Options granted under the Director Plan are generally exercisable six months or one year after the grant. In the event of a change in control of the Company, all options granted become 100% vested and are immediately exercisable.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      A summary of the stock option activity is as follows (000 omitted from option share amounts):
                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
        Wtd. Avg.       Wtd. Avg.       Wtd. Avg.
    Shares   Exercise Price   Shares   Exercise Price   Shares   Exercise Price
                         
Shares under option at beginning of year
    2,219     $ 10       2,056     $ 12       1,831     $ 11  
Options granted
    477       17       502       9       681       13  
Options exercised
    (192 )     9       (92 )     8       (149 )     8  
Options expired/canceled
    (250 )     16       (247 )     21       (307 )     14  
                                     
Shares under option at end of year
    2,254       11       2,219       10       2,056       12  
                                     
Options exercisable
    1,137       10       974       10       743       11  
                                     
Weighted average fair Value of options granted
          $ 11.96             $ 6.07             $ 8.89  
                                     
      The 2,254,000 options outstanding at December 31, 2004 have exercise prices between $7.00 and $30.50 per share, with a weighted average exercise price of $11.23 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.2 years.
      The following is a summary of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2004 (option shares in 000’s):
                                             
Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable
     
    Weighted-Average   Weighted-Average       Weighted-Average
Range of   Remaining Contractual   Exercise       Exercise
Exercise Prices   Outstanding   Life (Years)   Price   Exercisable   Price
                     
$  7-11       1,267       6.7       8.14       830       7.97  
$ 12-25       964       8.0       14.83       288       13.76  
$ 26-30       23       0.5       29.87       19       29.84  
                                 
$  7-30       2,254       7.2       11.23       1,137       9.80  
      As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, there were 974,299 and 743,349 options exercisable, respectively, at weighted-average exercise prices of $9.86 and $11.12, respectively.
      GBC’s stock option plan also provides for the grant of restricted stock units (“RSUs”). In 2004 and 2003, GBC awarded 343,133 and 203,302 RSUs, respectively. The RSUs awarded in 2004 and 2003 vest 331/3% in each of the three years subsequent, and are further subject to the achievement of certain business performance criteria. Based upon the level of achieved performance, the number of RSUs actually awarded can vary from 0% to 150% of the original grant. The RSUs awarded in 2002 vested on February 15, 2005. Upon vesting, the RSUs will be converted into common stock of the Company unless the RSU award recipient elects to defer receipt of the shares. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period for the value of the RSUs based upon the value of GBC common stock. Compensation expense for RSUs was $936,000 in 2004, $727,000 in 2003 and $389,000 in 2002.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(13)  Income Taxes
      Income (loss) before taxes is as follows (000 omitted):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
United States
  $ (3,024 )   $ (15,405 )   $ (12,637 )
Foreign
    26,900       19,773       13,696  
                   
Total income (loss) before taxes
  $ 23,876     $ 4,368     $ 1,059  
                   
      The provision for income taxes is as follows (000 omitted):
                           
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Current expense (benefit):
                       
Federal
  $ 40     $ 22     $ 664  
State
    39       (52 )     80  
Foreign
    8,194       4,760       4,664  
                   
 
Total current
    8,273       4,730       5,408  
Deferred expense (benefit):
                       
Federal
    2,326       2,857       (2,286 )
State
    17       (195 )     (554 )
Foreign
    (1,502 )     238       (523 )
                   
 
Total deferred
    841       2,900       (3,363 )
                   
Total provision (benefit)
  $ 9,114     $ 7,630     $ 2,045  
                   
      GBC’s income tax expense (benefit) varies from the statutory Federal income tax expense (benefit) as a result of the following factors (000 omitted):
                           
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Income tax expense (benefit) at U.S. statutory tax rate
  $ 8,357     $ 1,529     $ 371  
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
    36       (62 )     (308 )
Impairment of investment in GMP — not tax deductible
    297       1,637        
Foreign entity reorganization
          4,492        
Other non-tax deductible items
          592       1,449  
Tax settlement
          (99 )     (902 )
Tax credits displaced by NOL carrybacks
                1,513  
Impact of non-U.S. earnings taxed at other rates
    424       (453 )     (78 )
Other, net
          (6 )      
                   
 
Total provision (benefit)
  $ 9,114     $ 7,630     $ 2,045  
                   
      The “impact of non-U.S. earnings taxed at other rates” for 2004 is net of: a) a $1.4 million tax benefit for the utilization of non-U.S. net operating losses ($1.8 million in 2003 and $0.9 million in 2002); b) a $1.4 million tax benefit for the reversal of the beginning-of-the-year valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at certain non-U.S. subsidiaries, due to a change in circumstances that caused a change in the judgement about the realizability of the deferred tax assets; and c) a $0.8 million tax benefit included for

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
a decrease in withholding tax liabilities as a result of enacted tax rate changes. The benefits realized in 2004 were largely offset by income taxes provided on non-U.S. earnings expected to be remitted to the U.S.
      In 2003, there was a $4.5 million non-cash write-off of deferred tax assets as a result of a reorganization of certain international subsidiaries. In 2002, new U.S. tax legislation enabled GBC to carry back its 2001 domestic tax loss to 1996 and 1997, generating a $7.5 million tax refund. The carry back also displaced previously utilized tax credits, which were written off because GBC was not able to utilize them before the expiration of the carry over period.
      Significant components of GBC’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (000 omitted):
                   
    December 31,
     
    2004   2003
         
Significant components of deferred tax assets:
               
 
Net operating loss carryovers
  $ 28,688     $ 25,467  
 
Inventory valuation and related reserves
    2,918       3,325  
 
Foreign deferred tax assets
    4,453       1,823  
 
Compensation and employee benefits
    3,781       3,607  
 
Restructuring reserves
    1,336       2,631  
 
Bad debt and sales return allowance
    3,526       3,623  
 
FAS No. 106 post-retirement benefits
    2,757       2,204  
 
Foreign tax credits
    2,850       3,641  
 
Other
    6,375       7,104  
             
Gross deferred tax assets
    56,684       53,425  
 
Valuation allowance
    (20,055 )     (19,900 )
             
Net deferred tax assets
    36,629       33,525  
Significant components of deferred tax liabilities:
               
 
Depreciation
    5,637       8,048  
 
Amortization of intangible assets
    6,070       1,454  
 
Foreign deferred tax liabilities
    2,914       2,961  
 
Unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries
    3,697       833  
 
Other
    2,261       1,635  
             
 
Total deferred tax liabilities
    20,579       14,931  
             
 
Net Deferred Tax Asset
  $ 16,050     $ 18,594  
             
      At December 31, 2004, the Company has $86.1 million of net operating loss carry forwards available to reduce future taxable income of domestic and international companies. These loss carry forwards expire in the years 2005 through 2025 or have an unlimited carryover period. A valuation allowance has been provided for a portion of the net operating loss carry forwards and other deferred tax assets, principally international net operating losses, that are more likely than not expected to expire before the Company can use such benefits.
(14)  Contingencies
      GBC is currently involved in matters of litigation arising from the normal course of business. None of the litigation matters either individually or in the aggregate is material to the Company. Additionally,

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
GBC has on-going tax audits in the U.S. and various international jurisdictions. Accruals have been provided related to such litigation and tax matters based upon management’s current estimate of the most likely outcomes. Based upon consultation with legal counsel and tax experts, GBC believes that if any additional liabilities were to arise from these matters that they would not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
      During 2004, GBC revised its estimated liability for contingencies related to certain regulatory matters based upon current developments, correspondence with regulatory agencies and the counsel of outside experts. The impact of this change in estimate was to increase pre-tax income by approximately $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2004.
(15)  Subsequent Event
      In February, 2005, GBC sold its real estate holdings in Skokie, Illinois. Approximately $1.9 million of the proceeds were used to prepay a mortgage financing. As the assets were not held for sale at December 31, 2004, a loss of approximately $0.6 million will be recognized in the first quarter of 2005.
(16)  Business Segments and Foreign Operations
      GBC is engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of office equipment, related supplies and laminating equipment and supplies. The Company has three primary business groups: a) Commercial and Consumer Group (“CCG”); b) Industrial and Print Finishing Group (“IPFG”); and c) Europe.
      CCG’s revenues are primarily derived from the sale of binding, punching and laminating equipment and related supplies, visual communications products (writing boards, bulletin boards, easels, etc.), document shredders, custom binders and folders, and desktop accessories, as well as maintenance and repair services through both indirect channels (resellers, including office product superstores, contract/commercial stationers, wholesalers, mail order companies, mass marketers and other dealers) and direct channels (salespersons, telemarketers, internet portals, etc.). The Group’s products and services are sold to customers which include the home markets and office markets, commercial reprographic centers, educational and training markets, and government agencies throughout North and South America and the Asia/Pacific region. The Europe Group distributes many of the Commercial and Consumer Group’s products to customers in Europe.
      IPFG’s revenues are primarily derived through sales of thermal and pressure sensitive films, mid-range and commercial high-speed laminators and large-format digital print laminators. The Industrial and Print Finishing Group’s products and services are sold worldwide through direct and dealer channels to commercial reprographic centers, and commercial printers.
      Expenses incurred by the three reportable segments described above relate to costs incurred to manufacture or purchase products, as well as selling, general and administrative costs. For internal management purposes and the presentation below, operating income is calculated as net sales less (i) product cost of sales, (ii) selling, service and administrative expenses and (iii) amortization of other intangibles.
      GBC does not separately identify interest expense or income taxes for its operating segments. Additionally, certain expenses of a corporate nature and certain shared service expenses are not allocated to the business groups. Sales between business groups are recorded at cost for domestic business units, and cost plus a normal profit margin for sales between domestic and international business units. GBC’s business groups record expenses for certain services provided and expense allocations; however, the charges and allocations between business groups are not significant.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Certain segment information for the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, including corporate costs which were formerly included in “all other” and have now been reflected in “unallocated corporate items.”
      Segment data is provided below for the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 (000 omitted).
                                                   
    Unaffiliated Customer Sales   Affiliated Customer Sales
    Year Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
                         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 447,011     $ 460,243     $ 467,543     $ 1,293     $ 2,488     $ 3,171  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    157,447       137,064       138,299       26,220       26,426       27,192  
Europe
    107,860       100,601       95,886       10,807       11,069       13,543  
Eliminations
                      (38,320 )     (39,983 )     (43,906 )
                                     
 
Total
  $ 712,318     $ 697,908     $ 701,728     $     $     $  
                                     
                                                   
    Operating Income   Total Segment Assets
    Year Ended December 31,   December 31,
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
                         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 48,142     $ 59,211     $ 62,261     $ 346,138     $ 339,539     $ 342,937  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    21,563       17,965       19,418       78,591       71,341       72,082  
Europe
    6,880       6,085       1,359       60,642       56,507       55,277  
Unallocated corporate items
    (23,539 )     (28,548 )     (31,691 )     55,043       62,944       87,146  
Eliminations
                                   
                                     
 
Total
  $ 53,046     $ 54,713     $ 51,347     $ 540,414     $ 530,331     $ 557,442  
                                     
      The following is a reconciliation of segment operating income to income before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change (000 omitted):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Total segment operating income
  $ 53,046     $ 54,713     $ 51,347  
Interest expense
    (25,923 )     (34,408 )     (39,898 )
Restructuring and other expenses
    (2,541 )     (15,781 )     (10,143 )
Other (expense) income
    (706 )     (156 )     (247 )
                   
Income before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
  $ 23,876     $ 4,368     $ 1,059  
                   
      No single customer accounts for more than 10% of GBC’s net sales. GBC does however, have certain major customers.
      GBC’s products are sold primarily in North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan and Australia to office products resellers and directly to end-users in the business, education, commercial/professional and government markets. GBC has a large base of customers; however, the loss of, or major reduction in business or failure to collect receivables from one or more of GBC’s major customers could have a material adverse effect on GBC’s financial position or results of operations.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Financial information for the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, by geographical area is summarized below. Export sales to foreign customers of $7.1 million in 2004, $6.1 million in 2003 and $7.7 million in 2002 have been classified in the following tables as part of the United States sales (000 omitted):
                                                 
    Unaffiliated Customer Sales   Long-Lived Assets
    Year Ended December 31,   December 31,
         
    2004   2003   2002   2004   2003   2002
                         
US
  $ 419,925     $ 440,337     $ 459,836     $ 303,929     $ 310,686     $ 357,992  
Europe
    161,846       142,975       132,418       58,919       53,291       17,932  
Other International
    130,547       114,596       109,474       27,119       25,623       21,215  
Eliminations
                      (121,733 )     (116,905 )     (105,630 )
                                     
    $ 712,318     $ 697,908     $ 701,728     $ 268,234     $ 272,695     $ 291,509  
                                     
(17)  Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
      Summarized quarterly financial data for 2004 and 2003 was as follows (000 omitted except per share data):
                                   
    Three Months Ended
     
2004   March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
                 
Sales
  $ 170,931     $ 174,375     $ 175,848     $ 191,164  
Gross profit(1)
    65,325       67,588       69,954       74,543  
Income before taxes
    978       4,543       8,015       10,340  
Net income
    450       2,586       5,174       6,552  
Net income per common share:
                               
 
Basic
  $ 0.03     $ 0.16     $ 0.32     $ 0.40  
 
Diluted
    0.03       0.15       0.31       0.39  
                                   
    Three Months Ended
     
2003   March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
                 
Sales
  $ 169,435     $ 171,150     $ 175,092     $ 182,231  
Gross profit(1)
    67,470       68,192       69,829       73,762  
(Loss) income before taxes
    (645 )     (7,181 )     7,481       4,713  
Net (loss) income
    83       (5,124 )     4,886       (3,107 )
Net (loss) income per common share:
                               
 
Basic
  $ 0.01     $ (0.32 )   $ 0.31     $ (0.19 )
 
Diluted
    0.01       (0.32 )     0.30       (0.19 )
 
(1)  Gross profit is computed as sales less cost of sales.
(18)  Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
      Each of GBC’s domestic restricted subsidiaries have jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Subordinated Notes discussed in note 8 to the consolidated financial statements. Rather than filing separate financial statements for each guarantor subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, GBC has elected to present the following consolidating financial statements which detail the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Parent, Guarantors, and Non-Guarantors (in each case carrying investments under the equity method), and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for GBC on a consolidated basis.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                               
    December 31, 2004
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 556     $ 1     $ 5,702     $     $ 6,259  
 
Receivables, net
    71,593             69,852             141,445  
 
Inventories, net
    60,035       387       37,574             97,996  
 
Deferred tax assets
    13,228       (3,161 )     2,370             12,437  
 
Other
    4,678             9,365             14,043  
 
Due from affiliates
          51,877       47,553       (99,430 )      
                               
   
Total current assets
    150,090       49,104       172,416       (99,430 )     272,180  
Net capital assets
    49,737       5,980       28,976             84,693  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    119,900       22,394       8,089             150,383  
Other
    11,811       10,390       10,957             33,158  
Investment in subsidiaries
    177,359       165,427             (342,786 )      
                               
 
Total assets
  $ 508,897     $ 253,295     $ 220,438     $ (442,216 )   $ 540,414  
                               
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
 
Accounts payable
  $ 30,624     $ 878     $ 18,256     $     $ 49,758  
 
Accrued liabilities
    53,031       486       36,688             90,205  
 
Notes payable
                7,788             7,788  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    25,547             378             25,925  
 
Due to affiliates
    48,077             17,210       (65,287 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    157,279       1,364       80,320       (65,287 )     173,676  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    71             595       (666 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    254,426             739             255,165  
Other long-term liabilities
    19,275       174       11,364             30,813  
Deferred tax liabilities
                2,914             2,914  
Stockholders’ equity:
                                       
 
Common stock
    1,962             2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B common stock
    300                         300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    26,445       95,470       167,539       (263,009 )     26,445  
 
Retained earnings
    78,171       139,360       (44,524 )     (94,836 )     78,171  
 
Treasury stock
    (21,398 )                       (21,398 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (7,634 )     16,927       (841 )     (16,086 )     (7,634 )
                               
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,846       251,757       124,506       (376,263 )     77,846  
                               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 508,897     $ 253,295     $ 220,438     $ (442,216 )   $ 540,414  
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                               
    December 31, 2003
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,749     $ 1     $ 5,818     $     $ 9,568  
 
Receivables, net
    69,404             58,987             128,391  
 
Inventories, net
    48,424       406       37,410             86,240  
 
Deferred tax assets
    17,440       1,197       1,459             20,096  
 
Other
    1,429       5,519       6,393             13,341  
 
Due from affiliates
          38,039       41,525       (79,564 )      
                               
   
Total current assets
    140,446       45,162       151,592       (79,564 )     257,636  
Net capital assets
    58,142       6,485       30,359             94,986  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    120,581       22,394       7,800             150,775  
Other
    14,695       9,328       2,911             26,934  
Investment in subsidiaries
    159,297       182,757             (342,054 )      
                               
 
Total assets
  $ 493,161     $ 266,126     $ 192,662     $ (421,618 )   $ 530,331  
                               
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
 
Accounts payable
  $ 35,057     $ 893     $ 15,303     $     $ 51,253  
 
Accrued liabilities
    60,409       170       25,968             86,547  
 
Notes payable
                5,819             5,819  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    13,165             1,011             14,176  
 
Due to affiliates
    30,337             26,096       (56,433 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    138,968       1,063       74,197       (56,433 )     157,795  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    519             3,135       (3,654 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    279,973             2,046             282,019  
Other long-term liabilities
    19,492       248       16,568             36,308  
Stockholders’ equity:
                                       
 
Common stock
    1,962             2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B common stock
    300                         300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    26,727       121,115       167,539       (288,654 )     26,727  
 
Retained earnings
    63,409       133,924       (63,091 )     (70,833 )     63,409  
 
Treasury stock
    (23,588 )                       (23,588 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (14,601 )     9,776       (10,064 )     288       (14,601 )
                               
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    54,209       264,815       96,716       (361,531 )     54,209  
                               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 493,161     $ 266,126     $ 192,662     $ (421,618 )   $ 530,331  
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENTS (000 omitted)
                                             
    Year Ended December 31, 2004
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 419,925     $     $ 292,393     $     $ 712,318  
Affiliated sales
    46,499             34,551       (81,050 )      
                               
 
Net sales
    466,424             326,944       (81,050 )     712,318  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    307,418       (119 )     208,659       (81,050 )     434,908  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    137,774             87,857             225,631  
 
Earnings from joint ventures
    1,752             (3,019 )           (1,267 )
 
Restructuring and other:
                                       
   
Restructuring
    237             614             851  
   
Other
    1,690                         1,690  
 
Interest expense
    25,749       18       731       (575 )     25,923  
 
Other (income) expense
    (4,476 )     (650 )     5,257       575       706  
                               
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (3,720 )     751       26,845             23,876  
Income taxes
    (1,420 )     286       10,248             9,114  
                               
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (2,300 )     465       16,597             14,762  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    17,062       15,146             (32,208 )      
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 14,762     $ 15,611     $ 16,597     $ (32,208 )   $ 14,762  
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENTS (000 omitted)
                                             
    Year Ended December 31, 2003
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 440,337     $     $ 257,571     $     $ 697,908  
Affiliated sales
    42,798             25,726       (68,524 )      
                               
 
Net sales
    483,135             283,297       (68,524 )     697,908  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    307,483       233       179,463       (68,524 )     418,655  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    145,604             78,948             224,552  
 
Earnings from joint ventures
                (12 )           (12 )
 
Restructuring and other:
                                       
   
Restructuring
    10,592             510             11,102  
   
Other
    4,679                         4,679  
 
Interest expense
    33,062       347       1,557       (558 )     34,408  
 
Other (income) expense
    (2,473 )     (1,116 )     3,187       558       156  
                               
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (15,812 )     536       19,644             4,368  
Income taxes
    629       186       6,815             7,630  
                               
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (16,441 )     350       12,829             (3,262 )
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    13,179       19,872             (33,051 )      
                               
Net (loss) income
  $ (3,262 )   $ 20,222     $ 12,829     $ (33,051 )   $ (3,262 )
                               
                                             
    Year Ended December 31, 2002
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 459,836     $     $ 241,892     $     $ 701,728  
Affiliated sales
    38,178             21,942       (60,120 )      
                               
 
Net sales
    498,014             263,834       (60,120 )     701,728  
 
Cost of sales:
                                       
   
Product cost of sales, including development and engineering
    310,779       (151 )     172,009       (60,120 )     422,517  
   
Inventory rationalization and write-down charge
    672             377             1,049  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    152,691       26       75,368             228,085  
 
Earnings from joint ventures
    (221 )                       (221 )
 
Restructuring and other:
                                       
   
Restructuring
    7,257             756             8,013  
   
Other
    1,081                         1,081  
 
Interest expense
    38,863       205       1,928       (1,098 )     39,898  
 
Other (income) expense
    (921 )     (489 )     559       1,098       247  
                               
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (12,187 )     409       12,837             1,059  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (3,787 )     913       4,919             2,045  
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes
    79,024       (21,695 )     66,291       (44,596 )     79,024  
                               
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (87,424 )     21,191       (58,373 )     44,596       (80,010 )
Undistributed (losses) earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (37,182 )     1,974             35,208        
                               
Net (loss) income
  $ (124,606 )   $ 23,165     $ (58,373 )   $ 79,804     $ (80,010 )
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000 omitted)
                                     
    Year Ended December 31, 2004
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 13,196     $ 576     $ 8,938     $ 22,710  
Investing activities:
                               
 
Capital expenditures
    (3,762 )     (577 )     (3,008 )     (7,347 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (3,327 )                 (3,327 )
 
Dividends from joint venture investment
                1,430       1,430  
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    978       1       22       1,001  
                         
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (6,111 )     (576 )     (1,556 )     (8,243 )
Financing activities:
                               
 
Increase (reduction) in intercompany debt
    2,540             (2,540 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    218,500             8,875       227,375  
 
Repayments of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    (225,500 )           (9,851 )     (235,351 )
 
Net change in debt-maturities of 90 days or less
    7,000                   7,000  
 
(Decrease) increase in current portion of long-term obligations
    (13,166 )           697       (12,469 )
 
Distribution related to tax allocation agreement
    (1,261 )                 (1,261 )
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (52 )                 (52 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    1,661                   1,661  
                         
   
Net cash used in financing activities
    (10,278 )           (2,819 )     (13,097 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash
                (4,679 )     (4,679 )
                         
Net (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents
    (3,193 )           (116 )     (3,309 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    3,749       1       5,818       9,568  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 556     $ 1     $ 5,702     $ 6,259  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000 omitted)
                                     
    Year Ended December 31, 2003
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 30,347     $ 517     $ 20,760     $ 51,624  
Investing activities:
                               
 
Capital expenditures
    (3,281 )     (518 )     (4,669 )     (8,468 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (2,162 )                 (2,162 )
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    22             80       102  
                         
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (5,421 )     (518 )     (4,589 )     (10,528 )
Financing activities:
                               
 
Increase (reduction) in intercompany debt
    1,823             (1,823 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    159,988             22,652       182,640  
 
Repayments of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    (100,474 )           (22,112 )     (122,586 )
 
Net change in debt — maturities of 90 days or less
    (91,640 )           461       (91,179 )
 
Decrease in current portion of long-term obligations
    (2,741 )           (6,677 )     (9,418 )
 
Contribution related to tax allocation agreement
    2,537                   2,537  
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (4,154 )                 (4,154 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    737                   737  
                         
   
Net cash used in (provided by) financing activities
    (33,924 )           (7,499 )     (41,423 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash
                (8,356 )     (8,356 )
                         
Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents
    (8,998 )     (1 )     316       (8,683 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    12,747       2       5,502       18,251  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 3,749     $ 1     $ 5,818     $ 9,568  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000 omitted)
                                     
    Year Ended December 31, 2002
     
    Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 30,437     $ 439     $ 15,590     $ 46,466  
Investing activities:
                               
 
Capital expenditures
    (5,627 )     (439 )     (2,944 )     (9,010 )
 
Payments for acquisitions and investments
    (416 )                 (416 )
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary
    470                   470  
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    885             401       1,286  
                         
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (4,688 )     (439 )     (2,543 )     (7,670 )
Financing activities:
                               
 
Increase (reduction) in intercompany debt
    11,196             (11,196 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    344,610                   344,610  
 
Repayments of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    (270,000 )           (827 )     (270,827 )
 
Net change in debt — maturities of 90 days or less
    (154,110 )           2,426       (151,684 )
 
Decrease in current portion of long-term debt
    (150 )           (36 )     (186 )
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (3,438 )                 (3,438 )
 
Contribution related to tax allocation agreement
    1,490                   1,490  
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    1,164                   1,164  
                         
   
Net cash used in financing activities
    (69,238 )           (9,633 )     (78,871 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash
                (1,610 )     (1,610 )
                         
Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents
    (43,489 )           1,804       (41,685 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    56,236       2       3,698       59,936  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 12,747     $ 2     $ 5,502     $ 18,251  
                         
(19)  Subsequent Event
      On August 16, 2005 GBC merged with ACCO Brands Corporation and the Primary Facility and the Netherland Facility described in note 8 were repaid. Subsequent to the acquisition, GBC and each of its domestic subsidiaries have jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Subordinated Notes of ACCO Brands Corporation. Rather than filing separate financial statements for each guarantor subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, GBC has elected to present the following consolidating financial statements which detail the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Guarantors and Non-Guarantors (in each case carrying investments under the equity method), and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for GBC on a consolidated basis.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                     
    December 31, 2004
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 557     $ 5,702     $     $ 6,259  
 
Receivables, net
    71,593       69,852             141,445  
 
Inventories, net
    60,422       37,574             97,996  
 
Deferred tax assets
    10,067       2,370             12,437  
 
Other
    4,678       9,365             14,043  
 
Due from affiliates
          47,553       (47,553 )      
                         
   
Total current assets
    147,317       172,416       (47,553 )     272,180  
Net capital assets
    55,717       28,976             84,693  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    142,294       8,089             150,383  
Other
    22,201       10,957             33,158  
Investment in subsidiaries
    177,359             (177,359 )      
                         
 
Total assets
  $ 544,888     $ 220,438     $ (224,912 )   $ 540,414  
                         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 31,502     $ 18,256     $     $ 49,758  
 
Accrued liabilities
    53,517       36,688             90,205  
 
Notes payable
          7,788             7,788  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    25,547       378             25,925  
 
Due to affiliates
    82,530       17,210       (99,740 )      
                         
   
Total current liabilities
    193,096       80,320       (99,740 )     173,676  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    71       595       (666 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    254,426       739             255,165  
Other long-term liabilities
    19,449       11,364             30,813  
Deferred tax liabilities
          2,914             2,914  
Stockholders’ equity:
                               
 
Common stock
    1,962       2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B common stock
    300                   300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    26,445       167,539       (167,539 )     26,445  
 
Retained earnings
    78,171       (44,524 )     44,524       78,171  
 
Treasury stock
    (21,398 )                 (21,398 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (7,634 )     (841 )     841       (7,634 )
                         
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,846       124,506       (124,506 )     77,846  
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 544,888     $ 220,438     $ (224,912 )   $ 540,414  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                     
    December 31, 2003
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,750     $ 5,818     $     $ 9,568  
 
Receivables, net
    69,404       58,987             128,391  
 
Inventories, net
    48,830       37,410             86,240  
 
Deferred tax assets
    18,637       1,459             20,096  
 
Other
    6,948       6,393             13,341  
 
Due from affiliates
          41,525       (41,525 )      
                         
   
Total current assets
    147,569       151,592       (41,525 )     257,636  
Net capital assets
    64,627       30,359               94,986  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    142,975       7,800               150,775  
Other
    24,023       2,911               26,934  
Investment in subsidiaries
    159,297             (159,297 )      
                         
 
Total assets
  $ 538,491     $ 192,662     $ (200,822 )   $ 530,331  
                         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 35,950     $ 15,303     $     $ 51,253  
 
Accrued liabilities
    60,579       25,968             86,547  
 
Notes payable
          5,819             5,819  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    13,165       1,011             14,176  
 
Due to affiliates
    74,356       26,096       (100,452 )      
                         
   
Total current liabilities
    184,050       74,197       (100,452 )     157,795  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    519       3,135       (3,654 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    279,973       2,046             282,019  
Other long-term liabilities
    19,740       16,568             36,308  
Stockholders’ equity:
                               
 
Common stock
    1,962       2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B common stock
    300                   300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    26,727       167,539       (167,539 )     26,727  
 
Retained earnings
    63,409       (63,091 )     63,091       63,409  
 
Treasury stock
    (23,588 )                 (23,588 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (14,601 )     (10,064 )     10,064       (14,601 )
                         
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    54,209       96,716       (96,716 )     54,209  
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 538,491     $ 192,662     $ (200,822 )   $ 530,331  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENTS (000 omitted)
                                     
    Year Ended December 31, 2004
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 419,925     $ 292,393     $     $ 712,318  
Affiliated sales
    46,499       34,551       (81,050 )      
                         
 
Net sales
    466,424       326,944       (81,050 )     712,318  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    307,299       208,659       (81,050 )     434,908  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    137,774       87,857             225,631  
 
Earnings from joint ventures
    1,752       (3,019 )           (1,267 )
 
Restructuring and other:
                               
   
Restructuring
    237       614             851  
   
Other
    1,690                   1,690  
 
Interest expense
    25,767       731       (575 )     25,923  
 
Other (income) expense
    (5,126 )     5,257       575       706  
                         
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (2,969 )     26,845             23,876  
Income taxes
    (1,134 )     10,248             9,114  
                         
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (1,835 )     16,597             14,762  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    16,597             (16,597 )      
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 14,762     $ 16,597     $ (16,597 )   $ 14,762  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(000 omitted, except per share amounts)
                                   
    Year Ended December 31, 2003
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 440,337     $ 257,571     $     $ 697,908  
Affiliated sales
    42,798       25,726       (68,524 )      
                         
 
Net sales
    483,135       283,297       (68,524 )     697,908  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    307,716       179,463       (68,524 )     418,655  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    145,604       78,948             224,552  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
          (12 )           (12 )
 
Restructuring and other
    15,271       510             15,781  
 
Interest expense
    33,409       1,557       (558 )     34,408  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (3,589 )     3,187       558       156  
                         
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (15,276 )     19,644             4,368  
Income (benefits) taxes
    815       6,815             7,630  
                         
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (16,091 )     12,829             (3,262 )
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    12,829             (12,829 )      
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (3,262 )   $ 12,829     $ (12,829 )   $ (3,262 )
                         
                                   
    Year Ended December 31, 2002
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 459,836     $ 241,892     $     $ 701,728  
Affiliated sales
    38,178       21,942       (60,120 )      
                         
 
Net sales
    498,014       263,834       (60,120 )     701,728  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    310,628       172,009       (60,120 )     422,517  
 
Inventory rationalization and write-down charge
    672       377             1,049  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    152,717       75,368             228,085  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    (221 )                 (221 )
 
Restructuring and other
    8,338       756             9,094  
 
Interest expense
    39,068       1,928       (1,098 )     39,898  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (1,410 )     559       1,098       247  
                         
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (11,778 )     12,837             1,059  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (2,874 )     4,919             2,045  
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes
    57,329       66,291       (44,596 )     79,024  
                         
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (66,233 )     (58,373 )     44,596       (80,010 )
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    (58,373 )           58,373        
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (124,606 )   $ (58,373 )   $ 102,969     $ (80,010 )
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000 omitted)
                             
    Year Ended December 31, 2004
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 13,772     $ 8,938     $ 22,710  
Investing activities:
                       
 
Capital expenditures
    (4,339 )     (3,008 )     (7,347 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (3,327 )           (3,327 )
 
Dividends from joint venture investment
          1,430       1,430  
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    979       22       1,001  
                   
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (6,687 )     (1,556 )     (8,243 )
Financing activities:
                       
 
Increase (reduction) in intercompany debt
    2,540       (2,540 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    218,500       8,875       227,375  
 
Repayments of long-term debt — maturities greater than 90 days
    (225,500 )     (9,851 )     (235,351 )
 
Net change in debt-maturities of 90 days or less
    7,000             7,000  
 
(Decrease) increase in current portion of long-term obligations
    (13,166 )     697       (12,469 )
 
Distribution related to tax allocation agreement
    (1,261 )           (1,261 )
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (52 )           (52 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    1,661             1,661  
                   
   
Net cash used in financing activities
    (10,278 )     (2,819 )     (13,097 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash
          (4,679 )     (4,679 )
                   
Net (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents
    (3,193 )     (116 )     (3,309 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    3,750       5,818       9,568  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 557     $ 5,702     $ 6,259  
                   

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000’s omitted)
                             
    Year Ended December 31, 2003
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 30,864     $ 20,760     $ 51,624  
Investing activities:
                       
 
Capital expenditures
    (3,799 )     (4,669 )     (8,468 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (2,162 )           (2,162 )
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    22       80       102  
                   
   
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (5,939 )     (4,589 )     (10,528 )
Financing activities:
                       
 
Increase (decrease) in intercompany borrowings
    1,823       (1,823 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    159,988       22,652       182,640  
 
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (100,474 )     (22,112 )     (122,586 )
 
Net change in borrowings-maturities of 90 days or less
    (91,640 )     461       (91,179 )
 
Decrease in current portion of long-term obligations
    (2,741 )     (6,677 )     (9,418 )
 
Contribution related to Tax Allocation Agreement
    2,537               2,537  
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (4,154 )           (4,154 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    737             737  
                   
   
Net cash used in financing activities
    (33,924 )     (7,499 )     (41,423 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash
          (8,356 )     (8,356 )
                   
Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents
    (8,999 )     316       (8,683 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    12,749       5,502       18,251  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 3,750     $ 5,818     $ 9,568  
                   

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000 omitted)
                             
    Year ended December 31, 2002
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 30,876     $ 15,590     $ 46,466  
Investing activities:
                       
 
Capital expenditures
    (6,066 )     (2,944 )     (9,010 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (416 )           (416 )
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary
    470             470  
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    885       401       1,286  
                   
   
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (5,127 )     (2,543 )     (7,670 )
Financing activities:
                       
 
Increase (decrease) in intercompany borrowings
    11,196       (11,196 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    344,610             344,610  
 
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (270,000 )     (827 )     (270,827 )
 
Net change in borrowings-maturities of 90 days or less
    (154,110 )     2,426       (151,684 )
 
Decrease in current portion of long-term obligations
    (150 )     (36 )     (186 )
 
Contribution related to Tax Allocation Agreement
    1,490               1,490  
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (3,438 )           (3,438 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    1,164             1,164  
                   
   
Net cash used in financing activities
    (69,238 )     (9,633 )     (78,871 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash
          (1,610 )     (1,610 )
                   
Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents
    (43,489 )     1,804       (41,685 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    56,238       3,698       59,936  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 12,749     $ 5,502     $ 18,251  
                   

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(000 omitted)
                       
    June 30,   December 31,
    2005   2004
         
    (Unaudited)    
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,951     $ 6,259  
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns:
2005 — $16,263, 2004 — $16,476
    140,276       141,445  
 
Inventories:
               
   
Raw materials
    18,848       20,637  
   
Work in process
    5,251       6,584  
   
Finished goods
    76,195       70,775  
             
     
Total inventories
    100,294       97,996  
 
Deferred tax assets
    11,663       12,437  
 
Other
    12,293       14,043  
             
     
Total current assets
    276,477       272,180  
Total capital assets at cost
    257,367       272,092  
Less — accumulated depreciation
    (182,402 )     (187,399 )
             
 
Net capital assets
    74,965       84,693  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
    149,933       150,383  
Other
    39,144       33,158  
             
 
Total assets
  $ 540,519     $ 540,414  
             
 
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 50,008     $ 49,758  
 
Accrued liabilities
    85,972       90,205  
 
Notes payable
    6,323       7,788  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    22,992       25,925  
             
     
Total current liabilities
    165,295       173,676  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    265,029       255,165  
Other long-term liabilities
    32,432       33,727  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Common Stock
    1,962       1,962  
 
Class B Common Stock
    300       300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    27,806       26,445  
 
Retained earnings
    76,310       78,171  
 
Treasury stock
    (16,731 )     (21,398 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (11,884 )     (7,634 )
             
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,763       77,846  
             
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 540,519     $ 540,414  
             
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(000 omitted, except per share data)
                                     
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
Net sales
  $ 186,900     $ 174,375     $ 367,052     $ 345,306  
Costs and expenses:
                               
   
Product cost of sales, including development and engineering
    115,390       106,787       227,478       212,393  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    58,776       56,052       119,388       112,606  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    (408 )     (189 )     (967 )     (356 )
 
Interest expense
    6,912       6,599       13,606       13,391  
 
Restructuring and other:
                               
   
Restructuring
    191             1,294       823  
   
Other
    1,645             4,152        
 
Other expense, net
    66       583       1,057       928  
                         
Income before taxes
    4,328       4,543       1,044       5,521  
 
Income tax expense
    2,754       1,957       2,905       2,485  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,574     $ 2,586     $ (1,861 )   $ 3,036  
                         
Other comprehensive income:
                               
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (3,108 )     (2,145 )     (5,520 )     (2,551 )
 
Income on derivative financial instruments
    713       744       1,270       1,622  
                         
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes
  $ (821 )   $ 1,185     $ (6,111 )   $ 2,107  
                         
Net income (loss) per common share(1)
                               
 
Basic
  $ 0.10     $ 0.16     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.19  
                         
 
Diluted
  $ 0.09     $ 0.15     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.18  
                         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:(2)
                               
 
Basic
    16,501       16,180       16,400       16,143  
 
Diluted
    17,410       16,837       16,400       16,887  
 
(1)  Amounts represent per share amounts for both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
 
(2)  Weighted average shares includes both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(000 omitted)
                       
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
     
    2005   2004
         
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
Operating activities:
               
 
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,861 )   $ 3,036  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
   
Depreciation
    8,105       9,853  
   
Amortization
    3,163       2,258  
   
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    (967 )     (356 )
   
Provision for doubtful accounts and sales returns
    1,275       1,429  
   
Provision for inventory reserves
    225       3,157  
   
Decrease in non-current deferred taxes
    (905 )     (487 )
   
Increase in other long-term assets
    (4,525 )     (1,631 )
   
Other
    197       (1,195 )
   
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
               
     
Increase in receivables
    (5,046 )     (4,994 )
     
Increase in inventories
    (5,186 )     (22,723 )
     
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
    1,055       (222 )
     
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax assets
    90       (163 )
     
Decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    1,296       (6,812 )
     
(Decrease) increase in income taxes payable
    (743 )     194  
             
 
Net cash used in operating activities
    (3,827 )     (18,656 )
Investing activities:
               
   
Capital expenditures
    (3,755 )     (3,594 )
   
Payments for acquisitions and investments
    (250 )     (1,304 )
   
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    2,989       185  
             
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (1,016 )     (4,713 )
Financing activities:
               
   
Proceeds from long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    65,741       121,722  
   
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (111,474 )     (132,688 )
   
Net change in debt-maturities of 90 days or less
    69,837       26,084  
   
Decrease (increase) in current portion of long-term debt
    (18,257 )     651  
   
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (71 )     (78 )
   
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    3,292       1,345  
             
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    9,068       17,036  
   
Effect of exchange rates on cash
    1,467       713  
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    5,692       (5,620 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    6,259       9,568  
             
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 11,951     $ 3,948  
             
Supplemental disclosure:
               
   
Interest paid
  $ 12,854     $ 13,236  
   
Income taxes paid
    4,468       2,659  
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1)  Basis of Presentation
      The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of General Binding Corporation and its subsidiaries (“GBC” or the “Company”). These financial statements have been prepared by GBC, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. GBC believes that the disclosures included in these condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in GBC’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present the financial position of GBC as of June 30, 2005 and the results of their operations and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 have been included. Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year.
      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the entity’s assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Such estimates and management judgement include the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns, allowances for slow-moving and obsolete inventory, deferred income tax valuation allowance, tax reserves, and long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from the estimates used by management.
      Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.
(2)  Stock Compensation Plan
      GBC has stock-based compensation plans for employees and non-employee directors that provide for the issuance of stock options and restricted stock units. The Company applies the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in accounting for these plans. In accordance with the intrinsic value method, no compensation expense is recognized for the Company when stock options are granted, however, the Company does record compensation expense related to the awards of restricted stock units.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to all stock-based compensation (000 omitted):
                                   
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Net income (loss), as reported
  $ 1,574     $ 2,586     $ (1,861 )   $ 3,036  
Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax
    294       160       1,059       441  
Deduct: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under the fair value method, net of tax
    (1,044 )     (831 )     (2,448 )     (1,793 )
                         
Pro forma net (loss) income
  $ 824     $ 1,915     $ (3,250 )   $ 1,684  
                         
Earnings (loss) per share — basic
                               
 
As reported
  $ 0.10     $ 0.16     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.19  
                         
 
Pro forma
  $ 0.05     $ 0.12     $ (0.20 )   $ 0.10  
                         
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted
                               
 
As reported
  $ 0.09     $ 0.15     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.18  
                         
 
Pro forma
  $ 0.05     $ 1.11     $ (0.20 )   $ 0.10  
                         
      Pro forma compensation expense for stock options was calculated using the Black-Scholes model, with the following weighted-average assumptions for grants in 2005 and 2004 respectively: expected life of ten years for 2005 and 2004; expected volatility of 67% and 59%; and risk-free interest rates of 4.25% and 4.42%. The weighted-average fair values of stock options granted during the periods were $10.06 and $11.98 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The nominal vesting period approach was used. Applying the non-substantive vesting period approach upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123 R, “Accounting for stock-based compensation,” will not have a material impact. See further discussion in Note 8.
(3)  Borrowings
      GBC has two financing arrangements that provide the Company with the majority of its debt capacity. A significant portion of GBC’s long-term funding has been provided through its primary senior credit facility (the “Primary Facility”). As of June 30, 2005, the Primary Facility was comprised of a $72.5 million multi-currency revolving credit facility and term loans totaling $96.4 million. Outstanding borrowings under the Primary Facility at June 30, 2005 included $96.4 million for the term loans and $26.0 million under the revolving credit facility. In addition, there were outstanding letters of credit of $11.9 million, which further reduce GBC’s availability under the revolving credit facility. GBC’s other major financing arrangement is a multi-currency revolving credit facility in the Netherlands (“the Netherlands Facility”) with total availability of approximately $18 million. As of June 30, 2005, the Netherlands Facility had no outstanding borrowings. GBC also has a mortgage financing arrangement under which its real estate holdings in Northbrook, Illinois and its real estate and equipment holdings in Addison, Illinois are pledged as collateral (“Mortgage Financing”). During the first quarter of 2005, GBC sold its real estate holdings in Skokie, Illinois, which previously had also been pledged as collateral under the Mortgage Financing. Approximately $1.9 million of the proceeds from sale were used to prepay the Mortgage Financing. As of June 30, 2005, outstanding borrowings under the Mortgage Financing were $8.0 million.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Interest rates on the Primary Facility are variable and, during 2005, were set at LIBOR plus 3.5% for borrowings under the $72.5 million multi-currency revolving credit line, and LIBOR plus 4.50% for the term loans. Borrowings under the Primary Facility are subject to a pricing grid which provides for lower interest rates in the event that certain of GBC’s financial ratios improve in future periods.
      GBC must meet certain restrictive financial covenants as defined under the Primary Facility. The covenants become more restrictive over time and require the Company to maintain certain ratios related to total leverage, senior leverage, fixed charge coverage, as well as a minimum level of consolidated net worth. There are also other covenants, including restrictions on dividend payments, acquisitions, additional indebtedness, and capital expenditures. In addition to the restrictive covenants, multi-currency revolving credit line borrowings are subject to a “borrowing base” which is based upon certain formulas tied to GBC’s trade receivables and inventory. With the exception of certain domestic assets (primarily property, plant and equipment) pledged under a Mortgage Financing, substantially all of the assets of General Binding Corporation and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as a portion of the equity in certain foreign subsidiaries are pledged as collateral under the Primary Facility.
      In January 2005, the Company entered into an amendment to the Primary Facility. The amendment, among other things, modifies certain financial covenants related to Total Leverage and Senior Leverage, as those terms are defined in the Primary Facility, to make them less restrictive. The modifications also provided for the planned disposition of certain real property. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the Primary Facility both before and after the amendment.
      As of and for the six months ended June 30, 2005, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.
      Long-term debt consisted of the following at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 (000 omitted):
                   
    June 30,   December 31,
    2005   2004
         
Credit Facilities
               
U.S. Dollar borrowings — Term loan — (weighted average floating interest rate of 7.59% at June 30, 2005 and 6.70% at December 31, 2004)
  $ 96,448     $ 112,000  
U.S. Dollar borrowings — Revolving Credit Agreement — (weighted average floating interest rate of 7.09% at June 30, 2005)
    26,000        
Industrial Development Bond due March 2026 — (floating interest rate of 2.36% at June 30, 2005 and 2.06% at December 31, 2004)
    6,840       6,840  
Notes Payable
               
Senior Subordinated Notes, U.S. Dollar borrowing, due 2008 — (fixed interest rate of 9.375%)
    150,000       150,000  
Notes Payable (Mortgage Financing), U.S. Dollar borrowing, due monthly August 2003 to July 2008 — (fixed interest rate of 6.62%)
    7,999       11,133  
Other borrowings
    7,057       8,905  
             
 
Total debt
    294,344       288,878  
Less-current maturities
    (29,315 )     (33,713 )
             
 
Total Long-term debt
  $ 265,029     $ 255,165  
             
(4) Common Stock and Earnings Per Share
      GBC’s Certificate of Incorporation provides for 40,000,000 authorized shares of Common Stock, $0.125 par value per share, and 4,796,550 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.125 par value per share.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Each Class B share is entitled to 15 votes and is to be automatically converted into one share of common stock upon transfer thereof. All of the Class B shares are owned by Lane Industries, Inc., GBC’s majority stockholder.
      The recorded value of GBC shares held by the Company (treasury stock) decreased during the period by $4.7 million as 408,304 shares were issued to employees and directors related to restricted stock units and stock options previously granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans were exercised.
      The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (000 omitted except per share data):
                                   
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Numerator:
                               
 
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 1,574     $ 2,586     $ (1,861 )   $ 3,036  
                         
Denominator:
                               
 
Denominator for basic earnings per share — Weighted average number of common Shares outstanding(1)
    16,501       16,180       16,400       16,143  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
 
Employee stock options(3)
    754       407             503  
 
Restricted stock units(3)
    155       250             241  
                         
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — Adjusted weighted-average shares(1)
                               
 
And assumed conversions
    17,410       16,837       16,400       16,887  
                         
Earnings (loss) per share — basic(2)
  $ 0.10     $ 0.16     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.19  
                         
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted(2)
  $ 0.09     $ 0.15     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.18  
                         
 
(1)  Weighted average shares includes both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
 
(2)  Amounts represent per share amounts for both Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
 
(3)  For the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, GBC had 791,812 and 744,185 dilutive shares outstanding, respectively. These dilutive shares are related to stock options and restricted stock units that were granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans. Potentially dilutive shares were not included for the six months ended June 30, 2005 diluted earnings per share calculation as they would have been anti-dilutive.
(5) Restructuring and Other
      During the first six months of 2005, GBC recorded restructuring charges of $1.3 million, which consisted of $0.6 million in lease costs related to exiting a facility in the UK and $0.7 million related to workforce reductions in several European locations. Approximately 48 employees were severed as a result of these actions.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      During the first six months of 2004, GBC recorded restructuring charges of $0.8 million related to workforce reduction programs which were announced in 2003. The components of the restructuring expenses are as follows (000 omitted):
                                   
    Three Months   Six Months
    Ended   Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Severance and early retirement benefits
  $ 252     $     $ 655     $ 823  
Lease costs
    (61 )           639        
                         
 
Total restructuring expenses
  $ 191     $     $ 1,294     $ 823  
                         
      Changes in the restructuring reserve for the six months ended June 30, 2005 were as follows (000 omitted):
                                   
        Other Exit   Lease    
    Severance   Costs   Costs   Total
                 
Balance at December 31, 2004
  $ 927     $ 99     $ 1,856     $ 2,882  
Activities during the period:
                               
 
Provisions
    655             639       1,294  
 
Cash charges
    (799 )           (159 )     (958 )
Non-cash charges
    (85 )     (6 )     (31 )     (122 )
                         
Balance at June 30, 2005(1)
  $ 698     $ 93     $ 2,305     $ 3,096  
                         
 
(1)  The restructuring reserve at June 30, 2005 consisted of $1.5 million related to current items reported in the balance sheet as a separate item and $1.6 million related to long-term lease agreement costs reported in the balance sheet as a component of other long-term liabilities.
      Management believes that the restructuring provisions recorded will be adequate to cover estimated restructuring costs that will be paid in future periods. Management expects that the remaining balance of the liability for severance and asset impairment and other exit costs will be paid in 2005. Lease costs (lease payments in excess of the sublease income) average approximately $0.3 million annually until the last lease terminates in 2013. The balance in the restructuring reserve at June 30, 2005 is primarily related to severance and lease costs.
      During the first six months of 2005, GBC recorded other charges of $4.2 million. These expenses were primarily professional fees incurred in connection with the pending merger with ACCO Brands Corporation (“ACCO”), which are not contingent upon completion of the transaction. See Note (12) for further discussion regarding the pending merger with ACCO.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(6) Retirement Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits
      The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension costs for the Company’s retirement plans (000 omitted):
                                     
    Three Months Ended
     
    June 30, 2005   June 30, 2004
         
    Domestic   International   Domestic   International
                 
Service cost
  $ 91     $ 158     $ 65     $ (212 )
Interest cost
    17       408       10       (107 )
Expected return on plan assets
          (437 )           321  
Amortization of unrecognized:
                               
 
Recognized losses
    3       122       1       131  
 
Prior service cost
          (28 )           (14 )
                         
   
Total
  $ 111     $ 223     $ 76     $ 119  
                         
Company contributions
  $     $ 1,448     $     $ 2,699  
                         
                                     
    Six Months Ended
     
    June 30, 2005   June 30, 2004
         
    Domestic   International   Domestic   International
                 
Service cost
  $ 178     $ 349     $ 131     $ 371  
Interest cost
    34       847       20       840  
Expected return on plan assets
          (896 )           (835 )
Amortization of unrecognized:
                               
 
Recognized losses
    5       206       2       282  
 
Prior service cost
          (28 )           (31 )
                         
   
Total
  $ 217     $ 478     $ 153     $ 627  
                         
Company contributions
  $     $ 2,052     $     $ 2,904  
                         
      The Company expects to contribute a total of $2.7 million to its pension plans in 2005.
      The following summarizes the components of net periodic post-retirement benefit costs (000 omitted):
                                     
    Three Months   Six Months
    Ended June 30,   Ended June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Service cost
  $ 156     $ 218     $ 312     $ 437  
Interest cost
    93       160       186       319  
Amortization of unrecognized:
                               
 
Net transaction obligation
          11             22  
 
Prior service cost
    (19 )           (39 )      
 
Recognized losses
          61             122  
                         
   
Total
  $ 230     $ 450     $ 459     $ 900  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(7) Business Segments and Foreign Operations
      GBC is engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of office equipment, related supplies and laminating equipment and supplies. The Company has three primary business groups: a) Commercial and Consumer Group (“CCG”); b) Industrial and Print Finishing Group (“IPFG”); and c) Europe.
      CCG’s revenues are primarily derived from the sale of binding, punching and laminating equipment and related supplies, visual communications products (writing boards, bulletin boards, easels, etc.), document shredders, custom binders and folders, and desktop accessories, as well as maintenance and repair services through both indirect channels (resellers, including office product superstores, contract/ commercial stationers, wholesalers, mail order companies, mass marketers and other dealers) and direct channels (salespersons, telemarketers, internet portals, etc.). The Group’s products and services are sold to customers which include the home markets and office markets, commercial reprographic centers, educational and training markets, and government agencies throughout North and South America and the Asia/ Pacific region. The Europe Group distributes many of the Commercial and Consumer Group’s products to customers in Europe.
      IPFG’s revenues are primarily derived through sales of thermal and pressure sensitive films, mid-range and commercial high-speed laminators and large-format digital print laminators. The Industrial and Print Finishing Group’s products and services are sold worldwide through direct and dealer channels to commercial reprographic centers and commercial printers.
      Expenses incurred by the three reportable segments described above relate to costs incurred to manufacture or purchase products, as well as some selling, general and administrative costs. For internal management purposes and the presentation below, operating income is calculated as net sales (i) less cost of sales, (ii) less selling, service and administrative expenses, (iii) plus equity in the earnings or losses of joint ventures.
      GBC does not separately identify (i) restructuring and other expenses, (ii) interest expense, or (iii) income taxes for its operating segments. Additionally, certain expenses of a corporate nature and certain shared service expenses are not allocated to the business groups. Sales between business groups are recorded at cost for domestic business units, and cost plus a normal profit margin for sales between domestic and international business units. GBC’s business groups record expenses for certain services provided and expense allocations; however, the charges and allocations between business groups are not significant.
      Segment data is provided below for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 (000 omitted):
                                   
    Unaffiliated Customer Sales
     
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 117,511     $ 108,897     $ 225,787     $ 214,325  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    42,067       39,107       84,065       76,910  
Europe
    27,322       26,371       57,200       54,071  
                         
 
Total
  $ 186,900     $ 174,375     $ 367,052     $ 345,306  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                   
    Segment Operating Income
     
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 11,647     $ 11,267     $ 20,487     $ 19,919  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    5,699       5,067       11,455       9,925  
Europe
    2,099       1,444       3,904       3,594  
Unallocated corporate items
    (6,303 )     (6,053 )     (14,693 )     (12,775 )
                         
 
Total
  $ 13,142     $ 11,725     $ 21,153     $ 20,663  
                         
                                   
    Affiliated Customer Sales
     
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 2,014     $ 2,805     $ 4,455     $ 4,529  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    6,331       5,716       12,919       11,997  
Europe
    1,680       2,753       4,549       6,103  
Eliminations
    (10,025 )     (11,274 )     (21,923 )     (22,629 )
                         
 
Total
  $     $     $     $  
                         
                   
    Total Segment Assets
     
    June 30,   December 31,
    2005   2004
         
Commercial and Consumer Group
  $ 350,422     $ 346,138  
Industrial and Print Finishing Group
    77,432       78,591  
Europe
    59,253       60,642  
Unallocated corporate items
    53,412       55,043  
             
 
Total
  $ 540,519     $ 540,414  
             
      The following is a reconciliation of segment operating income to income before taxes (000 omitted):
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Total segment operating income
  $ 13,142     $ 11,725     $ 21,153     $ 20,663  
Interest expense
    (6,912 )     (6,599 )     (13,606 )     (13,391 )
Restructuring and other expenses
    (1,836 )           (5,446 )     (823 )
Other expense
    (66 )     (583 )     (1,057 )     (928 )
                         
Income before taxes
  $ 4,328     $ 4,543     $ 1,044     $ 5,521  
                         
      GBC’s products are sold primarily in North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan and Australia to office product resellers and directly to end-users in the business, education, commercial/professional and government markets. GBC has a large base of customers; however, the loss of, or major reduction in business, or failure to collect receivables from one or more of GBC’s major customers could have a material adverse effect on GBC’s financial position or results of operations.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Financial information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, by geographical area is summarized below (000 omitted):
                                                 
    Unaffiliated Customer Sales        
             
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended   Total Long-Lived Assets
    June 30,   June 30,    
            June 30,   December 31,
    2005   2004   2005   2004   2005   2004
                         
US
  $ 109,535     $ 104,242     $ 211,099     $ 202,328     $ 220,572     $ 222,228  
Europe
    41,619       39,677       85,677       80,209       17,566       20,223  
Other International
    35,746       30,456       70,276       62,769       25,903       25,783  
                                     
    $ 186,900     $ 174,375     $ 367,052     $ 345,306     $ 264,041     $ 268,234  
                                     
(8)  New Accounting Standards
      In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision to SFAS No. 123, “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). This statement requires companies to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. Prior to the revision to SFAS No. 123, companies had an alternative to either recognize the cost of employee services based upon fair value at the grant date, or to use the intrinsic value method of accounting under APB No. 25. GBC currently accounts for stock options in accordance with APB No. 25 under which stock options issued to employees generally result in no compensation expense. GBC’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will result in compensation expense related to stock options issued to employees. In April 2005, the SEC approved a new rule which defers the implementation date of SFAS No. 123(R). The new rule allows adoption for annual, rather than interim periods that begin after June 15, 2005. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 123(R), and will adopt it in the first quarter of 2006. See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for pro-forma disclosure information related to stock compensation expense.
      In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (“AJCA”).” The AJCA, enacted in October 2004, introduces a temporary 85% dividends received deduction on the repatriation of certain foreign earnings of a U.S. taxpayer, provided certain criteria are met. FAS 109-2 provides accounting and disclosure guidance for the repatriation provision. It allows companies time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the AJCA on unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries for the purpose of applying the “indefinite reversal criterion” under APB Opinion No. 23, “Accounting for Income Taxes — Special Areas.” Due to the Company’s pending merger with ACCO, GBC has not decided on whether, and to what extent, it might repatriate unremitted foreign earnings under the provision. See Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(9) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
      In accordance with SFAS No. 142, GBC tests its goodwill balances to determine whether these assets are impaired. The annual impairment test is performed as of January 1. In 2005, it was determined that the Company’s goodwill balances were not impaired.
      SFAS No. 142 also requires that previously recognized intangible assets, other than goodwill, be reassessed to determine the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of these assets. Intangible assets determined to have finite lives are amortized over those lives, and intangible assets that have indefinite lives are not amortized. As of June 30, 2005, there have been no events or circumstances which would warrant a revision to the remaining useful lives of these assets.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      GBC’s other intangible assets as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 are summarized below (000 omitted):
                                   
    Gross Carrying   Accumulated
    Amount at   Amortization at
         
    June 30,   December 31,   June 30,   December 31,
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Customer agreements and relationships
  $ 5,767     $ 5,767     $ (4,547 )   $ (4,318 )
Patents
    1,544       1,544       (1,510 )     (1,475 )
                         
 
Total
  $ 7,311     $ 7,311     $ (6,057 )   $ (5,793 )
                         
      Expected amortization expense related to GBC’s other intangible assets is summarized below (000 omitted):
         
    Amortization
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,   Expense
     
2005
  $ 527  
2006
    458  
2007
    458  
2008
    75  
(10)  Summarized Financial Information — Joint Ventures (unaudited)
      Summarized financial information for GBC’s joint ventures, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, is as follows (000s omitted):
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Income statement information
                               
Net sales
  $ 47,124     $ 37,313     $ 78,526     $ 62,904  
Gross profit
    16,390       13,044       25,912       20,167  
Net income
    985       244       2,522       1,040  
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2005   2004
         
Balance sheet information
               
Current assets
  $ 91,891     $ 63,646  
Non-current assets
    54,318       37,810  
Current liabilities
    81,754       53,828  
Non-current liabilities
    31,228       21,943  
      The summarized financial information is presented as of and for the end of the second fiscal quarter for GMP and Pelikan Quartet; both of these entities have a September 30 fiscal year end. Information for the Neschen GBC Graphic Films joint venture is as of and for the periods ended June 30, which has a December 31 fiscal year end.
      During the quarter, the Company’s Pelikan Quartet joint venture, of which GBC owns 50%, purchased 80% of the Australian company Geoff Penney (Australia) Pty Ltd. GBC’s share of Geoff Penney’s income since the acquisition is reflected in the results of Pelikan Quartet above. Geoff Penney’s net sales for its fiscal year June 30, 2004 were approximately $37.4 million; net income for the same period was approximately $4.5 million.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(11) Income Taxes
      Income tax expense in the first six months of 2005 was $2.9 million on pre-tax income of $1.0 million. The company recorded a minimal tax benefit for the pre-tax charge of $4.2 million related to the pending merger with ACCO because the majority of the amount is not deductible for U.S. tax purposes (see section below titled “Pending Merger with ACCO” for further discussion.) The Company only recognized a tax benefit of $0.1 million for the $1.3 million pre-tax restructuring charges due to the Company’s tax position in the jurisdictions where the charges were incurred.
      On October 22, 2004, President Bush signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”). The Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. The deduction is subject to a number of limitations. Due to the Company’s pending merger with ACCO, GBC has not yet decided on whether, and to what extent, it might repatriate foreign earnings that have not yet been remitted to the U.S. Based on the Company’s analysis to date, the range of reasonably possible amounts that GBC may repatriate is between zero and $69 million (of which $44 million currently is considered permanently reinvested). GBC estimates that the related potential range of additional income tax liability is from zero to $1.4 million, based upon current legislation. Also, the amount of additional income tax expense resulting from repatriation of foreign earnings under the provision would be reduced by the part of the eligible dividend that is attributable to foreign earnings on which a deferred tax liability had been previously accrued.
(12) Pending Merger with ACCO
      On March 16, 2005, GBC, along with Fortune Brands, Inc. (“Fortune”), announced an agreement for Fortune to spin-off its ACCO Brands Corporation office products unit (“ACCO”) to Fortune’s stockholders to be followed immediately by the merger of a subsidiary of ACCO with and into GBC. The merger is expected to be completed some time during the third quarter of 2005.
      Subsequent to the filing of the Company’s most recent report on Form 10Q dated May 10, 2005, GBC and Fortune further announced that: a) the waiting period for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to review the transaction, required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino-Antitrusts Improvements Act has expired, b) the registration statement relating to the issuance of ACCO Brands common stock to GBC stockholders was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 15, 2005; which contains the proxy statement/prospectus — information statement that describes the proposed merger, merger agreement and the related issuance of ACCO Brands common stock, c) GBC will hold a special meeting of its stockholders on August 15, 2005 to vote on the proposed merger, and GBC’s majority stockholder, Lane Industries, Inc., has agreed to vote for the merger, and d) the transaction is expected to close shortly following the GBC stockholder meeting. During the first six months of 2005, GBC reported $4.2 million in other expenses, consisting primarily of professional fees, which have been incurred in connection with the pending merger.
(13) Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
      During 1998, GBC issued $150 million of 9.375% Senior Subordinated Notes which are due in 2008. Each of GBC’s domestic restricted subsidiaries has jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rather than filing separate financial statements for each guarantor subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, GBC has elected to present the following consolidating financial statements which detail the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Parent, Guarantors, and Non-Guarantors (in each case carrying investments under the equity method), and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for GBC on a consolidated basis.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                             
    June 30, 2005
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 298     $     $ 11,653     $     $ 11,951  
 
Receivables, net
    74,848             65,428             140,276  
 
Inventories, net
    60,269       788       39,237             100,294  
 
Deferred tax assets
    12,622       (3,239 )     2,280             11,663  
 
Other
    4,394             7,899             12,293  
 
Due from affiliates
          57,013       43,264       (100,277 )      
                               
   
Total current assets
    152,431       54,562       169,761       (100,277 )     276,477  
Net capital assets
    43,723       5,488       25,754             74,965  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    119,636       22,394       7,903             149,933  
Other
    24,026       6,125       8,993             39,144  
Investment in subsidiaries
    176,959       163,149             (340,108 )      
                               
   
Total assets
  $ 516,775     $ 251,718     $ 212,411     $ (440,385 )   $ 540,519  
                               
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
 
Accounts payable
  $ 31,188     $ 999     $ 17,821     $     $ 50,008  
 
Accrued liabilities
    53,383       852       31,737             85,972  
 
Notes payable
                6,323             6,323  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    22,918             74             22,992  
 
Due to affiliates
    47,069             18,507       (65,576 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    154,558       1,851       74,462       (65,576 )     165,295  
Long-term debt — affiliated
                555       (555 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    264,369             660             265,029  
Other long-term liabilities
    20,085       72       12,275             32,432  
Stockholders’ equity:
                                       
 
Common Stock
    1,962             2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B Common Stock
    300                         300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    27,806       101,210       167,539       (268,749 )     27,806  
 
Retained earnings
    76,310       141,770       (34,922 )     (106,848 )     76,310  
 
Treasury stock
    (16,731 )                       (16,731 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (11,884 )     6,815       (10,490 )     3,675       (11,884 )
                               
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,763       249,795       124,459       (374,254 )     77,763  
                               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 516,775     $ 251,718     $ 212,411     $ (440,385 )   $ 540,519  
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                             
    December 31, 2004
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 556     $ 1     $ 5,702     $     $ 6,259  
 
Receivables, net
    71,593             69,852             141,445  
 
Inventories, net
    60,035       387       37,574             97,996  
 
Deferred tax assets
    13,228       (3,161 )     2,370             12,437  
 
Other
    4,678             9,365             14,043  
 
Due from affiliates
          51,877       47,553       (99,430 )      
                               
   
Total current assets
    150,090       49,104       172,416       (99,430 )     272,180  
Net capital assets
    49,737       5,980       28,976             84,693  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    119,900       22,394       8,089             150,383  
Other
    11,811       10,390       10,957             33,158  
Investment in subsidiaries
    177,359       165,427             (342,786 )      
                               
 
Total assets
  $ 508,897     $ 253,295     $ 220,438     $ (442,216 )   $ 540,414  
                               
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
 
Accounts payable
  $ 30,624     $ 878     $ 18,256     $     $ 49,758  
 
Accrued liabilities
    53,031       486       36,688             90,205  
 
Notes payable
                7,788             7,788  
 
Current maturities of long-term
debt
    25,547             378             25,925  
 
Due to affiliates
    48,077             17,210       (65,287 )      
                               
   
Total current liabilities
    157,279       1,364       80,320       (65,287 )     173,676  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    71             595       (666 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    254,426             739             255,165  
Other long-term liabilities
    19,275       174       11,364             30,813  
Deferred tax liabilities
                2,914             2,914  
Stockholders’ equity:
                                       
 
Common Stock
    1,962             2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B Common Stock
    300                         300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    26,445       95,470       167,539       (263,009 )     26,445  
 
Retained earnings
    78,171       139,360       (44,524 )     (94,836 )     78,171  
 
Treasury stock
    (21,398 )                       (21,398 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (7,634 )     16,927       (841 )     (16,086 )     (7,634 )
                               
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,846       251,757       124,506       (376,263 )     77,846  
                               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 508,897     $ 253,295     $ 220,438     $ (442,216 )   $ 540,414  
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENTS (000 omitted)
                                           
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 109,537     $     $ 77,363     $     $ 186,900  
Affiliated sales
    11,100             7,573       (18,673 )      
                               
 
Net sales
    120,637             84,936       (18,673 )     186,900  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    80,797       31       53,235       (18,673 )     115,390  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    35,304             23,472             58,776  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    195             (603 )           (408 )
 
Restructuring and other
    1,646             190             1,836  
 
Interest expense
    6,722             266       (76 )     6,912  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (912 )     (90 )     992       76       66  
                               
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (3,115 )     59       7,384             4,328  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (960 )     34       3,680             2,754  
                               
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (2,155 )     25       3,704             1,574  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    3,729       (217 )           (3,512 )      
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,574     $ (192 )   $ 3,704     $ (3,512 )   $ 1,574  
                               
                                           
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2004
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 104,242     $     $ 70,133     $     $ 174,375  
Affiliated sales
    11,432             8,837       (20,269 )      
                               
 
Net sales
    115,674             78,970       (20,269 )     174,375  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    76,984       (56 )     50,128       (20,269 )     106,787  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    34,605             21,447             56,052  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    359             (548 )           (189 )
 
Restructuring and other
    (107 )           107              
 
Interest expense
    6,438       7       297       (143 )     6,599  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (870 )     (128 )     1,438       143       583  
                               
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (1,735 )     177       6,101             4,543  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (351 )     68       2,240             1,957  
                               
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (1,384 )     109       3,861             2,586  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    3,970       4,683             (8,653 )      
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 2,586     $ 4,792     $ 3,861     $ (8,653 )   $ 2,586  
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENTS (000 omitted)
                                           
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 211,100     $     $ 155,952     $     $ 367,052  
Affiliated sales
    23,561             16,886       (40,447 )      
                               
 
Net sales
    234,661             172,838       (40,447 )     367,052  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    157,654       175       110,096       (40,447 )     227,478  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    71,874             47,514             119,388  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    116             (1,083 )           (967 )
 
Restructuring and other
    4,247             1,199             5,446  
 
Interest expense
    13,253       1       502       (150 )     13,606  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (1,362 )     (413 )     2,682       150       1,057  
                               
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (11,121 )     237       11,928             1,044  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (2,934 )     114       5,725             2,905  
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (8,187 )     123       6,203             (1,861 )
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    6,326       2,095             (8,421 )      
                               
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,861 )   $ 2,218     $ 6,203     $ (8,421 )   $ (1,861 )
                               
                                           
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                     
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 202,328     $     $ 142,978     $     $ 345,306  
Affiliated sales
    22,518             16,571       (39,089 )      
                               
 
Net sales
    224,846             159,549       (39,089 )     345,306  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    150,729       (37 )     100,790       (39,089 )     212,393  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    68,711             43,895             112,606  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    529             (885 )           (356 )
 
Restructuring and other
    234             589             823  
 
Interest expense
    12,907       12       838       (366 )     13,391  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (1,765 )     (278 )     2,605       366       928  
                               
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (6,499 )     303       11,717             5,521  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (2,924 )     136       5,273             2,485  
                               
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (3,575 )     167       6,444             3,036  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    6,611       8,015             (14,626 )      
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 3,036     $ 8,182     $ 6,444     $ (14,626 )   $ 3,036  
                               

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000 omitted)
                                     
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (11,359 )   $ 54     $ 7,478     $ (3,827 )
Investing activities:
                               
 
Capital expenditures
    (1,990 )     (55 )     (1,710 )     (3,755 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (250 )                 (250 )
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    2,765             224       2,989  
                         
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    525       (55 )     (1,486 )     (1,016 )
Financing activities:
                               
 
Increase (decrease) in intercompany borrowings
    40             (40 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    64,448             1,293       65,741  
 
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (110,345 )           (1,129 )     (111,474 )
 
Net change in borrowings-maturities of 90 days or less
    70,000             (163 )     69,837  
 
Increase in current portion of long-term obligations
    (16,788 )           (1,469 )     (18,257 )
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (71 )                 (71 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    3,292                   3,292  
                         
   
Net cash provided by financing activities
    10,576             (1,508 )     9,068  
Effect of exchange rates on cash
                1,467       1,467  
                         
Net decrease in cash & cash equivalents
    (258 )     (1 )     5,951       5,692  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    556       1       5,702       6,259  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 298     $     $ 11,653     $ 11,951  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                     
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
     
    GBC Parent   Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (6,807 )   $ 266     $ (12,115 )   $ (18,656 )
Investing activities:
                               
 
Capital expenditures
    (2,234 )     (273 )     (1,087 )     (3,594 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (1,304 )                 (1,304 )
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    185                   185  
                         
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,353 )     (273 )     (1,087 )     (4,713 )
Financing activities:
                               
 
(Decrease) increase in intercompany borrowings
    (351 )           351        
 
Proceeds of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    108,500             13,222       121,722  
 
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (128,811 )           (3,877 )     (132,688 )
 
Net change in borrowings-maturities of 90 days or less
    26,000             84       26,084  
 
Increase in current portion of long-term obligations
                651       651  
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (78 )                 (78 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    1,345                   1,345  
                         
   
Net cash provided by financing activities
    6,605             10,431       17,036  
Effect of exchange rates on cash
                713       713  
                         
Net decrease in cash & cash equivalents
    (3,555 )     (7 )     (2,058 )     (5,620 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    3,749       1       5,818       9,568  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 194     $ (6 )   $ 3,760     $ 3,948  
                         
(14) Subsequent Event
      On August 16, 2005 GBC merged with ACCO Brands Corporation and the Primary Facility and the Netherland Facility described in note 8 were repaid. Subsequent to the acquisition, GBC and each of its domestic subsidiaries have jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Subordinated Notes of ACCO Brands Corporation. Rather than filing separate financial statements for each guarantor subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, GBC has elected to present the following consolidating financial statements which detail the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Guarantors and Non-Guarantors (in each case carrying investments under the equity method), and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for GBC on a consolidated basis.

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                     
    June 30, 2005
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 298     $ 11,653     $     $ 11,951  
 
Receivables, net
    74,848       65,428             140,276  
 
Inventories, net
    61,057       39,237             100,294  
 
Deferred tax assets
    9,383       2,280             11,663  
 
Other
    4,394       7,899             12,293  
 
Due from affiliates
          43,264       (43,264 )      
                         
   
Total current assets
    149,980       169,761       (43,264 )     276,477  
Net capital assets
    49,211       25,754             74,965  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    142,030       7,903             149,933  
Other
    30,151       8,993             39,144  
Investment in subsidiaries
    176,959             (176,959 )      
                         
   
Total assets
  $ 548,331     $ 212,411     $ (220,223 )   $ 540,519  
                         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 32,187     $ 17,821     $     $ 50,008  
 
Accrued liabilities
    54,235       31,737             85,972  
 
Notes payable
          6,323             6,323  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    22,918       74             22,992  
 
Due to affiliates
    76,702       18,507       (95,209 )      
                         
   
Total current liabilities
    186,042       74,462       (95,209 )     165,295  
Long-term debt — affiliated
          555       (555 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    264,369       660             265,029  
Other long-term liabilities
    20,157       12,275             32,432  
Stockholders’ equity:
                               
 
Common Stock
    1,962       2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B Common Stock
    300                   300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    27,806       167,539       (167,539 )     27,806  
 
Retained earnings
    76,310       (34,922 )     34,922       76,310  
 
Treasury stock
    (16,731 )                 (16,731 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (11,884 )     (10,490 )     10,490       (11,884 )
                         
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,763       124,459       (124,459 )     77,763  
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 548,331     $ 212,411     $ (220,223 )   $ 540,519  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (000 omitted)
                                     
    December 31, 2004
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 557     $ 5,702     $     $ 6,259  
 
Receivables, net
    71,593       69,852             141,445  
 
Inventories, net
    60,422       37,574             97,996  
 
Deferred tax assets
    10,067       2,370             12,437  
 
Other
    4,678       9,365             14,043  
 
Due from affiliates
          47,553       (47,553 )      
                         
   
Total current assets
    147,317       172,416       (47,553 )     272,180  
Net capital assets
    55,717       28,976             84,693  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    142,294       8,089             150,383  
Other
    22,201       10,957             33,158  
Investment in subsidiaries
    177,359             (177,359 )      
                         
 
Total assets
  $ 544,888     $ 220,438     $ (224,912 )   $ 540,414  
                         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 31,502     $ 18,256     $     $ 49,758  
 
Accrued liabilities
    53,517       36,688             90,205  
 
Notes payable
          7,788             7,788  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
    25,547       378             25,925  
 
Due to affiliates
    82,530       17,210       (99,740 )      
                         
   
Total current liabilities
    193,096       80,320       (99,740 )     173,676  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    71       595       (666 )      
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    254,426       739             255,165  
Other long-term liabilities
    19,449       11,364             30,813  
Deferred tax liabilities
          2,914             2,914  
Stockholders’ equity:
                               
 
Common stock
    1,962       2,332       (2,332 )     1,962  
 
Class B common stock
    300                   300  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    26,445       167,539       (167,539 )     26,445  
 
Retained earnings
    78,171       (44,524 )     44,524       78,171  
 
Treasury stock
    (21,398 )                 (21,398 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (7,634 )     (841 )     841       (7,634 )
                         
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    77,846       124,506       (124,506 )     77,846  
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 544,888     $ 220,438     $ (224,912 )   $ 540,414  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(000 omitted, except per share amounts)
                                   
    Three months ended June 30, 2005
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 109,537     $ 77,363     $     $ 186,900  
Affiliated sales
    11,100       7,573       (18,673 )      
                         
 
Net sales
    120,637       84,936       (18,673 )     186,900  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    80,828       53,235       (18,673 )     115,390  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    35,304       23,472             58,776  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    195       (603 )           (408 )
 
Restructuring and other
    1,646       190             1,836  
 
Interest expense
    6,722       266       (76 )     6,912  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (1,002 )     992       76       66  
                         
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (3,056 )     7,384             4,328  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (926 )     3,680             2,754  
                         
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (2,130 )     3,704             1,574  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    3,704             (3,704 )      
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,574     $ 3,704     $ (3,704 )   $ 1,574  
                         
                                   
    Three months ended June 30, 2004
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 104,242     $ 70,133     $     $ 174,375  
Affiliated sales
    11,432       8,837       (20,269 )      
                         
 
Net sales
    115,674       78,970       (20,269 )     174,375  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    76,928       50,128       (20,269 )     106,787  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    34,605       21,447             56,052  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    359       (548 )           (189 )
 
Restructuring and other
    (107 )     107              
 
Interest expense
    6,445       297       (143 )     6,599  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (998 )     1,438       143       583  
                         
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (1,558 )     6,101             4,543  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (283 )     2,240             1,957  
                         
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (1,275 )     3,861             2,586  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    3,861             (3,861 )      
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 2,586     $ 3,861     $ (3,861 )   $ 2,586  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENTS (000 omitted)
                                   
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 211,100     $ 155,952     $     $ 367,052  
Affiliated sales
    23,561       16,886       (40,447 )      
                         
 
Net sales
    234,661       172,838       (40,447 )     367,052  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    157,829       110,096       (40,447 )     227,478  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    71,874       47,514             119,388  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    116       (1,083 )             (967 )
 
Restructuring and other
    4,247       1,199             5,446  
 
Interest expense
    13,254       502       (150 )     13,606  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (1,775 )     2,682       150       1,057  
                         
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (10,884 )     11,928             1,044  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (2,820 )     5,725             2,905  
                         
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (8,064 )     6,203             (1,861 )
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    6,203             (6,203 )      
                         
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,861 )   $ 6,203     $ (6,203 )   $ (1,861 )
                         
                                   
    Six months ended June 30, 2004
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations   Consolidated
                 
Unaffiliated sales
  $ 202,328     $ 142,978     $     $ 345,306  
Affiliated sales
    22,518       16,571       (39,089 )      
                         
 
Net sales
    224,846       159,549       (39,089 )     345,306  
 
Cost of sales, including development and engineering
    150,692       100,790       (39,089 )     212,393  
 
Selling, service and administrative
    68,711       43,895             112,606  
 
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    529       (885 )             (356 )
 
Restructuring and other
    234       589             823  
 
Interest expense
    12,919       838       (366 )     13,391  
 
Other (Income) expense
    (2,043 )     2,605       366       928  
                         
 
(Loss) income before taxes and undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (6,196 )     11,717             5,521  
Income (benefits) taxes
    (2,788 )     5,273             2,485  
                         
 
(Loss) income before undistributed earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (3,408 )     6,444             3,036  
Undistributed earnings (losses) of wholly-owned subsidiaries
    6,444             (6,444 )      
                         
Net (loss) income
  $ 3,036     $ 6,444     $ (6,444 )   $ 3,036  
                         

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000 omitted)
                             
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
             
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (11,305 )   $ 7,478     $ (3,827 )
Investing activities:
                       
 
Capital expenditures
    (2,045 )     (1,710 )     (3,755 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (250 )           (250 )
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    2,765       224       2,989  
                   
   
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    470       (1,486 )     (1,016 )
Financing activities:
                       
 
Increase (decrease) in intercompany borrowings
    40       (40 )      
 
Proceeds of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    64,448       1,293       65,741  
 
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (110,345 )     (1,129 )     (111,474 )
 
Net change in borrowings-maturities of 90 days or less
    70,000       (163 )     69,837  
 
Increase in current portion of long-term obligations
    (16,788 )     (1,469 )     (18,257 )
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (71 )           (71 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    3,292             3,292  
                   
   
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    10,576       (1,508 )     9,068  
Effect of exchange rates on cash
          1,467       1,467  
                   
Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents
    (259 )     5,951       5,692  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    557       5,702       6,259  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 298     $ 11,653     $ 11,951  
                   

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GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                             
    Six months ended June 30, 2004
     
    Guarantors   Non-Guarantors   Consolidated
             
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (6,541 )   $ (12,115 )   $ (18,656 )
Investing activities:
                       
 
Capital expenditures
    (2,507 )     (1,087 )     (3,594 )
 
Payments of acquisitions and investments
    (1,304 )           (1,304 )
 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment
    185             185  
                   
   
Net cash provided by (used in)
                       
   
investing activities
    (3,626 )     (1,087 )     (4,713 )
Financing activities:
                       
 
Increase (decrease) in intercompany borrowings
    (351 )     351        
 
Proceeds of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    108,500       13,222       121,722  
 
Repayments of long-term debt-maturities greater than 90 days
    (128,811 )     (3,877 )     (132,688 )
 
Net change in borrowings-maturities of 90 days or less
    26,000       84       26,084  
 
Increase in current portion of long-term obligations
          651       651  
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (78 )           (78 )
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    1,345             1,345  
                   
   
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    6,605       10,431       17,036  
Effect of exchange rates on cash
          713       713  
                   
Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents
    (3,562 )     (2,058 )     (5,620 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    3,750       5,818       9,568  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 188     $ 3,760     $ 3,948  
                   

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(ACCO LOGO)
ACCO Brands Corporation
$350,000,000
EXCHANGE OFFER FOR
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2015
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                    , 2005
 
 


Table of Contents

PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20.      Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Indemnification of Directors and Officers of ACCO Brands Corporation
      The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of any statutes referred to below and the restated certificate of incorporation and the by-laws of ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”).
      Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any person in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation to procure judgment in its favor against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, except that indemnification shall not be made in respect thereof if such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless, and then only to the extent that, a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine upon application that despite such adjudication such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court shall deem proper. A Delaware corporation may pay for the expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by a director or officer in defending a proceeding in advance of the final disposition upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement, or otherwise.
      The by-laws of the Issuer provide that the Issuer will indemnify any director or officer who is made party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Issuer, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Issuer, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall also apply in cases where the director or officer is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of the Issuer unless such person has been judged liable to the Issuer, provided that indemnification will still apply if the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which the action or suit was brought determines that the director or officer is fairly entitled to indemnity for all expenses that the court shall deem proper. In cases where the director or officer is successful in defending one or more but not all claims brought against such person, the Issuer shall indemnify the director or officer against all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of such person in connection

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with each claim, issue or matter that is successfully resolved (for purposes of this provision, successful defense of a claim shall mean the termination of any claim, with or without prejudice).
      The indemnification of directors and officers shall also extend to instances where the director or officer is not a party to the action but a witness involved in a suit, action or proceeding. The determination of conduct required for indemnification to operate under the by-laws shall be in cases when (a) a change of control has not occurred, (i) by the board of directors by a majority vote of the disinterested directors even though less than a quorum, or (ii) if there are no disinterested directors or, even if there are disinterested directors, a majority of such disinterested directors so directs by (x) independent counsel in a written opinion to the board of directors, or (y) the stockholders of the Issuer, or (b) if a change of control shall have occurred, by the independent counsel selected by the claimant in a written opinion to the board of directors, unless the claimant requests that such determination be made by the board of directors in which case it shall be made as in clause (a) of this sentence. Expenses incurred in the determination of entitlement to indemnification are also indemnified. If a change of control has not occurred or if it shall have occurred and the claimant requests that the determination be made by the board of directors, the claimant will be presumed to be entitled to indemnification if (a)(i) within fifteen days after the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board of directors following receipt of the request the board shall not have resolved by majority vote of the disinterested directors to submit the determination to an independent counsel or the stockholders for their determination at the next annual meeting, or any special meeting held earlier and (ii) within sixty days after receipt by the Issuer of the request (or if in good faith the board of directors determines that additional time is required by it for the determination and, prior to the end of the sixty day period, notifies the claimant) the board shall not have made the determination by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, or (b) after a resolution of the Board of Directors, timely made pursuant to clause (a)(i)(y) above, to submit the determination to the stockholders, the stockholders meeting at which the determination is to be made shall not have held on or before the date prescribed (or on or before a later date, not exceed sixty days beyond the original date, to which such meeting may have been postponed or adjourned on good cause by the board of directors acting in good faith) provided, however that this sentence shall not apply if the claimant has misstated or omitted to state a material fact in connection with his or her request for indemnification. Such presumed determination that a claimant is entitled to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made (I) at the end of the sixty day or ninety day period referred to in clause (a)(ii) of the immediately preceding sentence or (II) if the board of directors has resolved on a timely basis to submit the determination to the stockholders, on the last date within the period prescribed by law for holding such stockholders meeting. The indemnification and expenses provided shall continue as to any director or officer after their term or employment as a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs of such person.
      Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for (i) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) payment of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or (iv) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The Issuer’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director of the Issuer shall be liable to the Issuer or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for (i) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Issuer or its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
      The DGCL permits the purchase of insurance on behalf of directors and officers against any liability asserted against directors and officers and incurred by such persons in such capacity, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability. The Issuer’s by-laws permit the Issuer to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors, officers and certain other

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parties against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person in such capacity, whether or not the Issuer has the power to indemnify such person against such liability.
      The Issuer maintains an insurance policy on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, and on behalf of the directors and officers thereof, covering certain liabilities which may arise as a result of the actions of such directors and officers.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers of the Guarantors
      The following summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of any statutes referred to below and the certificate of incorporation or formation and the bylaws or similar organizational documents of the applicable guarantor of the Issuer’s 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015.
Delaware Corporate Guarantors
      ACCO Brands International, Inc. (“ACCO International”), ACCO International Holdings, Inc. (“ACCO International Holdings”), Day-Timers, Inc. (“Day-Timers”), General Binding Corporation (“GBC”), Polyblend Corporation (“Polyblend”), Swingline Inc. (“Swingline”) and VeloBind Incorporated (“VeloBind” and collectively with ACCO International, ACCO International Holdings, Day-Timers, GBC, Polyblend and Swingline, the “Delaware Corporate Guarantors”) are organized under the laws of the state of Delaware.
      The indemnification provisions of the DGCL described in “Indemnification of Directors and Officers of the Issuer” above also relates to directors and officers of the Delaware Corporate Guarantors.
      The by-laws of ACCO International, ACCO International Holdings, Day-Timers, GBC, Polyblend and Swingline provide that each corporation will indemnify any director or officer who is made party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall also apply in cases where the director or officer is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of the Issuer unless such person has been judged liable to the Issuer, provided that indemnification will still apply if the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which the action or suit was brought determines that the director or officer is fairly entitled to indemnity for all expenses that the court shall deem proper. In cases where the director or officer is successful in defending the claims brought against such person, the corporation shall indemnify the director or officer against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of such person in connection with each claim, issue or matter that is successfully resolved. The indemnification and expenses provided shall continue as to any director or officer after their term or employment as a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs of such person.
      The by-laws of VeloBind provide that any director or officer who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (as a party, witness or otherwise) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such director or officer in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, or participating in or preparing for any of

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the foregoing in any proceeding. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, except as otherwise provided for in the DGCL. The indemnification and expenses provided shall continue as to any director or officer after their term or employment as a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs of such person.
      The certificates of incorporation of GBC, Polyblend and Swingline eliminate a director’s personal liability for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent required by law as in effect at the time the claim of liability is asserted.
      The certificates of incorporation of ACCO International and ACCO International Holdings eliminate a director’s personal liability for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders for breaches of fiduciary duty, except to the extent provided by applicable law (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
      The certificate of incorporation of VeloBind eliminates a director’s personal liability for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders for breaches of fiduciary duty as a director.
      The Issuer maintains an insurance policy on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, including the Delaware Corporation Guarantors, and on behalf of the directors and officers thereof, covering certain liabilities which may arise as a result of the actions of such directors and officers.
Delaware LLC Guarantors
      ACCO Brands USA LLC (“ACCO USA”), ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC (“ACCO Europe”), ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC (“ACCO Europe Holdings” and collectively with ACCO USA and ACCO Europe, the “Delaware LLC Guarantors”) are limited liability companies organized under the laws of the state of Delaware.
      Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.
      The limited liability company agreements of ACCO Europe and ACCO Europe Holdings provide that the company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, will indemnify any director or officer from any against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which such director or officer may be involved, or threatened to be involved, by reason of his or her management of the affairs of the company. A director or officer shall not be entitled to indemnification with respect to (i) any claim with respect to which such director or officer has engaged in fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct or (ii) any claim initiated by such director or officer unless such claim (A) was brought to enforce such person’s rights to indemnification or (B) was authorized or consented to by the board of directors of the company. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending a claim shall be paid by the company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
      The limited liability company agreement of ACCO USA provides that the company shall indemnify the directors and officers of the company to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, as from time to time in effect.
      The Issuer maintains an insurance policy on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, including the Delaware LLC Guarantors, and on behalf of the directors and officers thereof, covering certain liabilities which may arise as a result of the actions of such directors and officers.

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Boone International, Inc.
      Boone International, Inc. (“Boone”) is a corporation organized under the laws of the state of California.
      Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law (“CGCL”) sets forth the provisions pertaining to the indemnification of corporate agents. For purposes of this law, an agent is any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of a corporation, or is or was serving at the request of a corporation in such capacity with respect to any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. Section 317 mandates indemnification of an agent for expenses where the agent’s defense is successful on the merits. In other cases, Section 317 allows a corporation to indemnify an agent for expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner the agent believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders. Such indemnification must be authorized by (1) a majority vote of a quorum of the board of directors consisting of directors who are not parties to the proceedings, (2) approval of the shareholders, with the shares owned by the person to be indemnified not being entitled to vote thereon or (3) the court in which the proceeding is or was pending upon application by designated parties. Under certain circumstances, a corporation can indemnify an agent even when the agent is found liable. Section 317 also allows a corporation to advance expenses to an agent for certain actions upon receiving an undertaking by the agent that he or she will reimburse the corporation if it is later determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified.
      The by-laws of Boone provide that the corporation, the maximum extent permitted by the CGCL, shall have power to indemnify any director or officer against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding or potential proceeding arising out of the relationship, and to the maximum extent permitted by law, the corporation shall have power to advance such director’s or officer’s reasonable expenses in any such proceeding.
      The restated articles of incorporation of Boone eliminate a director’s liability for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under California law.
      The Issuer maintains an insurance policy on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, including Boone, and on behalf of the directors and officers thereof, covering certain liabilities which may arise as a result of the actions of such directors and officers.
GBC International, Inc.
      GBC International, Inc. (“GBC International”) is a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Nevada.
      Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the “NRS”) permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (except an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of being or having been an officer, director, employee or agent of the corporation or serving in certain capacities at the request of the corporation. Indemnification may include attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person to be indemnified. A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of being or having been an officer, director, employee or agent of the corporation or serving in certain capacities at the request of the corporation except that indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that, in view of all the circumstances, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper. In either case, however, to be entitled to indemnification, the person to be indemnified must

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not be found to have breached his or her fiduciary duties with such breach involving intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law or must have acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
      Section 78.7502 of the NRS also provides that to the extent a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any such action, he or she must be indemnified by the corporation against expenses, including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense.
      Section 78.751 of the NRS permits a corporation, in its articles of incorporation, bylaws or other agreement, to provide for the payment of expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the person is not entitled to indemnification.
      Section 78.752 of the NRS permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of the corporation’s officers, directors, employees or agents, or any persons serving in certain capacities at the request of the corporation, for any liability and expenses incurred by them in their capacities as officers, directors, employees or agents or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify him, her or them against such liability and expenses.
      Nothing in the articles of incorporation or by-laws of GBC International provides for indemnification of its respective directors or officers.
      The Issuer maintains an insurance policy on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, including GBC International, and on behalf of the directors and officers thereof, covering certain liabilities which may arise as a result of the actions of such directors and officers.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statements
      (a) Exhibits
         
Exhibit Number   Description
     
  2 .1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 15, 2005, by and among Fortune Brands, Inc., ACCO World Corporation, Gemini Acquisition Sub, Inc. and General Binding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the proxy statement/ prospectus — information statement included in ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  2 .2   Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 4, 2005, by and among Fortune Brands, Inc., ACCO World Corporation, Gemini Acquisition Sub, Inc. and General Binding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  3 .1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO Brands Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 2005 and filed August 17, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  3 .2   By-laws of ACCO Brands Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Amendment to Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated September 21, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  3 .3   Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO Brands International, Inc.
  3 .4   By-laws of ACCO Brands International, Inc.
  3 .5   Certificate of Formation of ACCO Brands USA LLC

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Exhibit Number   Description
     
  3 .6   Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Brands USA LLC
  3 .7   Certificate of Formation of ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
  3 .8   Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
  3 .9   Certificate of Formation of ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
  3 .10   Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
  3 .11   Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO International Holdings, Inc.
  3 .12   By-laws of ACCO International Holdings, Inc.
  3 .13   Restated Articles of Incorporation of Boone International, Inc.
  3 .14   By-laws of Boone International, Inc.
  3 .15   Certificate of Incorporation of Day-Timers, Inc.
  3 .16   By-laws of Day-Timers, Inc.
  3 .17   Articles of Incorporation of GBC International, Inc.
  3 .18   By-laws of GBC International, Inc.
  3 .19   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of General Binding Corporation
  3 .20   By-laws of General Binding Corporation
  3 .21   Certificate of Incorporation of Polyblend Corporation
  3 .22   By-laws of Polyblend Corporation
  3 .23   Certificate of Incorporation of Swingline Inc.
  3 .24   By-laws of Swingline Inc.
  3 .25   Certificate of Incorporation of VeloBind, Incorporated
  3 .26   By-laws of VeloBind, Incorporated
  4 .1   Indenture, dated as of August 5, 2005, between ACCO Finance I, Inc. and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  4 .2   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2005, among ACCO Brands Corporation, the Guarantors signatory thereto and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2005 and filed August 23, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  4 .3   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2005, among ACCO Finance I, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Nesbitt Corp., ABN AMRO Incorporated, NatCity Investments, Inc. and Piper Jaffray & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  4 .4   Joinder Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2005, among ACCO Brands Corporation, the Guarantors signatory thereto and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representatives of the Initial Purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2005 and filed August 23, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  5 .1   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  5 .2   Opinion of Jones Vargas
  10 .1   Credit Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2005, by and among ACCO Brands Corporation, ACCO Brands Europe Ltd., Furlon Holding B.V. (to be renamed ACCO Nederland Holdings B.V.) and the lenders and issuers party hereto, Citicorp North America, Inc., as Administrative Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank, N.V., as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2005 and filed August 23, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))

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Exhibit Number   Description
     
  10 .2   Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005, by and between Fortune Brands, Inc. and ACCO World Corporation (incorporated by reference to Annex B to the proxy statement/ prospectus — information statement included in ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .2a   Amendment to Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2005, by and between Fortune Brands, Inc. and ACCO World Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .3   ACCO Brands Corporation 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005)
  10 .4   ACCO Brands Corporation 2005 Assumed Option and Restricted Stock Unit Plan, together with Sub-Plan A thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .5   Copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors of ACCO, adopted August 3, 2005, approving the conversion to ACCO stock options of certain stock options granted pursuant to the Fortune Brands, Inc. 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Fortune 1999 LTIP”), the Fortune Brands, Inc. 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Fortune 2003 LTIP”), the General Binding Corporation 1989 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated (the “GBC 1989 Stock Option Plan”), the General Binding Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan for Employees (the “GBC 2001 Stock Plan”) and the General Binding Corporation Non-Employee Directors 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “GBC 2001 Directors Plan”) and the conversion to ACCO restricted stock units of certain restricted stock units that did not vest in full upon consummation of the merger of Acquisition Sub and GBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .6   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Notice and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 2003 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .7   Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Notice and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 2003 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .8   Forms of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Notices and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 1999 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .9   Forms of Incentive Stock Option Award Notices and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 1999 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .10   Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted on February 23, 2005 under the GBC 2001 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to General Binding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 15, 2005 and filed March 21, 2005 (File No. 000-02604))
  10 .11   Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted under the GBC 2001 Stock Option Plan for Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))

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Exhibit Number   Description
     
  10 .12   Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted under the GBC 1989 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .13   Forms of Stock Option Agreements for options granted under the GBC 2001 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .14   Form of 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice for restricted stock units awarded on February 23, 2005 under the GBC 2001 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to General Binding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 15, 2005 and filed March 21, 2005 (File No. 000-02604))
  10 .15   Form of 2004 Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice for restricted stock units awarded on February 26, 2004 under the GBC 2001 Stock Incentive Plan for Employees, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .16   ACCO Brands Corporation Annual Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005)
  10 .17   Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005, by and among Fortune Brands, Inc., ACCO World Corporation and General Binding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .18   Tax Allocation Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2005, between ACCO World Corporation and Fortune Brands, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 2005 and filed August 17, 2005)
  10 .19   Tax Allocation Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2005, between General Binding Corporation and Lane Industries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 2005 and filed August 17, 2005 (File No. 001- 08454))
  10 .20   Transition Services Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2005, between ACCO World Corporation and Fortune Brands, Inc.
  10 .21   Executive Severance/ Change in Control Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2000, by and between Steven Rubin and GBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to General Binding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .22   Executive Severance/ Change in Control Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2000, by and between John E. Turner and GBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to General Binding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .23   Letter Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2003, between ACCO World Corporation and Neal Fenwick, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration of ACCO World Corporation. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .24   Letter Agreement, dated November 8, 2000, as revised in January 2001, between ACCO World Corporation and Neal Fenwick, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration of ACCO World Corporation. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))

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Exhibit Number   Description
     
  10 .25   Letter Agreement, dated September 8, 1999, between ACCO World Corporation and Neal Fenwick, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration of ACCO World Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .26   ACCO Executive Severance Plan and Summary Plan Description, as Amended and Restated effective October 1, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  12     Statement re: Computation of Ratio to Earnings to Fixed Charges
  23 .1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  23 .2   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  24     Powers of attorney (included on signature pages to the registration statement)
  25     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wachovia Bank, National Association.
  99 .1   Form of Letter of Transmittal
  99 .2   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
  99 .3   Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees
  99 .4   Form of Letter to Clients
      (b) Financial Statement Schedules
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on
Financial Statement Schedule
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of ACCO Brands Corporation:
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements of ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries referred to in our report dated April 29, 2005, except for notes 13 and 16 for which the date is September 30, 2005, appearing in this registration statement on Form S-4 also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 21 of this registration statement on Form S-4. In our opinion, this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 29, 2005

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Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
      Changes in the allowances for doubtful accounts were as follows (in millions of dollars):
                         
    Year Ended December 27,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 6.5     $ 7.3     $ 8.7  
Additions charged to expense
          2.2       2.6  
Deductions — write offs
    (0.7 )     (3.7 )     (4.1 )
Foreign exchange changes
    0.3       0.7       0.1  
                   
Balance at end of year
    6.1       6.5       7.3  
                   
Allowances for Sales Returns
         
Changes in the allowances for sales returns were as follows (in millions of dollars):
       
                         
    Year Ended December 27,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 11.5     $ 15.6     $ 14.5  
Additions charged to expense
    29.8       26.4       27.4  
Deductions — returns
    (30.9 )     (30.6 )     (26.3 )
Foreign exchange changes
    0.2       0.1       (0.1 )
Other
                0.1  
                   
Balance at end of year
    10.6       11.5       15.6  
                   
Allowances for Cash Discounts
      Changes in the allowances for cash discounts were as follows (in millions of dollars):
                         
    Year Ended December 27,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 1.3     $ 1.5     $ 1.7  
Additions charged to expense
    9.1       9.4       9.3  
Deductions — discounts taken
    (8.6 )     (9.6 )     (9.5 )
                   
Balance at end of year
    1.8       1.3       1.5  
                   

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Item 22. Undertakings
      The following undertakings are made by each of the undersigned registrants:
        (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
        (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
        (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
        (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
 
        (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
        (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
        (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
        (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name: David D. Campbell
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell, Neal V. Fenwick and Steven Rubin, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr.
 
Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr.
  Vice President, Finance and Accounting
(Principal Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ George V. Bayly
 
George V. Bayly
  Director   September 26, 2005
 
/s/ Patricia O. Ewers
 
Patricia O. Ewers
  Director   September 28, 2005
 
/s/ G. Thomas Hargrove
 
G. Thomas Hargrove
  Director   September 28, 2005
 
/s/ Robert J. Keller
 
Robert J. Keller
  Director   September 28, 2005

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Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ Pierre E. Leroy
 
Pierre E. Leroy
  Director   September 28, 2005
 
/s/ Gordon R. Lohman
 
Gordon R. Lohman
  Director   September 28, 2005
 
/s/ Forrest M. Schneider
 
Forrest M. Schneider
  Director   September 28, 2005
 
/s/ Norman H. Wesley
 
Norman H. Wesley
  Director   September 28, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name:        David D. Campbell
  Title: President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  ACCO BRANDS USA LLC
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name:        David D. Campbell
  Title: Chairman
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  Chairman and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Dennis L. Chandler
 
Dennis L. Chandler
  President and Director   October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Vice President, Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name:        David D. Campbell
  Title: President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LLC
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name:        David D. Campbell
  Title: President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name: David D. Campbell
  Title:   President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Dates
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  By:  /s/ David K. Clark
 
 
  Name: David K. Clark
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David K. Clark and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David K. Clark
 
David K. Clark
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President — Finance and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Dennis L. Chandler
 
Dennis L. Chandler
  Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  DAY-TIMERS, INC.
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name: David D. Campbell
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President — Finance
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Joseph T. Winters
 
Joseph T. Winters
  President and Director   September 23, 2005
 
/s/ Michael J. Vogel
 
Michael J. Vogel
  Director   September 23, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Secretary   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name: David D. Campbell
  Title:   President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President, Treasurer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Vice President and Secretary   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name:        David D. Campbell
  Title:          Chief Executive Officer
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Vice President, Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  POLYBLEND CORPORATION
  By:  /s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
 
  Name:        Neal V. Fenwick
  Title:          President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Neal V. Fenwick and Steven Rubin, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Thomas P. O’Neill
 
Thomas P. O’Neill
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Tony Giuliano
 
Tony Giuliano
  Treasurer   October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  SWINGLINE INC.
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name:        David D. Campbell
  Title:          President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Thomas P. O’Neill
 
Thomas P. O’Neill
  Vice President and Director   October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Secretary and Director   October 3, 2005

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SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lincolnshire, state of Illinois, on October 3, 2005.
  VELOBIND, INCORPORATED
  By:  /s/ David D. Campbell
 
 
  Name:        David D. Campbell
  Title:          President
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David D. Campbell and Neal V. Fenwick, and each of them individually, his, her or its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, 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 or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Name   Title   Date
         
 
/s/ David D. Campbell
 
David D. Campbell
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
Neal V. Fenwick
  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 3, 2005
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin
  Vice President and Secretary   October 3, 2005

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit Number   Description
     
  2 .1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 15, 2005, by and among Fortune Brands, Inc., ACCO World Corporation, Gemini Acquisition Sub, Inc. and General Binding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the proxy statement/ prospectus — information statement included in ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  2 .2   Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 4, 2005, by and among Fortune Brands, Inc., ACCO World Corporation, Gemini Acquisition Sub, Inc. and General Binding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  3 .1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO Brands Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 2005 and filed August 17, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  3 .2   By-laws of ACCO Brands Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Amendment to Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated September 21, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  3 .3   Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO Brands International, Inc.
  3 .4   By-laws of ACCO Brands International, Inc.
  3 .5   Certificate of Formation of ACCO Brands USA LLC
  3 .6   Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Brands USA LLC
  3 .7   Certificate of Formation of ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
  3 .8   Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
  3 .9   Certificate of Formation of ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
  3 .10   Limited Liability Company Agreement of ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
  3 .11   Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO International Holdings, Inc.
  3 .12   By-laws of ACCO International Holdings, Inc.
  3 .13   Restated Articles of Incorporation of Boone International, Inc.
  3 .14   By-laws of Boone International, Inc.
  3 .15   Certificate of Incorporation of Day-Timers, Inc.
  3 .16   By-laws of Day-Timers, Inc.
  3 .17   Articles of Incorporation of GBC International, Inc.
  3 .18   By-laws of GBC International, Inc.
  3 .19   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of General Binding Corporation
  3 .20   By-laws of General Binding Corporation
  3 .21   Certificate of Incorporation of Polyblend Corporation
  3 .22   By-laws of Polyblend Corporation
  3 .23   Certificate of Incorporation of Swingline Inc.
  3 .24   By-laws of Swingline Inc.
  3 .25   Certificate of Incorporation of VeloBind, Incorporated
  3 .26   By-laws of VeloBind, Incorporated
  4 .1   Indenture, dated as of August 5, 2005, between ACCO Finance I, Inc. and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit Number   Description
     
  4 .2   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2005, among ACCO Brands Corporation, the Guarantors signatory thereto and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2005 and filed August 23, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  4 .3   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2005, among ACCO Finance I, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Nesbitt Corp., ABN AMRO Incorporated, NatCity Investments, Inc. and Piper Jaffray & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  4 .4   Joinder Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2005, among ACCO Brands Corporation, the Guarantors signatory thereto and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representatives of the Initial Purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2005 and filed August 23, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  5 .1   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  5 .2   Opinion of Jones Vargas
  10 .1   Credit Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2005, by and among ACCO Brands Corporation, ACCO Brands Europe Ltd., Furlon Holding B.V. (to be renamed ACCO Nederland Holdings B.V.) and the lenders and issuers party hereto, Citicorp North America, Inc., as Administrative Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank, N.V., as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2005 and filed August 23, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .2   Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005, by and between Fortune Brands, Inc. and ACCO World Corporation (incorporated by reference to Annex B to the proxy statement/ prospectus — information statement included in ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .2a   Amendment to Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2005, by and between Fortune Brands, Inc. and ACCO World Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .3   ACCO Brands Corporation 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005)
  10 .4   ACCO Brands Corporation 2005 Assumed Option and Restricted Stock Unit Plan, together with Sub-Plan A thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .5   Copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors of ACCO, adopted August 3, 2005, approving the conversion to ACCO stock options of certain stock options granted pursuant to the Fortune Brands, Inc. 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Fortune 1999 LTIP”), the Fortune Brands, Inc. 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Fortune 2003 LTIP”), the General Binding Corporation 1989 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated (the “GBC 1989 Stock Option Plan”), the General Binding Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan for Employees (the “GBC 2001 Stock Plan”) and the General Binding Corporation Non-Employee Directors 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “GBC 2001 Directors Plan”) and the conversion to ACCO restricted stock units of certain restricted stock units that did not vest in full upon consummation of the merger of Acquisition Sub and GBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .6   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Notice and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 2003 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit Number   Description
     
  10 .7   Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Notice and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 2003 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .8   Forms of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Notices and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 1999 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .9   Forms of Incentive Stock Option Award Notices and Terms and Conditions for awards under the Fortune 1999 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .10   Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted on February 23, 2005 under the GBC 2001 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to General Binding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 15, 2005 and filed March 21, 2005 (File No. 000-02604))
  10 .11   Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted under the GBC 2001 Stock Option Plan for Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .12   Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted under the GBC 1989 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .13   Forms of Stock Option Agreements for options granted under the GBC 2001 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .14   Form of 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice for restricted stock units awarded on February 23, 2005 under the GBC 2001 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to General Binding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 21, 2005 (File No. 000-02604))
  10 .15   Form of 2004 Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice for restricted stock units awarded on February 26, 2004 under the GBC 2001 Stock Incentive Plan for Employees, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2005 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .16   ACCO Brands Corporation Annual Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005 and filed August 8, 2005)
  10 .17   Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005, by and among Fortune Brands, Inc., ACCO World Corporation and General Binding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .18   Tax Allocation Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2005, between ACCO World Corporation and Fortune Brands, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 2005 and filed August 17, 2005)
  10 .19   Tax Allocation Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2005, between General Binding Corporation and Lane Industries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 2005 and filed August 17, 2005 (File No. 001- 08454))
  10 .20   Transition Services Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2005, between ACCO World Corporation and Fortune Brands, Inc.


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit Number   Description
     
  10 .21   Executive Severance/ Change in Control Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2000, by and between Steven Rubin and GBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to General Binding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .22   Executive Severance/ Change in Control Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2000, by and between John E. Turner and GBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to General Binding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-08454))
  10 .23   Letter Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2003, between ACCO World Corporation and Neal Fenwick, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration of ACCO World Corporation. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .24   Letter Agreement, dated November 8, 2000, as revised in January 2001, between ACCO World Corporation and Neal Fenwick, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration of ACCO World Corporation. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .25   Letter Agreement, dated September 8, 1999, between ACCO World Corporation and Neal Fenwick, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration of ACCO World Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  10 .26   ACCO Executive Severance Plan and Summary Plan Description, as Amended and Restated effective October 1, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to ACCO Brands Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-124946))
  12     Statement re: Computation of Ratio to Earnings to Fixed Charges
  23 .1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  23 .2   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  23 .3   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23 .4   Consent of Jones Vargas (included in Exhibit 5.2)
  24     Powers of attorney (included on signature pages to the registration statement)
  25     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wachovia Bank, National Association.
  99 .1   Form of Letter of Transmittal
  99 .2   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
  99 .3   Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees
  99 .4   Form of Letter to Clients
EX-3.3 2 c98562exv3w3.htm CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION exv3w3
 

Exhibit 3.3
ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
     
FIRST:
  The name of this corporation shall be ACCO Brands International, Inc.
 
   
SECOND:
  Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle and its registered agent at such address is CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY.
 
   
THIRD:
  The purpose or purposes of the corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
 
   
FOURTH:
  The total number of shares of common stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares and the par value of each share is $1.00.
 
   
FIFTH:
  The name and address of the incorporator is as follows:
     
 
  Angela M. Pla
300 Tower Parkway
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
     
SIXTH:
  The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws.
 
   
SEVENTH:
  No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law, (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article Seventh shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator herein before named, has executed signed and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this 15th day of July, 2005.
         
 
       
 
  /s/ Angela M. Pla    
 
       
 
  Angela M. Pla, Sole Incorporator    

 


 

ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
     ACCO Brands International, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
     FIRST: That all capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as modified.
     SECOND: That Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
     “FOURTH: The total number of shares of authorized capital stock which the Corporation shall be authorized to issue is ten thousand (10,000), of which one thousand (1,000) shall be shares of Class A Common Stock having a par value of $1.00 per share, and nine thousand (9,000) shall be shares of Class B Common Stock having a par value of $0.01 per share (the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Common Stock”).
     The relative rights, preferences and limitations of the capital stock of the Corporation are as follows:
     1. General. Except as otherwise provided by law or in this Article Four, all shares of Common Stock shall be identical in all respects and have equal rights and privileges. These rights and privileges include, without limitation, the right to share ratably on a per share basis (i) in such cash, stock or other dividends and distributions as from time to time may be declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or by the Corporation with respect to the Common Stock and (ii) upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, in all distributions in assets or funds of the Corporation.
     2. Voting. On all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Corporation, the holder(s) of the Series A Common Stock shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote per share. On all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Corporation, the holder(s) of the Series B Common Stock shall be entitled to cast one hundred thousand (100,000) votes per share. Except as otherwise provided by law, the holder(s) of the Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.

 


 

     3. Redesignation. The one thousand (1,000) issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, par value $1.00 per share are hereby redesignated as Series A Common Stock.
     THIRD: That such amendment has been duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by its President, and attested by its Secretary, this 12th day of August, 2005.
         
 
       
 
By   /s/ Michael F. Molinaro    
 
       
 
Name: Michael F. Molinaro    
 
Title: Vice President    
         
 
       
Attest: [SEAL]    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Mark A. Roche    
 
       
Name: Mark A. Roche
   
Title: Secretary    

2

EX-3.4 3 c98562exv3w4.htm BY-LAWS OF ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC. exv3w4
 

Exhibit 3.4
ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Delaware)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE ONE
STOCKHOLDERS
     SECTION 1.1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders to elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be presented to the meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix on the third Monday of April in each year or, if that day shall be a legal holiday in the jurisdiction in which the meeting is to be held, then on the next day not a legal holiday.
     SECTION 1.2. Special Meetings. A special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock that would be entitled to be voted on such matter or matters if the meeting were held on the day such request is received and the record date for such meeting were the close of business on the preceding day. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting and as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting.
     SECTION 1.3. Notice of Meeting. For each meeting of stockholders written notice shall be given stating the place, date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and, if the list of stockholders required by Section 1.9 is not to be at such place at least 10 days prior to the meeting, the place where such list will be. Except as otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be confined to the purposes stated in the call.
     SECTION 1.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to be voted present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, but in the absence of a quorum the holders of record present or represented by proxy at such meeting may vote to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is obtained.

 


 

At any such adjourned session of the meeting at which there shall be present or represented the holders of record of the requisite number of shares, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
     SECTION 1.5. Chairman and Secretary at Meeting. Each meeting of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no person is so designated, then a person designated by the Board of Directors, and if no such designated person is present, the stockholders at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may elect a presiding officer from among the persons present. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 1.6. Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions of Section 1.10:
    (a) Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by him.
    (b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
    (c) Each matter, including the election of directors, properly presented to any meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
    (d) Election of directors and the vote on any other matter presented to a meeting shall be by written ballot only if so ordered by the chairman of the meeting or if so requested by any stockholder present or represented by proxy at the meeting entitled to vote in such election or on such matter, as the case may be.
     SECTION 1.7. Adjourned Meetings. A meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time or place. Unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, stockholders of record for an adjourned meeting shall be as originally determined for the meeting from which the adjournment was taken. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or 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 stockholder of record entitled to vote. At the adjourned meeting any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

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     SECTION 1.8. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if (i) one or more consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and (ii) the consents are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested), its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature and no written consent will be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents sufficient to take such action are delivered to the Corporation within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent so delivered. Notice of the taking of such action shall be given promptly to each stockholder, if any, that would have been entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of stockholders and that did not consent thereto in writing.
     SECTION 1.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. At least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared and shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall be produced and kept at the place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
     SECTION 1.10. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors, by resolution, may fix a date for determining the stockholders of record for any lawful action, which record date shall not be earlier than the date of such resolution. The record date shall be determined as follows:
    (a) The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which the meeting is held. The record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
    (b) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall not be more than 10 days after the

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date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be determined as follows:
        (i) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution taking such action; and
        (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is not required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation pursuant to Section 1.9.
    (c) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders for any such action shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such action.
ARTICLE TWO
DIRECTORS
     SECTION 2.1. Number; Term of Office; Qualifications; Vacancies. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be not less than three and not more than five and shall be determined by action of the Board of Directors. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled, subject to Section 2.3, by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.

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     SECTION 2.2. Resignation. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time be specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these By-laws in the filling of other vacancies.
     SECTION 2.3. Removal. Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more directors be so removed, a new director or directors may be elected by the stockholders at the time of such removal; any vacancy resulting from such removal, if not so filled by such election by the stockholders, may be filled as provided in Section 2.1.
     SECTION 2.4. Regular and Annual Meetings; Notice. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. No notice need be given of any regular meeting, and a notice, if given, need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after an annual meeting of stockholders at the same place as that at which such meeting was held.
     SECTION 2.5. Special Meetings; Notice. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters, appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by at least one director. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or officer calling such meeting. Notice of such meeting stating the time, place and purposes thereof shall be given (a) by deposit of the notice in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, at least three days before the day fixed for the meeting addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the Corporation’s records or at such other address as the director may have furnished the Corporation for that purpose, or (b) by delivery of the notice similarly addressed for dispatch by telegraph, telecopy, cable or radio or by delivery of the notice by telephone or in person, in each case at least 24 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.
     SECTION 2.6. Presiding Officer and Secretary at Meetings. Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no such person is so

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designated, then by such member of the Board of Directors as shall be chosen by the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 2.7. Quorum. A majority of the directors in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum a majority of those present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting without notice until such time as a quorum is present. Except as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 2.8. Meeting by Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors or of such 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 such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
     SECTION 2.9. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, 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 of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or of such committee.
     SECTION 2.10. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions, 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, including the power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have such power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the By-laws; and unless the resolution shall expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any

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such absent or disqualified member. Each such committee shall have such name as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 2.11. Compensation. No director shall receive any stated salary for his services as a director or as a member of a committee but shall receive such sum, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee. He may also be reimbursed for his expenses in attending any meeting. However, any director who serves the Corporation in any capacity other than as a member of the Board of Directors or of a committee may receive compensation therefor.
ARTICLE THREE
OFFICERS
     SECTION 3.1. Election; Qualification. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as it may from time to time determine. Two or more offices may be held by the same person.
     SECTION 3.2. Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office from the time of his election and qualification to the time at which his successor is elected and qualified, unless sooner he shall die or resign or shall be removed pursuant to Section 3.4.
     SECTION 3.3. Resignation. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
     SECTION 3.4. Removal. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.5. Vacancies. Any vacancy however caused in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.6. Compensation. The compensation of all officers elected by the Board and all other agents and employees shall be fixed by or in the manner determined by the Board.
     SECTION 3.7. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer and shall have general direction of its business affairs, subject, however, to the control of the

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Board of Directors. He shall, if present, preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties and have such responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
     SECTION 3.8. Vice President. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to the office of Vice President and as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. During the absence of the President and Chief Executive Officer, or his inability to act, the Vice President, or if there shall be more than one Vice President, then that one designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Executive Officer.
     SECTION 3.9. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meeting of stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall be custodian of the corporate seal and shall affix it or cause it to be affixed to such instruments as require such seal and attest the same and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, shall have care of all funds and securities of the Corporation and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Treasurer, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.11. Other Officers. Each other officer shall exercise the powers and perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE FOUR
CAPITAL STOCK
     SECTION 4.1. Stock Certificates. The interest of each holder of stock of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. Each certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any of or all the signatures appearing on such certificate or certificates may be a facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
     SECTION 4.2. Transfer of Stock. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation pursuant to applicable law and such rules and regulations as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.

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     SECTION 4.3. Holders of Record. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer the Corporation may treat the holder of record of a share of its stock as the complete owner thereof exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise entitled to all the rights and powers of a complete owner thereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.
     SECTION 4.4. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The Corporation shall issue a new certificate of stock to replace a certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, if the owner or his legal representative (i) requests replacement before the Corporation has notice that the stock certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; (ii) files with the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such stock certificate or the issuance of any such new stock certificate; and (iii) satisfies such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE FIVE
MISCELLANEOUS
     SECTION 5.1. Indemnity. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
    (b) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,

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employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.
    (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or a person serving in any other enterprise at the request of the Corporation, has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the Corporation shall indemnify him against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
    (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director,
    officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
    (e) Expenses incurred (including attorneys’ fees) by a director or officer in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
    (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

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    (g) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section.
    (h) For the purposes of this Section, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
    (i) For purposes of this Section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Section.

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    (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
     SECTION 5.2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws or any provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time required for such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
     SECTION 5.3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 in each year.
     SECTION 5.4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, and the same may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
ARTICLE SIX
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
     SECTION 6.1. Amendment. The By-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders; or by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the whole Board.

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EX-3.5 4 c98562exv3w5.htm CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF ACCO BRANDS USA LLC exv3w5
 

Exhibit 3.5
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
-of-
NXT CORPORATION
          FIRST: The name of the Corporation is NXT Corporation.
          SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 306 South State Street, in the City of Dover, County of Kent. The name of its registered agent at such address is United States Corporation Company.
          THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1000, and the par value of each of such shares is One Dollar ($1.00).
          FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator is as follows:
     
Name
 
  Mailing Address
 
Richard R. Davis
  Room 1601, 25 Broadway
New York, New York 10004
          SIXTH: The Board of Directors is authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation.
          SEVENTH: Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation.
          EIGHTH: Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided in the By-laws, or, if not so designated, at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware. Elections of directors need not be by ballot unless and to the extent that the By-laws so provide.
          NINTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers

 


 

appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.
          TENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this certificate of incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights of stockholders herein are subject to this reservation.
          THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator above named, for the purposes of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, has signed this instrument on the 19th day of March, 1970 and does thereby acknowledge that it is his act and deed and that the facts stated therein are true.
     
 
  /s/ Richard R. Davis
 
   
 
  Richard R. Davis

2


 

             
STATE OF NEW YORK
 
  )
:
  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
    )      
     On this 19th day of March, 1970, personally came before me, a Notary Public for the State of New York, Richard R. Davis party to the foregoing certificate of incorporation, known to me personally to be such, and acknowledged the said certificate to be the act and deed of the signer and that the facts stated therein are true.
     
 
  /s/ [illegible]
 
   
 
  Notary Public

3


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
NXT CORPORATION
(Delaware)
PURSUANT TO SECTION 241 OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

4


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
BEFORE PAYMENT FOR STOCK
NXT CORPORATION
(Pursuant to Section 241 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
     NXT CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called “the Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
     FIRST: That the Corporation has not received any payment for any of its stock.
     SECOND: That the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended by striking out Article FIRST and by substituting in lieu of said Article the following new Article:
          FIRST: The name of the Corporation is American Swingline, Inc.
     THIRD: That, no directors having been named in the original Certificate of Incorporation or having been elected, the sole incorporator hereby adopts said amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 241 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator of the Corporation, for the purpose of amending the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, has signed this instrument on the 15th day of April 1970 and does thereby acknowledge that it is his act and deed and that the facts stated therein are true.
     
 
  /s/ Richard R. Davis
 
   
 
  Richard R. Davis
Sole Incorporator

5


 

             
STATE OF NEW YORK
 
  )
:
  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
    )      
     On this 15th day of April, 1970, personally came before me, a Notary Public for the State of New York, RICHARD R. DAVIS, party to the foregoing certificate of amendment, known to me personally to be such, and acknowledged the said certificate to be the act and deed of the signer and that the facts stated therein are true.
     
 
  /s/ Gustave Foehring
 
   
 
  Notary Public

6


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
MERGING
SWINGLINE INC.
into
AMERICAN SWINGLINE, INC.
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law
 

7


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
MERGING
SWINGLINE INC.
into
AMERICAN SWINGLINE, INC.
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law
 
          AMERICAN SWINGLINE, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the Corporation),
          DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Corporation was incorporated on March 20, 1970 pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The name under which it was formed is “NXT Corporation”.
          SECOND: Swingline Inc. is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York and was incorporated on January 28, 1946. The laws of the State of New York permit the merger of a subsidiary corporation of New York into a parent corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
          THIRD: The Corporation owns more than 95 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of Swingline Inc., which is the only class of stock of Swingline Inc. outstanding.
          FOURTH: The Corporation, by the following resolutions of its Board of Directors duly adopted at a meeting thereof held on August 25, 1970, determined to and did merge into itself said Swingline Inc., such merger to become effective at 3:01 A.M., E.D.T., on September 1, 1970:
“RESOLVED, that American Swingline, Inc. (hereinafter called the Corporation) merge into itself Swingline Inc., a New York corporation more than 95 per cent of the outstanding stock of which is owned by the Corporation, and assume all the liabilities and obligations of Swingline Inc.; and further
RESOLVED, that the merger shall become effective at 3:01 A.M., E.D.T., on September 1, 1970, such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the “effective date of the merger”; and further

8


 

RESOLVED, that each share of Swingline Inc. Common Stock which shall be outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger shall, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, be extinguished and cease to exist and shall not be or become shares of the Corporation, but the Corporation shall pay to each of the record holders of such shares not owned by the Corporation a cash payment of $35.00 for each full share of Swingline Inc. Common Stock so held upon the surrender of such holder’s certificate or certificates therefor to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, Corporate Trust Department, 4 New York Plaza, New York, N.Y., 10015; the certificates for shares of Swingline Inc. Common Stock held by the Corporation shall be cancelled without cash payment therefor; and further
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended, effective on the effective date of the merger, by amending Article FIRST thereof so that, as amended, it shall read as follows:
               “FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Swingline Inc.”
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as hereby amended shall be and remain the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation until further amended as provided therein or by law.”
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said AMERICAN SWINGLINE, INC., has caused its corporate seal to be affixed and this certificate to be signed by Robert K. Heimann, its President, and attested by John W. Hanlon, its Secretary, this 25th day of August, 1970.
         
  AMERICAN SWINGLINE, INC.
 
 
[CORPORATE SEAL] By:   /s/ Robert K. Heimann    
    President   
         
Attest:    
 
       
By:
  /s/ John W. Hanlon    
 
       
 
  Secretary    

9


 

             
STATE OF NEW YORK
 
  )
:
  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
    )      
          BE IT REMEMBERED that on this 25th day of August, A.D. 1970 personally came before me REUBEN HERMAN, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Robert K. Heimann, President of American Swingline, Inc., a corporation of the State of Delaware and the corporation described in and which executed the foregoing certificate, known to me personally to be such, and he, the said Robert K. Heimann, as such President, duly executed said certificate before me and acknowledged the said certificate to be his act and deed and the act and deed of said corporation; that the signatures of the said President and of the Secretary of said corporation to said foregoing certificate are in the handwriting of the said President and Secretary of said corporation respectively and that the seal affixed to said certification is the common or corporate seal of said corporation; and that the facts stated therein are true.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.
     
 
  /s/ Reuben Herman
 
   
 
  Notary Public
[Notarial Seal]

10


 

United States Corporation Company
306 South State Street, Dover, Delaware
     
Albany, N.Y.
Carson City, Nev.
Chicago, Ill.
Jersey City, N.J.
  Los Angeles, Cal.
Philadelphia, Pa.
St. Louis, Mo.
Washington, D.C.
Executive Offices
70 Pine Street, New York, New York 10005

11


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
Merging
UNITED STATES TABULATING BINDER CORP.
(an Illinois corporation)
into
SWINGLINE INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
          SWINGLINE INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called “Swingline”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: Swingline was incorporated on March 20, 1970, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: United States Tabulating Binder Corp. (hereinafter called “U. S. Tabulating”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois.
          THIRD: Swingline owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of U. S. Tabulating, which is the only class of stock of U. S. Tabulating outstanding.
          FOURTH: The laws of the State of Illinois permit a corporation organized in Illinois to merge with a corporation organized in another jurisdiction.
          FIFTH: Swingline, by the following resolutions duly adopted at a meeting of its Board of Directors held on December 19, 1974, determined to merge U. S. Tabulating into itself, such merger to become effective at the close of business on the day when a counterpart of this Certificate is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware and when the Articles of Merger covering the merger are filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Illinois:
“RESOLVED, that Swingline Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company”) merge into itself United States Tabulating Binder Corp. (hereinafter called “U. S. Tabulating”), all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of which are owned by the Company, and assume all the liabilities and obligations of U. S. Tabulating; and further

12


 

“RESOLVED, that the merger shall become effective at the close of business on the day when a counterpart of the Certificate of Ownership and Merger covering the merger is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware and when the Articles of Merger covering the merger are filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Illinois, such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the ‘effective date of the merger’; and further
“RESOLVED, that each share of Common Stock of U. S. Tabulating which shall be outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger shall, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be extinguished and cease to exist and shall not be or become shares of the Company.”
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SAID SWINGLINE INC. has caused this Certificate to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto and attested by its Secretary this 14th day of December, 1974.
         
  SWINGLINE INC.
 
 
[Seal] By   /s/ John H. Behr    
    John H. Behr   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
         
Attest:    
 
       
By
  /s/ Charles F. Matula, Jr.    
 
       
 
  Charles F. Matula, Jr.
Secretary
   

13


 

             
STATE OF NEW YORK
 
  )
:
  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
    )      
          On this 14th day of December, 1974 before me personally came JOHN H. BEHR, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of SWINGLINE INC., a Delaware corporation, the corporation described in and which executed the foregoing certificate; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation; that he signed his name thereto by like order; and that the facts stated therein are true.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
     
 
  /s/ Reuben Herman
 
   
 
  Notary Public
[SEAL]

14


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
SPOTNAILS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
SWINGLINE INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 

15


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
SPOTNAILS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
SWINGLINE INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          SWINGLINE INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company was incorporated on March 20, 1970 under the name NXT Corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: Spotnails, Inc. (“Spotnails”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and was incorporated on November 25, 1974. The name under which it was incorporated was American Spotnails, Inc.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100% of the outstanding shares of stock of Spotnails.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted on December 18, 1980, determined to merge Spotnails into itself, such merger to become effective at the close of business on December 31, 1980:
“RESOLVED, that this Company merge into itself Spotnails, Inc., a Delaware corporation (‘Spotnails’), all of the outstanding shares of stock of which are owned by this Company, and assume all the liabilities and obligations of Spotnails; and further
“RESOLVED, that the merger of Spotnails into this Company shall become effective at the close of business on December 31, 1980, such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the ‘effective date of the merger’; and further

16


 

“RESOLVED, that each share of stock of Spotnails which shall be outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger shall, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be extinguished and cease to exist and shall not be or become shares of this Company.”
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Swingline Inc. has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto by its Secretary this 18th day of December, 1980.
             
        SWINGLINE INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Fred Endler
 
           
 
          Fred Endler
[Seal]
          Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer
 
           
Attest:
           
 
           
/s/ Theresa B. Fealy
           
 
Theresa B. Fealy
           
Secretary
           

17


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
Rexel Inc.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
Swingline Inc.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          Swingline Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company was incorporated on March 20, 1970 pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: Rexel Inc. (“Rexel”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and was incorporated on March 5, 1973. The name under which it was incorporated was Rexel Office Products Inc.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of Rexel, which shares are the only class of stock outstanding of Rexel.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors at a meeting thereof held on June 21, 1984, determined to merge Rexel into itself, such merger to become effective at the close of business on June 30, 1984:
“RESOLVED, that this Company merge into itself Rexel Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Rexel”), all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of which are owned by this Company, and assume all the liabilities and obligations of Rexel; and further
“RESOLVED, that the merger of Rexel into this Company shall become effective at the close of business on June 30, 1984, such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the ‘effective date of the merger; and further

18


 

“RESOLVED, that each share of Common Stock of Rexel which shall be outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger shall, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be extinguished and cease to exist and shall not be or become shares of this Company”.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Swingline Inc. has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto by its Secretary this 22nd day of June, 1984.
             
        SWINGLINE INC .
 
 
      By   /s/ Kenneth X. Miles
 
           
/s/ Theresa B. Feale
          President and Chief Operating Officer
 
Theresa B. Feale
           
Secretary
           

19


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
Swingline Export Corporation
(a Delaware corporation)
into
Swingline Inc.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          Swingline Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company was incorporated on March 20, 1970 under the name NXT CORPORATION pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: Swingline Export Corporation (“Export”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and was incorporated on April 6, 1973.
          THIRD: The Company owns all of the outstanding shares of stock of Export.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted on March 27, 1985, determined to merge Export into itself:
“RESOLVED, that this company merge into itself Swingline Export Corporation, a Delaware corporation (‘Export’), all of the outstanding shares of stock of which are owned by this Company, and assume all the liabilities and obligations of Export; and further
“RESOLVED, that the merger of Export into this Company shall become effective at the close of business on March 29, 1985, such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the ‘effective date of the merger’; and further

20


 

“RESOLVED, that each share of stock of Export which shall be outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger shall, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be cancelled and cease to exist and shall not be or become shares of this Company.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger is not to become effective until the close of business on March 29, 1985.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Swingline Inc. has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto by its Secretary this 27th day of March, 1985.
             
        SWINGLINE INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Kenneth X. Miles
 
           
 
          Kenneth X. Miles
[Corporate Seal]
          President and Chief Executive Officer
 
           
Attest:
           
 
           
/s/ Theresa H. Fealey
           
 
Theresa H. Fealey
           
Secretary
           

21


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
S.W.L. INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
SWINGLINE INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          SWINGLINE INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 20, 1970 and was amended by a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation Before Payment of Stock filed on April 16, 1970 and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on August 26, 1970.
          SECOND: S.W.L. Inc. (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 21, 1982.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on December 8, 1989, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:
“RESOLVED, that S.W.L. Inc., a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company, with this Company as the surviving corporation following such merger; and further

22


 

“RESOLVED, that the separate existence of S.W.L. Inc. shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
“RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of S.W.L. Inc. shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
“RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
“RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers, and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things, in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shall become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date of the filing hereof with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 8th day of December, 1989.
             
        SWINGLINE INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Norman H. Wesley
 
           
[Corporate Seal]
          Vice President
 
           
Attest:
           
 
           
/s/ Theresa B. Fealey
           
 
Secretary
           

23


 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
WILSON JONES COMPANY
(a Delaware corporation)
INTO
SWINGLINE INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 251 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          SWINGLINE INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (‘Swingline”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: Swingline is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Wilson Jones Company (“Wilson Jones”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: An Agreement of Merger dated as of December 16, 1991 (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger of Wilson Jones into Swingline (the “Merger”) has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of Wilson Jones and Swingline in accordance with Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          THIRD: Swingline is the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and will continue its existence as the Surviving Corporation under the name Swingline Inc. upon the Effective Date (as defined below) pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of Swingline as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date shall continue to be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until changed, altered or amended as therein provided and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FIFTH: The executed Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 32-00 Skillman Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11101 and a copy thereof will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of Wilson Jones or Swingline.

24


 

          SIXTH: The time when the Merger shall become effective shall be 11:57 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 31, 1991 (the “Effective Date”).
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SWINGLINE INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this 16th day of December, 1991.
             
        SWINGLINE INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Desmond R. Laplace
 
           
 
          Desmond R. Laplace
 
          Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:        
 
           
By
  /s/ Theresa H. Fealey        
 
 
 
Theresa H. Fealey
       
 
  Secretary        

25


 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
ACCO INTERNATIONAL INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
INTO
SWINGLINE INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 251 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          SWINGLINE INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Swingline”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: Swingline is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. ACCO International Inc. (“ACCO International”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: An Agreement of Merger dated as of December 16, 1991 (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger of ACCO International into Swingline (the “Merger”) has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of ACCO International and Swingline in accordance with Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          THIRD: Swingline is the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and will continue its existence as the Surviving Corporation under the name Swingline Inc. upon the Effective Date (as defined below) pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of Swingline as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date shall continue to be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until changed, altered or amended as therein provided and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FIFTH: The executed Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 32-00 Skillman Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11101 and a copy thereof will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of ACCO International or Swingline.

26


 

          SIXTH: The time when the Merger shall become effective shall be 11:58 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 31, 1991 (the “Effective Date”).
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SWINGLINE INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this 16th day of December, 1991.
             
        SWINGLINE INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Desmond R. Laplace
 
           
 
          Desmond R. Laplace
 
          Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:        
 
           
By
  /s/ Theresa B. Fealey        
 
 
 
Theresa B. Fealey
       
 
  Secretary        

27


 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
POLYBLEND CORPORATION
(an Illinois corporation)
INTO
SWINGLINE INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 252 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          SWINGLINE INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Swingline”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: Swingline is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Polyblend Corporation (“Polyblend”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, the authorized capital stock of which consists of 200,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share.
          SECOND: An Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 16, 1991 (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger of Polyblend into Swingline (the “Merger”) has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of Swingline and Polyblend in accordance with Section 252 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and Article 11 of the Business Corporation Act of 1983 of the State of Illinois.
          THIRD: Swingline is the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and will continue its existence as the Surviving Corporation under the name ACCO USA, Inc. upon the Effective Date (as defined below) pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of Swingline is hereby amended, effective on the Effective Date, by changing Article FIRST thereof so as to read in its entirety as follows:
          “FIRST: The name of the Corporation is ACCO USA, Inc.”
The Certificate of Incorporation of Swingline on the Effective Date shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and will continue to be the Certificate

28


 

of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until changed, altered or amended as therein provided and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FIFTH: The executed Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 770 South ACCO Plaza, Wheeling. Illinois 60090-6070 and a copy thereof will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost, to any shareholder of Polyblend or Swingline.
          SIXTH: The time when the Merger shall become effective shall be 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 31, 1991 (the “Effective Date”).
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SWINGLINE INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this 16th day of December, 1991.
             
        SWINGLINE INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Desmond R. LaPlace
 
           
 
          Desmond R. Laplace
 
          Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer
Attest:        
 
           
By
  /s/ Theresa B. Fealey        
 
 
 
Theresa B. Fealey
       
 
  Secretary        

29


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
PERMA PRODUCTS COMPANY
(a Delaware corporation)
into
ACCO USA, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          ACCO USA, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”) DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 20, 1970 under the name NXT Corporation, and was amended by Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation before Payment for Stock filed on April 16, 1970 changing its name to American Swingline, Inc. and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on August 26, 1970 assuming the name Swingline Inc. and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on December 31, 1974 and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on December 29, 1980 and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on June 26, 1984 and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on March 29, 1985 and by a Certificate of Change of Address of Registered Office and of Registered Agent filed on February 14, 1986 and by a Certificate of Change of Address of Registered Office and of Registered Agent filed on October 27, 1989 and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on December 19, 1989 and by a Certificate of Merger filed on December 19, 1991 at 9:00 a.m. and by a Certificate of Merger filed on December 19, 1991 at 9:01 a.m. by a Certificate of Merger filed on December 19, 1991 at 9:02 a.m., changing its name to ACCO USA, Inc.
          SECOND: Perma Products Company (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 4, 1972 under the name Nuperm Inc., and was amended by Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation filed on August 21, 1972.

30


 

          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on December 20, 1994, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:
          “RESOLVED, that Perma Products Company, a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company, with this company as the surviving corporation following such merger; and further
          “RESOLVED, that the separate existence of Perma Products Company shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
          “RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of Perma Products Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
          “RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
          “RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers, and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things, in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shall become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 31, 1994.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 29th day of December, 1994.
         
    ACCO USA, INC.
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Allan J. Shape
 
       
 
      Allan J. Shape

31


 

         
[Corporate Seal]
      Vice President
 
       
Attest:
       
 
       
/s/ Mark S. Lyon
       
 
Mark S. Lyon
       
Secretary
       

32


 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
KENSINGTON MICROWARE LIMITED
(a Delaware corporation)
INTO
ACCO USA, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 251 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          ACCO USA, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (“ACCO USA”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: ACCO USA is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Kensington Microware Limited (“Kensington”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: An Agreement of Merger dated as of December 19, 1997 (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger of Kensington into ACCO USA (the “Merger”) has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of Kensington and ACCO USA in accordance with Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          THIRD: ACCO USA is the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and will continue its existence as the Surviving Corporation under the name ACCO USA, Inc. upon the Effective Date (as defined below) pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO USA as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date shall continue to be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until changed, altered or amended as therein provided and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FIFTH: The executed Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 770 S. ACCO Plaza, Wheeling, Illinois 60090 and a copy thereof will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of Kensington or ACCO USA.

33


 

          SIXTH; The time when the Merger shall become effective shall be 11:57 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 31, 1997 (the “Effective Date”).
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ACCO USA, INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this 29th day of December, 1997.
             
        ACCO USA, INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Bruce A. Gescheider
 
           
 
          Bruce A. Gescheider
 
          President and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:        
 
           
By
  /s/ Mark S. Lyon        
 
 
 
Mark S. Lyon
       
 
  Secretary        

34


 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
DAY-TIMER CONCEPTS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
INTO
ACCO USA, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 251 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          ACCO USA, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (“ACCO USA”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: ACCO USA is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Day-Timer Concepts, Inc. (“Day-Timer Concepts”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
          SECOND: An Agreement of Merger dated as of December 19, 1997 (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger of Day-Timer Concepts into ACCO USA (the “Merger”) has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of Day-Timer Concepts and ACCO USA in accordance with Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          THIRD: ACCO USA is the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and will continue its existence as the Surviving Corporation under the name ACCO Brands, Inc. upon the Effective Date (as defined below) pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO USA is hereby amended, effective on the Effective Date, by changing Article FIRST thereof so as to read in its entirety as follows:
          “FIRST: The name of the Corporation is ACCO Brands, Inc.”
The Certificate of Incorporation of ACCO USA on the Effective Date shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and will continue to be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until changed, altered or amended as

35


 

therein provided and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          FIFTH: The executed Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 770 S. ACCO Plaza, Wheeling, Illinois 60090 and a copy thereof will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of Day-Timer Concepts or ACCO USA.
          SIXTH: The time when the Merger shall become effective shall be 11:58 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 31, 1997 (the “Effective Date”).
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ACCO USA, INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this 29th day of December, 1997.
             
        ACCO USA, INC.
 
           
 
      By   /s/ Bruce A. Gescheider
 
           
 
          Bruce A. Gescheider
 
          President and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:        
 
           
By
  /s/ Mark S. Lyon        
 
 
 
Mark S. Lyon
       
 
  Secretary        

36


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
DOUGH ACQUISITION SUB, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
ACCO BRANDS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          ACCO BRANDS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”) DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 20, 1970 under the name NXT Corporation, and was amended by a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation Before Payment for Stock filed on April 16, 1970 changing its name to American Swingline, Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging Swingline Inc. into American Swingline, Inc. filed on August 26, 1970 changing its name to Swingline Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Merger of Polyblend Corporation into Swingline Inc. filed on December 19, 1991 changing its name to ACCO USA, Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Merger of Day-Timer Concepts, Inc. into ACCO USA, Inc. filed on December 29, 1997 changing its name to ACCO Brands, Inc.
          SECOND: Dough Acquisition Sub, Inc. (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 2, 1998.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on July 14, 1998, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:

37


 

          “RESOLVED, that Dough Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company (the “Merger”), with this Company as the surviving corporation following such Merger; and further
          RESOLVED, that the separate existence of Dough Acquisition Sub, Inc. shall cease upon the effective date of the Merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of Dough Acquisition Sub, Inc. shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the Merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the Merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
          RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers, and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things, in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shall become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 16, 1998.
          IT WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 14th day of July, 1998.
         
    ACCO BRANDS, INC.
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Norman H. Wesley
 
       
 
      Norman H. Wesley
[Corporate Seal]
      Vice President
 
       
Attest:
       
 
       
/s/ Mark S. Lyon
       
 
Mark. S. Lyon
       
Secretary
       

38


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
APOLLO SPACE SYSTEMS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
ACCO BRANDS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          ACCO BRANDS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”) DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 20, 1970 under the name NXT Corporation, and was amended by a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation Before Payment for Stock filed on April 16, 1970 changing its name to American Swingline, Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging Swingline Inc. into American Swingline, Inc. filed on August 26, 1970 changing its name to Swingline Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Merger of Polyblend Corporation into Swingline Inc. filed on December 19, 1991 changing its name to ACCO USA, Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Merger of Day-Timer Concepts, Inc. into ACCO USA, Inc. filed on December 29, 1997 changing its name to ACCO Brands, Inc.
          SECOND: Apollo Space Systems, Inc. (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 17, 1980 under the name Viewlex Marketing, Inc., and was amended by a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Viewlex Marketing, Inc. filed on October 6, 1981 changing its name to Apollo Space Systems, Inc.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, no par value, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.

39


 

          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on December 10, 1998, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:
          “RESOLVED, that Apollo Space Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company (the “Merger”), with this Company as the surviving corporation following such Merger; and further
          RESOLVED, that the separate existence of Apollo Space Systems, Inc. shall cease upon the effective date of the Merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of Apollo Space Systems, Inc. shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the Merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the Merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
          RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers, and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things, in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shall become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 31, 1998.
          IT WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 10th day of December, 1998.
         
    ACCO BRANDS, INC.
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Daniel J. Waters
 
       
 
      Daniel J. Waters
 
      President and Chief Executive Officer

40


 

         
[Corporate Seal]
       
 
Attest:
       
 
/s/ Mark S. Lyon
       
 
Mark S. Lyon
       
Secretary
       

41


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
MAY TAG & LABEL CORP.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
ACCO BRANDS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
 
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
 
          ACCO BRANDS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”) DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 20, 1970 under the name NXT Corporation, and was amended by a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation Before Payment for Stock filed on April 16, 1970 changing its name to American Swingline, Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging Swingline Inc. into American Swingline, Inc. filed on August 26, 1970 changing its name to Swingline Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Merger of Polyblend Corporation into Swingline Inc. filed on December 19, 1991 changing its name to ACCO USA. Inc., and was further amended by a Certificate of Merger of Day-Timer Concepts, Inc. into ACCO USA, Inc. filed on December 29, 1997 changing its name to ACCO Brands, Inc.
          SECOND: May Tag & Label Corp. (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 7, 1997 under the name SCAC, Inc., and was amended by a Certificate of Merger filed on October 1, 1997, changing its name to May Tag & Label Corp.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.

42


 

          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on December 28, 1999, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:
          “RESOLVED, that May Tag & Label Corp., a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company, with this Company as the surviving corporation following such merger; and further
          RESOLVED, that the separate existence of May Tag & Label Corp. shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of May Tag & Label Corp. shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
          RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers, and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things, in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shall become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 31, 1999.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 28th day of December, 1999.
         
    ACCO BRANDS, INC.
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Daniel J. Waters
 
       
 
      Daniel J. Waters
 
      President and Chief Executive Officer

43


 

         
[Corporate Seal]
       
 
       
Attest:
       
 
       
/s/ Kenton R. Rose
 
       
Kenton R. Rose
       
Assistant Secretary
       

44


 

ACCO BRANDS, INC.
 
CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION
OF A CORPORATION INTO
A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY PURSUANT TO
SECTION 18-214 OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT
OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND
SECTION 266 OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE
 
          It is hereby certified that:
          1. The name of the corporation immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate is ACCO Brands, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
          2. The name under which the Corporation was incorporated originally is NXT Corporation.
          3. The Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.
          4. The date of filing of the original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware is March 20, 1970.
          5. The name of the limited liability company into which the Corporation shall be converted, as set forth in the Certificate of Formation filed in accordance with Section 18-214(b) of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, is ACCO Brands USA LLC (“ACCO LLC”).
          6. The conversion herein certified has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 18-214 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware and Section 266 of the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware.
          

45


 

          7. Effective upon the conversion herein certified, all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation shall be converted into and become membership interests in ACCO LLC.
Dated: July 27, 2005
     
  By:   /s/ Neal V. Fenwick
     
    Name:   Neal V. Fenwick
    Title:     Vice President

46


 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION
OF
ACCO BRANDS USA LLC
          This Certificate of Formation is being executed as of the 27th day of July, 2005, for the purposes of forming a limited liability company pursuant to the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware.
          The undersigned, being duly authorized to execute and file this Certificate of Formation, does hereby certify as follows:
          1. The name of the limited liability company is ACCO Brands USA LLC (the “Company”).
          2. The Company’s registered office in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The registered agent of the Company for service of process at such address is Corporation Service Company.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has duly executed this Certificate of Formation as of the day and year first above written.
             
    ACCO WORLD CORPORATION
 
           
    By:   /s/ Neal V. Fenwick
         
        Name:   Neal V. Fenwick
        Title:   Executive Vice President- Finance and Administration

47

EX-3.6 5 c98562exv3w6.htm LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT exv3w6
 

Exhibit 3.6
ACCO BRANDS USA LLC
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
          The undersigned is executing this Limited Liability Company Agreement (“Agreement”) for the purpose of forming and setting forth the governance provisions regarding a limited liability company (the “Company”) pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “Act”) and does hereby certify and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
          1.1 Definitions. In addition to terms otherwise defined herein, the following terms used herein shall have the following meanings:
          “Board” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
          “Common Shares” means the equity securities of the Company authorized for issuance pursuant to Section 3.1 and having the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, powers and duties specified with respect to Common Shares in this Agreement.
          “Director” means a member of the Board elected as provided in Section 4.2(a).
          “Initial Shareholder” means ACCO World Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
          “Officer” means any person elected as an officer of the Company as provided in Section 4.4(b) but such term does not include any person who has ceased to be an officer of the Company.
          “Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Shareholder as of any date, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the aggregate number of Common Shares held by such Shareholder on such date to the aggregate number of Common Shares outstanding on such date. The combined Percentage Interests of all Shareholders shall at all times equal 100 percent. The Percentage Interest of the Initial Shareholder shall initially be 100 percent.
          “Shareholders” means the Initial Shareholder and all other persons or entities admitted as additional or substituted Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement, so long as they remain Shareholders. Reference to a “Shareholder” means any one of the Shareholders. Shareholders shall constitute “members” within the meaning of the Act.

 


 

          Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the context requires. As used herein, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the words “hereof’, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provisions hereof.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
          2.1 Name; Formation. The Company was formed effective as of 1:58 p.m. on August 2, 2005 as a result of the conversion of ACCO Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ACCO Brands”), into a Delaware limited liability company which was effected by (a) the execution and filing by ACCO Brands of a Certificate of Conversion pursuant to Section 18-214 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware and Section 266 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and (b) the execution and filing by the Initial Shareholder of a Certificate of Formation of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The name of the Company shall be ACCO Brands USA LLC, or such other name as the Shareholders may from time to time hereafter designate.
          2.2 Purpose and Powers. (a) The purpose of the Company shall be to engage in any lawful business that may be engaged in by a limited liability company organized under the Act.
               (b) The Company shall possess and may exercise all of the powers and privileges granted by the Act or by any other law or by this Agreement, together with any powers incidental thereto, so far as such powers and privileges are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business purposes or activities of the Company.
          2.3 Principal Place of Business. (a) The principal office of the Company, and such additional offices as the Board may determine to establish, shall be located at such place or places inside or outside the State of Delaware as the Board may designate from time to time.
          (b) The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. The registered agent of the Company for service of process at such address is Corporation Service Company.
          2.4 Term. The term of the Company shall commence at 1:58 p.m. on August 2, 2005 and shall continue until terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
          2.5 Liability to Third Parties. The debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts,

2


 

obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Shareholder shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Shareholder of the Company.
ARTICLE III
AUTHORIZATION AND ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES
          3.1 Common Shares. (a) A total of 1,000 Common Shares are hereby authorized for issuance, of which 1,000 Common Shares have been issued to the Initial Shareholder as a result of the conversion of ACCO Brands into the Company as described in Section 5.1. The designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, powers and duties relating to the Common Shares authorized for issuance pursuant to this Section 3.1(a) are set forth in this Section 3.1.
               (b) The holders of Common Shares (i) shall share in each item of Company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit as provided in Section 5.5, (ii) shall be entitled on a pro rata basis to such dividends, if any, as shall be declared thereon from time to time by the Board, (iii) except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 8.2, upon liquidation or dissolution of the Company shall be entitled on a pro rata basis to all remaining assets after satisfaction of the Company’s liabilities to creditors and (iv) shall be entitled to one vote per Common Share on matters submitted to a vote or consent of Shareholders. Each Common Share shall be identical in all respects with each other Common Share.
               (c) Common Shares issued for such consideration as the Board determines to be appropriate, including Common Shares issued as set forth in Section 3.1(a) hereof, shall be deemed to be fully paid and, except to the extent specified in Section 18-607(b) of the Act, nonassessable.
          3.2 Common Share Register.
               (a) Register. The Company shall keep a Common Share register that, subject to any requirements of the Board and this Agreement, will provide for and record the registration and transfer of Common Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Secretary of the Company shall act as registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Common Shares and transfers of Common Shares. No Common Shares shall be represented by a separate share certificate.
               (b) Transfer of Common Shares. Common Shares shall be transferable on the books of the Company in accordance with Section 6.1 and applicable law.
               (c) Holders of Record. The Company shall be entitled to treat the record holder of any Common Shares as the Shareholder and complete owner thereof exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise entitled to all rights and powers of a complete owner thereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

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ARTICLE IV
MANAGEMENT
          4.1 Management of Company. As provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Company shall be vested in a Board of Directors (the “Board”) and, subject to the direction of the Board, the Officers, who shall collectively constitute “managers” of the Company within the meaning of the Act. No Shareholder, by virtue of having the status of a Shareholder, shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Company or actual or apparent authority to enter into contracts on behalf of, or to otherwise bind, the Company. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, the authority and functions of the Board, on the one hand, and of the Officers, on the other, shall be identical to the authority and functions of the board of directors and officers, respectively, of a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law. Thus, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and the day-to-day activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Company’s behalf by the Officers, who shall be agents of the Company. In addition to the powers that now or hereafter can be granted to managers under the Act and to all other powers granted under any other provision of this Agreement, the Board (subject to Section 4.2) and the Officers (subject to Section 4.4 and the direction of the Board) shall have full power and authority to do all legal things on such terms as they, in their sole discretion, may deem necessary or appropriate to conduct, or cause to be conducted, the business and affairs of the Company, including, without limitation:
               (a) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness and the incurring of any other obligations;
               (b) the making of tax, regulatory or other filings, and the rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Company;
               (c) the use of the assets of the Company (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the payment of obligations by the Company;
               (d) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments;
               (e) the distribution of cash by the Company;
               (f) the selection, engagement and dismissal of Officers, employees and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

4


 

               (g) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Company as is deemed necessary or appropriate;
               (h) the acquisition or disposition of assets;
               (i) the formation of, contribution of property to, or acquisition of an interest in, any entity;
               (j) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Company, including the commencement, prosecution and defense of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation; and
               (k) the appointment of the Company’s independent auditors.
          4.2 The Board of Directors.
               (a) Number; Term of Office; Qualifications; Vacancies. The number of Directors that shall constitute the whole Board shall be three or such number as may be determined from time to time by action of the Board of Directors taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of Shareholders to hold office, subject to Section 4.2(c) and 4.2(d), until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining Director, and the Directors so chosen shall hold office, subject to Sections 4.2(c) and 4.2(d), until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
               (b) Initial Directors. The initial Board shall consist of David D. Campbell, Neal V. Fenwick and Norman H. Wesley who shall serve until successor Directors are elected pursuant to Section 4.2(a).
               (c) Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Company. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board or one of the above-named Officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more Directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the Directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereof to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective and each Director so chosen shall hold office as provided in this Agreement in the filling of other vacancies.
               (d) Removal. Any one or more Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. In case the Board or any one or more Directors

5


 

be so removed, a new Director or Directors may be elected by the Shareholders at the time of such removal; any vacancy resulting from such removal, if not so filled by such election by the Shareholders, may be filled as provided in Section 4.2(a).
               (e) Regular and Annual Meetings; Notice. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such time and at such place as the Board may from time to time prescribe. No notice need be given of any regular meeting and a notice, if given, need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board may be held without notice immediately after an annual meeting of Shareholders at the same place as that at which such meeting was held.
               (f) Special Meetings; Notice. A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters appropriate for action at such a meeting that are proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by at least four Directors. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting. Notice of such meeting stating the time, place and purposes thereof shall be given (a) by deposit of the notice in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, at least three (3) days before the day fixed for the meeting addressed to each Director at his address as it appears on the Company’s records or at such other address as the Director may have furnished the Company for that purpose, or (b) by delivery of the notice similarly addressed for dispatch by telegraph, cable or radio or by delivery of the notice by telephone or in person, in each case at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time fixed for the meeting.
               (g) Presiding Officer and Secretary at Meetings. Each meeting of the Board shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no such person is designated, then by such member of the Board as shall be chosen by the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
               (h) Quorum. Two directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum, a majority of those present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting, without notice, until such time as a quorum is present.
               (i) Voting. Except as otherwise required by this Agreement, the vote of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.
               (j) Meeting By Telephone. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in meetings of the Board, or of such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which

6


 

all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
               (k) Informal Action By Directors. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board, or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board, or of such committee.
               (l) Committees. The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more Directors as the Board may from time to time determine. Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, including the power to authorize the seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Formation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the Shareholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s property or assets, recommending to the Shareholders a dissolution of the Company or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending this Agreement; and unless the resolution shall expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of Common Shares. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each such committee shall have such name as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
               (m) Compensation. No Director shall receive any stated salary for his services as a director, or as a member of a committee but shall receive such sum, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board for attendance at each meeting of the Board or of a committee. He may also be reimbursed for his expenses in attending any meeting. However, any Director who serves the Company in any capacity other than as a member of the Board or of a committee may receive compensation therefor.
               (n) Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Company shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, as from time to time in effect, the Directors and Officers of the Company.
               (o) Limitation of Liability. The debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Officer or Director shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being an Officer or Director of the Company.

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               (p) Actions Requiring Shareholder Approval. The Board may not take any of the following actions without the approval of the Shareholders in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof:
          (i) any act in contravention of this Agreement;
          (ii) cause or permit the Company to merge or consolidate with or into any corporation, business trust or association, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership (whether general or limited), common law trust, unincorporated business or other entity;
          (iii) change the Company’s name or amend or restate the Company’s Certificate of Formation or this Agreement;
          (iv) cause or permit the issuance of any equity securities of the Company other than Common Shares in accordance with Section 5.1(a) hereof;
          (v) possess any property owned by the Company, or assign rights in any Company property, for other than a Company purpose, or
          (vi) cause or permit the Company to distribute, sell or otherwise dispose of substantially all of the property of the Company.
          4.3 Meetings of Shareholders.
               (a) Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of Shareholders to elect Directors and transact such other business as may properly be presented to the meeting shall be held at such place as the Board may determine, at 3:00 p.m. on the third Monday of March in each year or, if that day shall be a legal holiday in the jurisdiction in which the meeting is to be held, then on the next day not a legal holiday.
               (b) Special Meetings. A special meeting of Shareholders may be called at any time by the Board or by the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters, appropriate for the action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by holders of record of a majority of the Common Shares that would be entitled to be voted on such matter or matters if the meeting were held on the day such request is received and the record date for such meeting were the close of business on the preceding day. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting and as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting.
               (c) Notice of Meeting. For each meeting of Shareholders, written notice stating the place, date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given personally or by mail,

8


 

not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date fixed for the meeting, by or at the direction of the body or person calling the meeting to each Shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
               (d) Quorum. A majority of the issued and outstanding Common Shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Shareholders.
               (e) Vote. The affirmative vote of the majority of the Common Shares represented at a meeting at which a quorum is present and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the Shareholders.
               (f) Chairman and Secretary at Meetings. Each meeting of the Shareholders shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no such person is designated, then a person designated by the Board, and if no such designated person is present, the Shareholders at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may elect a presiding officer from among the persons present. The Secretary, or in his absence a person designated by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
               (g) Informal Action by Shareholders. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of Shareholders or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by Shareholders having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take such action at a meeting at which Shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as if such action had been taken at a meeting of Shareholders. Notice of the taking of such action shall be given promptly to each Shareholder that would have been entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of Shareholders and that did not consent thereto in writing.
               (h) Fixing of Record Date. In order that the Company may determine the Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Shareholders or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or for the purpose of any other action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (l0) days before the date of such meeting or action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining 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 the notice is given; or if the notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend shall be at the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Board declaring such dividend is adopted; and the record date for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

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          4.4 Officers. (a) In General. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board, the Officers shall have the titles, powers, authority and duties described below in this Section 4.4.
          (b) Election. The Officers of the Company shall be a Chairman, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer and a Controller, each of whom shall be elected by the Board. The Board may elect one or more other Officers as it may from time to time determine. The Chairman and the President shall be elected from among the Directors. Any one or more offices may be held by the same person.
          (c) Term of Office. Each Officer shall hold office from the time of such Officer’s election and qualification to the time at which such Officer’s successor is elected and qualified, unless such Officer shall die or resign or shall be removed pursuant to Section 4.4(e).
          (d) Resignation. Any Officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Company. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board or one of the above-named Officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
          (e) Removal. Any Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the whole Board.
          (f) Vacancies. A vacancy however caused in any office of the Company may be filled by the Board.
          (g) Compensation. The compensation of all Officers elected by the Board and all other agents and employees shall be fixed by or in the manner determined by the Board.
          (h) Chairman. The Chairman shall perform such duties and have such responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
          (i) President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall have general charge of the business and affairs of the Company, subject however to the control of the Board. The President shall, if present, preside at all meetings of Shareholders and of the Board and shall perform such other duties and have such responsibilities as the Board may from time to time determine,
          (j) Vice Presidents. Vice Presidents shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to the office of Vice President and as the Board or the President may from time to time prescribe. At the request of the President, or in his absence or disability, any Vice President elected by the Board and designated by the President in writing filed with the records of the Secretary shall perform the duties of the

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President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President.
          (k) Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of Shareholders and of the Board. The Secretary shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Secretary, and those that may otherwise from time to time be assigned to the Secretary, subject to the direction of the Board.
          (l) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Company and shall have care of all funds and securities of the Company and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Treasurer, subject to the direction of the Board. The Board may delegate to the Treasurer the power to designate a bank or banks as depositories for the funds of the Company and to designate signatories for the Company’s bank accounts, including authorization of the use of facsimile signatures, and to change such signatories from time to time, and the Board may authorize the Treasurer to delegate any of the Treasurer’s powers to any other Officer or agent of the Company.
          (m) Controller. The Controller shall exercise the powers and perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board.
          (n) Other Officers. The Board may designate any other officers of the Company, including one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers, who shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to their offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
          (o) Powers of Attorney. The Company may grant powers of attorney or other authority as appropriate to establish and evidence the authority of the Officers and other persons.
          4.5 Duties of Officers and Directors. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the duties and obligations owed to the Company and to the Shareholders by the Officers of the Company and by members of the Board, and any such duties that may be owed by any Shareholder or by any affiliate of any Shareholder, shall be the same as the respective duties and obligations owed to a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law by its officers and directors and any such duties that may be owed to such corporation by any similarly situated Shareholder or affiliate thereof, respectively.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS
          5.1 Capital Contributions. (a) Pursuant to the Certificate of Conversion, which was effective at 1:58 p.m., on August 2, 2005 and whereby ACCO Brands was converted into the Company in accordance with Section 18-214 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware and Section 266 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, all of the outstanding shares of common stock

11


 

of ACCO Brands (all of which were owned beneficially and of record by the Initial Shareholder) were converted into 1,000 Common Shares representing all of the outstanding membership interest in the Company. Such conversion of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of ACCO Brands into 1,000 Common Shares shall be deemed to be the capital contribution of the Initial Shareholder.
          (b) The amount of money and fair market value (as of the date of contribution) of any property (other than money) contributed to the Company by a Shareholder (including for this purpose the deemed contribution by the Initial Shareholder resulting from the conversion of its ownership interest in all of the outstanding shares of common stock of ACCO Brands into 1,000 Common Shares) in respect of the issuance of Common Shares to such Shareholder shall constitute a “Capital Contribution” of such Shareholder. Any reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Shareholder shall include a Capital Contribution of such Shareholder’s predecessors in interest.
          (c) No Shareholder shall be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Company and, without the vote or written consent of all Shareholders, no Shareholder shall make any additional Capital Contribution to the Company.
          5.2 Capital Accounts. Each Shareholder’s capital account shall be maintained on the books of the Company and the balance of each Shareholder’s capital account shall be equal to such Shareholder’s initial Capital Contribution pursuant to Section 5.1(a) above, and shall be (a) increased by (i) the aggregate amount of such Shareholder’s additional Capital Contributions to the Company, and (ii) items of income and gain allocated to such Shareholder, and (b) shall be decreased by (i) distributions to such Shareholder from the Company, and (ii) items of loss or deduction allocated to such Shareholder.
          5.3 No Withdrawal of Capital. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Shareholder shall demand or receive a return of its Capital Contributions. Under circumstances requiring a return of any Capital Contributions, no Shareholder shall have the right to receive property other than cash except as may be specifically provided in this Agreement.
          5.4 No Interest on Capital. No Shareholder shall receive any interest or draw with respect to its Capital Contributions or its capital account, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
          5.5 Allocations. All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit shall be allocated to the Shareholders in accordance with their Percentage Interests.
          5.6 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall comply with any withholding requirements under any law and shall remit amounts withheld to and file required forms with applicable taxing authorities. To the extent that the Company is required to withhold and pay over any

12


 

amounts to any taxing authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Shareholder, the amount withheld shall be treated as a distribution of cash to such Shareholder in the amount of such withholding. In the event of any claimed over-withholding, Shareholders shall be limited to an action against the applicable taxing authority. If an amount required to be withheld was not withheld from an actual distribution, the Company may reduce subsequent distributions by the amount of such required withholding. Each Shareholder agrees to furnish the Company such forms or other documentation as are necessary to assist the Company in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations.
ARTICLE VI
TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS
          6.1 Restriction on Transfers. No Shareholder may sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer or encumber (collectively “transfer”) all or any part of its Common Shares or other interest in the Company, and no transferee of all or any part of the interest of a Shareholder shall be admitted as a substituted Shareholder, without, in either event, having obtained the prior written consent of all other Shareholders, except that the Initial Shareholder may transfer, and no such consent shall be required in connection with the transfer by the Initial Shareholder of, all of the Common Shares to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Initial Shareholder, or by any such subsidiary of the Initial Shareholder to another direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Initial Shareholder. Any purported transfer in violation of this Article VI shall be null and void and shall not be recognized by the Company.
ARTICLE VII
BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND FISCAL YEAR
          7.1 Books of Account. The Company shall keep all records necessary or convenient to record the Company’s business and affairs and sufficient to record the determination and allocation of all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit and distributions and other amounts as may be provided for herein.
          7.2 Access to Books. The books and records of the Company shall be available to each Shareholder or its representatives for inspection and audit upon reasonable notice during normal business hours at the principal office of the Company. The Company shall cause its auditors to cooperate in such inspection and audit and to provide any of their work papers requested in connection therewith.
          7.3 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall start on January 1 in each year.

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ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION
          8.1 Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first to occur of any of the following:
                 (a) the affirmative vote or unanimous written consent of the Shareholders; and
                 (b) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act.
          8.2 Liquidation and Termination. On dissolution of the Company, the Shareholders shall appoint one or more liquidators of the Company. The liquidators shall forthwith commence the winding up of the Company’s business and the liquidation of its property. All proceeds from the sale or disposition of the property of the Company shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be applied as follows:
                 (a) all of the Company’s debts and liabilities shall be paid and discharged in the order of priority provided by law; and
                 (b) the balance shall be distributed to the Shareholders in accordance with their Percentage Interests.
The liquidator(s) may make distributions of the Company’s assets in kind. The choice of which, if any, Company assets are to be distributed in kind shall be within the sole discretion of the liquidator(s) and shall be binding upon all Shareholders. Unless otherwise agreed by the Shareholders, distributions of property in kind shall be shared by all the Shareholders in accordance with their Percentage Interests. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as a Company expense.
          8.3 Cancellation of Filings. Upon completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided in Section 8.2 hereof, the Company is terminated, and the Board shall cause to be filed a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
          9.1 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of all Shareholders.
          9.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of

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Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
          9.3 Tax Matters. It is the intention of the Shareholders that the Company shall not be taxed as a corporation for federal, state and local income tax purposes, but instead shall be taxed as a partnership (if it has more than one Shareholder) or as a non-entity (if it has only one Shareholder) for federal, state and local income tax purposes. The Shareholders agree to take all reasonable actions, including the amendment of this Agreement and the execution of other documents, as may reasonably be required in order for the Company to qualify for and receive such treatment for federal, state and local income tax purposes.
          9.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required by this Agreement, or is otherwise provided by law, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice, whether before or after the time required for such notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when a person attends a meeting of Shareholders for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of Shareholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
          9.5 Severability. Except as otherwise provided in the succeeding sentence, every provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable, and, if any term or provision of this Agreement is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity or legality of the remainder of this Agreement. The preceding sentence of this Section shall be of no force or effect if the consequence of enforcing the remainder of this Agreement without such illegal or invalid term or provision would be to cause any Shareholder to lose the benefit of its economic bargain.
          9.6 No Set-Off. To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be entitled to offset against any payments required to be made by it hereunder any claims which it may have against any Shareholder, and hereby waives any set-off rights which it may have in respect of any such Shareholder.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of August 4, 2005.
         
    ACCO WORLD CORPORATION
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Neal V. Fenwick
 
       
    Name: Neal V. Fenwick
    Title: Executive Vice President-Finance and Administration

15

EX-3.7 6 c98562exv3w7.htm CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC exv3w7
 

Exhibit 3.7
CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION
OF
ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC
     This Certificate of Formation is being executed for the purpose of forming a limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. Code § 18-101 et. seq.).
     FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC.
     SECOND: The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400 in the City of Wilmington, DE 19808. The name of its Registered Agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
     IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation this 1st day of July, 2005.
         
    ACCO WORLD CORPORATION
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Lauren S. Tashma
 
       
 
      Lauren S. Tashma, Assistant Secretary

EX-3.8 7 c98562exv3w8.htm LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC exv3w8
 

Exhibit 3.8
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC

 


 

July 29, 2005
Table of Contents
             
        Page
 
  ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS        
 
           
Section 1.1
  Definitions     1  
 
           
  ARTICLE II GENERAL PROVISIONS        
 
           
Section 2.1
  Formation     2  
Section 2.2
  Company Name     3  
Section 2.3
  Registered Office; Registered Agent     3  
Section 2.4
  Place of Business     3  
Section 2.5
  Purpose; Nature of Business Permitted; Powers     3  
Section 2.6
  Transactions of a Member with the Company     4  
Section 2.7
  Company Property     3  
Section 2.8
  Term     4  
Section 2.9
  No Liability of Members     4  
Section 2.10
  Fiscal Year     4  
Section 2.11
  No State Law Partnership     4  
Section 2.12
  Tax Treatment     4  
 
           
  ARTICLE III MEMBERS        
 
           
Section 3.1
  Members     4  
Section 3.2
  Actions by the Members; Meetings; Quorum     5  
Section 3.3
  Power to Bind the Company     5  
 
           
  ARTICLE IV MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY        
 
           
Section 4.1
  Board of Directors     5  
Section 4.2
  Officers     7  
Section 4.3
  Duties of Board and Officers     9  
 
           
  ARTICLE V CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND CONTRIBUTIONS        
 
           
Section 5.1
  Capital Structure     9  
Section 5.2
  Shares, Nature of Property     9  
Section 5.3
  Capital Contributions     9  
Section 5.4
  No Withdrawal Of Capital Contributions     9  
Section 5.5
  Maintenance of Capital Accounts     9  
 
           
  ARTICLE VI PROFITS, LOSSES AND DISTRIBUTIONS        
 
           
Section 6.1
  Allocations of Profits and Losses from Operations     10  
Section 6.2
  No Right to Distributions     10  
Section 6.3
  Distributions     10  

 


 

             
Section 6.4
  Withholding     11  
 
           
  ARTICLE VII BOOKS AND REPORTS        
 
           
Section 7.1
  Books and Records; Accounting     11  
Section 7.2
  Form K-l     11  
Section 7.3
  Tax Matters Partner     11  
 
           
  ARTICLE VIII EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION        
 
           
Section 8.1
  Exculpation     12  
Section 8.2
  Indemnification     12  
Section 8.3
  Survival     13  
Section 8.4
  Amendments     13  
 
           
  ARTICLE IX TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS AND ADMISSION OF MEMBER        
 
           
Section 9.1
  Restriction on Transfers     13  
Section 9.2
  Admission of Additional Members     13  
 
           
  ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION        
 
           
Section 10.1
  Dissolution     14  
Section 10.2
  Liquidation     14  
 
           
  ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS        
 
           
Section 11.1
  Benefits of Agreement; No Third-Party Rights     14  
Section 11.2
  Amendments     15  
Section 11.3
  Entire Agreement     15  
Section 11.4
  Counterparts     15  
Section 11.5
  Governing Law; Severability     15  
Section 11.6
  Headings; Construction     15  
Section 11.7
  Additional Documents     15  
Section 11.8
  Notices     15  
Section 11.9
  Waiver of Partition     16  
Section 11.10
  Interpretation     16  
 
           
  Schedules        
 
           
Schedule A — Members
           
Schedule B — Initial Directors
         
Schedule C — Initial Officers
           

 


 

     LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT dated as of July 29, 2005 (this “Agreement”), of ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), by and between the Company, ACCO Brands International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ACCO International”), and each Person (as hereinafter defined) subsequently admitted as a member of the Company (individually, a “Member” and, collectively, the “Members”).
RECITAL
     WHEREAS, ACCO International has formed the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del.C. Section 18-101 et. seq.), as amended from time to time (the “Act”), and desires to enter into a written agreement pursuant to the Act governing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
     Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act.
     “Act” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Board” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
     “Capital Contribution” shall mean any contribution of cash or property to the Company or the obligation to contribute cash or property to the Company made by or on behalf of a Member.
     “Certificate of Formation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
     “Claims” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).
     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).
     “Common Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

 


 

     “Common Interest Percentage” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
     “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Covered Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.
     “Director” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
     “Event of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
     “Fiscal Year” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.
     “Majority of Members” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c).
     “Member” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Officers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(d).
     “Person” shall mean an individual, trust, estate, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or any other incorporated or unincorporated entity permitted to be a member of a limited liability company under the Act.
     “President” shall mean the Officer described, and having the powers and duties, set forth in Section 4.2(b).
     “Regulations” shall mean, except where the context indicates otherwise, the permanent and temporary regulations of the Department of the Treasury promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be lawfully changed from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
     “Tax Matters Partner” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
     “Transfer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
ARTICLE II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
     Section 2.1 Formation. ACCO International has formed the Company as a limited liability company pursuant to the Act. A Certificate of

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Formation described in Section 18-201 of the Act (the “Certificate of Formation”) has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the Act. The Company and, if required, each of the Members shall execute or cause to be executed from time to time all other instruments, certificates, notices and documents and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things (including keeping books and records and making publications or periodic filings) as may now or hereafter be required for the formation, valid existence and, when appropriate, termination of the Company as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware.
     Section 2.2 Company Name. The name of the Company is “ ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC” or such other name or names as may be selected by the Members from time to time, and its business shall be carried on in such name with such variations and changes as the Board deems necessary to comply with requirements of the jurisdictions in which the Company’s operations are conducted.
     Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent. The Company shall maintain a registered office in the State of Delaware at, and the name and address of the Company’s registered agent in the State of Delaware is, the Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. The Board may, from time to time, change the Company’s registered office and/or registered agent and shall forthwith amend the Certificate of Formation to reflect such change(s).
     Section 2.4 Place of Business. The principal business address of the Company shall be located at 300 Tower Parkway, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069, or such other location as shall be determined by the Board. The Company may from time to time have such other place or places of business within or without the State of Delaware as the Board may deem advisable.
     Section 2.5 Purpose; Nature of Business Permitted; Powers. The Company is formed for the purpose of engaging in any business or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act. The Company shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges granted by the Act or by any other law or by this Agreement, together with any powers incidental thereto, insofar as such powers and privileges are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business purposes or activities of the Company.
     Section 2.6 Transactions of a Member with the Company. In accordance with Section 18-107 of the Act, a Member or Director may lend money to, borrow money from, act as surety, guarantor or endorser for, guarantee or assume one or more obligations of, provide collateral for, and transact other business with, the Company and, subject to applicable law, shall have the same rights and obligations with respect to any such matter as a Person who is not a Member of Director.

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     Section 2.7 Company Property. No real or other property of the Company shall be deemed to be owned by any Member individually, but shall be owned by and title shall be vested solely in the Company. The Common Interests of the Members in the Company shall constitute personal property.
     Section 2.8 Term. The existence of the Company shall commence on the date of the filing of the Certificate of Formation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act, and, subject to the provisions of Article X hereof, the Company shall have a perpetual life.
     Section 2.9 No Liability of Members. All debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Members, Director or Officer shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member, Director or Officer.
     Section 2.10 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company (the “Fiscal Year”) for financial statement and federal income tax purposes shall be determined by the Board.
     Section 2.11 No State Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture and that no Member or Director be a partner or joint venture of any other Member or Director for any purposes other than applicable tax laws. This Agreement may not be construed to suggest otherwise.
     Section 2.12 Tax Treatment. In the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, the Company shall be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as well as for any analogous state or local tax purposes), and the Members and the Company shall timely make any and all necessary elections and filings for the Company to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as well as for any analogous state or local tax purposes).
ARTICLE III
MEMBERS
     Section 3.1 Members. The name, address and Common Interest Percentage of the Members are set forth on Schedule A hereto, which shall be amended from time to time to reflect the admission of new Members, Capital Contributions of Members or the Transfer of Common Interests of any Member.

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     Section 3.2 Actions by the Members; Meetings; Quorum
          (a) The Members may vote, approve a matter or take any action by the vote of the Members at a meeting, in person or by proxy, or without a meeting by written consent. Each Member shall be entitled to vote upon all matters upon which Members have the right to vote ratably in proportion to its respective Common Interests in the Company as set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Common Interest Percentage”), as adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
          (b) Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting if Members holding Common Interests sufficient to approve the action pursuant to the terms of this Agreement consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Members. In no instance where action is authorized by written consent shall a meeting of Members be called or notice be given; however, a copy of the action taken by written consent shall be sent promptly to all Members and filed with the records of the Company.
          (c) Meetings of Members may be called by the Board upon at least one (1) days’ prior written notice of the time and place of such meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived by any Member before or after any meeting. Meetings of the Members may be conducted in person or by conference telephone facilities, and the presence in person or by proxy of Members owning more than 50.1% of the Common Interest Percentage (a “Majority of Members”) at the time of the action taken constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
          (d) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the affirmative vote of a Majority of Members constitutes approval of any action.
     Section 3.3 Power to Bind the Company. No Member (acting in its capacity as such) shall have any authority to bind the Company to any third party with respect to any matter except pursuant to a resolution expressly authorizing such action which resolution is duly adopted by the Board by the affirmative vote required for such matter pursuant to this Agreement or the Act.
ARTICLE IV
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY
     Section 4.1 Board of Directors.
          (a) General. Subject to such matters which are expressly reserved hereunder to the Members for decision, the business and

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affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board (the “Board”) of one or more Directors (each a “Director”), which shall be responsible for policy setting and approval of the overall direction of the Company. The Board shall initially be comprised of three (3) Directors with the exact number to be determined from time to time by the Board. Directors shall be elected by a Majority of the Members and shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified or until such Director’s earlier death, resignation, expulsion or removal. Directors need not be Members. The initial Directors designated by the Members shall be those individuals listed on Schedule B hereto.
          (b) Removal; Resignation. Any Director may be removed only by the affirmative vote of a Majority of Members, with or without cause. A Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board.
          (c) Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Board shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a Majority of Members. A Director chosen to fill a vacancy shall serve the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
          (d) Powers.
          (1) The Board shall have the power to do any and all acts necessary, convenient or incidental to or for the furtherance of the purposes described herein, including, without limitation, the authority to retain and terminate employees, agents and consultants of the Company and to delegate such duties to any such officers of the Company (“Officers”), employees, agents and consultants as the Board deems appropriate, including the power, acting individually or jointly, to represent and bind the Company in all matters, in accordance with the scope of their respective duties, and including, without limitation, all powers, statutory or otherwise. The Board has the authority to bind the Company.
          (2) None of the Directors (acting in their capacity as such) shall have authority to bind the Company to any third party with respect to any matter unless the Board shall have approved such matter and authorized such Directors(s) to bind the Company with respect thereto.
          (e) Meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, within or outside the State of Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President) on not less than one (1) day’s notice to each Director by telephone, facsimile, mail, telegram or any other means of communication, and special meetings shall be called by the

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President or Secretary in like manner and with like notice upon the written request of any one or more of the Directors. Notice of any Board meeting may be waived by any Director before or after such meeting.
          (f) Quorum; Acts of the Board. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and, except as otherwise provided in any other provision of this Agreement, the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. Each Director shall be entitled to one vote upon all matters submitted to the Board. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the Directors present at such meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.
          (g) Electronic Communications. Members of the Board may participate in meetings of the Board by means of telephone conference or similar communications equipment that allows all Persons participating in the meeting to hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. If all the participants are participating by telephone conference or similar communications equipment, the meeting shall be deemed to be held at the principal place of business of the Company.
          (h) Compensation of Directors; Expenses. The Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of Directors or determine that Directors shall serve without compensation. The Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at meetings of the Board, which may be a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as Director. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
     Section 4.2 Officers.
          (a) General. The initial Officers shall be designated by ACCO International. Any additional or successor Officers shall be chosen by the Board. The Officers shall consist of at least a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Any number of offices may be held by the same Person. The Board may appoint such other Officers and agents as it shall deem necessary or advisable who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. The salaries of all Officers and agents of the Company shall be fixed by or in the manner prescribed by the Board. The Officers shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified. Any Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. Any

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vacancy occurring in any office of the Company shall be filled by the Board. The initial Officers designated by the Members are listed on Schedule C hereto.
          (b) President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Company, shall preside at all meetings of the Board, shall be responsible for the general and active management of the business of the Company and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The President or any other Officer authorized by the President or the Board shall execute all bonds, mortgages and other contracts, except: (i) where required or permitted by law or this Agreement to be otherwise signed and executed; (ii) where signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other Officer or agent of the Company; and (iii) as otherwise permitted in this Section 4.2.
          (c) Vice President. In the absence of the President or in the event of the President’s inability to act, the Vice President, if any (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Directors, 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 of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents, if any, shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
          (d) Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for filing legal documents and maintaining records for the Company. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Company and of the Board in a book to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or shall cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Members, if any, and special meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the President, under whose supervision the Secretary shall serve.
          (e) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the Company funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and to the Board, at its regular meetings or when the Board so requires, an account of all of the Treasurer’s transactions and of the financial condition of the Company.
          (f) Officers as Agents. The Officers, to the extent of their powers set forth in this Agreement or otherwise vested in them by action of the Board not inconsistent with this Agreement, are agents of the Company for the purpose of the Company’s business and the actions of the Officers taken in accordance with such powers shall bind the Company.

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     Section 4.3 Duties of Board and Officers. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each Director and Officer shall have a fiduciary duty of loyalty and care similar to that of directors and officers of business corporations organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND CONTRIBUTIONS
     Section 5.1 Capital Structure. The capital structure of the Company shall consist of one class of common interests (“Common Interests”). Except as otherwise set forth herein, each of the Common Interests shall be identical.
     Section 5.2 Shares, Nature of Property. Each Shareholder’s respective Common Interest in the Company is personal property. A Shareholder has no interest in specific property of the Company. A Common Interest shall be evidenced by a certificate of limited liability company interest issued by the Company.
     Section 5.3 Capital Contributions. The Members are not required to make any Capital Contribution to the Company. However, a Member may make Capital Contributions to the Company at any time upon the consent of the Board.
     Section 5.4 No Withdrawal Of Capital Contributions. Except upon the dissolution and liquidation of the Company as set forth in Article X hereof, and except as otherwise allowed in this Agreement, no Member shall have the right to withdraw its capital contributions.
     Section 5.5 Maintenance of Capital Accounts.
          (a) In the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, the Company shall establish and maintain capital accounts for each Member in accordance with the following provisions:
          (1) to each Member’s capital account there shall be credited (x) such Member’s capital contributions, (y) such Member’s distributive share of net profits (determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code) and (z) the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member or which are secured by any property distributed by such Member; and

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          (2) to each Member’s capital account there shall be debited (x) the amount of money and the fair market value of any property distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, (y) such Member’s distributive share of net losses (determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code) and (z) the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or which are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company.
          (b) This Section and other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of capital accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding that a particular adjustment is not set forth in this Section, the capital accounts of the Members shall be adjusted as required by, and in accordance with, the capital account maintenance rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).
ARTICLE VI
PROFITS, LOSSES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
     Section 6.1 Allocations of Profits and Losses from Operations. Net profits and net losses shall be allocated among the Members ratably in proportion to their respective Common Interest Percentages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, no item of loss or deduction of the Company shall be allocated to a Member if such allocation would result in a negative balance in such Member’s capital account. Such loss or deduction shall be allocated first among the Members with positive balances in their capital accounts in proportion to (and to the extent of) such positive balances and thereafter to Members in accordance with their Common Interest Percentage as determined under Section 1.704-1(b)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.
     Section 6.2 No Right to Distributions. No Member shall have the right to demand or receive distributions of any amount, except as expressly provided in this Article VI.
     Section 6.3 Distributions. Subject only to the limitations of the Act the Board shall have the power to declare distributions and distribute Company property, whether in cash or in kind, to the Members. The Board shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, profits available for distribution to Members and the amount, if any, to be distributed to Members, and shall authorize and distribute to the Members pro rata in proportion to their respective Common Interest Percentages, the determined amount when, as and if declared by the Board.

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     Section 6.4 Withholding. The Company is authorized to withhold from distributions to a Member, or with respect to allocations to a Member, and to pay over to a federal, foreign, state or local government, any amounts required to be withheld pursuant to the Code, or any provisions of any other federal, foreign, state or local law. Any amounts so withheld shall be treated as having been distributed to such Member pursuant to this Article VI for all purposes of this Agreement, and shall be offset against the current or next amounts otherwise distributable to such Member.
ARTICLE VII
BOOKS AND REPORTS
     Section 7.1 Books and Records; Accounting. The Company shall keep or cause to be kept at the office of the Company (or at such other place as the Board in its discretion shall determine) full and accurate books and records regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Company.
     Section 7.2 Form K-l. After the end of each Fiscal Year during which there are two or more Members of the Company, the Board shall cause to be prepared and transmitted, as promptly as possible, and in any event within 90 days of the close of the Fiscal Year, a Federal income tax Form K-1 and any required similar state income tax form for each Member.
     Section 7.3 Tax Matters Partner. In the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, ACCO International shall be the Company’s “Tax Matters Partner” under Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code, and shall have all the powers and responsibilities of such position as provided in the Code. The Tax Matters Partner is specifically directed and authorized to take whatever steps are necessary or desirable to perfect such designation, including filing any forms or documents with the Internal Revenue Service and taking such other action as may from time to time be required under the Regulations issued under the Code. The Tax Matters Partner shall cause to be prepared and shall sign all tax returns of the Company, make any tax elections for the Company allowed under the Code or the tax laws of any state or other jurisdiction having taxing jurisdiction over the Company and monitor any governmental tax authority in any audit that such authority may conduct of the Company’s books and records or other documents.

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ARTICLE VIII
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
     Section 8.1 Exculpation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, whether expressed or implied, or any obligation or duty at law or in equity, no Member, Director or any officers, directors, stockholders, partners, employees, affiliates, representatives, consultants or agents of any of the foregoing, and no Officer, employee, representative, consultant or agent of the Company (individually, a “Covered Person” and, collectively, the “Covered Persons”) shall be liable to the Company or any other Person for any act or omission (in relation to the Company, its property or the conduct of its business or affairs, this Agreement, any related document or any transaction or investment contemplated hereby or thereby) taken or omitted by a Covered Person in the reasonable belief that such act or omission is in or is not contrary to the best interests of the Company and is within the scope of the authority conferred on such Covered Person by this Agreement, except that a Covered Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Covered Person’s fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
     Section 8.2 Indemnification
          (a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (collectively, “Claims”), in which the Covered Person may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its management of the affairs of the Company or which relates to or arises out of the Company or its property, business or affairs. A Covered Person shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.2 with respect to (i) any Claim with respect to which such Covered Person has engaged in fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, or (ii) any Claim initiated by such Covered Person unless such Claim (or part thereof) (A) was brought to enforce such Covered Person’s rights to indemnification hereunder or (B) was authorized or consented to by the Board; provided, however, that any indemnity under this Section 8.2 by the Company shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and a Member shall not have personal liability on account thereof.
          (b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees) incurred by a Covered Person defending any Claim shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such Claim upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 8.2.

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          (c) A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters the Covered Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to the Member might properly be paid.
          (d) To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Covered Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company or to any other Covered Person, a Covered Person acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the Company or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement or any approval or authorization granted by the Company or any other Covered Person. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Member to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person.
     Section 8.3 Survival. The foregoing provisions of this Article VIII shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
     Section 8.4 Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Article VIII by the Member shall not adversely affect any rights of such Covered Person pursuant to this Article VIII, including the right to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a Covered Person existing at the time of such repeal or modification, with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS AND ADMISSION OF MEMBER
     Section 9.1 Restriction on Transfers Any member shall have the right to sell, convey, assign, transfer, pledge, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of (each a “Transfer”) all or any part of its Common Interests without prior written consent of the Board or of any other Member.
     Section 9.2 Admission of Additional Members. Except for the admission of Members pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1, one or more additional Members of the Company may be admitted to the Company only (i) upon the prior written consent of the Board and (ii) only if such additional Member has executed an appropriate supplement to this Agreement agreeing to be bound by its terms as such terms may be modified by such supplement.

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ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION
     Section 10.1 Dissolution
          (a) The Company shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of either of the following events (an “Event of Termination”):
          (1) a determination by a Majority of the Members to dissolve the Company; or
          (2) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act.
          (b) No other event, including the retirement, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, insanity, expulsion, bankruptcy, death, incapacity or adjudication of incompetency of a Member, shall cause the Company to be dissolved.
     Section 10.2 Liquidation
          (a) In the event that an Event of Termination shall occur, then the Company shall be liquidated and its affairs shall be wound up. All proceeds from such liquidation shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 18-804 of the Act, and all interests in the Company shall be cancelled. Distributions to the Members shall be made in accordance with each Member’s Common Interest Percentage.
          (b) Upon the completion of the distribution of the Company’s assets, the Company shall be terminated and the Members shall cause the Company to execute and file a Certificate of Cancellation in accordance with Section 18-203 of the Act.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
     Section 11.1 Benefits of Agreement; No Third-Party Rights. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or by any creditor of the Members. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create any right in any Person (other than Covered Persons) not a party hereto, and this Agreement shall not be construed in any respect to be a contract in whole or in part for the benefit of any third Person.

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     Section 11.2 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified, altered, supplemented or amended except pursuant to a written agreement executed and delivered by the Member. An amendment shall become effective as of the date specified in the written agreement of the Member or if none is specified as of the date of such approval or as otherwise provided in the Act.
     Section 11.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
     Section 11.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts with the same effect as if the parties executing the several counterparts had all executed one counterpart.
     Section 11.5 Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. In particular, this Agreement shall be construed to the maximum extent possible to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Act. If it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provisions or wording of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable under the Act or other applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. In that case, this Agreement shall be construed so as to limit any term or provision so as to make it enforceable or valid within the requirements of applicable law, and, in the event such term or provisions cannot be so limited, this Agreement shall be construed to omit such invalid or unenforceable terms or provisions. If it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provision relating to the distributions and allocations of the Company or to any expenses payable by the Company is invalid or unenforceable, this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted so as (a) to make it enforceable or valid and (b) to make the distributions and allocations as closely equivalent to those set forth in this Agreement as is permissible under applicable law.
     Section 11.6 Headings; Construction The headings and captions contained herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. All references to “Article”, “Articles”, “Section” or “Sections” refer to the corresponding Article, Articles, Section or Sections of this Agreement unless specifically noted otherwise.
     Section 11.7 Additional Documents Each Member agrees to perform all further acts and execute, acknowledge and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
     Section 11.8 Notices All notices, requests and other communications to the Company or any Member shall be in writing (including telecopier or similar writing) and shall be given to in the case of the Company at

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its address in Section 2.4, and in the case of a Member (and any other Person designated by such Member) at its address or telecopier number set forth in Schedule A hereto or such other address or telecopier number as such Member may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by telecopier, when transmitted to the number specified pursuant to this Section 11.8 and the appropriate confirmation is received, (b) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is received by the other party, or (c) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified pursuant to this Section 11.8.
     Section 11.9 Waiver of Partition Each of the Members hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights that such Member may have to maintain any action for partition of any of the Company’s property.
     Section 11.10 Interpretation Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or the plural shall include the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in either the masculine, the feminine, or the neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
         
  ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  ACCO Brands International, Inc.
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title   

 


 

         
SCHEDULE A
MEMBERS
         
Name and Address   Common Interest
of Members   Percentage
ACCO Brands International, Inc.
       
Attn:
       
300 Tower Parkway
       
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
    100 %

A-1


 

SCHEDULE B
INITIAL DIRECTORS:

B-1


 

SCHEDULE C
     
INITIAL OFFICERS   TITLE
 
  President
  Vice President
  Treasurer
  Secretary

C-1

EX-3.9 8 c98562exv3w9.htm CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LLC exv3w9
 

Exhibit 3.9
CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION
OF
ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LLC
     This Certificate of Formation is being executed for the purpose of forming a limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. Code §18-101 et. seq.).
     FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC.
     SECOND: The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400 in the City of Wilmington, DE 19808. The name of its Registered Agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
     IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation this 1st day of July, 2005.
         
    ACCO WORLD CORPORATION
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Lauren S. Tashma
 
       
 
      Lauren S. Tashma, Assistant Secretary

EX-3.10 9 c98562exv3w10.htm LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LLC exv3w10
 

Exhibit 3.10
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LLC
July 29, 2005


 

Table of Contents
             
        Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
 
           
Section 1.1
  Definitions     1  
 
           
ARTICLE II GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
           
Section 2.1
  Formation     2  
Section 2.2
  Company Name     3  
Section 2.3
  Registered Office; Registered Agent     3  
Section 2.4
  Place of Business     3  
Section 2.5
  Purpose; Nature of Business Permitted; Powers     3  
Section 2.6
  Transactions of a Member with the Company     3  
Section 2.7
  Company Property     4  
Section 2.8
  Term     4  
Section 2.9
  No Liability of Members     4  
Section 2.10
  Fiscal Year     4  
Section 2.11
  No State Law Partnership     4  
Section 2.12
  Tax Treatment     4  
 
           
ARTICLE III MEMBERS
 
           
Section 3.1
  Members     4  
Section 3.2
  Actions by the Members; Meetings; Quorum     5  
Section 3.3
  Power to Bind the Company     5  
 
           
ARTICLE IV MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY
 
           
Section 4.1
  Board of Directors     5  
Section 4.2
  Officers     7  
Section 4.3
  Duties of Board and Officers     9  
 
           
ARTICLE V CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND CONTRIBUTIONS
 
           
Section 5.1
  Capital Structure     9  
Section 5.2
  Shares, Nature of Property     9  
Section 5.3
  Capital Contributions     9  
Section 5.4
  No Withdrawal Of Capital Contributions     9  
Section 5.5
  Maintenance of Capital Accounts     9  
 
           
ARTICLE VI PROFITS, LOSSES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
           
Section 6.1
  Allocations of Profits and Losses from Operations     10  
Section 6.2
  No Right to Distributions     10  
Section 6.3
  Distributions     10  


 

             
Section 6.4
  Withholding     11  
 
           
ARTICLE VII BOOKS AND REPORTS
 
           
Section 7.1
  Books and Records; Accounting     11  
Section 7.2
  Form K-l     11  
Section 7.3
  Tax Matters Partner     11  
 
           
ARTICLE VIII EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
           
Section 8.1
  Exculpation     12  
Section 8.2
  Indemnification     12  
Section 8.3
  Survival     13  
Section 8.4
  Amendments     13  
 
           
ARTICLE IX TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS AND ADMISSION OF MEMBER
 
           
Section 9.1
  Restriction on Transfers     13  
Section 9.2
  Admission of Additional Members     13  
 
           
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION
 
           
Section 10.1
  Dissolution     14  
Section 10.2
  Liquidation     14  
 
           
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS
 
           
Section 11.1
  Benefits of Agreement; No Third-Party Rights     14  
Section 11.2
  Amendments     15  
Section 11.3
  Entire Agreement     15  
Section 11.4
  Counterparts     15  
Section 11.5
  Governing Law; Severability     15  
Section 11.6
  Headings; Construction     15  
Section 11.7
  Additional Documents     15  
Section 11.8
  Notices     15  
Section 11.9
  Waiver of Partition     16  
Section 11.10
  Interpretation     16  
 
           
Schedules
 
           
Schedule A – Members
Schedule B – Initial Directors
Schedule C – Initial Officers

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     LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT dated as of July 29, 2005 (this “Agreement”), of ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), by and between the Company, ACCO Brands International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ACCO International”), and each Person (as hereinafter defined) subsequently admitted as a member of the Company (individually, a “Member” and, collectively, the “Members”).
RECITAL
     WHEREAS, ACCO International has formed the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del.C. Section 18-101 et. seq.), as amended from time to time (the “Act”), and desires to enter into a written agreement pursuant to the Act governing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
     Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act.
     “Act” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Board” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
     “Capital Contribution” shall mean any contribution of cash or property to the Company or the obligation to contribute cash or property to the Company made by or on behalf of a Member.
     “Certificate of Formation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
     “Claims” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).
     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).
     “Common Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

 


 

     “Common Interest Percentage” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
     “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Covered Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.
     “Director” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
     “Event of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
     “Fiscal Year” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.
     “Majority of Members” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c).
     “Member” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Officers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(d).
     “Person” shall mean an individual, trust, estate, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or any other incorporated or unincorporated entity permitted to be a member of a limited liability company under the Act.
     “President” shall mean the Officer described, and having the powers and duties, set forth in Section 4.2(b).
     “Regulations” shall mean, except where the context indicates otherwise, the permanent and temporary regulations of the Department of the Treasury promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be lawfully changed from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
     “Tax Matters Partner” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
     “Transfer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
ARTICLE II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
     Section 2.1 Formation. ACCO International has formed the Company as a limited liability company pursuant to the Act. A Certificate of

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Formation described in Section 18-201 of the Act (the “Certificate of Formation”) has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the Act. The Company and, if required, each of the Members shall execute or cause to be executed from time to time all other instruments, certificates, notices and documents and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things (including keeping books and records and making publications or periodic filings) as may now or hereafter be required for the formation, valid existence and, when appropriate, termination of the Company as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware.
     Section 2.2 Company Name. The name of the Company is “ ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC” or such other name or names as may be selected by the Members from time to time, and its business shall be carried on in such name with such variations and changes as the Board deems necessary to comply with requirements of the jurisdictions in which the Company’s operations are conducted.
     Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent. The Company shall maintain a registered office in the State of Delaware at, and the name and address of the Company’s registered agent in the State of Delaware is, the Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. The Board may, from time to time, change the Company’s registered office and/or registered agent and shall forthwith amend the Certificate of Formation to reflect such change(s).
     Section 2.4 Place of Business. The principal business address of the Company shall be located at 300 Tower Parkway, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069, or such other location as shall be determined by the Board. The Company may from time to time have such other place or places of business within or without the State of Delaware as the Board may deem advisable.
     Section 2.5 Purpose; Nature of Business Permitted; Powers. The Company is formed for the purpose of engaging in any business or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act. The Company shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges granted by the Act or by any other law or by this Agreement, together with any powers incidental thereto, insofar as such powers and privileges are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business purposes or activities of the Company.
     Section 2.6 Transactions of a Member with the Company. In accordance with Section 18-107 of the Act, a Member or Director may lend money to, borrow money from, act as surety, guarantor or endorser for, guarantee or assume one or more obligations of, provide collateral for, and transact other business with, the Company and, subject to applicable law, shall have the same rights and obligations with respect to any such matter as a Person who is not a Member of Director.

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     Section 2.7 Company Property. No real or other property of the Company shall be deemed to be owned by any Member individually, but shall be owned by and title shall be vested solely in the Company. The Common Interests of the Members in the Company shall constitute personal property.
     Section 2.8 Term. The existence of the Company shall commence on the date of the filing of the Certificate of Formation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act, and, subject to the provisions of Article X hereof, the Company shall have a perpetual life.
     Section 2.9 No Liability of Members. All debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Members, Director or Officer shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member, Director or Officer.
     Section 2.10 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company (the “Fiscal Year”) for financial statement and federal income tax purposes shall be determined by the Board.
     Section 2.11 No State Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture and that no Member or Director be a partner or joint venture of any other Member or Director for any purposes other than applicable tax laws. This Agreement may not be construed to suggest otherwise.
     Section 2.12 Tax Treatment. In the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, the Company shall be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as well as for any analogous state or local tax purposes), and the Members and the Company shall timely make any and all necessary elections and filings for the Company to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as well as for any analogous state or local tax purposes).
ARTICLE III
MEMBERS
     Section 3.1 Members. The name, address and Common Interest Percentage of the Members are set forth on Schedule A hereto, which shall be amended from time to time to reflect the admission of new Members, Capital Contributions of Members or the Transfer of Common Interests of any Member.

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     Section 3.2 Actions by the Members; Meetings; Quorum
          (a) The Members may vote, approve a matter or take any action by the vote of the Members at a meeting, in person or by proxy, or without a meeting by written consent. Each Member shall be entitled to vote upon all matters upon which Members have the right to vote ratably in proportion to its respective Common Interests in the Company as set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Common Interest Percentage”), as adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
          (b) Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting if Members holding Common Interests sufficient to approve the action pursuant to the terms of this Agreement consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Members. In no instance where action is authorized by written consent shall a meeting of Members be called or notice be given; however, a copy of the action taken by written consent shall be sent promptly to all Members and filed with the records of the Company.
          (c) Meetings of Members may be called by the Board upon at least one (1) days’ prior written notice of the time and place of such meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived by any Member before or after any meeting. Meetings of the Members may be conducted in person or by conference telephone facilities, and the presence in person or by proxy of Members owning more than 50.1% of the Common Interest Percentage (a “Majority of Members”) at the time of the action taken constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
          (d) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the affirmative vote of a Majority of Members constitutes approval of any action.
     Section 3.3 Power to Bind the Company. No Member (acting in its capacity as such) shall have any authority to bind the Company to any third party with respect to any matter except pursuant to a resolution expressly authorizing such action which resolution is duly adopted by the Board by the affirmative vote required for such matter pursuant to this Agreement or the Act.
ARTICLE IV
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY
     Section 4.1 Board of Directors.
          (a) General. Subject to such matters which are expressly reserved hereunder to the Members for decision, the business and

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affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board (the “Board”) of one or more Directors (each a “Director”), which shall be responsible for policy setting and approval of the overall direction of the Company. The Board shall initially be comprised of three (3) Directors with the exact number to be determined from time to time by the Board. Directors shall be elected by a Majority of the Members and shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified or until such Director’s earlier death, resignation, expulsion or removal. Directors need not be Members. The initial Directors designated by the Members shall be those individuals listed on Schedule B hereto.
     (b) Removal; Resignation. Any Director may be removed only by the affirmative vote of a Majority of Members, with or without cause. A Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board.
     (c) Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Board shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a Majority of Members. A Director chosen to fill a vacancy shall serve the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
     (d) Powers.
          (1) The Board shall have the power to do any and all acts necessary, convenient or incidental to or for the furtherance of the purposes described herein, including, without limitation, the authority to retain and terminate employees, agents and consultants of the Company and to delegate such duties to any such officers of the Company (“Officers”), employees, agents and consultants as the Board deems appropriate, including the power, acting individually or jointly, to represent and bind the Company in all matters, in accordance with the scope of their respective duties, and including, without limitation, all powers, statutory or otherwise. The Board has the authority to bind the Company.
          (2) None of the Directors (acting in their capacity as such) shall have authority to bind the Company to any third party with respect to any matter unless the Board shall have approved such matter and authorized such Directors(s) to bind the Company with respect thereto.
          (e) Meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, within or outside the State of Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President) on not less than one (1) day’s notice to each Director by telephone, facsimile, mail, telegram or any other means of communication, and special meetings shall be called by the

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President or Secretary in like manner and with like notice upon the written request of any one or more of the Directors. Notice of any Board meeting may be waived by any Director before or after such meeting.
          (f) Quorum; Acts of the Board. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and, except as otherwise provided in any other provision of this Agreement, the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. Each Director shall be entitled to one vote upon all matters submitted to the Board. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the Directors present at such meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.
          (g) Electronic Communications. Members of the Board may participate in meetings of the Board by means of telephone conference or similar communications equipment that allows all Persons participating in the meeting to hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. If all the participants are participating by telephone conference or similar communications equipment, the meeting shall be deemed to be held at the principal place of business of the Company.
          (h) Compensation of Directors; Expenses. The Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of Directors or determine that Directors shall serve without compensation. The Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at meetings of the Board, which may be a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as Director. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
     Section 4.2 Officers.
          (a) General. The initial Officers shall be designated by ACCO International. Any additional or successor Officers shall be chosen by the Board. The Officers shall consist of at least a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Any number of offices may be held by the same Person. The Board may appoint such other Officers and agents as it shall deem necessary or advisable who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. The salaries of all Officers and agents of the Company shall be fixed by or in the manner prescribed by the Board. The Officers shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified. Any Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. Any

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vacancy occurring in any office of the Company shall be filled by the Board. The initial Officers designated by the Members are listed on Schedule C hereto.
          (b) President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Company, shall preside at all meetings of the Board, shall be responsible for the general and active management of the business of the Company and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The President or any other Officer authorized by the President or the Board shall execute all bonds, mortgages and other contracts, except: (i) where required or permitted by law or this Agreement to be otherwise signed and executed; (ii) where signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other Officer or agent of the Company; and (iii) as otherwise permitted in this Section 4.2.
          (c) Vice President. In the absence of the President or in the event of the President’s inability to act, the Vice President, if any (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Directors, 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 of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents, if any, shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
          (d) Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for filing legal documents and maintaining records for the Company. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Company and of the Board in a book to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or shall cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Members, if any, and special meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the President, under whose supervision the Secretary shall serve.
          (e) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the Company funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and to the Board, at its regular meetings or when the Board so requires, an account of all of the Treasurer’s transactions and of the financial condition of the Company.
          (f) Officers as Agents. The Officers, to the extent of their powers set forth in this Agreement or otherwise vested in them by action of the Board not inconsistent with this Agreement, are agents of the Company for the purpose of the Company’s business and the actions of the Officers taken in accordance with such powers shall bind the Company.

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     Section 4.3 Duties of Board and Officers. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each Director and Officer shall have a fiduciary duty of loyalty and care similar to that of directors and officers of business corporations organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND CONTRIBUTIONS
     Section 5.1 Capital Structure. The capital structure of the Company shall consist of one class of common interests (“Common Interests”). Except as otherwise set forth herein, each of the Common Interests shall be identical.
     Section 5.2 Shares, Nature of Property.
     Each Shareholder’s respective Common Interest in the Company is personal property. A Shareholder has no interest in specific property of the Company. A Common Interest shall be evidenced by a certificate of limited liability company interest issued by the Company.
     Section 5.3 Capital Contributions. The Members are not required to make any Capital Contribution to the Company. However, a Member may make Capital Contributions to the Company at any time upon the consent of the Board.
     Section 5.4 No Withdrawal Of Capital Contributions. Except upon the dissolution and liquidation of the Company as set forth in Article X hereof, and except as otherwise allowed in this Agreement, no Member shall have the right to withdraw its capital contributions.
     Section 5.5 Maintenance of Capital Accounts.
          (a) In the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, the Company shall establish and maintain capital accounts for each Member in accordance with the following provisions:
          (1) to each Member’s capital account there shall be credited (x) such Member’s capital contributions, (y) such Member’s distributive share of net profits (determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code) and (z) the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member or which are secured by any property distributed by such Member; and

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          (2) to each Member’s capital account there shall be debited (x) the amount of money and the fair market value of any property distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, (y) such Member’s distributive share of net losses (determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code) and (z) the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or which are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company.
          (b) This Section and other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of capital accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding that a particular adjustment is not set forth in this Section, the capital accounts of the Members shall be adjusted as required by, and in accordance with, the capital account maintenance rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).
ARTICLE VI
PROFITS, LOSSES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
     Section 6.1 Allocations of Profits and Losses from Operations. Net profits and net losses shall be allocated among the Members ratably in proportion to their respective Common Interest Percentages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, no item of loss or deduction of the Company shall be allocated to a Member if such allocation would result in a negative balance in such Member’s capital account. Such loss or deduction shall be allocated first among the Members with positive balances in their capital accounts in proportion to (and to the extent of) such positive balances and thereafter to Members in accordance with their Common Interest Percentage as determined under Section 1.704-1(b)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.
     Section 6.2 No Right to Distributions. No Member shall have the right to demand or receive distributions of any amount, except as expressly provided in this Article VI.
     Section 6.3 Distributions. Subject only to the limitations of the Act the Board shall have the power to declare distributions and distribute Company property, whether in cash or in kind, to the Members. The Board shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, profits available for distribution to Members and the amount, if any, to be distributed to Members, and shall authorize and distribute to the Members pro rata in proportion to their respective Common Interest Percentages, the determined amount when, as and if declared by the Board.

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     Section 6.4 Withholding. The Company is authorized to withhold from distributions to a Member, or with respect to allocations to a Member, and to pay over to a federal, foreign, state or local government, any amounts required to be withheld pursuant to the Code, or any provisions of any other federal, foreign, state or local law. Any amounts so withheld shall be treated as having been distributed to such Member pursuant to this Article VI for all purposes of this Agreement, and shall be offset against the current or next amounts otherwise distributable to such Member.
ARTICLE VII
BOOKS AND REPORTS
     Section 7.1 Books and Records; Accounting. The Company shall keep or cause to be kept at the office of the Company (or at such other place as the Board in its discretion shall determine) full and accurate books and records regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Company.
     Section 7.2 Form K-l. After the end of each Fiscal Year during which there are two or more Members of the Company, the Board shall cause to be prepared and transmitted, as promptly as possible, and in any event within 90 days of the close of the Fiscal Year, a Federal income tax Form K-1 and any required similar state income tax form for each Member.
     Section 7.3 Tax Matters Partner. In the event that there are two or more Members of the Company, ACCO International shall be the Company’s “Tax Matters Partner” under Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code, and shall have all the powers and responsibilities of such position as provided in the Code. The Tax Matters Partner is specifically directed and authorized to take whatever steps are necessary or desirable to perfect such designation, including filing any forms or documents with the Internal Revenue Service and taking such other action as may from time to time be required under the Regulations issued under the Code. The Tax Matters Partner shall cause to be prepared and shall sign all tax returns of the Company, make any tax elections for the Company allowed under the Code or the tax laws of any state or other jurisdiction having taxing jurisdiction over the Company and monitor any governmental tax authority in any audit that such authority may conduct of the Company’s books and records or other documents.

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ARTICLE VIII
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
     Section 8.1 Exculpation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, whether expressed or implied, or any obligation or duty at law or in equity, no Member, Director or any officers, directors, stockholders, partners, employees, affiliates, representatives, consultants or agents of any of the foregoing, and no Officer, employee, representative, consultant or agent of the Company (individually, a “Covered Person” and, collectively, the “Covered Persons”) shall be liable to the Company or any other Person for any act or omission (in relation to the Company, its property or the conduct of its business or affairs, this Agreement, any related document or any transaction or investment contemplated hereby or thereby) taken or omitted by a Covered Person in the reasonable belief that such act or omission is in or is not contrary to the best interests of the Company and is within the scope of the authority conferred on such Covered Person by this Agreement, except that a Covered Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Covered Person’s fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
     Section 8.2 Indemnification
          (a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (collectively, “Claims”), in which the Covered Person may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its management of the affairs of the Company or which relates to or arises out of the Company or its property, business or affairs. A Covered Person shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.2 with respect to (i) any Claim with respect to which such Covered Person has engaged in fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, or (ii) any Claim initiated by such Covered Person unless such Claim (or part thereof) (A) was brought to enforce such Covered Person’s rights to indemnification hereunder or (B) was authorized or consented to by the Board; provided, however, that any indemnity under this Section 8.2 by the Company shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and a Member shall not have personal liability on account thereof.
          (b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees) incurred by a Covered Person defending any Claim shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such Claim upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 8.2.

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          (c) A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters the Covered Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to the Member might properly be paid.
          (d) To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Covered Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company or to any other Covered Person, a Covered Person acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the Company or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement or any approval or authorization granted by the Company or any other Covered Person. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Member to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person.
     Section 8.3 Survival. The foregoing provisions of this Article VIII shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
     Section 8.4 Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Article VIII by the Member shall not adversely affect any rights of such Covered Person pursuant to this Article VIII, including the right to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a Covered Person existing at the time of such repeal or modification, with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS AND ADMISSION OF MEMBER
     Section 9.1 Restriction on Transfers Any member shall have the right to sell, convey, assign, transfer, pledge, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of (each a “Transfer”) all or any part of its Common Interests without prior written consent of the Board or of any other Member.
     Section 9.2 Admission of Additional Members. Except for the admission of Members pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1, one or more additional Members of the Company may be admitted to the Company only (i) upon the prior written consent of the Board and (ii) only if such additional Member has executed an appropriate supplement to this Agreement agreeing to be bound by its terms as such terms may be modified by such supplement.

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ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION
     Section 10.1 Dissolution
          (a) The Company shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of either of the following events (an “Event of Termination”):
          (1) a determination by a Majority of the Members to dissolve the Company; or
          (2) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act.
          (b) No other event, including the retirement, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, insanity, expulsion, bankruptcy, death, incapacity or adjudication of incompetency of a Member, shall cause the Company to be dissolved.
     Section 10.2 Liquidation
          (a) In the event that an Event of Termination shall occur, then the Company shall be liquidated and its affairs shall be wound up. All proceeds from such liquidation shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 18-804 of the Act, and all interests in the Company shall be cancelled. Distributions to the Members shall be made in accordance with each Member’s Common Interest Percentage.
          (b) Upon the completion of the distribution of the Company’s assets, the Company shall be terminated and the Members shall cause the Company to execute and file a Certificate of Cancellation in accordance with Section 18-203 of the Act.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
     Section 11.1 Benefits of Agreement; No Third-Party Rights. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or by any creditor of the Members. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create any right in any Person (other than Covered Persons) not a party hereto, and this Agreement shall not be construed in any respect to be a contract in whole or in part for the benefit of any third Person.

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     Section 11.2 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified, altered, supplemented or amended except pursuant to a written agreement executed and delivered by the Member. An amendment shall become effective as of the date specified in the written agreement of the Member or if none is specified as of the date of such approval or as otherwise provided in the Act.
     Section 11.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
     Section 11.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts with the same effect as if the parties executing the several counterparts had all executed one counterpart.
     Section 11.5 Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. In particular, this Agreement shall be construed to the maximum extent possible to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Act. If it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provisions or wording of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable under the Act or other applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. In that case, this Agreement shall be construed so as to limit any term or provision so as to make it enforceable or valid within the requirements of applicable law, and, in the event such term or provisions cannot be so limited, this Agreement shall be construed to omit such invalid or unenforceable terms or provisions. If it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provision relating to the distributions and allocations of the Company or to any expenses payable by the Company is invalid or unenforceable, this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted so as (a) to make it enforceable or valid and (b) to make the distributions and allocations as closely equivalent to those set forth in this Agreement as is permissible under applicable law.
     Section 11.6 Headings; Construction The headings and captions contained herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. All references to “Article”, “Articles”, “Section” or “Sections” refer to the corresponding Article, Articles, Section or Sections of this Agreement unless specifically noted otherwise.
     Section 11.7 Additional Documents Each Member agrees to perform all further acts and execute, acknowledge and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
     Section 11.8 Notices All notices, requests and other communications to the Company or any Member shall be in writing (including telecopier or similar writing) and shall be given to in the case of the Company at

15


 

its address in Section 2.4, and in the case of a Member (and any other Person designated by such Member) at its address or telecopier number set forth in Schedule A hereto or such other address or telecopier number as such Member may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by telecopier, when transmitted to the number specified pursuant to this Section 11.8 and the appropriate confirmation is received, (b) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is received by the other party, or (c) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified pursuant to this Section 11.8.
     Section 11.9 Waiver of Partition Each of the Members hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights that such Member may have to maintain any action for partition of any of the Company’s property.
     Section 11.10 Interpretation Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or the plural shall include the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in either the masculine, the feminine, or the neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

16


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
         
  ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  ACCO Brands International, Inc.
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title   


 

         
SCHEDULE A
MEMBERS
           
Name and Address     Common Interest  
of Members     Percentage  
 
ACCO Brands International, Inc.
         
Attn:
         
300 Tower Parkway
         
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
      100%  

A-1


 

SCHEDULE B
INITIAL DIRECTORS:

B-1


 

SCHEDULE C
     
INITIAL OFFICERS   TITLE
 
  President
  Vice President
  Treasurer
  Secretary

C-1

EX-3.11 10 c98562exv3w11.htm CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LLC exv3w11
 

Exhibit 3.11
ACCO INTERNATIONAL, HOLDINGS, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
     
FIRST:
  The name of this corporation shall be ACCO International Holdings, Inc.
 
   
SECOND:
  Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle and its registered agent at such address is CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY.
 
   
THIRD: 
  The purpose or purposes of the corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
 
FOURTH: 
  The total number of shares of common stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares and the par value of each share is $1.00.
 
FIFTH:
  The name and address of the incorporator is as follows:
Angela M. Pla
300 Tower Parkway
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
     
SIXTH:
  The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws.
 
   
SEVENTH:
  No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law, (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article Seventh shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator herein before named, has executed signed and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this 28th day of June, 2005.
     
 
  /s/ Angela M. Pla
 
   
 
  Angela M. Pla, Sole Incorporator

EX-3.12 11 c98562exv3w12.htm BY-LAWS OF ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. exv3w12
 

Exhibit 3.12
ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
(Delaware)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE ONE
STOCKHOLDERS
     SECTION 1.1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders to elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be presented to the meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix on the third Monday of April in each year or, if that day shall be a legal holiday in the jurisdiction in which the meeting is to be held, then on the next day not a legal holiday.
     SECTION 1.2. Special Meetings. A special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock that would be entitled to be voted on such matter or matters if the meeting were held on the day such request is received and the record date for such meeting were the close of business on the preceding day. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting and as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting.
     SECTION 1.3. Notice of Meeting. For each meeting of stockholders written notice shall be given stating the place, date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and, if the list of stockholders required by Section 1.9 is not to be at such place at least 10 days prior to the meeting, the place where such list will be. Except as otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be confined to the purposes stated in the call.
     SECTION 1.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to be voted present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, but in the absence of a quorum the holders of record present or represented by proxy at such meeting may vote to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is obtained.


 

At any such adjourned session of the meeting at which there shall be present or represented the holders of record of the requisite number of shares, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
     SECTION 1.5. Chairman and Secretary at Meeting. Each meeting of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no person is so designated, then a person designated by the Board of Directors, and if no such designated person is present, the stockholders at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may elect a presiding officer from among the persons present. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 1.6. Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions of Section 1.10:
    (a) Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by him.
    (b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
    (c) Each matter, including the election of directors, properly presented to any meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
    (d) Election of directors and the vote on any other matter presented to a meeting shall be by written ballot only if so ordered by the chairman of the meeting or if so requested by any stockholder present or represented by proxy at the meeting entitled to vote in such election or on such matter, as the case may be.
     SECTION 1.7. Adjourned Meetings. A meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time or place. Unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, stockholders of record for an adjourned meeting shall be as originally determined for the meeting from which the adjournment was taken. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or 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 stockholder of record entitled to vote. At the adjourned meeting any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

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     SECTION 1.8. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if (i) one or more consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and (ii) the consents are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested), its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature and no written consent will be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents sufficient to take such action are delivered to the Corporation within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent so delivered. Notice of the taking of such action shall be given promptly to each stockholder, if any, that would have been entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of stockholders and that did not consent thereto in writing.
     SECTION 1.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. At least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared and shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall be produced and kept at the place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
     SECTION 1.10. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors, by resolution, may fix a date for determining the stockholders of record for any lawful action, which record date shall not be earlier than the date of such resolution. The record date shall be determined as follows:
    (a) The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which the meeting is held. The record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
    (b) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall not be more than 10 days after the

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date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be determined as follows:
        (i) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution taking such action; and
        (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is not required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation pursuant to Section 1.9.
    (c) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders for any such action shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such action.
ARTICLE TWO
DIRECTORS
     SECTION 2.1. Number; Term of Office; Qualifications; Vacancies. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be not less than three and not more than five and shall be determined by action of the Board of Directors. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled, subject to Section 2.3, by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.

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     SECTION 2.2. Resignation. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time be specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these By-laws in the filling of other vacancies.
     SECTION 2.3. Removal. Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more directors be so removed, a new director or directors may be elected by the stockholders at the time of such removal; any vacancy resulting from such removal, if not so filled by such election by the stockholders, may be filled as provided in Section 2.1.
     SECTION 2.4. Regular and Annual Meetings; Notice. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. No notice need be given of any regular meeting, and a notice, if given, need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after an annual meeting of stockholders at the same place as that at which such meeting was held.
     SECTION 2.5. Special Meetings; Notice. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters, appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by at least one director. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or officer calling such meeting. Notice of such meeting stating the time, place and purposes thereof shall be given (a) by deposit of the notice in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, at least three days before the day fixed for the meeting addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the Corporation’s records or at such other address as the director may have furnished the Corporation for that purpose, or (b) by delivery of the notice similarly addressed for dispatch by telegraph, telecopy, cable or radio or by delivery of the notice by telephone or in person, in each case at least 24 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.
     SECTION 2.6. Presiding Officer and Secretary at Meetings. Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no such person is so

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designated, then by such member of the Board of Directors as shall be chosen by the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 2.7. Quorum. A majority of the directors in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum a majority of those present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting without notice until such time as a quorum is present. Except as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 2.8. Meeting by Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors or of such 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 such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
     SECTION 2.9. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, 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 of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or of such committee.
     SECTION 2.10. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions, 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, including the power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have such power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the By-laws; and unless the resolution shall expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any

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such absent or disqualified member. Each such committee shall have such name as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 2.11. Compensation. No director shall receive any stated salary for his services as a director or as a member of a committee but shall receive such sum, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee. He may also be reimbursed for his expenses in attending any meeting. However, any director who serves the Corporation in any capacity other than as a member of the Board of Directors or of a committee may receive compensation therefor.
ARTICLE THREE
OFFICERS
     SECTION 3.1. Election; Qualification. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as it may from time to time determine. Two or more offices may be held by the same person.
     SECTION 3.2. Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office from the time of his election and qualification to the time at which his successor is elected and qualified, unless sooner he shall die or resign or shall be removed pursuant to Section 3.4.
     SECTION 3.3. Resignation. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
     SECTION 3.4. Removal. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.5. Vacancies. Any vacancy however caused in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.6. Compensation. The compensation of all officers elected by the Board and all other agents and employees shall be fixed by or in the manner determined by the Board.
     SECTION 3.7. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer and shall have general direction of its business affairs, subject, however, to the control of the

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Board of Directors. He shall, if present, preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties and have such responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
     SECTION 3.8. Vice President. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to the office of Vice President and as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. During the absence of the President and Chief Executive Officer, or his inability to act, the Vice President, or if there shall be more than one Vice President, then that one designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Executive Officer.
     SECTION 3.9. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meeting of stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall be custodian of the corporate seal and shall affix it or cause it to be affixed to such instruments as require such seal and attest the same and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, shall have care of all funds and securities of the Corporation and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Treasurer, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.11. Other Officers. Each other officer shall exercise the powers and perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE FOUR
CAPITAL STOCK
     SECTION 4.1. Stock Certificates. The interest of each holder of stock of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. Each certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any of or all the signatures appearing on such certificate or certificates may be a facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
     SECTION 4.2. Transfer of Stock. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation pursuant to applicable law and such rules and regulations as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.

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     SECTION 4.3. Holders of Record. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer the Corporation may treat the holder of record of a share of its stock as the complete owner thereof exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise entitled to all the rights and powers of a complete owner thereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.
     SECTION 4.4. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The Corporation shall issue a new certificate of stock to replace a certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, if the owner or his legal representative (i) requests replacement before the Corporation has notice that the stock certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; (ii) files with the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such stock certificate or the issuance of any such new stock certificate; and (iii) satisfies such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE FIVE
MISCELLANEOUS
     SECTION 5.1. Indemnity. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
     (b) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,

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employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.
     (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or a person serving in any other enterprise at the request of the Corporation, has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the Corporation shall indemnify him against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
     (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
     (e) Expenses incurred (including attorneys’ fees) by a director or officer in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
     (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

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     (g) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section.
     (h) For the purposes of this Section, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
     (i) For purposes of this Section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Section.

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     (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
     SECTION 5.2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws or any provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time required for such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
     SECTION 5.3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 in each year.
     SECTION 5.4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, and the same may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
ARTICLE SIX
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
     SECTION 6.1. Amendment. The By-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders; or by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the whole Board.

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EX-3.13 12 c98562exv3w13.htm RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC. exv3w13
 

Exhibit 3.13
RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
     MICHAEL K. BOONE and J. ANDREW JOHNSON certify that:
     1. They are the President and Secretary, respectively, of BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC., a California corporation (the “Corporation”).
     2. The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation are amended and restated to read in their entirety as follows:
I.
     The name of the Corporation is BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
II.
     The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of California other than the banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California Corporations Code.
III.
     3.1 Authorized Capital. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue shall consist of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock (“Common Stock”) and 1,161,000 shares of Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”). The Corporation hereby creates the following two series of Preferred Stock: (i) a first series, constituting 1,000,000 shares, designated “preferred Stock A”; and (ii) a second series, constituting 161,000 shares, designated “Preferred Stock B”. Upon the amendment of this Article III to read as herein set forth, each outstanding share of Common Stock is converted into or reconstituted as 100 shares of Common Stock and each outstanding share of Preferred Stock B is converted into or reconstituted as one share of Preferred Stock B.
     3.2 Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by law, the holder of each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding shall have one vote; and the holder of each share of Preferred Stock A shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock A could be converted at the record date for determination of the shareholders entitled to vote on such matters, or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written consent of shareholders is solicited, such votes to be counted together with all other shares of stock of the Corporation having general voting rights and not separately as a class except as specifically set forth herein. Holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock A shall be entitled to notice of any shareholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation. Fractional votes by the holders of Preferred Stock A shall not,

 


 

however, be permitted, and any fractional voting rights resulting from the above formula (after aggregating all shares into which shares of Preferred Stock A held by each holder could be converted) shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. The holders of shares of Preferred Stock B shall have no general right to vote for any purpose, except as specifically required by the laws of the State of California.
     3.3 Other Rights, Preferences and Restrictions of the Preferred Stock. The other rights, preferences and restrictions relating to the Preferred Stock are enumerated as follows:
          (a) Dividends. When and as declared by its Board of Directors, the Corporation will pay preferential dividends to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock A as provided in this Section 3.3(a) but will not pay preferential dividends to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock B. Except as otherwise provided herein, dividends on each share of the Preferred Stock A will accrue cumulatively on a daily basis at the rate of 4% per annum of the Liquidation Amount thereof (as defined in Section 3.3 (b)(i) below) from and including the date of issuance of such share to and including the date on which the Liquidation Amount (plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon) of such share is paid or the date on which such share is converted. Such dividends will accrue whether or not they have been declared and whether or not there are profits, surplus or other funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends. The date on which the Corporation initially issues any share of Preferred Stock A will be deemed to be its “date of issuance” regardless of the number of times transfer of such share is made on the stock records maintained by or for the Corporation and regardless of the number of certificates which may be issued to evidence such share.
     Dividends on the Preferred Stock A shall be payable annually on each July 1 commencing July 1, 1995 (such payment on July 1, 1995 to include all dividends accrued thereon to such date). For purposes of this Section 3.3(a), each July 1 commencing July 1, 1995 is herein referred to as a “Dividend Reference Date.” All dividends which have accrued on each share of Preferred Stock A outstanding during the 12-month period (or other period in the case of the initial Dividend Reference Date) ending upon any Dividend Reference Date to the extent not paid on such Dividend Reference Date will be cumulated and will remain cumulated until paid. If at any time the Corporation pays less than the total amount of dividends then accrued with respect to all shares of the Preferred Stock A outstanding, such payment will be distributed ratably among the holders of such shares of Preferred Stock A outstanding based upon the aggregate accrued but unpaid dividends on the shares of such outstanding Preferred Stock A held by each such holder. No dividends or other distributions (other than pro rata dividends or distributions on common Stock payable solely in Common Stock) shall be paid with respect to any of the Corporation’s Common Stock during any period that there exists any accrued but unpaid dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock A outstanding.
          (b) Liquidation Preference.
               (i) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock

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A and Preferred Stock B shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its shareholders, before any payment or declaration and setting apart for payment of any amount shall be made in respect of the Corporation’s Common Stock, an amount equal to the then applicable Liquidation Amount (as defined below) of such shares plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock A. The “Liquidation Amount” of the Preferred Stock is $1.00 per share. If, upon the occurrence of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the assets and funds thus distributed among the holders of Preferred Stock A and Preferred Stock B shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the full Liquidation Amount plus accrued but unpaid dividends on such Preferred Stock A, then the entire assets and funds of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its shareholders shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Preferred Stock A and Preferred Stock B in proportion to the amount each such holder would receive if there were sufficient assets and funds available to pay the foregoing sums in full.
               (ii) After the payment or distribution to the holders of Preferred Stock A and Preferred Stock B of the full Liquidation Amount described above, the holders of Common Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to $0.20 per share. If the remaining assets available for distribution to shareholders are insufficient to permit the payment of such amount in full, then such assets shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock in proportion to the number of shares held by each such holder.
               (iii) After the payments or distributions described in clauses (i) and (ii) above have been made, the holders of Common Stock and the holders of Preferred Stock A will be entitled to ratably share the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders based upon the number of shares of Common Stock then held by each such holder (assuming all shares of Preferred Stock A are concurrently therewith converted into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price then in effect).
               (iv)  A consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations, or a sale, conveyance or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or the effectuation by the Corporation of a transaction or series of related transactions in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the Corporation is disposed of, shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up within the meaning of this Section 3.3(b), unless the holders of at least a majority of the Preferred Stock A and the holders of at least a majority of the Preferred Stock B, each voting separately as a class, elect otherwise by giving written notice of such election to the Corporation at least three days before the effective date of such event.
               (v)  Any securities to be distributed or delivered to the holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 3.3(b) shall be valued as follows:
(A) Securities not subject to investment letter or other similar restrictions on free marketability:
(1) If traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing prices of the securities on such exchange over the 30-day period ending three days prior to the closing;
(2) If actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices over the 30-day period ending three days prior to the closing; and
(3) If there is no active public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof, as mutually determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in its reasonable good faith judgment and the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, voting as a single class on the basis of one vote per share.
(B) The method of valuation of securities subject to investment letter or other restrictions on free marketability shall be to make an appropriate discount from the market value determined as above in clauses (A)(1), (2) or (3) to reflect the approximate fair market value thereof, as mutually determined by the Corporation and the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, voting as a single class on the basis of one vote per share.
(C) If the Board of Directors and the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, voting as a single class on the basis of one vote per share, are unable to agree on the fair market value of any securities, the holders of at least a majority of the Preferred Stock, voting as a single class on the basis of one vote per share, shall select an investment banker reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation to determine the value thereof, which determination at fair value shall be final and binding. The Corporation shall pay any and all fees and costs charged by any such investment banker.
          (c) Conversion. The holders of the Preferred Stock A shall have the following conversion obligations and rights (the “Conversion Terms”):
               (i) Automatic Conversion.
               (A) Each share of Preferred Stock A shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the conversion formula set forth in Section 3.3(c)(iii) below immediately upon the earliest to occur of: (1) the consummation of the Corporation’s sale of its Common Stock in a bona fide, firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement

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under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; (2) the Corporation and the holders of a majority of Preferred Stock A mutually agree that the Corporation has a valuation which is equal to or in excess of $10,000,000; (3) the Corporation has a valuation which is equal to or in excess of $10,000,000 as determined by means of an appraisal conducted in accordance with the business valuation standards of the American Society of Appraisers by the business appraisal division of an accounting firm of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to holders of a majority of Preferred Stock A; or (4) the date which is four years after the date of issuance of the Preferred Stock A provided that all accrued but unpaid dividends on the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock A have been paid in full through and including such date.
               (B) Upon the occurrence of an event specified in Section 3.3 (c)(i)(A) above, the outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock A shall be converted automatically without any further action by the holders of such shares and whether or not the certificates representing such shares are surrendered to the Corporation or its transfer agent; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such automatic conversion unless certificates evidencing such shares of the Preferred Stock A being converted are either delivered to the Corporation or any transfer agent, as hereinafter provided, or (if such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed) the holder notifies the Corporation or any transfer agent, as hereinafter provided, of such event and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection therewith. Upon the automatic conversion of the Preferred Stock A, the holders of such Preferred Stock A shall surrender the certificates representing such shares at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Common Stock. Thereupon, there shall be issued and delivered to such holder, promptly at such office and in his name as shown on such surrendered certificate or certificates, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of the Preferred Stock A surrendered were convertible on the date on which such automatic conversion occurred.
               (ii) Optional Conversion. Each share of Preferred Stock A shall also be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time which is at least two years after the date of issuance of such share of Preferred Stock A.
               (iii) Conversion Formula. Shares of Preferred Stock A automatically or optionally converted pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.3(c)(i) or (ii) above shall be converted, at the office of the Corporation or any transfer agent for the Preferred Stock A, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the number of Shares of Preferred Stock A automatically or optionally converted by the conversion price (the “Conversion Price”) at the time in effect for such shares of Preferred Stock A. The initial Conversion Price per share for shares of Preferred Stock A shall be $1.5315 per share; provided, however, that the Conversion Price for such shares of Preferred Stock A shall be subject to adjustment as set forth in section 3.3(c)(v) below.

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               (iv) Mechanics of Conversion. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.3(c)(i)(B), before any holder of Preferred Stock A shall be entitled to convert the same into shares of Common Stock, he shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Preferred Stock A and shall give written notice to this Corporation at its principal corporate office of his election to convert the same and shall state therein the name or names in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Preferred Stock A, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Preferred Stock A to be converted, and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock as of such date. If the conversion is in connection with an underwritten offer of securities registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the conversion may, at the option of any holder tendering Preferred Stock A for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing with the underwriter of the sale of securities pursuant to such offering, in which event the person(s) entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion of the Preferred Stock A shall not be deemed to have converted such Preferred Stock A until immediately prior to the closing of such sale of securities.
               (v) Conversion Price Adjustments of Preferred Stock A. The initial Conversion Price for the Preferred Stock A shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:
               (A) (1) In the event the Corporation shall issue shares of Additional Stock (as defined in section 3.3(c)(v)(B) below) without consideration or for a consideration per share which is less than the Conversion Price for Preferred Stock A held by any holder in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issue, then upon such issuance the Conversion Price of the shares of Preferred Stock A held by such holder will be reduced to the price (calculated to the nearest cent) determined by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issue plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration received by the Corporation for the total number of Shares of Additional Stock so issued would purchase at such Conversion Price; and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issue plus the number of Shares of Additional Stock so issued, provided, however, that, for the purposes of this Section 3.3(c)(v), all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding options, convertible securities and Preferred Stock A shall be deemed to be outstanding.
                         (2) No adjustment of the Conversion Price for the Preferred Stock A shall be made of an amount less then one cent per share, provided that any adjustments which are not required to be made by reason of this sentence shall be

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carried forward and shall be taken into account promptly upon the occurrence of an event which results in an aggregate adjustment of one cent or more per share. Except to the limited extent provided for in Sections 3.3(c)(v)(A)(5)(c) and (d) and Section 3.3(c)(v)(D), no adjustment of such Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 3.3(c)(v)(A) shall have the affect of increasing the Conversion Price above the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment.
                         (3) In the case of the issuance of Common Stock for cash, the consideration shall be deemed to be the gross amount of cash paid therefor.
                         (4) In the case of the issuance of the Common Stock for a consideration in whole or in part other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be deemed to be the fair value thereof as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in its reasonable good faith judgment.
                         (5) In the case of the issuance of options to purchase or sights to subscribe for Common Stock, securities by their terms convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or options to purchase or rights to subscribe for such convertible or exchangeable securities (which are not excluded from the definition of Additional Stock), the following provisions shall apply:
                              (a) the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock deliverable at the time of issuance upon exercise of such options to purchase or rights to subscribe for Common Stock shall be deemed to have been issued at the time such options or rights were issued and for a consideration equal to the consideration (determined in the manner provided in Sections 3.3(c)(v)(A)(3) and 3.3(c)(v)(A)(4)), if any, received by the corporation upon the issuance of such options or rights plus the minimum purchase price provided in such options or rights for the Common Stock covered thereby;
                              (b) the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock deliverable at the time of issuance upon conversion of or in exchange for any such convertible or exchange able securities or upon the exercise of options to purchase or rights to subscribe for such convertible or exchangeable securities and subsequent conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued at the time such securities were issued or such options or rights were issued and for a consideration equal to the consideration, if any, received by the Corporation for any such securities and related options or rights (excluding any cash received on account of accrued interest or accrued dividends), plus the additional consideration, if any, to be received by the Corporation upon the conversion or exchange of such securities or the exercise of any related options or rights (the consideration in each case to be determined in the manner provided in Sections 3.3(c)(v)(A)(3) and 3.3(c)(v)(A)(4) above);
                              (c) in the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of such options or rights or upon conversion of or in exchange for such convertible or exchangeable securities, including, but not limited to, a change resulting from the antidilution provisions thereof,

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the Conversion Price in effect at the time for the Preferred Stock A shall forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have been obtained had the adjustment which was made upon the issuance of such options, rights or securities not converted prior to such change or the options or rights related to such securities not converted prior to such change been made upon the basis of such change, but no further adjustment shall be made for the actual issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of any such options or rights or the conversion or exchange of such securities; and
                              (d) upon the expiration of any such options or rights, the termination of any such rights to convert or exchange, or the expiration of any options or rights related to such convertible or exchangeable securities, the Conversion Price for the Preferred Stock A shall forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have been obtained had the adjustment which was made on the issuance of such options, rights or securities or options or rights related to such securities been made upon the basis of the issuance of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued upon the exercise of such options or rights, upon the conversion or exchange of such securities or upon the exercise of the options or rights related to such securities; and
               (B) “Additional Stock” shall mean any shares of Common Stock issued (or deemed to have been issued pursuant to Section 3.3(c)(v)(A)(5)) by the Corporation after the original date of issuance of the Preferred Stock A (the “Purchase Date”), other than:
                         (1) Common Stock issued pursuant to a transaction described in Section 3.3(c)(v)(C) hereof;
                         (2) Up to 450,000 shares of Common Stock (appropriately adjusted for any future stock dividend, stock split or recapitalization) issuable or issued after the Purchase Date to three key employees and four directors of the Corporation pursuant to the exercise of stock options heretofore granted to such three key employees and four directors under the stock option plan heretofore adopted by the Board of Directors and shareholders of the Corporation;
                         (3) Up to an additional 750,000 shares of Common Stock (appropriately adjusted for any future stock dividend, stock split or recapitalization) issuable or issued after the Purchase Date pursuant to the exercise of stock options under any stock option plan heretofore or hereafter adopted by the Board of Directors and shareholders of the Corporation to persons who are employees of or perform services for the Corporation (other than Michael K. Boone, Michael K. Boone’s spouse and any of Michael K. Boone’s parents, siblings or children) provided such shares of Common Stock are issued for consideration which is at least equal to the initial Conversion Price per share for shares of Preferred Stock A hereunder; and
                         (4) Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock A.

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               (C) In the event any time or from time to time after the Purchase Date the Corporation shall split or subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stack or declare a dividend or other distribution payable in additional shares of common stock or other securities or rights convertible into, or entitling the holder thereof to receive directly or indirectly, additional shares of Common Stock (hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock Equivalents”) without payment of any consideration by such holder for the additional shares of Common Stock or the Common Stock Equivalents (including the additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof), then, as of the record date (or, if no record date is fixed, the date of such dividend, distribution, split or subdivision), the Conversion Price of the Preferred Stock A shall be appropriately decreased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of the Preferred Stock A shall be increased in proportion to such increase of outstanding shares, determined in accordance with Section 3.3(c)(v)(A)(5).
               (D) If the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any time after the Purchase Date is decreased by a combination of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, then, following the record date (or, if no record data is fixed, the date) of such combination, the Conversion Price for the Preferred Stock A shall be appropriately increased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of such class shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares.
               (vi) Other Distributions. If the Corporation shall declare a distribution payable in securities of other persons, evidences of indebtedness issued by the Corporation or, other persons, assets (excluding cash dividends) or options or rights not referred to in section 3.3(c)(v)(C), then, in each such case for the purpose of this Section 3.3(c)(vi), the holders of the Preferred Stock A shall be entitled to a proportionate share of any such distribution as though they were the holders of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation into which their shares of the Preferred Stock A are convertible as of the record date fixed for the determination of the holders of Common Stock of the Corporation entitled to receive such distribution.
               (vii) Recapitalizations. If at any time or from time to time there shall be a recapitalization of the Common Stock (other than a subdivision, combination or merger or sale of assets transaction provided for elsewhere in this Section 3.3(c)), provision shall be made so that the holders of the Preferred Stock A shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion of the Preferred Stock A the number of shares of stock or other securities or property of the Corporation or otherwise to which a holder of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion would have been entitled on such recapitalization. In any such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions of this Section 3.3(c) with respect to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock A after the recapitalization to the end that the provisions of this Section 3.3(c) (including adjustment of the Conversion Price for Preferred Stock A then in affect and the number of shares purchasable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock A) shall be applicable after that event as nearly equivalent as may be practicable.

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               (viii) No Impairment. The Corporation will not, by amendment of its Restated Articles of Incorporation as set forth herein or through any reorganization, recapitalization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Corporation, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Section 3.3(c) and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the Conversion Terms of the holders of the Preferred Stock A against impairment.
               (ix) No Fractional Shares and Accountants’ Certificate as to Adjustments.
               (A) No fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock A, and the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued shall rounded to the nearest whole share. Whether or not fractional shares are issuable upon such conversion shall be determined on the basis of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock A the holder is at the time converting into Common Stock and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such aggregate conversion.
               (B) Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price of the Preferred Stock A pursuant to this Section 3.3(c), the Corporation, at its expense, shall cause independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by it (who may be the independent certified public accountants then auditing the books of the Corporation) to promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and prepare and furnish to each holder of the Preferred Stock A, by first class mail, postage prepaid, a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based, including a statement setting forth: (1) the consideration received or to be received by the Corporation for any Additional Stock; (2) the Conversion Price for the Preferred Stock A at the time in effect; and (3) the number of shares of Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other property which at the time would be received upon the conversion of a share of Preferred Stock A.
               (x) Notices of Record Date. In the event of any taking by the Corporation of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend (other than a cash dividend) or other distribution, any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or property, or to receive any other right, the Corporation shall mail to each bolder of the Preferred Stock A, at least 20 days prior to the date specified therein, a notice specifying the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right.
               (xi) Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued

9


 

shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of affecting the conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock A outstanding such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock A; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock A, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to a holder of shares of Preferred Stock A, this Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes.
               (xii) Notices. Any notice required by the provisions of this Section 3.3(c) to be given to the holder of shares of Preferred Stock A shall be deemed given when personally delivered to such holder or three business days after the same has been deposited with a reputable express courier service or in the United States mail, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to each holder of record at his address appearing on the books of the Corporation.
               (xiii) Taxes. The Corporation will pay all stock transfer taxes and other governmental charges that may be imposed in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock A other than any federal, state or local income taxes which may be imposed upon the holders of Preferred Stock A.
          (d) Protective Covenants. The Corporation shall not, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock A outstanding on all matters which affect only Preferred Stock A, the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock B outstanding on all matters which affect only the Preferred Stock B and the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Preferred Stock on all other matters, voting as a single class on the basis of one vote per share:
               (i) Authorize or issue, or obligate itself to issue, any equity security (including any security convertible into or exercisable for any equity security) with powers, designations, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights prior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock A;
               (ii) Redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or permit any of the Corporation’s subsidiaries to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, except for repurchases of shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock issued to employees or other persons performing services for the Corporation that are subject to restrictive stock purchase arrangements under which the Corporation has the option to repurchase such shares upon the occurrence of certain events such as their termination of employment;

10


 

               (iii) Amend, restate or otherwise alter any provision of the Corporation’s Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws which would alter or change the rights, preferences or privileges of the shares of Preferred Stock A or Preferred Stock B so as adversely to affect the Preferred Stock A or Preferred Stock B;
               (iv) Subject, or permit any of the Corporation’s subsidiaries to subject, any of its assets to any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, pledge, security agreement, lien, joint venture agreement, charge or other encumbrance of any kind, except in the ordinary course of business;
               (v) Enter into any licensing, production, agency or sales agreement which would effectively transfer market control of all, substantially all or any significant portion of the Corporation’s business operations to any third party;
               (vi) Guaranty, assure or endorse, or permit any of the Corporation’s subsidiaries to guaranty, assure or endorse, the obligation or obligations of any other person or persons;
               (vii) Grant, authorize or empower, or permit any of the Corporation’s subsidiaries to grant, authorize or empower, any other person or persons to act as its power of attorney in fact to exercise any of its rights or to take any action in connection with the conduct of its business; or
               (viii) Reduce the Corporation’s obligation to indemnify the members of its Board of Directors.
          (f) No Reissuance of Preferred Stock. In the event any shares of Preferred Stock shall be redeemed, purchased or converted, such shares shall be canceled, retired and eliminated from the shares which the corporation is authorized to issue.
IV.
     4.1 Elimination of Liability. The liability of the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law. The Corporation shall indemnify any agent of the Corporation as defined in, and to the fullest extent permitted by, Section 317 of the California Corporations Code.
     4.2 Indemnification. The Corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject only to the applicable limits set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations Code with respect to actions for breach of duty to the Corporation and its shareholders.
     4.3 The foregoing Restated Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

11


 

     4.4 The foregoing Restated Articles of Incorporation have been duly approved by the required vote of shareholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 902 and 903 of the Corporations Code. The total number of outstanding shares of the Corporation is 54,266 shares of Common Stock, no shares of Preferred Stock A and 161,000 Shares of Preferred Stock B. The number of shares voting in favor of the adoption of such Restated Articles of Incorporation equaled or exceeded the vote required. The percentage vote required was more than 50% of the shares of Common Stock and more than 50% of the shares of Preferred Stock B.
     We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in these Restated Articles of Incorporation are true and correct of our own knowledge.
Dated: July 26, 1994
         
     
  /s/ Michael K. Boone    
  Michael K. Boone, President   
         
  /s/ J. Andrew Johnson    
  J. Andrew Johnson, Secretary   
     
 

12


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
     MATTHEW G. KOWALEC and DAVID ONTIVEROS hereby certify that:
     1. They are the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Vice President, Operations, respectively, of Boone International, Inc., a California corporation (the “Corporation”).
     2. Article III, Section 3.1 of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation is hereby amended to read as follows:
     “3.1 Authorized Capital. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue shall consist of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock (“Common Stock”) and 1,161,000 shares of Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”). The Corporation hereby creates the following three series of Preferred Stock: (i) a first series, constituting 1,000,000 shares, designated “Preferred Stock A”; (ii) a second series, constituting 101,000 shares, designated “Preferred Sock B”; and (c) a third series, constituting 60,000 shares, designated “Preferred Stock C.” The Preferred Stock C shall rank junior to the Preferred Stock A and the Preferred Stock B.
The foregoing amendment to Article III, Section 3.1 of the Restated Articles of Incorporation shall in no way affect the stock split originally provided for in said Section, which was accomplished concurrently with the original filing of the Restated Articles of Incorporation in July, 1994.
     3. The Restated Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation are hereby amended by adding the following as Article III, Section 3.4 thereof:
     “3.4 Other Rights, Preferences and Restrictions of the Preferred Stock C. The other rights, preferences and restrictions relating to the Preferred Stock C are enumerated as follows:
          (a) Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Preferred Stock C shall have no general right to vote for any purpose, except as specifically required by the laws of the State of California.
          (b) Dividends. The Corporation will not be required to pay dividends to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock C, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section 3.4.

 


 

          (c) Liquidation Preference. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary, and subject to payment in full of any distributions and/or accrued but unpaid dividends payable to the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock A and the Preferred Stock B, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock C shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its shareholders, before any payment or declaration and setting apart for payment of any amount shall be made in respect to the Corporation’s Common Stock, an amount equal to the then applicable Series C Liquidation Amount (as defined below) of such shares. The “Series C Liquidation Amount” for each share of Preferred Stock C is (i) $100 per share (the “Stated Amount”), plus (ii) an amount equal to 10% per annum on the Stated Amount, computed from and including the date of issuance of such Preferred Stock C to but excluding the date of payment of such amount, plus (iii) an additional amount of $10 per share. If, upon the occurrence of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the assets and funds thus distributed among the holders of Preferred Stock C shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders, the full Liquidation Amount on such Preferred Stock C, then the entire assets and funds of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its shareholders (after payment in full of any distributions and/or accrued but unpaid dividends payable to the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock A and the Preferred Stock B) shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Preferred Stock C in proportion to the amount each such holder would receive if there were sufficient assets and funds available to pay the foregoing sums in full.
          For purposes of this paragraph (c), a “liquidation, dissolution or winding up” of the Corporation shall be deemed to be occasioned by, or to include, the acquisition of the Corporation by another entity by means of any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any reorganization, merger or consolidation, but excluding any merger effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Corporation).
          (d) Mandatory Redemption.
               (i) Redemption Events. Subject to the prior written consent of any party or parties providing indebtedness for borrowed money to the Corporation and the prior redemption in full (or the prior written consent of the holders) of the Preferred Stock A, and to the extent then permitted by the California General Corporation Law, the Corporation shall be required to redeem the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock C on the Redemption Date (as defined below) at a price equal to the Series C Liquidation Amount on such date of redemption. “Redemption Date” shall mean the earliest to occur of (x) the occurrence of an Initial Public Offering, a Change of Control, or an Asset Sale (each as defined below), or (y) June 30, 1999 (“Automatic Redemption”). “Initial Public Offering” shall mean the sale of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation or any parent corporation of the Corporation formed as a holding company of the Corporation after the date hereof and owned by the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such reorganization (“Parent”) to the public pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in which gross proceeds to the Corporation or Parent are raised in an amount at least equal to

14


 

$100,000,000. “Change of Control” shall mean any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than Parent or Michael K. Boone for his heirs, legatees, executors, legal representatives, administrators, conservators, or a trust for the benefit of members of his family) (collectively, “Excluded Persons”) shall have acquired beneficial ownership or control of over 50% of the voting stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Corporation. “Asset Sale” shall mean the sale of all, or a majority, of the Corporation’s consolidated assets, including, without limitation, a sale of all or a majority of the assets of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries whose assets constitute all or a majority of the Corporation’s consolidated assets, in any single transaction or series of related transactions to a person other than an Excluded Person.
               (ii) Procedure for Redemption.
                    (A) Notice of redemption or of the proposed redemption shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to all holders of record (at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the notice is given) of the shares to be redeemed at such holder’s address as the same appears on the stock register of the Corporation. Each such notice shall state: (1) the redemption date or the proposed redemption date; (2) the redemption price; and (3) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.
                    (B) From and after the Redemption Date said shares shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and shall have the status of authorized but unissued shares of a Preferred Stock C, and shall not be reissued as shares of Preferred Stock C, and all rights of the holders thereof as holders of Preferred Stock C (except the right to receive from the Corporation the redemption price or, if applicable in the case of a failure to complete the Automatic Redemption, to convert such shares as provided in paragraph (e)(1)(A) below) shall cease. Upon surrender in accordance with said notice of the certificates for any shares so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be redeemed by the Corporation at the Series C Liquidation Amount (without interest thereon) as aforesaid.
          (e) Conversion and Exchange.
               (i) Conversion to Common Stock.
                    (A) Between May 1, 1999 and June 30, 1999, the Corporation may offer to convert any and all shares of Preferred Stock C into Common Stock, and if any holder of such Preferred Stock C accepts such offer, then on June 30, 1999, in lieu of receipt of the redemption price, the shares held by such holder shall be converted into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the aggregate Series C Liquidation Amount for such shares of Preferred Stock C, as computed on the date for such conversion, by the Conversion Price (as defined below). In the event that the Corporation does not redeem the outstanding

15


 

shares of Preferred Stock C as provided in the case of an Automatic Redemption under clause (y) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph 3.4(d) above by June 30, 1999, each share shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time thereafter, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the aggregate Series C Liquidation Amount for such shares of Preferred Stock C, as computed on the date for such conversion, by the Conversion Price (as defined below). No fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock C, and the number of shares Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.
                    (B) The “Conversion Price” initially shall be $4.88, and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in paragraph 3.4(3)(i)(F) below.
                    (C) Before any holder of Preferred Stock C shall be entitled to convert the same into shares of Common Stock, he shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Preferred Stock C and shall give written notice to this Corporation at its principal corporate office of his election to convert the same and shall state therein the name or names in which the Certificate or Certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Preferred Stock C, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Preferred Stock C to be converted, and the person or person entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock as of such date.
                    (D) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock C outstanding such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock C; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock C, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to a holder of shares of Preferred Stock C, this Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number as shall be sufficient for such purpose.
                    (E) The Corporation will pay all stock transfer taxes and other governmental charges that may be imposed in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock C other than any federal, state or local income taxes which may be imposed upon the holders of shares of Preferred Stock C.

16


 

                    (F) Adjustment to Conversion Price.
                         (1) If at any time when shares of Series C Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a stock split, stock dividend, or other similar event, the Conversion Price shall be proportionally reduced, or if the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a combination or reclassification of shares, or other similar event, the Conversion Price shall be proportionally increased.
                         (2) If at any time when shares of Series C Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, there shall be any merger, consolidation, exchange of shares, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar event, as a result of which shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be changed into the same or a different number of shares of another class of classes of stock or securities of the Corporation or another entity, then to the extent that the Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall thereafter have the right to receive upon conversion of Series C Preferred Stock, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified herein and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore issuable upon conversion, such shares of stock, and/or securities which the holder would have been entitled to receive in such transaction, and in any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights and interests of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock to the end that the provisions hereof (including, without limitation, provisions for adjustment of the Conversion Price and of the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as may be practicable in relation to any shares of stock or securities thereafter deliverable upon the exercise hereof. The Corporation shall not effect any transaction described in this subparagraph (2) unless the resulting successor or acquiring entity (if not the Corporation) assumes by written instrument the obligation of this subparagraph (2).
               (ii) Optional Exchange for Subordinated Debt.
                    (A) Subject to the prior written consent of any party or parties providing indebtedness for borrowed money to the Corporation and the prior redemption in full for the prior written consent of the holders) of the Preferred Stock A, and to the exent then permitted by the California General Corporation Law, at any time between May 1, 1999 and June 30, 1999 the Corporation may offer to exchange any and all shares of Preferred Stock C for subordinated notes (the “Subordinated Notes”), and if any holder of such Preferred Stock C accepts such offer, then on the date for such exchange such shares shall be surrendered and such Subordinated Notes shall be issued in a principal amount equal to the aggregate Series C Liquidation Amount for such shares of Preferred Stock C, as computed on the date for such exchange. Each Subordinated Note shall bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum, which interest shall be payable monthly, and shall be due and payable by the Corporation no later than December 30, 2001. There shall be no mandatory payments on account of principal under the Subordinated Notes prior to maturity. Any such exchange of shares of Preferred Stock C is a redemption of such shares and is subject to Section 402 of the California Corporations Code.

17


 

                    (B) Before any holder of Preferred Stock C shall be entitled to exchange the same for Subordinated Notes, he shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Preferred Stock C and shall give written notice to this Corporation at its principal corporate office of his election to exchange the same and shall state therein the name or names in which the Subordinated Notes are to be issued. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Preferred Stock C, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a Subordinated Note or Subordinated Notes to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such exchange shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Preferred Stock C to be exchange.
          (f) Protective Provisions. The consent of the holders of a majority of the Series C Preferred shall be required for any action that amends or repeals any provision of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation if such action would materially and adversely change the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series C Preferred.”
     4. The foregoing amendment of the Restated Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors.
     5. The foregoing amendment of the Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the vote of shareholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 902 and 903 of the Corporations Code. The total number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation is 6,764,100. The total number of outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock A of the Corporation is 1,000,000. There are no outstanding shares of Preferred Stock B of the Corporation. The number of shares voting in favor of the adoption of such amendment equaled or exceeded the vote required. The percentage vote required was more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock A voting together as a class and more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voting separately.

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I further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this Certificate are true and correct of my own knowledge.
Executed at Corona, California
On January 27, 1999
         
     
  /s/ Matthew G. Kowalec    
       Matthew G. Kowalec   
       Chief Financial Officer   
         
  /s/ David Ontiveros    
       David Ontiveros   
       Executive Vice President, Operations   
 

19


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
     DAVID ONTIVEROS and KENTON R. ROSE hereby certify that:
     1. They are the Executive Vice President and the Secretary, respectively, of Boone International, Inc., a California corporation (the “Corporation”).
     2. Article III of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:
     “The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue shall consist of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock (“Common Sock”) and 1,161,000 shares of Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”). Authority is hereby vested in the Board of Directors to issue from time to time the Preferred Stock in one or more series, with such voting powers or without voting powers, and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and powers, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and with such dividend rights, rights on dissolution or distribution of assets, and conversion or exchange rights, and subject to redemption at such time or times and price or prices, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such stock adopted by the Board of Directors. The authority granted to the Board of Directors pursuant to this Article III shall include the authority to specify the number of shares in any series of Preferred Stock and to increase or decrease the number of shares in any such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation that is entitled to vote, without a class vote of the Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, except as otherwise provided in these Articles of Incorporation or in the resolution or resolutions fixing the voting rights of any series of Preferred Stock.”
     3. The foregoing amendment of the Restated Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors.
     4. The foregoing amendment of the Restated Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the shareholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 902 and 903 of the Corporations Code. The total number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation is 6,794,100. There are no outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock of the Corporation. The number of shares voting in favor of the adoption of such amendment equaled or exceeded the vote required. The percentage vote required was more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

 


 

I further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this Certificate are true and correct of my own knowledge.
Executed at Corona, CA
on March 27, 2000
         
     
  /s/ David Ontiveros    
  David Ontiveros   
  Executive Vice President   
         
  /s/ Kenton R. Rose    
  Secretary   
     
 

21

EX-3.14 13 c98562exv3w14.htm BY-LAWS OF BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC. exv3w14
 

Exhibit 3.14
BYLAWS
OF
BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
ARTICLE 1
OFFICES
          1.1 PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The location of the corporation’s principal executive office shall be as designated at the end of this paragraph. The Board of Directors may change the location of the principal executive office to any place within or outside the State of California. If the principal executive office is located outside of the State of California and the corporation has one or more business offices in the state of California, the Board of Directors shall fix and designate a principal business office in the State of California.
          At the execution of these Bylaws, the principal executive office is located at: 1712-d Newport Circle Drive, Santa Ana, California 92705.
          1.2 OTHER OFFICES. Branch or subordinate offices may be established at any time and at any place by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 2
SHAREHOLDERS
          2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of shareholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of California designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. If no place is so specified, shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the corporation’s principal executive office.
          2.2 ANNUAL MEETING. Annual meetings of the shareholders shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday in the month of August each year at 5:00 P.M. The first annual meeting shall be held in 1990 at the time and place specified in the notice of the meeting. However, if this date falls on a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held at the same time and place on the next succeeding full business day. At this meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business within the power of the shareholders may be transacted.
          2.3 SPECIAL MEETINGS AND HOW CALLED. A special meeting of the shareholders may be called at any time by any of the following:
          The Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, or one or more shareholders holding shares that in the aggregate are entitled to

 


 

cast no less than 10 percent of the votes at that meeting. For special meetings called by anyone other than the Board of Directors, the person or persons calling the meeting shall make a request in writing to the chairman of the board, the president, vice president, or secretary, specifying a time and date for the proposed meeting (which is not less than 35 nor more than 60 days after receipt of the request) and the general nature of the business to be transacted. Within 20 days after receipt, the officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be given to the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person(s) calling the meeting, and shall state the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted. If notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit, fix, or affect the time or notice requirements for shareholder meetings called by the Board of Directors.
          2.4 NOTICE OF MEETINGS: TIME AND CONTENTS. Notice of meetings of shareholders shall be sent or otherwise be given, except as provided for in Article 2.3, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting date. The notice shall specify the place, date, and hour of the meeting. It shall also state (a) for special meetings, the general nature of the proposed business, or (b) for annual meetings, those matters which the Board of Directors at the time of giving the notice intends to present for action by the shareholders. If directors are to be elected, the notice shall include the names of all nominees and persons whom the board intends to present for election, as of the date of the notice. The notice shall also state the general nature of any proposed action at the meeting to approve:
               (a) A transaction in which a director has a financial interest, within the meaning of Section 310 of the California Corporations Code;
               (b) An amendment to the Articles of Incorporation under Section 902 of that Code;
               (c) A reorganization under Section 1201 of that Code;
               (d) A voluntary dissolution of the corporation under section 1900 of that Code; or
               (e) A distribution in dissolution that requires approval of the outstanding shares under Section 2007 of that Code.
          The manner of giving notice and the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice shall be in accordance with these bylaws.
          2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE. Notice of any shareholders’ meeting shall be given either (a) personally, or (b) by first-class mail or by telegraph or other written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at the address appearing on the corporation’s books or supplied by the shareholder for purposes of notice. If the corporation has no such address for a shareholder, notice shall be either (a) sent by first-class mail addressed to the shareholder at the corporation’s principal executive office, or *(9) (be published at least once in a

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newspaper of general circulation in the county where the corporation’s principal executive office is located). Notice is deemed to have been given at the time it is delivered personally, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication.
          If any notice or report mailed to a shareholder at the shareholder’s address (as specified in the preceding paragraph) is returned marked “unable to deliver” (or words of similar import) at that address, subsequent notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if the corporation holds the document available for the shareholder on written demand at its principal executive office for one year from the date on which the notice or report was sent to the other shareholders.
          An affidavit, certificate, or declaration of mailing (or other authorizing means of delivery) of any notice of shareholders’ meeting, report, or other document sent to shareholders shall be executed by the corporate secretary, assistant secretary, or transfer agent, and filed in the corporation’s minute book.
          2.6 ADJOURNED MEETINGS: NOTICE. Shareholders’ meetings (either annual or special) may be adjourned from time to time by a vote of the majority of the shareholders represented at that meeting in person or by proxy, whether or not a quorum is present; however, in the absence of a quorum, no other business may be transacted, except as specifically authorized in these bylaws.
          If a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, new notice is not required if the new time and place were announced at the original meeting, unless (a) the board sets a new record date for this purpose, or (b) the adjournment is for more than 45 days from the original meeting date, in which case the board must set a new record date. If a new record date is set, new notice shall be given to the shareholders of record as of that date, in the same manner as other notices of meetings. At an adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business that would be proper at the original meeting.
          2.7 WAIVER OF NOTICE OR CONSENT BY ABSENTEES. The transactions of any shareholders’ meeting, either annual or special, however called and noticed and wherever held, shall be as valid as though they were had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if each person entitled to vote but not present at the meeting signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting, or an approval of the minutes. Shareholders’ signatures may be obtained either before or after the meeting. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the intended business or the purpose of the meeting, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken regarding any of the matters specified in section 601(f) of the California Corporations Code (and listed above in the paragraph on contents of notices of shareholder meetings), the general nature of the action or proposed action must be stated in the waiver of notice or consent. All written waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

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          Notice is also waived by a shareholder’s attendance at the meeting, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Attendance and failure to object to the validity of the meeting, however, does not constitute a waiver of any right to object expressly, at a meeting, to consideration of matters required by law to be included in the notice of the meeting which were not so included.
          2.8 ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action that could be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, except for the election of directors (see following paragraph), may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having at least the minimum number of votes necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on that action were present and voting.
          Directors may be elected without a meeting only by the unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, except that vacancies the board is entitled to fill (vacancies other than those caused by removal of a director) may be filled by the written consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
          All written consents shall be filed with the secretary of the corporation and maintained in the corporate records. Anyone who has given a written consent may revoke it by a writing received by the secretary of the corporation before written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the secretary.
          Unless the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, the secretary shall give prompt notice of any corporate action approved by the shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous consent, to those shareholders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. As to approvals required by California corporations Code Section 310 (transactions in which a director has a financial interest), Section 317 (indemnification of corporate agents), Section 1201 (corporate reorganization) or Section 2007 (certain distributions on dissolution), notice of the approval shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of any action authorized by the approval. Notice shall be given in the manner specified in these bylaws for notice of shareholders’ meetings.
          2.9 RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE AND VOTING.
               (a) For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at a shareholders’ meeting or give written consent to corporate action without a meeting, the board may fix in advance a record date that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the date of any such meeting, or not more than 60 days before any such action without a meeting.
               (b) If no record date has been fixed:

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               (i) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at a shareholders’ meeting shall be the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived as provided in these bylaws, the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held;
               (ii) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give written consent to corporate action without a meeting shall be the day on which the action to be approved was taken by the board, or, if the board has not yet acted, the day on which the first written consent is given; and
               (iii) The record date for any other purpose shall be as set forth in the section of these bylaws regarding record date for purposes other than notice and voting.
               (c) A determination of shareholders of record entitled to receive notice of and vote at a shareholders’ meeting shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting. However, the board shall fix a new record date if the adjournment is to a date more than 45 days after the date set for the original meeting.
               (d) Except as otherwise required by law, only shareholders of record on the corporation’s books at the close of business on the record date shall be entitled to any of the notice and voting rights listed in subsection (a) of this section, notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the corporation’s books after the record date.
          2.10 QUORUM. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum was initially present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum; however, any action taken (other than adjournment) must be approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
          The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum was initially present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum; however, any action taken (other than adjournment) must be approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
          2.11 VOTING. The corporation shall determine the shareholders entitled to vote at any shareholders’ meeting in accordance with bylaw provisions for record date, subject to sections 702 through 704 of the California Corporations Code (concerning the voting of shares held by a fiduciary, a corporation, or joint owners). Except as otherwise provided by law or as otherwise provided in the Articles of

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Incorporation, each outstanding share shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders.
          The shareholders may vote by voice vote or by ballot, except that if any shareholder so demands before the voting begins, any election for directors must be by ballot. On any matter other than the election of directors, a shareholder may vote part of his or her shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or vote them against the proposal. If a shareholder does not specify the number of shares being voted, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder’s vote covers all shares which that shareholder is entitled to vote.
          If a quorum is present (or if a quorum had been present earlier at the meeting but some shareholders have withdrawn), the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting, provided such affirmative vote also constitutes a majority of the number of shares required for a quorum, shall be the act of the shareholders unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation.
          2.12 CUMULATIVE VOTING. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is permitted if one or more shareholders present at the meeting give notice, before the voting begins, of their intention to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any candidate a number of votes greater than the number of votes which that shareholder would normally be entitled to cast). If any shareholder has given such notice, and if the candidates’ names have been placed in nomination, then all shareholders entitled to vote may cumulate their votes, giving any nominated candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which that shareholder’s shares are normally entitled, or distributing the cumulative number of votes among any or all of the candidates. The elected directors shall be those candidates (up to the number of directorships open for election) receiving the most votes.
          2.13 PROXIES. Every person entitled to vote for directors or on any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the secretary of the corporation. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the shareholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission, or otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder’s attorney in fact.
          A validly executed proxy that does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (a) it is revoked by the person who executed the proxy, either by a writing delivered to the corporation before the proxy has been voted, or by attendance at the meeting; or (b) the corporation receives written notice of the shareholder’s death or incapacity before the vote pursuant to that proxy has been counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date of the proxy unless the proxy itself provides otherwise.
          Proxies stating on their face that they are irrevocable shall be governed by Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of the California Corporations Code.

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          2.14 VOTING TRUSTS. If any shareholders file a Voting Trust Agreement with the corporation, the corporation shall take notice of its terms and trustee limitations.
          2.15 ELECTION INSPECTORS. Before any shareholders’ meeting, the Board of Directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as election inspectors. If no election inspectors have been so appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint election inspectors at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either 1 or 3. If inspectors are appointed at the meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or their proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether 1 or 3 inspectors are to be appointed. If any inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy. These inspectors shall (a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies; (b) receive votes, ballots, or consents; (c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote; (d) count and tabulate all votes or consents; (e) determine when the polls shall close; (f) determine the result; and (g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.
ARTICLE 3
DIRECTORS
          3.1 POWERS. Subject to the provisions of the California General Corporation Law and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws relating to actions requiring approval by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
          Without prejudice to these general powers, and subject to the same limitations, the Board of Directors shall have the power to:
               (a) Elect and remove all officers, agents, and employees of the corporation; prescribe any powers and duties for them that are consistent with law, with the Articles of Incorporation, and with these bylaws; fix their compensation; and require from them security for faithful service;
               (b) Change the principal executive office or the principal business office in the State of California from one location to another; qualify the corporation to do business in any other state, territory, dependency, or country; conduct business within or outside the State of California; and designate any place within or outside the State of California for the holding of any shareholders’ meeting;

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               (c) Adopt, make and use a corporate seal; prescribe the forms of certificates of stock; and alter the form of the seal and certificates;
               (d) Authorize the issuance of shares of corporate stock on any lawful terms, in consideration of money paid, labor done, services actually rendered, debts or securities cancelled, or tangible or intangible property actually received; and
               (e) Borrow money and incur indebtedness on behalf of the corporation, and cause to be executed and delivered for the corporation’s purposes, in the corporate name, promissory notes bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations, and other evidences of debt and securities.
          3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The authorized number of directors of this corporation shall be three (3) until changed by a bylaw amending this Section 3.2 duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders.
          3.3 ELECTION AND TERM OF DIRECTORS. Directors shall be elected at each annual shareholders’ meeting, to hold office until the next annual meeting. Election of directors by written consent without a meeting requires the unanimous written consent of all the outstanding shares entitled to vote. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
          No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before his or her term of office expires.
          3.4 VACANCIES. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist (a) if director dies, resigns, or is removed by the shareholders or an appropriate court, as provided in Section 303 or Section 304 of the California Corporations Code; (b) if the Board of Directors declares vacant the office of a director who has been convicted of a felony or declared of unsound mind by an order of court; (c) if the authorized number of directors is increased or (d) if at a shareholders’ meeting the shareholders fail to elect the full authorized number of directors. Vacancies (except for those caused by a director’s removal) may be filled by approval of the board, or, if the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, by (1) the unanimous written consent of the directors then in office, (2) the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice complying with section 307 of the Corporations Code, or (3) a sole remaining director.
          Vacancies on the board caused by the removal of a director (except for vacancies created when the board declares the office of a director vacant as provided in clause (b) of the first paragraph of this section) may be filled only by the shareholders, either by majority vote of the shares represented and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or by the unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote.
          Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the chairman of the board, the president, the secretary, or the Board of Directors, unless the notice

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specifies a later effective date. If the resignation is effective at a future time, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
          The shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill a vacancy not filled by the Board of Directors.
          The term of office of a director elected to fill a, vacancy shall run until the next annual shareholders’ meeting, and the director shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified.
          3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place within or outside the State of California as designated from time to time by the board. In the absence of a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the board may be held at any place within or outside the State of California designated in the notice of the meeting, or if the notice does not state a place, at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, provided that all directors participating can hear one another.
          3.6 ANNUAL DIRECTORS’ MEETING. Immediately after each annual shareholders meeting, the Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting at the same place or at any other place designated by the board, to elect officers and transact other necessary business as desired. Notice of this meeting shall not be required unless some place other than the place of the annual shareholders’ meeting has been designated.
          3.7 OTHER REGULAR MEETINGS. Other regular meetings of the Board of Direct or shall be held without call at times to be fixed by the Board of Directors from time to time. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.
          3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called any purpose or purposes at any time by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, any vice president, the secretary, or any 2 directors.
          Special meetings shall be held on 4 days’ notice by mail or 48 hours’ notice delivered personally or by telephone or telegraph. Oral notice given personally or by telephone may be transmitted either to the director or to a person at the director’s office who can reasonably be expected to communicate it promptly to the director. Written notice, if used, shall be addressed to each director at his or her address shown on the corporate records. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting, nor need it specify the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
          3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE. Notice of a meeting, it otherwise required, need not be given to any director who (a) either before or after the meeting signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting without being given notice, (b) signs an approval of the minutes of the meeting, or (c) attends the meeting without protesting the lack of notice before or at the beginning of the meeting. Waivers of notice or consents

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need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers, consents, and approvals of the minutes, if written, shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
          3.10 QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except for adjournment.
          Except as otherwise required by California Corporations Code Section 310 (approval of contracts or transactions in which a director has a material financial interest), Section 311 (appointment of committees), and Section 317(e) (indemnification of directors), every act done or decision made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be deemed the act of the Board of Directors, unless a different requirement is imposed by the Articles of Incorporation.
          A meeting at which a quorum was initially present may continue to transact business despite the withdrawal of directors, if the action taken is approved by at least a majority of the quorum required for that meeting.
          3.11 ADJOURNMENT TO ANOTHER TIME OR PLACE. Whether or not a quorum is present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
          3.12 NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETING. Notice of the time and place of resuming an adjourned meeting need not be given if the adjournment is for 24 hours or less. If the adjournment is for more than 24 hours, notice of the new time and place shall be given, before the time set for resuming the meeting, to any directors who were not present at the time of adjournment, but need not be given to directors who were present at the time of adjournment.
          3.13 ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Any action by written consent shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. All such written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors.
          3.14 COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Directors and members of committees of the board may be compensated for their services, and shall be reimbursed for expenses, as fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. This section shall not preclude any director from serving the corporation as an officer, agent, employee, or in any other capacity, and receiving “compensation for those services.
ARTICLE 4
COMMITTEES
          4.1 EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of

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directors, may create one or more committees with the authority of the board (“board committees” or “committees of the board”), including an executive committee. Each board committee shall consist of 2 or more directors, and may have one or more alternate members, also directors. Appointment of members and alternate members requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Committees of the board, to the extent provided in the board resolution establishing the committee, may be granted any or all of the powers and authority of the board except for the following:
               (a) Approving any action for which the California Corporations Code also requires the approval of the shareholders or of the outstanding shares;
               (b) Filling vacancies on the Board of Directors or any committee of the board;
               (c) Fixing directors’ compensation for serving on the board or a committee of the board;
               (d) Adopting, amending, or repealing bylaws;
               (e) Amending or repealing any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
               (f) Making distributions to shareholders, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or within a price range determined by the Board of Directors; or
               (g) Appointing other committees of the board or their members.
          4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTIONS OF BOARD COMMITTEES. Meetings and actions of committees of the board shall be governed by the bylaw provisions applicable to meetings and actions of the Board of Directors as to place of meetings, regular meetings, special meetings, waiver of notice, quorum, adjournment, notice of adjournment, and action by written consent without a meeting, with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members, except that (a) the time of regular committee meetings may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee; (b) special committee meetings may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors; (c) notice of special committee meetings shall also be given to all alternate members; and (d) alternate members shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board may adopt rules, not inconsistent with the bylaws, for the governance of committees of the board.
          4.3 NON-BOARD COMMITTEES. One or more committees without the power and authority of the board (“non board” committees) may be created by board resolution, for investigative and other appropriate purposes. Membership on non-board committees is not limited to directors. To bind the corporation, actions of non-board committees must be ratified by the Board of Directors.

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ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS
          5.1 OFFICERS; ELECTION. The corporation shall have a chief executive officer, a secretary, and a chief financial officer. There may also be other officers as specified in the bylaws or designated by the board. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The officers of the corporation (except for subordinate officers appointed in accordance with the provisions below) shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors. All officers shall serve at the pleasure of the board.
          5.2 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The chairman of the Board of Directors shall serve as the corporation’s general manager and chief executive officer and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall have general supervision, direction, and control over the corporation’s business and its officers, with all the general powers and duties of management usually vested in a corporation’s chief executive officer. The chairman shall preside at board meetings whenever present, and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as prescribed by the bylaws or by the board.
          There may also be a president of the corporation, in the discretion of the board, who shall preside at shareholders’ meetings, preside at board meetings if the chairman of the board is absent, and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as prescribed by the Board of Directors.
          5.3 SECRETARY. The secretary shall have the following duties:
               (a) MINUTES. The secretary shall be present at and take the minutes of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and committees of the board. If the secretary is unable to be present, the secretary or the presiding officer of the meeting shall designate another person to take the minutes of the meeting. The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or such other place as designated by the Board of Directors, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and committees of the board. The minutes of each meeting shall state the following: the time and place of the meeting; whether it was regular or special; if special, how it was called or authorized; the notice given or waivers or consents obtained; the names of directors present at board or committee meetings; the number of shares present or represented at shareholders’ meetings, and an accurate account of the proceedings.
               (b) RECORD OF SHAREHOLDERS. The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or at the office of the transfer agent or registrar, a record or duplicate record of shareholders. This record shall show the names of all shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of share certificates issued to each shareholder, and the number and date of cancellation of any certificates surrendered for cancellation.

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               (c) NOTICE OF MEETINGS. The secretary shall give notice, or cause notice to be given, of all shareholders’ meetings, board meetings, and committee meetings for which notice is required by statute or by the bylaws. If the secretary or other person authorized by the secretary to give notice fails to act, notice of any meeting may be given by any other officer of the corporation. The secretary shall maintain records of the mailing or other delivery of notices and documents to shareholders or directors, as prescribed by the bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
               (d) OTHER DUTIES. The secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation, if any, in safe custody. The secretary shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as prescribed by the bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
          5.4 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The chief financial officer, who my also be referred to as the treasurer, shall keep or cause to be kept adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.
          The chief financial officer shall (1) deposit corporate funds and other valuables in the corporation’s name and to its credit with depositories designated by the board; (2) disburse corporate funds as authorized by the board; (3) whenever requested by the board or the chief executive officer, render a statement of the corporation’s financial condition and an account of all transactions he or she has conducted as chief financial officer; and (4) exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as prescribed by the bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
          The chief financial officer shall be deemed the treasurer for any purpose requiring action by the corporation’s treasurer.
          5.5 VICE PRESIDENTS. There may be one or more vice presidents as determined by the board. In the absence or disability of the president, the president’s duties and responsibilities shall be carried out by the highest-ranking available vice president, or if there are two or more unranked vice presidents, by a vice president designated by the Board of Directors. When so acting, a vice president shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions on the president. Vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as prescribed by the bylaws or assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
          5.6 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board of Directors may appoint, and may empower the chief executive officer to appoint, subordinate officers as required by the corporation’s business, whose duties shall be as provided in the bylaws or as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
          5.7 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. Any officer chosen by the Board of Directors may be removed by the board at any time, with or without cause or notice. Subordinate officers appointed by persons other than the board

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may be removed at any time, with or without cause or notice, by the board or by the person by whom appointed. A removed officer shall have no claim against the corporation or individual officers or board members arising from such removal, other than any rights he or she may have to monetary compensation or damages under an employment contract.
          Any officer may resign at any time by giving the corporation written notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, resignations shall take effect on the date the notice is received, and acceptance of the resignation is not necessary to make it effective. An officer’s resignation or its acceptance by the corporation shall not prejudice any rights the corporation may have to monetary damages under an employment contract.
          5.8 VACANCIES IN OFFICES. Vacancies in offices resulting from an officer’s death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause shall be filled by the board or by the person, if any, authorized by the bylaws or the board to make an appointment to that office.
ARTICLE 6
INDEMNIFICATION
          6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENTS. The corporation, to the maximum extent permitted by the California General Corporation Law, shall have power to indemnify any of its agents against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding or potential proceeding arising out of the relationship, and to the maximum extent permitted by law, the corporation shall have power to advance the agent’s reasonable defense expenses in any such proceeding. For the purposes of this section, “agent” means any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or other agent of this corporation or its predecessor, and any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, at the request of this corporation or its predecessor; “proceeding” means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative; and “expenses” include but are not limited to attorneys’ fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this section.
ARTICLE 7
RECORDS AND REPORTS
          7.1 SHAREHOLDER LISTS: INSPECTION BY SHAREHOLDERS. The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, as the board shall determine, a record of the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each.
          A shareholder or group of shareholders holding 5 percent or more of the outstanding voting shares of the “corporation may (a) inspect and copy the record of

14


 

shareholders’ names and addresses and shareholdings during usual business hours, on 5 days’ prior written demand on the corporation; and/or (b) obtain from the corporation’s transfer agent, on written demand and tender of the transfer agent’s usual charges for this service, a list of the names and addresses of shareholders entitled to vote for the election of directors and their shareholdings, as of the most recent date for which a record has been compiled or as of a specified date which is later than the date of demand. This list shall be made available within 5 days after demand or within 5 days after the specified later date as of which the list is to be compiled.
          The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection during usual business hours, on the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder’s interest in the corporation. Any inspection or copying under this section may be made in person or by the holder’s agent or attorney.
          7.2 MAINTENANCE OF BYLAWS. The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office, or if its principal executive office is not in California, at its principal business office in this state, the original or a copy of the bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours. If the principal executive office of the corporation is outside of California and the corporation has no principal business office in this state, the secretary shall, upon a shareholder’s written request, furnish to that shareholder a copy of the bylaws as amended to date.
          7.3 MINUTES AND ACCOUNTING RECORDS. The minutes of proceedings of the shareholders, Board of Directors, and committees of the board, and the accounting books and records shall be kept at the principal executive office of the corporation, or at such other place or places as designated by the Board of Directors. The minutes shall be kept in written form, and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written form or in a form capable of being converted into written form. The minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to inspection during usual business hours on the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder’s interests in the corporation. The inspection may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and includes the right to copy and make extracts. These rights of inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary of the corporation.
          7.4 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS. Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations. This inspection may be made by the director in person or by an agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.
          7.5 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS. Inasmuch as, and for as long as, there are less than 100 shareholders referred, the requirement of an annual report to shareholders referred to in Section 1501 of the California Corporations Code is

15


 

expressly waived. However, nothing in this provision shall be interpreted as prohibiting the Board of Directors from issuing annual or other periodic reports to the shareholders, as the board considers appropriate.
          A shareholder or shareholders holding 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation may request in writing an income statement for the most recent three month, six month, or nine month period (ending more than 30 days before the date of the request) of the current fiscal year, and a balance sheet as of the end of that period. If such documents are not already prepared, the chief financial officer shall cause them to be prepared and shall deliver them personally or by mail to the requesting shareholders within 30 days after the receipt of the request. A balance sheet, income statement, and statement of changes in financial position for the last fiscal year shall also be included, unless the corporation has sent the shareholders an annual report for the last fiscal year.
          Quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report, if any, of independent accountants engaged by the corporation, or a certificate by the authorized corporate officer stating that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the corporation’s books and records.
          7.6 ANNUAL INFORMATION STATEMENT.
               (a) Every year, during the calendar month in which the original Articles of Incorporation were filed with the California Secretary of state or during the preceding 5 calendar months, the corporation shall file a statement with the Secretary of state on the prescribed form, setting forth the authorized number of directors; the names and complete business or residence addresses of the chief executive officer, the secretary, and the chief financial officer; the street address of the corporation’s principal executive office or principal business office in this state; a statement of the general type of business constituting the principal business activity of the corporation, and a designation of the corporation’s agent for service of process, all in compliance with Section 1502 of the Corporations Code of California.
               (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, if there has been no change in the information contained in the corporation’s last annual statement on file in the Secretary of State’s office, the corporation may, in lieu of filing the annual statement, advise the Secretary of State, on the appropriate form, that no changes in the required information have occurred during the applicable period.

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ARTICLE 8
(Intentionally Deleted)
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS
          9.1 AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. Unless otherwise provided under California Corporations Code Sections 900 through 911, amendments to the Articles of Incorporation may be adopted if approved by the board and approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, either before or after approval by the board. An amendment to the Articles of Incorporation shall be effective as of the date that the appropriate certificate of amendment is filed with the Secretary of State.
          9.2 AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS. Except as otherwise required by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws may be amended or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted, by the board of directors or by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
          10.1 RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (as a party, witness, or otherwise), in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereafter ;a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he, or a person of whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic corporation that was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of the Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent (hereafter an “Agent”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by statutory and decisional law, as the same exists or may hereafter be interpreted or amended (but, in the case of any such amendment or interpretation, only to the extent that such amendment or interpretation permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than were permitted prior thereto) against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, any interest, assessments or other charges imposed thereon, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on any Agent as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments

17


 

under this Article 10) incurred or suffered by such person in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing in, any proceeding (hereafter “Expenses”). The right to indemnification conferred in this Article 10 shall be a contract right. It is the corporation’s intention that these Bylaws provide indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law, as authorized by the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.
          10.2 AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE EXPENSES. The right to indemnification provided in Section 10.1 of these Bylaws shall include the right to be paid, in advance of a Proceeding’s final disposition, Expenses incurred in defending that Proceeding; provided, however, that if required by the California General Corporation Law, as amended, the payment of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized under this Article 10 or otherwise. The Agent’s obligation to reimburse the corporation for Expense advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.
          10.3 RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT. If a claim under Sections 10.1 or 10.2 of these Bylaws is not paid in full by the corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time there after bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense (including attorneys’ fees) of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the California General Corporation Law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. The burden of proving such a defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counselor its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper under the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the California General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counselor its stockholders) that the claimant had not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
          10.4 PROVISIONS NONEXCLUSIVE. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. To the extent that any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, agreement or vote of the

18


 

stockholders or disinterested directors is inconsistent with these Bylaws, the provision, agreement or vote shall take precedence.
          10.5 AUTHORITY TO INSURE. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any Agent against any Expense asserted against or incurred by such person, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the Agent against such Expense under applicable law or the provisions of this Article 10, provided that, in cases where the corporation owns all or a portion of the shares of the company issuing the insurance policy, the company and/or the policy must meet one of the two sets of conditions set forth in Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law, as amended.
          10.6 SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS. The rights provided by this Article 10 shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an Agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
          10.7 SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS. The corporation shall not be liable to indemnify any Agent under this Article 10: (a) for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim effected without the corporation’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (b) for any judicial award, if the corporation was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such action.
          10.8 EFFECT OF AMENDMENT. Any amendment, repeal or modification o this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any Agent existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
          10.9 SUBROGATION. In the event of payment under this Article 10, the corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Agent, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
          10.10 NO DUPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. The corporation shall not be liable under this Article 10 to make any payment in connection with any claim made against the Agent to the extent the Agent has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, agreement, vote, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said corporation this 27th day of June, 1994.
         
 
 
 
J. Andrew Johnson, Secretary
   

19

EX-3.15 14 c98562exv3w15.htm CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF DAY-TIMERS, INC. exv3w15
 

Exhibit 3.15
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC.
          The undersigned, in order to form a corporation for the purpose hereinafter stated, under and pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, hereby certifies that:
          FIRST: The name of the Corporation is BCI Day-Timers, Inc.
          SECOND: The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc., 229 South State Street, Dover, Kent County, Delaware 19901.
          THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
          FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 each.
          FIFTH: The name and address of the incorporator is Herbert A. Lurie, c/o Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, One Battery Park Plaza, New York, New York 10004.
          SIXTH: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting by majority vote, may alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed this Certificate of Incorporation on March 18 , 1986.
         
     
  /s/ Herbert A. Lurie    
  Herbert A Lurie,   
  Incorporator   

 


 

         
CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT
AND
REGISTERED OFFICE
* * * * *
          BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
          The present registered agent of the corporation is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc. and the present registered office of the corporation is in the county of Kent.
          The Board of Directors of BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC. adopted the following resolution on the 16th day of January, 1987.
          Resolved, that the registered office of BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC. in the state of Delaware be and it hereby is changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the authorization of the present registered agent of this corporation be and the same is hereby withdrawn, and THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, shall be and is hereby constituted and appointed the registered agent of this corporation at the address of its registered office.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC. has caused this statement to be signed by J. S. Corcoran, its Vice President and attested by Arthur J. McGivern, its Secretary this 4th day of February, 1987.
             
 
  By   /s/ J. S. Corcoran    
 
      J. S. Corcoran, Vice President    
         
ATTEST:    
By
  /s/ Arthur J. McGivern    
 
       
    Arthur J. McGivern, Secretary    

2


 

Certificate of Ownership and Merger
Merging
Day-Timers, Inc.
with and into
BCI Day-Timers, Inc.
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
          BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC. (“Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), does hereby certify that:
          FIRST: Corporation was incorporated on March 19, 1986, pursuant to the general Corporation Law and is existing under such Law.
          SECOND: Day-Timers, Inc. (“Subsidiary”) was incorporated on January 30, 1981 pursuant to the General Corporation Law and is existing under such law.
          THIRD: Corporation owns of record at least ninety percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of Subsidiary, all of which are of the same class.
          FOURTH: On April 9, 1987, the Hoard of Directors of Corporation duly adopted the resolutions attached hereto as Exhibit A providing for the Merger (the “Merger”) of Subsidiary with and into corporation which resolutions have not been amended or rescinded and are now in full force and effect.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by Arthur J. McGivern, its Vice President, and attested by Kenneth A. Koranda, its Assistant Secretary, this 10th day of April, 1987.
             
    BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Arthur J. McGivern    
 
           
    Title: Vice President    
         
ATTEST:    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Kenneth A. Koranda    
 
       
Title: Assistant Secretary    

3


 

EXHIBIT A
          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of BCI DAY-TIMERS, INC. (the “Corporation”) deems it advisable that the Corporation merge Day-Timers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (“Subsidiary”), its wholly owned subsidiary, into the Corporation pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “GCL”);
          WHEREAS, the Corporation intends that the plan of merger be treated as a plan of liquidation for purposes of Section 337 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
          NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 253 of the GCL, Subsidiary shall merge (the “Merger”) with and into the Corporation in accordance with the following Plan of Merger, which is hereby approved and adopted:
PLAN OF MERGER
          Section 1. (a) On the Effective Date of the Merger (as hereinafter defined), Subsidiary shall be merged with and into the Corporation, and the separate corporate existence of Subsidiary shall thereupon cease. The Corporation is the owner of in excess of 90% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Subsidiary. The Corporation shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Surviving Corporation”). The Corporation and Subsidiary are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Constituent Corporations.” The terms and conditions of the Merger and the mode of carrying the same into effect are set forth in this Plan of Merger.
          (b) The Merger shall become effective and the corporate existence of Subsidiary shall cease
          4:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on May 1, 1987. Such date and time shall be the “Effective Date of the Merger” as such term is used in this Plan of Merger.
          Section 2. (a) On the Effective Date of the Merger the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be changed to Day-Timers, Inc.
          (b) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall continue after the Effective Date of the Merger as the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until amended as provided by law, except that the name of the Corporation shall be changed as provided in Section 2(a) above.
          (c) The By-Laws of the Corporation as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall continue in full force and effect as the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation until the same shall be altered, amended or repealed as therein provided.

4


 

          Section 3. (a) The Directors of Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall continue as the Directors of the Surviving Corporation and shall serve until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified.
          (b) The officers of Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall continue as the officers of the Surviving Corporation and shall serve until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified.
          Section 4. The manner of converting the shares of the Corporation’s stock issued and outstanding upon the Effective Date of the Merger into shares of the Surviving Corporation, and the manner of cancelling the shares of Subsidiary common stock issued and outstanding upon the Effective Date of the Merger shall be as follows:
          (a) Each share of the Corporation’s capital stock issued and outstanding upon the Effective Date of the Merger shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be deemed to represent for all corporate purposes one share of common stock of the Surviving corporation.
          (b) Each share of Subsidiary’s capital stock shall, on the Effective Date of the Merger, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be cancelled and retired, and cease to exist, and shall not be converted into stock of the Surviving Corporation or the right to receive cash.
          Section 5. At the Effective Date of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises of a public as well as of a private nature, and be subject to all the restrictions, disabilities and duties of each of the Constituent Corporations; and all and singular, the rights, privileges, powers and franchises of each of the Constituent Corporations, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to either of the Constituent Corporations on whatever account, as well for stock subscriptions as all other things in action or belonging to each of the Constituent Corporations shall be vested in the Surviving Corporation; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all and every other interest shall be thereafter as effectually the property of the Surviving Corporation as they were of the respective Constituent Corporations, and the title to any real estate vested by deed or otherwise, under the laws of Delaware, in either of the Constituent Corporations, shall not revert or be in any way impaired; but all rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of either of the Constituent Corporations shall be preserved unimpaired and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Constituent Corporations shall thenceforth attach to the Surviving Corporation, and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
          Section 6. If, at any time after the Effective Date of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving Corporation the rights, properties or assets of the Constituent Corporations acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger or otherwise to

5


 

carry out this Plan of Merger, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Constituent Corporations or otherwise, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of the Constituent Corporations or otherwise, all such other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right, title and interest in, to and under such rights, properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to carry out this Plan of Merger.
          Section 7. As soon as practicable after the approval of this Plan of Merger by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the Corporation shall file a Certificate of Ownership and Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware pursuant to Sections 103 and 253 of the GCL. As soon as practicable following such filing with the Secretary of State, the Surviving Corporation shall file or cause to be filed a copy of the aforesaid Certificate of Ownership and Merger, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in the office of the Recorder of New Castle County in the State of Delaware, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 103 and 253 of the GCL.
          RESOLVED, that each officer of the Corporation be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to take any and all action which he may deem necessary or advisable in order to obtain the governmental licenses, permits, approvals, consents or other authorizations necessary in connection with the Merger and, in connection therewith, to prepare, execute, certify, acknowledge, verify, deliver, file or cause to be published, applications, certificates, reports, statements, powers of attorney or other instruments, and to appoint such agents or attorneys in connection therewith as may be required by law, and to take any and all such further action as he may deem necessary or advisable in order to obtain or maintain such governmental licenses, permits, approvals, consents or other authorizations.
          RESOLVED, that each officer of the Corporation be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to take all actions and to execute all documents as such authorized officer may deem appropriate to effectuate the foregoing resolutions and to carry out the purposes thereof, the taking of any such action and the execution of any such document conclusively to evidence the due authorization thereof by the Corporation.

6


 

CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF LOCATION OF REGISTERED OFFICE
AND OF REGISTERED AGENT
It is hereby certified that:
1. The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the “corporation”) is
     
 
  DAY-TIMERS, INC
2. The registered office of the corporation within the State of Delaware is hereby changed to 229 South State Street, City of Dover 19901, County of Kent.
3. The registered agent of the corporation within the State of Delaware is hereby changed to The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc., the business office of which is identical with the registered office of the corporation as hereby changed.
4. The corporation has authorized the changes hereinbefore set forth by resolution of its Board of Directors.
Signed on November 2, 1987.
         
  /s/ Stephen K. Rowley    
  Stephen K. Rowley, President   
     
ATTEST:
   
/s/ Robert K. Kretzman
   
Robert K. Kretzman, Assistant Secretary
DEL.-C.A.-D

7


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
DAY-TIMER TRAINING CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
into
DAY-TIMERS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
          DAY-TIMERS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 19, 1986, and was amended by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on April 30, 1987.
          SECOND: DAY-TIMER TRAINING CORPORATION (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 31, 1989.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on June 11, 1993, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:
          “RESOLVED, that Day-Timer Training Corporation, a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company, with this Company as the surviving corporation following such merger; and further
          RESOLVED, that the separate existence of Day-Timer Training Corporation shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further

8


 

          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of Day-Timer Training Corporation shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of Day-Timer Training Corporation shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
          RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers, and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shall become effective at 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on the date of the filing hereof with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 11th day of June, 1993.
             
    DAY-TIMERS, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Norman H. Wesley    
 
           
 
      Norman H. Wesley    
 
      Vice President    
[Corporate Seal]
     
ATTEST:
   
/s/ Kenton R. Rose
   
Kenton R. Rose
   
Assistant Secretary
   

9


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
THE TRAINING EDGE, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
DAY-TIMERS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
          DAY-TIMERS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”) DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 19, 1986 under the name BCI Day-Timers, Inc., and was amended by a Certificate of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office filed on February 13, 1987 and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on April 30, 1987, changing its name to Day-Timers, Inc.
          SECOND: The Training Edge, Inc. (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 14, 1992 under the name The Learning Edge, Inc., and was amended by a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation Before Payment for Stock filed on February 28, 1992.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, no par value per share, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on August 22, 1996, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:
          “RESOLVED, that The Training Edge, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company, with this Company as the surviving corporation following such merger; and further

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          RESOLVED, that the separate existence of The Training Edge, Inc. shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of The Training Edge, Inc. shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
          RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers, and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things, in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shall become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 31, 1996.
          IT WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 29th day of August, 1996.
             
    DAY-TIMERS, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Loren J. Hulber    
 
           
        Loren J. Hulber    
        President and Chief Executive Officer    
[Corporate Seal]
     
ATTEST:
   
/s/ Mark S. Lyon
   
Mark S. Lyon
   
Secretary
   

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CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
merging
DAY-TIMERS OF JAPAN, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
into
DAY-TIMERS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
          DAY-TIMERS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”) DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
          FIRST: The Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 19, 1986 under the name BCI Day-Timers, Inc., and was amended by a Certificate of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office filed on February 13, 1987 and by a Certificate of Ownership and Merger filed on April 30, 1987, changing its name to Day-Timers, Inc.
          SECOND: Day-Timers of Japan, Inc. (the “Subsidiary”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 30, 1991.
          THIRD: The Company owns 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Subsidiary, which is the only class of stock of the Subsidiary outstanding.
          FOURTH: The Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted by its Board of Directors on September 6, 1999, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation:
          “RESOLVED, that Day-Timers of Japan, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the entire issued and outstanding stock of which is owned by this Company, be merged with and into this Company, with this Company as the surviving corporation following such merger; and further

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          RESOLVED, that the separate existence of Day-Timers of Japan, Inc. shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of Day-Timers of Japan, Inc. shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of the merger shall be surrendered and extinguished; and further
          RESOLVED, that the issued and outstanding shares of this Company shall not be converted in any manner, but each of said issued and outstanding shares as of the effective date of this merger shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of this Company; and further
          RESOLVED, that the officers of this Company be and each of them is hereby authorized to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers and to do, or cause to be done, all such acts and things, in the name and on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions.”
          FIFTH: This Certificate or Ownership and Merger and the merger of the Subsidiary with and into the Company as provided herein shell become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 30, 1999.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed, this 20th day of September, 1999.
             
    DAY-TIMERS, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Michael J. Vogel    
 
           
 
      Michael J. Vogel    
 
      President and General Manager    
     
[Corporate Seal]
   
 
   
ATTEST:
   
/s/ Mark S. Lyon
   
Mark S. Lyon
   
Secretary
   

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EX-3.16 15 c98562exv3w16.htm BY-LAWS OF DAY-TIMERS, INC. exv3w16
 

Exhibit 3.16
DAY-TIMERS, INC.
(Delaware)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
          SECTION 1.1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders to elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be presented to the meeting shall be held at such place as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix, at 2:00 p.m. on the third Monday of April in each year or, if that day shall be a legal holiday in the jurisdiction in which the meeting is to be held, then on the next day not a legal holiday.
          SECTION 1.2. Special Meetings. A special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock that would be entitled to be voted on such matter or matters if the meeting were held on the day such request is received and the record date for such meeting were the close of business on the preceding day. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting and as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting.
          SECTION 1.3. Notice of Meeting. For each meeting of stockholders written notice shall be given stating the place, date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and, if the list of stockholders required by Section 1.9 is not to be at such place at least 10 days prior to the meeting, the place where such list will be. Except as otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be confined to the purposes stated in the call.
          SECTION 1.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to be voted present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, but in the absence of a quorum

 


 

the holders of record present or represented by proxy at such meeting may vote to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is obtained. At any such adjourned session of the meeting at which there shall be present or represented the holders of record of the requisite number of shares, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
          SECTION 1.5. Chairman and Secretary at Meeting. Each meeting of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no person is so designated, then a person designated by the Board of Directors, and if no such designated person is present, the stockholders at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may elect a presiding officer from among the persons present. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
          SECTION 1.6. Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions of Section 1.10:
               (a) Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by him.
               (b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
               (c) Each matter, including the election of directors, properly presented to any meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
               (d) Election of directors and the vote on any other matter presented to a meeting shall be by written ballot only if so ordered by the chairman of the meeting or if so requested by any stockholder present or represented by proxy at the meeting entitled to vote in such election or on such matter, as the case may be.
          SECTION 1.7. Adjourned Meetings. A meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time or place. Unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, stockholders of record for an adjourned meeting shall be as originally determined for the meeting from which the adjournment was taken. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or 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 stockholder of record entitled to vote. At the adjourned meeting any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
          SECTION 1.8. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken

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without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if (i) one or more consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and (ii) the consents are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested), its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature and no written consent will be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents sufficient to take such action are delivered to the Corporation within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent so delivered. Notice of the taking of such action shall be given promptly to each stockholder, if any, that would have been entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of stockholders and that did not consent thereto in writing.
          SECTION 1.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. At least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared and shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall be produced and kept at the place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
          SECTION 1.10. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors, by resolution, may fix a date for determining the stockholders of record for any lawful action, which record date shall not be earlier than the date of such resolution. The record date shall be determined as follows:
               (a) The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
               (b) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be determined as follows:

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           (i) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution taking such action; and
          (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is not required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation pursuant to Section 1.09.
               (c) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining. stockholders for any such action shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such action.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
          SECTION 2.1. Number; Term of Office; Qualifications; Vacancies. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be three or such number as may be determined from time to time by action of the Board of Directors taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled, subject to Section 2.3, by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
          SECTION 2.2. Resignation. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time be specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these By-laws in the filling of other vacancies.

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          SECTION 2.3. Removal. Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more directors be so removed, a new director or directors may be elected by the stockholders at the time of such removal; any vacancy resulting from such removal, if not so filled by such election by the stockholders, may be filled as provided in Section 2.1.
          SECTION 2.4. Regular and Annual Meetings; Notice. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. No notice need be given of any regular meeting, and a notice, if given, need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after an annual meeting of stockholders at the same place as that at which such meeting was held.
          SECTION 2.5. Special Meetings; Notice. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters, appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by at least one director. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or officer calling such meeting. Notice of such meeting stating the time, place and purposes thereof shall be given (a) by deposit of the notice in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, at least three days before the day fixed for the meeting addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the Corporation’s records or at such other address as the director may have furnished the Corporation for that purpose, or (b) by delivery of the notice similarly addressed for dispatch by telegraph, cable or radio or by delivery of the notice by telephone or in person, in each case at least 24 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.
          SECTION 2.6. Presiding Officer and Secretary at Meetings. Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no such person is so designated, then by such member of the Board of Directors as shall be chosen by the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
          SECTION 2.7. Quorum. Two directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum a majority of those present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting without notice until such time as a quorum is present. Except as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

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          SECTION 2.8. Meeting by Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors or of such 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 such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
          SECTION 2.9. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, 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 of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or of such committee.
          SECTION 2.10. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions, 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, including the power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have such power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the By-laws; and unless the resolution shall expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each such committee shall have such name as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
          SECTION 2.11. Compensation. No director shall receive any stated salary for his services as a director or as a member of a committee but shall receive such sum, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee. He may also be reimbursed for his expenses in attending any meeting. However, any director who serves the Corporation in any capacity other than as a member of the Board of Directors or of a committee may receive compensation therefor.

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ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
          SECTION 3.1. Election; Qualification. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as it may from time to time determine. The Chairman of the Board shall be elected from among the directors. Two or more offices may be held by the same person.
          SECTION 3.2. Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office from the time of his election and qualification to the time at which his successor is elected and qualified, unless sooner he shall die or resign or shall be removed pursuant to Section 3.4.
          SECTION 3.3. Resignation. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
          SECTION 3.4. Removal. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.
          SECTION 3.5. Vacancies. Any vacancy however caused in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.
          SECTION 3.6. Compensation. The compensation of all officers elected by the Board and all other agents and employees shall be fixed by or in the manner determined by the Board.
          SECTION 3.7. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall have general direction of its business affairs, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors. He shall, if present, preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties and have such responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
          SECTION 3.8. President. The President shall perform such duties and have such responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. At the request of the Chairman of the Board, or in his absence or disability, the President shall perform the duties of the Chairman of the Board, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chairman of the Board.
          SECTION 3.9. Vice President. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to the office of Vice President and as the Board of

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Directors may from time to time prescribe. During the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the President, or their inability to act, the Vice President, or if there shall be more than one Vice President, then that one designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Executive Officer.
          SECTION 3.10. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall be custodian of the corporate seal and shall affix it or cause it to be affixed to such instruments as require such seal and attest the same and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
          SECTION 3.11. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, shall have care of all funds and securities of the Corporation and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Treasurer, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
          SECTION 3.12. Other Officers. Each other officer of the Corporation shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
          SECTION 4.1. Stock Certificates. The interest of each holder of stock of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. Each certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any of or all the signatures appearing on such certificate or certificates may be a facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
          SECTION 4.2. Transfer of Stock. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation pursuant to applicable law and such rules and regulations as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.
          SECTION 4.3. Holders of Record. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer the Corporation may treat the holder of record of a share of its stock as the complete owner thereof exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise entitled to all the rights and powers of a complete owner thereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

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          SECTION 4.4. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The Corporation shall issue a new certificate of stock to replace a certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, if the owner or his legal representative (i) requests replacement before the Corporation has notice that the stock certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; (ii) files with the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such stock certificate or the issuance of any such new stock certificate; and (iii) satisfies such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
          SECTION 5.1. Indemnity. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
          (b) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication

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of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.
               (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or a person serving in any other enterprise at the request of the Corporation, has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the Corporation shall indemnify him against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
               (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
               (e) Expenses incurred (including attorneys’ fees) by a director, officer, employee or agent in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
               (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
               (g) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section.

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               (h) For the purposes of this Section, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
               (i) For purposes of this Section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Section.
               (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
          SECTION 5.2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws or any provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time required for such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
          SECTION 5.3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall start on January 1 in each year.
          SECTION 5.4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, and the same may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

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ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
          SECTION 6.1. Amendment. The By-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders; or by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the whole Board.

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EX-3.17 16 c98562exv3w17.htm ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC. exv3w17
 

Exhibit 3.17
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
          That we, the undersigned, have this day voluntarily associated ourselves together for the purpose of forming a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Nevada as approved March 21, 1925, and all acts amendatory thereof or in addition thereto, and to that end we do hereby certify that:
          1st. The name of the corporation is GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
          2nd. The location of the principal office of the corporation within the State of Nevada is 502 East John Street, Carson City, and the resident agent in charge of said office is United States Corporation Company.
          3rd. The corporation may engage in any lawful activity, without limitation.
          4th. The total number of shares of stock which the corporation is authorized to issue is One Million (1,000,000) shares of Common stock, each of which shall have a par value of One Cent ($.01).
          5th. The members of the governing board of the corporation shall be styled “directors” and the number of its first Board of Directors shall be five (5); provided, however, that the Board of Directors may, at any meeting by resolution, increase the number of such directors or decrease their number in such manner as shall be provided by the By-Laws of this corporation. The names and post office addresses of the Directors are as follows:
     
NAME   POST OFFICE ADDRESS
 
John E. Preschlack
  One GBC Plaza
 
  Northbrook, Illinois 60062
 
   
Stephen P. Hayes
  One GBC Plaza
 
  Northbrook, Illinois 60062
 
   
Frank J. Lenahan
  One GBC Plaza
 
  Northbrook, Illinois 60062
 
   
Victor L. Lewis
  One GBC Plaza
 
  Northbrook, Illinois 60062
 
   
Steve Rubin
  One GBC Plaza
 
  Northbrook, Illinois 60062

 


 

          6th. The capital stock and the holders thereof, after the amount of the subscription price has been paid in, shall not be subject to any assessment to pay the debts of the corporation or for any other purpose.
          7th. The names and post office addresses of the Incorporators signing these Articles of Incorporation are as follows:
     
NAME   POST OFFICE ADDRESS
 
D. S. Nuter
  33 North LaSalle Street
 
  Chicago, Illinois 60602
 
   
D. E. Howarth
  33 North LaSalle Street
 
  Chicago, Illinois 60602
 
   
B. M. Fahy
  33 North LaSalle Street
 
  Chicago, Illinois 60602
          8th. The corporation is to have perpetual existence.
          9th. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized:
          To make, alter, amend and rescind the By-Laws of the corporation, to fix the amount to be reserved as working capital, to fix the times for declaration and payment of dividends, and to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens upon the real and personal property of the corporation.
          With the consent in writing or pursuant to the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the stock issued and outstanding, at a stockholders’ meeting duly called for that purpose, to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of the property of the corporation as an entirety.
          In order to promote the interest of the corporation and to encourage the utilization of the corporation’s lands and other property, to sell, assign, transfer, lease and in any lawful manner dispose of such portions of said property as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable, and to use and apply the funds received in payment therefor to the surplus account for the benefit of the corporation, or the payment of dividends, or otherwise; provided that a majority of the whole Board concurs therein, and further provided that the capital stock shall not be decreased except in accordance with the laws of Nevada.
          10th. The corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provisions contained in these Articles of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred on stockholders or directors herein are granted subject to this reservation.

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 7th day of March, 1980.
         
 
  /s/ D. S. Nuter
 
D. S. Nuter, Incorporator
   
 
       
 
  /s/ D. E. Howarth
 
D. E. Howarth, Incorporator
   
 
       
 
  /s/ B. M. Fahy
 
B. M. Fahy, Incorporator
   

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STATE OF ILLINOIS
    )      
 
    )     SS.
COUNTY OF COOK
    )      
          BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 7th day of March, 1980, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for the State of Illinois and County of Cook, D. S. NUTER, D. E. HOWARTH and B. M. FAHY, described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, who acknowledged to me that they executed the same freely and voluntarily and for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.
         
 
  /s/ Susan M. Prevost
 
Susan M. Prevost, Notary Public
   

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PLAN OF MERGER
Dated as of September 2, 2003 by and between
GBC India Holdings, Inc. and GBC International, Inc.
RECITALS
GBC India Holdings, Inc., 1135 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, a Nevada corporation, is the wholly-owned subsidiary of GBC International, Inc.;
GBC International, Inc., 1135 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, a Nevada corporation, is the parent corporation of, and owns one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding shares of the sole class of stock of, GBC India Holdings, Inc.; and
GBC International, Inc. and GBC India Holdings, Inc. desire to merge GBC India Holdings, Inc. into GBC International, Inc. pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes §92A.180.
PLAN OF MERGER
1. GBC International, Inc. hereby merges GBC India Holdings, Inc. into GBC International, Inc.
2. GBC International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, shall survive the merger.
3. The owner’s interests of GBC India Holdings, Inc. shall become part of the owner’s interests of GBC International, Inc.
4. This Plan of Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Articles of Merger for this Plan of Merger with the Nevada Secretary of State.

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PLAN OF MERGER
Dated as of November 14, 2003 by and between
IBICO GmbH Holdings LLC and GBC International, Inc.
RECITALS
IBICO GmbH Holdings LLC, 1135 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, a Nevada limited liability company, is the wholly-owned subsidiary of GBC International, Inc.;
GBC International, Inc., 1135 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, a Nevada corporation, is the parent corporation and sole member of IBICO GmbH Holdings LLC; and
GBC International, Inc. and IBICO GmbH Holdings LLC desire to merge IBICO GmbH Holdings LLC into GBC International, Inc. pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes §92A.180.
PLAN OF MERGER
1. GBC International, Inc. hereby merges IBICO GmbH Holdings LLC into GBC International, Inc.
2. GBC International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, shall survive the merger.
3. The owner’s interests of IBICO GmbH Holdings LLC shall become part of the owner’s interests of GBC International, Inc.
4. This Plan of Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Articles of Merger for this Plan of Merger with the Nevada Secretary of State.

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EX-3.18 17 c98562exv3w18.htm BY-LAWS OF GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC. exv3w18
 

Exhibit 3.18
BY-LAWS
OF
GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
* * *
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
          SECTION 1. PLACE OF HOLDING ANNUAL MEETINGS.—Annual meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the office of the corporation in the City of Northbrook, IL or at such other place or places within or without the State of Nevada as the directors shall from time to time determine.
          SECTION 2. ANNUAL ELECTION OP DIRECTORS.—The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of other business shall be held on the first Monday of March in each year, commencing in 1980. If this date shall fall upon a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote shall, by plurality vote, elect a Board of Directors, and they may transact such other corporate business as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting. At least one-fourth in number of the directors shall be elected annually.
          No change of the time or place of a meeting for the election of directors, as fixed by the By-Laws, shall be made within sixty (60) days next before the day on which such election is to be held. In case of any change in such time or place for such election of directors, notice thereof shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote, in person or by letter mailed to his last known post office address, ten (10) days before the election is held.
          SECTION 3. VOTING.—Each stockholder entitled to vote in accordance with the terms of the Articles of Incorporation and in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws shall be entitled to one (1) vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of stock entitled to vote held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted after six (6) months from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period which in no case shall exceed seven (7) years. After the first election of directors, except where the transfer books of the corporation shall have been closed or a date shall have been fixed as the record date for the determination of its stockholders entitled to vote, as hereinafter provided in Section 4 of Article VI, no share of stock shall be voted on at any election for directors which shall have been transferred on the books of the corporation within twenty (20) days next preceding such election. Upon the demand of any stockholder, the vote for directors and the vote upon any question before the meeting shall be by ballot. All

 


 

elections shall be had and all questions decided by plurality vote except as otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation and/or by the laws of the State of Nevada.
          SECTION 4. QUORUM.—The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
          SECTION 5. ACTION WHICH MAY BF TAKEN WITHOUT MEETING.—Any action, except the election of directors, which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if authorized by a writing signed by all of the holders of shares who would be entitled to vote at a meeting for such purpose and filed with the Secretary of the corporation.
          SECTION 6. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS.—If less than a quorum shall be in attendance at any time for which the meeting shall have been called the meeting may, after a lapse of at least half an hour, be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the stockholders present or represented and entitled to vote thereat. If notice of such adjourned meeting is sent to the stockholders entitled to receive the same, such notice also containing a statement of the purpose of the meeting and that the previous meeting failed for lack of a quorum, and that under the provisions of this Section it is proposed to hold the adjourned meeting with a quorum of those present, then any number of stockholders, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at such meeting unless otherwise provided by statute.
          SECTION 7. SPECIAL MEETINGS: HOW CALLED.—Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the President or Secretary, and shall be called upon a requisition in writing therefor, stating the purpose or purposes thereof, delivered to the President or Secretary, signed by majority of the directors or by fifty-one percent (51%) in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote or by resolution of the directors.
          SECTION 8. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.—Written or printed notice, stating the place and time of the meeting, and the general nature of the business to be considered, shall be given by the Secretary to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat at his last known post office address, at least ten (10) days before the meeting in the case of a special meeting.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
          SECTION 1. NUMBER: TERM.—The number of directors shall be Five (5). The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders and each director shall be elected to serve until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify; provided that in the event of failure to hold such meeting or to hold such election at such meeting, it may be held at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose. Directors need not be stockholders.

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          SECTION 2. QUORUM.—A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any meeting of the board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is obtained, and no further notice thereof need be given other than by announcement at said meeting which shall be so adjourned.
          SECTION 3. FIRST MEETING.—The newly elected directors may hold their first meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, if a quorum be present, immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders; or the time and place of such meeting may be fixed by consent in writing of a majority of the directors.
          SECTION 4. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.—At the first meeting or at any subsequent meeting called for the purpose, the directors shall elect a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers as may be deemed necessary, who need not be directors. Such officers shall hold office until the next annual election of officers and until their successors are elected and qualify.
          SECTION 5. REGULAR MEETINGS.—Regular meetings of the directors may be held without notice at such places and times as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the directors.
          SECTION 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS: HOW CALLED: NOTICE.—Special meetings of the board may be called by the President or by the Secretary or by any three (3) directors, on two (2) days’ notice to each director.
          SECTION 7. PLACE OF MEETING.—The directors may hold their meetings and have one or more offices, and keep the books of the corporation, outside the State of Nevada, at any office or offices of the corporation or at any other place as they may from time to time by resolution determine.
          SECTION 8. GENERAL POWERS OP DIRECTORS.—The Board of Directors shall have the management of the business of the corporation, and, subject to the restrictions imposed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these By-Laws, may exercise all the powers of the corporation.
          SECTION 9. SPECIFIC POWERS OF DIRECTORS.—Without prejudice to such general powers it is hereby expressly declared that the directors shall have the following powers, to wit:
               (1) To adopt and alter a common seal of the corporation.
               (2) To make and change regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, for the management of the corporation’s business and affairs.
               (3) To purchase or otherwise acquire for the corporation any property, rights, or privileges which the corporation is authorized to acquire.

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               (4) To pay for any property purchased for the corporation either wholly or partly in money, stock, bonds, debentures, or other securities of the corporation.
               (5) To borrow money and to make and issue notes, bonds, and other negotiable and transferable instruments, mortgages, deeds of trust, and trust agreements, and to do every act and thing necessary to effectuate the same.
               (6) To remove any officer for cause, or any officer other than the President summarily without cause, and in their discretion from time to time, to devolve the powers and duties of any officer upon any other person for the time being.
               (7) To appoint and remove or suspend such subordinate officers, agents or factors may deem necessary and to determine their duties and fix, and from time to time change their salaries or remuneration, and to require security as and when they think fit.
               (8) To confer upon any officer of the corporation the power to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, agents and factors.
               (9) To determine who shall be authorized on the corporation’s behalf to make and sign bills, notes, acceptances, endorsement, checks, releases, receipts, contracts and other instruments.
               (10) To determine who shall be entitled to vote in the name and behalf of the corporation upon, or to assign and transfer, any shares of stock, bonds, or other securities of other corporations held by this corporation.
               (11) To delegate any of the powers of the board in relation to the ordinary business of the corporation to any standing or special committee, or to any officer or agent (with power to sub-delegate), upon such terms as they think fit.
               (12) To call special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes.
          SECTION 10. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS.—Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their service as directors, but by resolution of the board a fixed fee and expenses of attendance may be allowed for attendance at each meeting. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.
ARTICLE III
COMMITTEES
          SECTION 1. The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation, which to the

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extent provided in said resolution or resolutions or in these By-Laws shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation any may have power to authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be stated in these By-Laws or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
          SECTION 2. The committees shall keep regular minutes of their proceedings and report the same to the board when required.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
          SECTION 1. The officers of the corporation, in addition to the directors, shall be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as may from time to time be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. Any person may hold two or more offices.
          SECTION 2. PRESIDENT.—The President shall when present preside at all meetings of the directors and act as temporary chairman at, and call to order, all meetings of the stockholders; and he shall have power to call special meetings of the stockholders and directors for any purpose or purposes, appoint and discharge employees and agents of the corporation, and fix their compensation, make and sign contracts and agreements in the name and behalf of the corporation, and, while the directors and/or committees are not in session, he shall have general management and control of the business and affairs of the corporation; he shall see that the books, reports, statements and certificates required by the statute under which this corporation is organized or any other laws applicable thereto are properly kept, made, and filed according to law; and he shall generally do and perform all acts incident to the office of President or which are authorized or required by law.
          SECTION 3. VICE-PRESIDENT.—Vice-President, if any be appointed, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the directors.
          SECTION 4. SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of stockholders and directors and all other notices required by law or by these By-Laws, and, in case of his absence or refusal or neglect so to do, any such notice may be given by a person thereunto directed by the President, or by the directors, or stockholders, upon whose requisition the meeting is called as provided in these By-Laws. He shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the directors or the President. He shall have the custody of the seal of the corporation and shall affix the same to all instruments requiring it, when authorized by the directors or the President, and attest the same.

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          SECTION 5. TREASURER.—The Treasurer shall have the custody of all funds, securities, evidences of indebtedness, and other valuable documents of the corporation; he shall receive and give or cause to be given receipts and acquittances for moneys paid in on account of the corporation and shall pay out of the funds on hand all just debts of the corporation of whatever nature upon maturity of the same; he shall enter or cause to be entered in books of the corporation to be kept for that purpose full and accurate accounts of all moneys received and paid out on account of the corporation, and, whenever required by the President or the directors, he shall render a statement of his cash accounts; he shall keep or cause to be kept such other books as will show a true record of the expenses, losses, gains, assets and liabilities of the corporation; he shall, unless otherwise determined by the directors, have charge of the original stock books, transfer books, and stock ledgers and act as transfer agent in respect to the stock and securities of the corporation; and he shall perform all of the other duties incident to the office of Treasurer.
ARTICLE V
RESIGNATIONS: FILLING OF VACANCIES:
INCREASE OF NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
          SECTION 1. RESIGNATIONS.—Any director, member of a committee or other officer may resign at any time. Such resignations shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, and, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
          SECTION 2. FILLING OF VACANCIES.—If the office of any director, member of a committee, or other officer becomes vacant, the remaining directors in office, though less than a quorum, by a majority vote, may appoint any qualified person to fill such vacancy, who shall hold office for the unexpired term and until his successor shall be duly chosen.
          SECTION 3. INCREASE OF NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.-— The number of directors may be increased at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors (or, by the affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the stockholders), at a special meeting called for that purpose, and by like vote, the additional directors may be chosen at such meeting to hold office until the next annual election and their successors are elected and qualify.
ARTICLE VI
CAPITAL STOCK
          SECTION 1. CERTIFICATE OF STOCK.—Certificates of stock, numbered and with the seal of the corporation affixed, signed by the President or Vice-President, and the Treasurer or Secretary, shall be issued to each stockholder certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. When such certificates are signed

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by a transfer agent, or an assistant transfer agent, or by a transfer clerk acting on behalf of the corporation and a registrar, the signatures of such officers may be facsimiles.
          SECTION 2. LOST CERTIFICATES.—A new certificate of stock may be issued in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by the corporation, alleged to have been lost or destroyed, and the directors may, in their discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representatives, to give the corporation a bond, in such sum as they may direct, not exceeding double the value of the stock, to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss of any such certificate.
          SECTION 3. TRANSFER OF SHARES.—Subject to the restrictions contained in the Articles of Incorporation, the shares of stock of the corporation shall be transferable only upon its books by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, and upon such transfer the old certificates shall be surrendered to the corporation by the delivery thereof to the person in charge of the stock and transfer books and ledgers or to such other person as the directors may designate, by whom they shall be cancelled, and new certificates shall thereupon be issued.
          SECTION 4. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOORS.—The Board of Directors shall have power to close the stock transfer books of the corporation for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend or the date for the allotment of rights or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, provided, however, that in lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date, not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion of or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any such dividends, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion, or exchange of capital stock, and in such cases such stockholders only as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividends, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, not withstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.
          SECTION 5. DIVIDENDS.—Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, if any, the directors may declare dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation as and when they deem 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 directors from time to time in their discretion think proper for working capital or as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for such other purposes as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation.

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ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
          SECTION 1. CORPORATE SEAL.—The corporate seal shall be circular in form and shall contain the name of the corporation, the year of its creation, and the words “Corporate Seal, Nevada”. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
          SECTION 2. The fiscal year of the corporation shall commence on January first and shall end December thirty-first.
          SECTION 3. PRINCIPAL OFFICE.—The principal office in the State of Nevada shall be established and maintained at Carson City in Ormsby County, in the State of Nevada.
          SECTION 4. CHECKS, DRAFTS, NOTES.—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 officer or officers, agent or agents, of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
          SECTION 5. NOTICE.—Whenever any notice is required by these By-Laws to be given, personal notice is not meant unless expressly so stated; and any notice so required shall be deemed to be sufficient if given by depositing the same in a post office box in a sealed post-paid wrapper addressed to the person entitled thereto at his last known post office address, and such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the day of such mailing. Stockholders not entitled to vote shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meeting except as otherwise provided by statute.
          SECTION 6. ACTION AT MEETING NOT REGULARLY CALLED AND WAIVER OF NOTICE.—Whenever all parties entitled to vote at any meeting, whether of directors, trustees, or stockholders, consent, either by a writing on the records of the meeting or filed with the Secretary or by presence at such meeting and oral consent entered on the minutes or by taking part in the deliberations at such meeting without objection, the doing of such meeting shall be as valid as if a meeting had been regularly called and noticed, and at such meeting any business may be transacted which is not expected from the written consent or to the consideration of which no objection for want of notice is made at the time, and if any meeting be irregular for want of notice or of such consent, provided a quorum was present at such meeting, the proceedings of said meeting may be ratified and approved and rendered likewise valid and the irregularity or defect therein waived by a writing signed by all parties having the right to vote at such meeting; and such consent or approval of stockholders or creditors may be by proxy or attorney, but all such proxies and powers of attorney must be in writing.
          Whenever any notice whatever is required to be given under the provisions of this act, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled

8


 

to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
          SECTION 1. The power to amend, alter, and repeal these By-Laws and to make new By-Laws shall be vested in the Board of Directors subject to the By-Laws, if any, of the stockholders.

9


 

GBC INTERNATIONAL
BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
Effective February 13, 1981
Article I. Section 2. (Revised)
          “Section 2. ANNUAL ELECTION OF DIRECTORS — The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of other business shall be held on any date during the period January 1 — May 1 during the year as determined by the Board of Directors and provided that notice of said date be given to the stockholders at least sixty (60) days prior thereto. At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote shall, by plurality vote, elect a Board of Directors, and they may transact such other corporate business as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting. At least one-fourth in number of the directors shall be elected annually.
          “In case of any change in such time or place for such election of directors, notice thereof shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote, in person or by letter mailed to his last known post office address, ten (10) days before the election is held.”
Article IV. Section 6. (Added)
          “Section 6. ASSISTANT SECRETARY — The Assistant Secretary shall perform all acts and functions of the Secretary when the Secretary is unable to so perform or upon the direction of the Directors.”

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GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
BY-LAW AMENDMENT
Effective February 13, 2001
Article 11, Section 1. (Revised)
          “Section 1. NUMBER: TERM. —The number of directors shall be two (2). The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders and each director shall be elected to serve until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify; provided that in the event of failure to hold such meeting or to hold such election at such meeting, it may be held at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose. Directors need not be stockholders.”

11

EX-3.19 18 c98562exv3w19.htm RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION exv3w19
 

Exhibit 3.19
Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
     FIRST: The name of the corporation is GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION.
     SECOND: Its registered office in the state of Delaware is located at No. 229 S. State Street, in the City of Dover, County of Kent. The name and address of its registered agent is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc., 229 S. State St., Dover, Delaware 19901.
     THIRD: The nature of the business, or objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on are:
     To manufacture, construct, compound and deal in machinery, appliances and plastic, metal, wood, chemical and other products of every nature, kind and description, and to do any and all things and perform all services connected with and incidental to all of the foregoing.
     To manufacture, purchase or otherwise acquire, invest in, own, mortgage, pledge, sell, lease, assign and transfer or otherwise dispose of, trade, deal in and deal with goods, wares and merchandise and personal property of every class and description;
     To acquire, and pay for in cash, stock or bonds of this corporation or otherwise, the good will, rights, assets and property, and to undertake or assume the whole or any part of the obligations or liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation;
     To acquire, hold, use, sell, assign, lease, grant licenses, in respect of, mortgage or otherwise dispose of letters patent of the United States or any foreign country, patent rights, licenses and privileges, inventions, improvements and processes, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, relating to or useful in connection with any business of this corporation;
     To acquire by purchase, subscription or otherwise, and to receive, hold, own, guarantee, sell, assign, exchange, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of or deal in and with any of the shares of the capital stock, or any voting trust certificates in respect of the shares of capital stock, scrip, warrants, rights, bonds, debentures, notes, trust receipts, and other securities, obligations, choses in action and evidences of indebtedness or interest issued or created by any corporations, joint stock companies, syndicates, associations, firms, trusts or persons, public or private, or by the government of the United States of America, or by any foreign government, or by any state, territory, province, municipality or other political subdivision or by any governmental agency, and as owner thereof to possess and exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to execute consents and vote thereon, and to do any and all

 


 

acts and things necessary or advisable for the preservation, protection, improvement and enhancement in value thereof;
     To enter into, make and perform contracts of every kind and description with any person, firm, association, corporation, municipality, county, state, body politic or government or colony or dependency thereof;
     To borrow or raise moneys for any of the purposes of the corporation and, from time to time without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the payment of any thereof and of the interest thereon by mortgage upon or pledge, conveyance, or assignment in trust of the whole or any part of the property of the corporation, whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired, and to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of such bonds or other obligations of the corporation for its corporate purposes;
     To loan to any person, firm or corporation any of its surplus funds, either with or without security;
     To purchase, hold, sell and transfer the shares of its own capital stock; provided it shall not use its funds or property for the purchase of its own shares of capital stock when such use would cause any impairment of its capital except as otherwise permitted by law, and provided further that shares of its own capital stock belonging to it shall not be voted directly or indirectly;
     To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and business and without restriction or limit as to amount to purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own, mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property of every class and description in any of the states, districts, territories or colonies of the United States, and in any and all foreign countries, subject to the laws of such state, district, territory, colony or country; and
     In general, to carry on any other business in connection with the foregoing, and to have and exercise all the powers conferred by the laws of Delaware upon corporations formed under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and to do any or all of the things hereinbefore set forth to the same extent as natural persons might or could do.
     The objects and purposes specified in the foregoing clauses shall, except where otherwise expressed, be in nowise limited or restricted by reference to, or inference from, the terms of any other clause in this certificate of incorporation, but the objects and purposes specified in each of the foregoing clauses of this article shall be regarded as independent objects and purposes.
     FOURTH: The total number or shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 7,710,600 consisting of 7,000,000 shares of Common

3


 

Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value, and 710,600 shares of Class B Common Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value.
Voting Rights
     Each share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote and fifteen votes, respectively, per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
Conversion
     Shares of Class B Common Stock shall be automatically converted into fully-paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at the rate of one share of Common Stock for each share of Class B Common Stock upon the presentation to the transfer agent for transfer of a certificate for shares of Class B Common Stock duly endorsed to a person or persons other than (i) the record holder of such shares or (ii) the surviving corporation or new corporation in a statutory merger or consolidation, respectively, in which the record holder of such shares was a constituent corporation if the transfer agent is advised of the statutory merger or consolidation by being furnished at the time of transfer with a copy of the agreement of merger or consolidation certified by the secretary of state of such record holder’s state of incorporation, in which event the shares of Class B Common Stock shall be transferred to (a) the record holder of such shares or (b) the surviving corporation or new corporation, as the case may be. The expense of any required stock transfer stamps or taxes shall be borne by the transferring record holder under arrangements satisfactory to the transfer agent.
     As promptly as practicable after such conversion, the Corporation’s transfer agent shall deliver to the transferee of the Class B Common Stock so presented a certificate representing the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Corporation into which such Class B Common Stock was converted. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made at the close of business on the date that such Class B Common Stock shall have been duly presented for transfer, so that the rights of the holder of such Class B Common Stock as a stockholder shall cease at such time and the person or persons entitled to receive Common Stock upon conversion of such Class B Common Stock shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such Common Stock at such time; provided, however, that no such presentation on any date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed shall be effective to constitute as the record holder or holders thereof on such date the person or persons entitled to receive Common Stock on such date, but such surrender shall be effective to constitute the person or persons entitled to receive such Common Stock as the record holder or holders hereof for all purposes at the close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open.
     All shares of Class B Common stock that are converted into shares of Common Stock shall be cancelled and retired and shall not be reissued. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available, solely for the purpose of issuance upon conversion of Class B Common Stock as herein provided, such number of shares of

4


 

Common Stock as shall be issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding class B Common Stock.
Dividends and Liquidation
     Except as above provided, the rights of holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be identical. The holders of all shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to (i) participate, on a share-for-share basis, in such dividends (payable in cash, common stock or otherwise) as may be declared and paid by the Corporation from time to time out of funds legally available therefor and (ii) share ratably in the assets of the Corporation in the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation. All distributions of stock of the Corporation in respect of any stock dividends, stock-splits or rights to subscribe for and purchase such stock shall be made in Common Stock to the holders of Common Stock and in Class B Common Stock to the holders of Class B Common Stock.
Issuance of Stock
     Subject to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation and except as otherwise provided by law, the shares of stock of the Corporation, regardless of class, may be issued for such consideration, not less than the par value of stock with par value, and for such corporate purposes as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
     The Board of Directors may issue shares of the Corporation to the stockholders of the Corporation pro rata in the form of stock dividends and/or stock splitups which stock dividends and/or stock splitups may or may not affect, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, the capital account of the Corporation, except that the capital account, after any such issuance of shares, shall not be less than the aggregate par value of all issued shares having a par value.
Preemptive Rights
     No stockholder of this Corporation shall by reason of his holding shares of any class have any preemptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe to any shares of any class of this Corporation, not or hereafter to be authorized, or any notes, debentures, bonds, or other securities convertible into or carrying options or warrants to purchase shares of any class, now or hereafter to be authorized, whether or not the issuance of any such shares or notes, debentures, bonds or other securities, would adversely affect the dividend or voting rights of such stockholders, other than the preemptive or preferential rights, if any, as the Board of Directors, in its discretion from time to time may grant, and at such price as the Board of Directors in its discretion may fix; and the Board of Directors may issue shares of any class of this Corporation, or any notes, debentures, bonds, or other securities convertible into or carrying options or warrants to purchase shares of any class, without offering any such shares of any class, either in whole or in part, to the existing stockholders of any class.

5


 

     FIFTH: The minimum amount of capital with which the corporation will commence business is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
     SIXTH: The names and places of residence of the incorporators are as follows:
     
NAMES   RESIDENCES
A. D. Grier
  Wilmington, Delaware
S. H. Livesay
  Wilmington, Delaware
F. J. Obara, Jr.
  Wilmington, Delaware
     SEVENTH: The corporation is to have perpetual existence.
     EIGHTH: The private property of the stockholders shall not be subject to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
     NINTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized:
     To make, alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the corporation;
     From time to time, (a) to issue, sell and dispose of shares of the authorized and previously unissued Common Stock of the corporation and shares of its outstanding Common Stock held in its treasury; (b) to issue, sell and dispose of the bonds, debentures, notes and other obligations or evidences of indebtedness of the corporation, including bonds, debentures, notes and other obligations or evidences of indebtedness of the corporation convertible into capital stock of the corporation of any class; and (c) to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens upon the real and personal property of the corporation;
     To declare and pay dividends on the capital stock as permitted by law;
     To set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and to abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created;
     By resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, to designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation, which, to the extent provided in the resolution or in the by-laws of the corporation, shall have and may exercise the powers 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. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be stated in the by-laws of the corporation or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.

6


 

     When and as authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding having voting power given at a stockholders’ meeting duly called for that purpose, or when authorized by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the voting stock issued and outstanding, to sell, lease or exchange all of the property and assets of the corporation, including its good will and its corporate franchises, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration, which may be in whole or in part shares of stock in, and/or other securities of, any other corporation or corporations, as the board of directors shall deem expedient and for the best interests of the corporation.
     The corporation may in its by-laws confer powers upon its board of directors in addition to the foregoing, and in addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon it by statute.
     TENTH: Section 1. The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
     Section 2. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the

7


 

circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnify for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of such other court shall deem proper.
     Section 3. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in sections 1 and 2 or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
     Section 4. Any indemnification under sections 1 and 2 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in sections 1 and 2. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
     Section 5. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article.
     Section 6. The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
     Section 7. The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article.
     ELEVENTH. Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court or equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof, or on the application of any receiver

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or receivers appointed for this corporation under the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under the provisions of section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this corporation, as the case may be, and also on this corporation.
     TWELFTH: Meetings of stockholders may be held outside the State of Delaware, if the by-laws so provide. The books of the corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or in the by-laws of the corporation. Elections of directors need not be by ballot unless the by-laws of the corporation shall so provide.
     THIRTEENTH: The corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this certificate of incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
     Signed and attested to on November 5, 1979.
         
     
  /s/ [Illegible]    
  Vice President & Treasurer   
     
 
Attest:
 
/s/ [Illegible]
 
Secretary

9


 

             
STATE OF ILLINOIS
    )      
 
    )     SS.:
COUNTY OF LAKE
    )      
     BE IT REMEMBERED that, on November 5, 1979, before me, a Notary Public duly authorized by law to take acknowledgment of deeds, personally came Frank J. Lenahan, Vice President & Treasurer of General Binding Corporation, who duly signed the foregoing instrument before me and acknowledged that such signing is his act and deed, that such instrument as executed is the act and deed of said corporation, and that the facts stated therein are true.
     GIVEN under my hand on November 5, 1979.
         
     
  /s/ Ann M. Vogel    
  Notary Public   
     
 

10


 

     Certificate of Ownership of the “GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION”, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, merging “ADVANCE TOOLING AND ENGINEERING, INC.”, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of California, pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as received and filed in this office the twenty-ninth day of June, A.D. 1981, at 9 o’clock A.M.

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP
MERGING
ADVANCE TOOLING AND ENGINEERING, INC.
INTO
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
(Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware)
Subsidiary into Parent
     General Binding Corporation, a corporation incorporated in Delaware on the 7th day of March, 1966, pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that this corporation owns 100% the capital stock of Advance Tooling & Engineering, Inc., a corporation incorporated on the 11th day of September, 1970, pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of California, and that this corporation, by a resolution of its Board of Directors duly adopted at a meeting held on the 26th day of June, 1981 determined to and did merge into itself said Advance Tooling & Engineering, Inc., which resolution is in the following words to wit:
     WHEREAS, this corporation lawfully owns 100% the outstanding stock of Advance Tooling & Engineering, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of California, and
     WHEREAS, this corporation desires to merge into itself the said Advance Tooling & Engineering, Inc., and to be possessed of all the estate, property, rights, privileges and franchises of said corporation,
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
     RESOLVED, that this corporation merge into itself, and it does hereby merge into itself said Advance Tooling & Engineering, Inc. and assumes all of its liabilities and obligations, and
     FURTHER RESOLVED, that for purposes of accounting for the merger so described that said merger shall be effective at the close of business on the 30th day of June, 1981;
     FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman and the secretary of this corporation be and they hereby are directed to make and execute, under the corporate seal of this corporation, a certificate of ownership setting forth a copy of the resolution to merge said Advance Tooling & Engineering, Inc. and assume its liabilities and obligations, and the date of adoption thereof, and to file the same in the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware, and a certified copy thereof in the office of the Recorder

 


 

of Deeds of Kent County, and to transmit an executed duplicate original to the Secretary of State of California, and
     FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of this corporation be and they hereby are authorized and directed to do all acts and things whatsoever, whether within or without the State of Delaware; which may be in any way necessary or proper to effect said merger.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said General Binding Corporation has caused its corporate seal to be affixed and this certificate to be signed by Warren R. Rothwell, its Chairman and attested by Steve Rubin, its Secretary, this 26th day of June A.D. 1981.
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Warren R. Rothwell    
  Its: Chairman   
       
 
 
Corporate Seal
 
Attest:
 
/s/ Steve Rubin
 
Secretary

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER
of
KOELLING METALS, INC.
(a Missouri corporation)
into
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
It is hereby certified that:
     1. General Binding Corporation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Corporation”) is a business corporation of the State of Delaware.
     2. The Corporation is the owner of all of the outstanding shares of stock of Koelling Metals, Inc., which is a business corporation of the State of Missouri.
     3. The laws of the jurisdiction of organization of Koelling Metals, Inc. permit the merger of a business corporation of that jurisdiction with a business corporation of another jurisdiction.
     4. The Corporation hereby merges Koelling Metals, Inc. into the Corporation.
     5. The following is a copy of the resolutions adopted on November 12, 1982 by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to merge the said Koelling Metals, Inc. into the corporation:
     RESOLVED that Koelling Metals, Inc. be merged into this Corporation, and that all of the estate, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Koelling Metals, Inc. be vested in and held and enjoyed by this Corporation as fully and entirely and without change or diminution as the same were before held and enjoyed by Koelling Metals, Inc. in its name.
     FURTHER RESOLVED that this Corporation assumes all of the obligations of Koelling Metals, Inc.
     FURTHER RESOLVED that this Corporation shall cause to be executed and filed and/or recorded the documents prescribed by the laws of the State of Missouri, and by the laws of any other appropriate jurisdiction and will cause to be performed all necessary acts within the jurisdiction of organization of Koelling Metals, Inc. and of this Corporation and in any other appropriate jurisdiction.
     FURTHER RESOLVED that the effective date of the Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth a copy of these resolutions shall be the close of

 


 

business on December 31, 1982, and that, insofar as the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall govern the same, said date shall be the effective merger date.
     FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board of Directors of General Binding Corporation does hereby approve the following Plan of Merger for the purpose of merging Koelling Metals, Inc. into General Binding Corporation:
PLAN OF MERGER
     1. General Binding Corporation, which is a business corporation of the State of Delaware, and is the owner of all of the outstanding shares of Koelling Metals, Inc., which is a business corporation of the State of Missouri, hereby merges Koelling Metals, Inc. into General Binding Corporation pursuant to the provisions of The General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri and pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     2. The separate existence of Koelling Metals, Inc. shall cease upon the effective date of the merger pursuant to the provisions of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri; and General Binding Corporation shall continue its existence pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     3. Inasmuch as General Binding Corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of Koelling Metals, Inc., the issued shares of Koelling Metals, Inc., shall not be converted into shares of General Binding Corporation, and no securities, cash, property or rights shall be issued, paid, delivered or granted by General Binding Corporation for said shares of Koelling Metals, Inc., but each said share which is issued as of the effective date of the merger shall be surrendered and extinguished.
     4. General Binding Corporation shall assume all of the obligations of Koelling Metals, Inc.
Executed On December 13, 1982
         
     
  By:   /s/ [Illegible]    
    President   
       
 
 
Attest:
 
/s/ [Illegible]
 
Its Secretary

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
* * * * *
     GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
     FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of General Binding Corporation on March 20, 1987, resolutions were duly adopted setting forth proposed amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation, and declaring said amendments to be advisable and directing that the amendments be considered at the next annual meeting of the stockholders. The resolutions setting forth the proposed amendments are as follows:
     RESOLVED, that the first Paragraph of Article FOURTH of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation be amended to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $.125 per share to 10,500,000 shares from 7,000,000 shares and to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock to 1,065,000 shares from 710,600 shares and that said Paragraph shall be and read as follows:
     “FOURTH. The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 11,565,900 consisting of 10,500,000 shares of Common Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value, and 1,065,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value.”
     FURTHER RESOLVED, that a new Section be added as an amendment to Article TENTH of the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and that such amendment shall be in compliance with Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law and that said Section shall be and read as follows:
     “ARTICLE TENTH. Section 8. No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damage for breach of fiduciary duty as a director for any act or omission occurring subsequent to the date when this provision becomes effective except that be may be liable (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any amendment thereto or successor provision thereto or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.”

 


 

     FURTHER RESOLVED, that except as amended in the preceding Resolutions the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall continue and remain in full force and effect.
     SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of Directors, an annual meeting of the stockholders of said corporation was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the amendments.
     THIRD: That said amendments were duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     FOURTH: That the capital of said corporation will not be reduced under or by reason of said amendment.

2


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said General Binding Corporation has caused its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and this certificate to be signed by Rudolph Grua, its President, and attested by Steven Rubin, its Vice President and Secretary this 13th day of May, 1987.
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
 
By /s/ Rudolph Grua
 
       President   
     
 
 
ATTEST:
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Vice President & Secretary

3


 

                 
 
  STATE OF ILLINOIS     )      
 
        )  SS
 
  COUNTY OF COOK     )      
     BE IT REMEMBERED that on this 13th day of May, 1987, personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Rudolph Grua, President of General Binding Corporation, a Corporation of the State of Delaware, and he duly executed said certificate before me and acknowledged and said certificate to be his act and deed and the act and deed of said Corporation and the facts stated therein are true; and that the seal affixed to said certificate end attested by the Vice President and Secretary of said Corporation is the common or corporate seal of said Corporation.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.
         
     
  /s/ [Illegible]    
  Notary Public   
     
 

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
* * * * *
     GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
     FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of General Binding Corporation on March 18, 1988 a resolution was duly adopted setting forth a proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation, and declaring said amendment to be advisable and directing that the amendment be considered at the next annual meeting of the stockholders. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:
     RESOLVED, that the first paragraph of Article FOURTH of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation be amended to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $.125 per share to 20,000,000 shares from 10,500,000 shares and to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock to 2,398,275 shares from 1,065,000 shares and that said Paragraph shall be and read as follows:
     “FOURTH. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 22,398,275 consisting of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value, and 2,398,275 shares of Class B Common Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value.”
     FURTHER RESOLVED, that except as amended in the preceding Resolution the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall continue and remain in full force and effect.
     SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of Directors, an annual meeting of the stockholders of said corporation was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the amendment.
     THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     FOURTH: That the capital of said corporation will not be reduced under or by reason of said amendment.

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said General Binding Corporation has caused its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and this certificate to be signed by Rudolph Grua, its President, and attested by Steven Rubin, its Vice President and Secretary this 10th day of May, 1988.
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
 
By /s/ Rudolph Grua
 
        President   
     
 
     
ATTEST:
   
 
   
/s/ Steven Rubin
   
 
   
Vice President & Secretary
   

 


 

                 
 
  STATE OF ILLINOIS     )      
 
        )  SS.
 
  COUNTY OF COOK     )      
     BE IT REMEMBERED that on this 10th day of May, 1988, personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Rudolph Grua, President of General Binding Corporation, a Corporation of the State of Delaware, and he duly executed said certificate before me and acknowledged said certificate to be his act and deed and the act and deed of said Corporation and the facts stated therein are true; and that the seal affixed to said certificate and attested by the Vice President and Secretary of said Corporation is the common or corporate seal of said Corporation.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.
         
     
  /s/ [Illegible]    
  Notary Public   
     
 

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT
AND
REGISTERED OFFICE
* * * * *
     GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
     The present registered agent of the corporation is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc. and the present registered office of the corporation is in the county of Kent.
     The Board of Directors of General Binding Corporation adopted the following resolution on the 30th day of March, 1993.
     Resolved, that the registered office of General Binding Corporation in the state of Delaware be and it hereby is changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the authorization of the present registered agent of this corporation be and the same is hereby withdrawn, and THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, shall be and is hereby constituted and appointed the registered agent of this corporation at the address of its registered office.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, General Binding Corporation has caused this statement to be signed by Edward J. McNulty, its Vice President and attested by Steven Rubin, its Secretary this 30th day of March, 1993.
         
     
 
By /s/ Edward J. McNulty
 
  Vice President   
     
 
     
ATTEST:
   
 
   
By /s/ Steven Rubin
   
 
   
     Secretary
   

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
* * * * *
     GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
     FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of General Binding Corporation on March 19, 1997 a resolution was duty adopted setting forth a proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation, and declaring said amendment to be advisable and directing that the amendment be considered at the next annual meeting of the stockholders. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:
     RESOLVED, that the first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation be amended so that it reads as follows:
     “FOURTH. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 44,796,550 consisting of 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value, and 4,796,550 shares of Class B Common Stock, twelve and one-half cents per share par value.”
     FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proposal to amend Article Fourth of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for ratification at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 6, 1997 and that the Secretary of the Corporation include appropriate provision with respect thereto in the notice to the stockholders of said annual meeting and in the proxy statement and the form of proxy, and that the proxy statement and form of proxy, respectively state that the Board of Directors favors a vote for the proposal and that if no specific direction is given, the proxy will be voted for such proposal.
     SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of Directors, an annual meeting of the stockholders of said corporation was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the amendment.
     THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     FOURTH: That the capital of said corporation will not be reduced under or by reason of said amendment.

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said General Binding Corporation has caused its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and this certificate to be signed by Govi Reddy, its President and Chief Executive Officer, and attested by Steven Rubin, its Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel this 8th day of May, 1997.
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
 
By /s/ Govi Reddy
 
        Govi Reddy, President and   
        Chief Executive Officer   
 
 
ATTEST:
 
/s/ Steven Rubin
 
Steven Rubin, Vice President,
Secretary & General Counsel

 


 

                 
STATE OF ILLINOIS     )      
 
        )     SS.
COUNTY OF COOK     )      
     BE IT REMEMBERED that on this 8th day of May, 1997, personally came before me, a Notary public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Govi Reddy, President and Chief Executive Officer of General Binding Corporation, a Corporation of the State of Delaware, and he duly executed said certificate before me and acknowledged said certificate to be his act and deed and the act and deed of said Corporation and the facts stated therein are true; and that the seal affixed to said certificate and attested by the Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of said Corporation is the common or corporate seal of said Corporation.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.
         
     
  /s/ Jean Incerto    
  Notary Public   
     
 

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER OF
BAKER SCHOOL SPECIALTY CO. INC. AND
U.S. RING BINDER CORP. INTO
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
The undersigned corporation General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger is as follows:
     
NAME   STATE OF CORPORATION
General Binding Corporation
  Delaware
Baker School Specialty Co. Inc.
  Massachusetts
U.S. Ring Binder Corp.
  Massachusetts
SECOND: That General Binding Corporation owns one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of Baker School Specialty Co. Inc. and of U.S. Ring Binder Corp. and that the board of directors of General Binding Corporation has resolved to merge Baker School Specialty Co. Inc. and U.S. Ring Binder Corp. into General Binding Corporation in accordance with the requirements of Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation of the merger is General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
FOURTH: That the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation which is surviving the merger, shall be the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation.
FIFTH: That a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of General Binding Corporation adopted on August 7, 1998 is attached to this Certificate.

 


 

SIXTH: That this Certificate of Ownership and Merger shall be effective on its filing date.
Dated: August 7, 1998
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Govi C. Reddy  
    Govi C. Reddy   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

 


 

WHEREAS, the Corporation is the sole stockholder of Baker School Specialty Co., Inc. and U.S. Ring Binder Corp. both corporations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Subsidiaries”);
WHEREAS, the Subsidiaries are to be liquidated pursuant to Sections 331 et seq. of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; and
WHEREAS, the officers of the Corporation have recommended that the Subsidiaries be merged into the Corporation with the Corporation as the surviving entity and that the Subsidiaries’ capital stock be cancelled:
RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to merge the Subsidiaries into the Corporation with the Corporation as the surviving entity effective as of the filing of the appropriate certificates of merger and to cancel the Subsidiaries’ capital stock;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Corporation may be sued in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for any prior obligation of the Subsidiaries and for any obligation thereafter incurred by the Corporation so long as any liability remains outstanding against the Corporation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the Corporation shall irrevocably appoint the State Secretary of Massachusetts as the Corporation’s agent to accept service of process in any action for the enforcement of any such obligation, including taxes, in the same manner as provided in chapter 181 of the General Laws of Massachusetts; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation are authorized and directed to take such actions, and to prepare and execute such documents, as they deem necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of the foregoing resolution.

 


 

 
CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER OF
IBICO INC. INTO
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
The undersigned corporation General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger is as follows:
     
NAME   STATE OF INCORPORATION
General Binding Corporation
  Delaware
IBICO INC.
  Illinois
SECOND: That General Binding Corporation owns one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of IBICO Inc. and that the board of directors of General Binding Corporation has resolved to merge IBICO Inc. into General Binding Corporation in accordance with the requirements of Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation of the merger is General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
FOURTH: That the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation which is surviving the merger, shall be the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation.
FIFTH: That a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of General Binding Corporation adopted on August 7, 1998 is attached to this Certificate.
SIXTH: That this Certificate of Ownership and Merger shall be effective on its filing date.
Dated: September 17, 1998
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Govi C. Reddy    
    Govi C. Reddy   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

 


 

 
WHEREAS, the Corporation is the sole stockholder of IBICO Inc. an Illinois corporation (“IBICO”);
WHEREAS, IBICO is to be liquidated pursuant to Sections 331 et seq. of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; and
WHEREAS, the officers of the Corporation have recommended that IBICO be merged into the Corporation with the Corporation as the surviving entity and that IBICO’s capital stock be cancelled;
RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to merge IBICO into the Corporation pursuant to the attached Plan of Merger with the Corporation as the surviving entity effective as of the filing of the appropriate certificates of merger and to cancel IBICO’s capital stock; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation are authorized and directed to take such actions and to prepare and to execute such documents as they deem necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of the foregoing resolution.

 


 

 
PLAN OF MERGER
This Agreement and Plan of Merger is effective this ___day of ___, 1998 between General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (“Shareholder”) and IBICO Inc., an Illinois corporation, (“Subsidiary”).
WHEREAS, Shareholder owns one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of Subsidiary (“Stock”); and
WHEREAS, Shareholder and Subsidiary desire to approve, to authorized, to consent to, and to effect the voluntary liquidation of the Subsidiary, the merger of the Subsidiary into the Shareholder, and the cancellation of all of Subsidiary’s Stock in accordance with the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the Illinois Business Corporation Act of 1983, and Sections 331 et seq. of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Plan of Merger”);
NOW THEREFORE Shareholder and Subsidiary agree as follows:
1. Shareholder and Subsidiary approve, authorize and consent to the Plan of Merger to be effected as promptly as possible and in no event later than December 31, 1998.
2. Shareholder and Subsidiary shall file appropriate documentation with the appropriate government entities to effect this Plan of Merger.
3. After the payment of Subsidiary’s debts, or the provision therefor, all remaining property of the Subsidiary shall be distributed to Shareholder in complete cancellation or redemption of the Stock.
     
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
   
by:
   
Govi C. Reddy, President and
   
Chief Executive Officer
   
 
   
IBICO INC.
   
by:
   
Steven Rubin, Vice President
   
and Secretary
   

 


 

 
CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER OF
GBC METALS CORP., GBC BUSINESS EQUIPMENT, INC.,
PRO-TECH ENGINEERING CO., INC., AND SICKINGER COMPANY
INTO GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
The undersigned corporation General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger is as follows:
     
NAME   STATE OF INCORPORATION
General Binding Corporation
  Delaware
GBC Metals Corp.
  Nevada
GBC Business Equipment, Inc.
  Florida
Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc.
  Wisconsin
Sickinger Company
  Michigan
SECOND: That General Binding Corporation owns one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of GBC Metals Corp., GBC Business Equipment, Inc., Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc., and Sickinger Company and that the board of directors of General Binding Corporation has resolved to merge GBC Metals Corp., GBC Business Equipment, Inc., Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc., and Sickinger Company into General Binding Corporation in accordance with the requirements of Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation of the merger is General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
FOURTH: That the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation which is surviving the merger, shall be the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation.
FIFTH: That a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of General Binding Corporation adopted on November 6, 1998 is attached to this Certificate.

 


 

SIXTH: That this Certificate of Ownership and Merger shall be effective at the close of business on December 31, 1998.
Dated: December 9, 1998
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Govi C. Reddy    
    Govi C. Reddy   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

 


 

 
WHEREAS, the Corporation is the sole stockholder of GBC Metals Corp., a Nevada corporation, GBC Business Equipment, Inc., a Florida corporation, Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, and Sickinger Company, a Michigan corporation;
WHEREAS, GBC Metals Corp., GBC Business Equipment, Inc., Pro-Tech Engineering Co. Inc., and Sickinger Company are to be liquidated pursuant to Sections 331 et seq. of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; and
WHEREAS, GBC Metals Corp., GBC Business Equipment, Inc., Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc., and Sickinger Company are to be merged into the Corporation with the Corporation as the surviving entity and that GBC Metals Corp.’s, GBC Business Equipment, Inc.’s, Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc.’s, and Sickinger Company’s capital stock be cancelled;
RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to merge GBC Metals Corp., GBC Business Equipment, Inc., Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc., and Sickinger Company into the Corporation pursuant to the attached Agreement and Plan of Merger with the Corporation as the surviving entity effective as of the close of business on December 31, 1998 and to cancel GBC Metals Corp.’s, GBC Business Equipment, Inc.’s, Pro-Tech Engineering Co., Inc.’s, and Sickinger Company’s capital stock; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation are authorized and directed to take such actions and to prepare and to execute such documents as they deem necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of the foregoing resolution.

 


 

     4. Any shareholders of GBCBE who, except for the applicability of Section 607.1104 of the Florida Business Corporations Act, would be entitled to vote and who dissent from the merger pursuant to Section 607.1320 of the Florida Business Corporation Act, may be entitled, if they comply with the provisions of the Florida Business Corporation Act regarding the rights of dissenting shareholders, to be paid the fair value of their shares.
     
 
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION    
 
   
 
  by:
 
   
 
  Govi C. Reddy,
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer
 
   
 
  GBC BUSINESS EQUIPMENT, INC.
 
   
 
  by:
 
   
 
  William Chambers,
 
  Vice President
 
   
 
  SICKINGER COMPANY
 
   
 
  by:
 
   
 
  William Chambers,
 
  Vice President
 
  GBC METALS CORP.
 
   
 
  by:
 
   
 
  William Chambers,
 
  Vice President
 
   
 
  PRO-TECH ENGINEERING CO., INC.
 
   
 
  by:
 
   
 
  William Chambers,
 
  Vice President

 


 

 
CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER OF
PLASTIC BINDING CORPORATION INTO
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
The undersigned corporation General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger is as follows:
     
NAME   STATE OF INCORPORATION
General Binding Corporation
  Delaware
Plastic Binding Corporation
  Illinois
SECOND: That General Binding Corporation owns on hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of Plastic Binding Corporation and that the board of directors of General Binding Corporation has resolved to merge Plastic Binding Corporation into General Binding Corporation in accordance with the requirements of Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation of the merger is General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
FOURTH: That the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of General Binding Corporation , a Delaware corporation which is surviving the merger, shall be the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation.
FIFTH: That a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of General Binding Corporation adopted on November 14, 2003 is attached to this Certificate.
SIXTH: That this Certificate of Ownership and Merger shall be effective on its filing date.
Dated: November 14, 2003
         
  GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Dennis J. Martin    
    Dennis J. Martin   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

 


 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTIONS
OF GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
WHEREAS, the Corporation is the sole shareholder of Plastic Binding Corporation, an Illinois corporation (“Plastic”);
WHEREAS, Plastic is to be liquidated pursuant to Sections 331 et seq. of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; and
WHEREAS, the officers of the Corporation have recommended that Plastic be merged into the Corporation with the Corporation as the surviving entity and that Plastic’s capital stock be cancelled;
RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to merge Plastic into the Corporation pursuant to the Plan of Merger with the Corporation as the surviving entity effective as of the filing of the appropriate certificates of merger and to cancel Plastic’s capital stock; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officer of the Corporation are authorized and directed to take such actions and to prepare and to execute such documents as they deem necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of the foregoing resolution.

 

EX-3.20 19 c98562exv3w20.htm BY-LAWS OF GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION exv3w20
 

Exhibit 3.20
GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
BY-LAWS
(RESTATED JUNE 28, 2000)
ARTICLE I
Offices
SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND AGENT. The principal office shall be in the City of Dover, County of Kent, State of Delaware, and the name of the registered agent in charge thereof is The Corporation Trust Company.
SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES. The corporation may also have offices at such other places without or within the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require. The books of the Corporation may be kept outside of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE II
Meetings of Stockholders
SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the second Tuesday of May in each year or on such other date and such place and time as the chairman of the board or the board of directors shall designate, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect by a plurality vote a board of directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the stockholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.
SECTION 2. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of stockholders for any purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
SECTION 3. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING. Written notice of the annual meeting shall be served upon or mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat at such address as appears on the books of the corporation, at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
SECTION 4. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. At least ten (10) days before every election of directors, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said election, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of each and the number of voting shares held by each, shall be prepared by the secretary. Such list shall be open, during ordinary business hours at the place where the election is to be held for said ten (10) days, to the examination of any stockholder, and

 


 

shall be produced and kept at the time and place of election during the whole time thereof, and subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may be present.
SECTION 5. TRANSFERS OF STOCK WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS PRECEDING ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Except where the transfer books of the corporation shall have been closed or a date shall have been fixed as a record date for the determination of its stockholders entitled to vote, no share of stock shall be voted on at any election of directors which shall have been transferred on the books of the corporation within twenty (20) days next preceding such election of directors.
SECTION 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by the chairman of the board or the board of directors, or at the request in writing of a stockholder or stockholders holding at least twenty per cent (20%) of the common stock of the corporation at the time issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
SECTION 7. NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS. Written notice of a special meeting of stockholders, stating the time and place and object thereof, shall be served upon or mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat at such address as appears on the books of the corporation, at least ten (10) days before such meeting.
SECTION 8. BUSINESS AT SPECIAL MEETING. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the objects stated in the call.
SECTION 9. QUORUM. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall be requisite, and shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by statute, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
SECTION 10. MAJORITY VOTE. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any questions brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

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SECTION 11. PROXIES AND VOTING OF SHARES. At any meeting of the stockholders every stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy executed in writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney in fact and bearing a date not more than three (3) months prior to said meeting, unless said instrument provides for a longer period. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock having voting power, registered in his name on the books of the corporation, except that any class of stock having voting rights in excess of one vote per share shall have the number of votes per share that may be ascribed to that class of stock by the certificate of incorporation of the corporation.
SECTION 12. SETTING RECORD DATE FOR CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS. The board of directors shall have power to close the stock transfer books of the corporation for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for payment of any dividend or the date for the allotment of rights or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect or for a period of not exceeding sixty (60) days in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose; provided, however, that in lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the board of directors may fix in advance a date, not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date of the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at, any such meeting, and any adjournment thereof or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent, and in such case such stockholders and only such stockholders as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give such consent, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.
ARTICLE III
Board of Directors
SECTION 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.
SECTION 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The number of Directors, which shall constitute the whole Board shall be eleven. The number may be increased or diminished from time to time by amendment of these By-Laws, but shall not be diminished to less than three. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation or residents of Delaware. Each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders or until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

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SECTION 3. RESIGNATIONS. Any director of the corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein; and, unless tendered to take effect upon acceptance thereof, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 4. VACANCIES. Vacancies occurring in the board of directors by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office of any director, or otherwise, and newly created directorships 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, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless sooner displaced.
SECTION 5. PLACE OF MEETINGS. The directors may hold their meetings and keep the books of the corporation, except the original or duplicate stock ledger, outside of Delaware, at such places as they may from time to time determine.
SECTION 6. FIRST MEETING OF NEW BOARD. The first meeting of each newly elected board shall be held at such time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting provided a quorum shall be present, or they may meet at such place and time as shall be fixed by the consent in writing of all the directors.
SECTION 7. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the board may be held without notice at such time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall from time to time be determined by the board.
SECTION 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President or upon the written request of at least three directors. The notice thereof to the board of directors shall be given by the President or the Secretary. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for holding any special meetings of the Board called by them.
Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least five days previous thereto. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. Attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
SECTION 9. QUORUM. At all meetings of the board the presence of a majority of the directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is

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a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. The chairman shall preside at all such meetings, except that if he is not present the president shall preside.
SECTION 10. INFORMAL ACTION. Any action which is required by law or by these by-laws to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof, or any other action which may be taken at such a meeting, may be taken without a meeting if prior to such action a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of all directors concerned if such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.
SECTION 11. TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. Members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the 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 a meeting pursuant to this by-law shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
SECTION 12. COMPENSATION. Directors by resolution of the board may receive a fixed annual fee for their service as a director. A fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the board; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
SECTION 13. PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT. A director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered mail to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.
ARTICLE IV
Committees
SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT AND POWERS. The board of directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more

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committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation which, to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions, shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may have power to authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.
SECTION 2. MEMBERS’ ABSENCE OR DISQUALIFICATION. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committees created under this Article, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
SECTION 3. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS. The committees shall keep regular minutes of their proceedings and report the same to the board when required.
SECTION 4. STANDING COMMITTEES. The following committees shall be standing committees of the board: the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee and the Executive Compensation Committee.
SECTION 5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The members of the Executive committee shall be selected by the Board of Directors and shall include, but not be limited to, the chairman of the board and the president of the corporation. The executive committee shall have and may exercise between meetings of the board of directors, all of the powers and authority which the board of directors may exercise in the direction and management of the business and affairs of the corporation, except as prohibited by law, the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws.
SECTION 6. AUDIT COMMITTEE. The board of directors shall select the members of the audit committee and shall designate its chairman. The members of the audit committee shall not be eligible to participate in any incentive compensation plan for employees of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries. The audit committee shall have and may exercise such powers, authority and responsibilities as are normally incident to the functions of an audit committee or as may be determined by the board of directors.
SECTION 7. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The board of directors shall select the members of the executive compensation committee. No member of the committee shall be eligible to participate in any compensation plan falling within the jurisdiction of the committee, except as provided for in this by-law. The executive compensation committee shall review and approve the general compensation policies and programs for the management employees of the corporation and shall establish the policies and programs for compensation of the board of directors.

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SECTION 8. COMMITTEE ON DIRECTOR AFFAIRS. The board of directors shall select the members of the Committee on Director Affairs, and shall designate the chairman of the committee. The committee shall be responsible for matters related to service on the board of directors of the corporation, and associates issues of corporate governance. The committee from time to time shall conduct studies of the size and composition of the board of directors. Prior to each annual meeting of stockholders, the committee shall recommend to the board the individuals to constitute the nominees of the board of directors, the election of whom for which the board will solicit proxies. The committee shall review the qualifications of individuals for consideration as director candidates and shall recommend to the board, for its consideration, the names of individuals for election to the board. The committee shall have and may exercise such other powers, authority and responsibilities as may be determined by the board of directors. (Added on August 11, 2000).
ARTICLE V
Notice to Stockholders and Directors
SECTION 1. NOTICE. Whenever under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to require personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, facsimile or electronic mail or telegraph, addressed to such director or stockholder at such address as appears on the books of the corporation, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be thus mailed or transmitted, as the case may be.
SECTION 2. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation, or of these by-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE VI
Officers
SECTION 1. NUMBER AND TITLE. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents (the number thereof to be determined by the Board of Directors and if more than one vice President is elected, the Board of Directors may at the time of such election designate one or more of them as Executive or senior vice Presidents), and a Secretary, and such other positions as may be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. Any two or more offices except the offices of President and Secretary may be held by the same person.
SECTION 2. ELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS. The officers of the corporation shall be elected annually by the board of directors at the first meeting of the board of

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directors held after each meeting of stockholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient.
SECTION 3. APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL OFFICERS. The board may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their officers for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board.
SECTION 4. COMPENSATION. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the corporation. All officers and agents of the corporation, other than directors, shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for services rendered to the corporation, including the performance of their official duties, unless the board of directors by resolution shall provide that no compensation shall be paid therefor. Election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contract rights.
SECTION 5. TERM OF OFFICE, REMOVAL, VACANCIES. Each officer of the corporation shall hold office until his successor is chosen and qualified in his stead or until his death, resignation, or removal, as hereinafter provided. Any officer elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole board of directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the board of directors.
SECTION 6. RESIGNATIONS. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the board of directors or to the president or the secretary of the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 7. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. If appointed, the Chairman of the Board shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him or her by the board from time to time and shall preside over meetings of the board and shareholders unless another officer is appointed or designated by the board as the chair of such meeting.
SECTION 8. THE PRESIDENT. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation. He shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect. He shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.
SECTION 9. VICE-PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of his inability to act, an executive or senior vice-president, and in the event of his absence or inability to act, a vice-president (or in the event there be more than one vice-president,

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the vice-presidents in the order designated, 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 of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The vice-president or vice-presidents shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or them by the president or by the board of directors.
SECTION 10. THE SECRETARY. The secretary shall attend all sessions of the board and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or president. The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the corporation and, when authorized by the board, affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by the secretary’s signature or by the signature of the treasurer or an assistant secretary.
SECTION 11. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. In the absence or inability to act of the secretary, the assistant secretary (or in the event there be more than one assistant secretary, the assistant secretaries in the order designated, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the secretary, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the secretary. The assistant secretary or secretaries shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the board of directors.
SECTION 12. THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The chief financial officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and directors, at the regular meetings of the board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions and of the financial condition of the corporation.
SECTION 13. CORPORATE CONTROLLER. The Corporate Controller shall perform the basic function of directing the establishment of accounting principles, practices and procedures; and, maintaining all accounting records and being responsible for the development, analysis, and interpretation of statistical and accounting information to appraise operating results in terms of costs, budgets, policies of operations, trends and increased profit possibilities.

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ARTICLE VII
Indemnification
SECTION 1. RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Subject to the other provisions of this article, the corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to every director and officer (and to such person’s heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives) in the manner and to the full extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists, or may hereafter be amended, against any and all amounts (including judgments, fines, payments in settlement, attorney’s fees and other expenses) reasonably incurred by or on behalf of such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (“a proceeding”), in which such director or officer was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or member of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise. The corporation shall not be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person if the proceeding was not authorized by the board of directors of the corporation.
SECTION 2. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The corporation shall pay the expenses of directors and officers incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (“advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this article or otherwise.
SECTION 3. CLAIMS BY OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS. If a claim for indemnification or advance of expenses by an officer or director under this article is not paid in full within ninety days after a written claim therefor has been received by the corporation, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or advance of expenses under applicable law.
SECTION 4. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES. Subject to the other provisions of this article, the corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to every employee who is not a director or officer (and to such person’s heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives) in the manner and to the full extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists, or may hereafter be amended against any and all amounts (including judgments, fines, payments in settlement, attorneys’ fees and other expenses) reasonably incurred by or on behalf of such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (“a proceeding”), in which such employee was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or member of any other corporation partnership, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise. The ultimate determination of such

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entitlement to indemnification of employees who are not officers and directors shall be made in such manner as is provided by applicable law. The corporation shall not be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person if the proceeding was not authorized by the board of directors of the corporation.
SECTION 5. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES OF EMPLOYEES. The advancement of expenses of an employee who is not an officer or director shall be made by or in the manner provided by resolution of the board of directors or by a committee of the board of directors or of the corporation.
SECTION 6. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, these by-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
SECTION 7. OTHER INDEMNIFICATION. The corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise.
SECTION 8. INSURANCE. The board of directors may, to the full extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists, or may hereafter be amended from time to time, authorize an appropriate officer or officers to purchase and maintain at the corporation’s expense insurance: (a) to indemnify the corporation for any obligation which it incurs as a result of the indemnification of directors, officers and employees under the provisions of this Article VII; and (b) to indemnify or insure directors, officers and employees against liability in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified by the corporation under the provisions of this Article VII.
SECTION 9. AMENDMENT OR REPEAL. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article VII shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE VIII
Certificates of Stock and Their Transfer
SECTION 1. CERTIFICATES. The certificates of stock of the corporation shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the corporation as they are issued. They shall (a) exhibit the holder’s name and number of shares, (b) be signed by the chairman or president and the chief financial officer or the secretary or an assistant secretary, and (c) be sealed with the seal of the corporation, which may be by facsimile. If any stock certificate is signed (1) by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent or (2) by a

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transfer clerk acting on behalf of the corporation and a registrar, the signature of any such chairman, president, vice-president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary or assistant secretary may be facsimile.
SECTION 2. LOST CERTIFICATES. The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed.
SECTION 3. TRANSFERS OF STOCK. Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of successions, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
SECTION 4. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claims to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE IX
General Provisions
SECTION 1. DIVIDENDS. The board of directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its articles of incorporation.
SECTION 2. RESERVES. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
SECTION 3. CONTRACTS. The board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the

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name of and on behalf of the corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 4. LOANS. No loans shall be contracted on the 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. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. No loans shall be made by the corporation to any director or officer or secured by its shares unless approved by the board of directors.
SECTION 5. 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 the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the board of directors.
SECTION 6. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the board of directors, shall begin on the first day of January in each year and end on the 31st day of December in each year.
SECTION 7. SEAL. The board of directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words, “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
SECTION 8. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. The term “certificate of incorporation” as used in these by-laws shall have the same meaning as said term is given by Section 102(c) of the Delaware Corporation Law, and shall include any agreement of consolidation or merger filed pursuant to said law.
ARTICLE X
Amendment
SECTION 1. HOW AMENDED. These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted at any meeting of the board of directors of the corporation by a majority vote of the directors present at the meeting.

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EX-3.21 20 c98562exv3w21.htm CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF POLYBLEND CORPORATION exv3w21
 

Exhibit 3.21
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
POLYBLEND CORPORATION
     FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Polyblend Corporation.
     SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 32 Loockerman Square, Suite L-100, in the City of Dover, County of Kent. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.
     THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     FOURTH: The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is One Thousand (1,000) shares and the par value of each of such shares is $1.00.
     FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator are as follows:
     
NAME
  MAILING ADDRESS
 
   
A. Robert Colby
  30 Rockefeller Plaza
 
  23rd Floor
 
  New York, New York 10112
     SIXTH: The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation.
     SEVENTH: Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.
     EIGHTH: Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided in the By-laws, or, if not so designated or provided, at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless and to the extent that the By-laws so provide.
     NINTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights of stockholders herein are subject to this reservation.

 


 

     TENTH: No director of the Corporation shall be liable for monetary damages resulting from a breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent required by law as in effect at the time the claim of liability is asserted.
     THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator above named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, has signed this instrument on the 2nd day of January, 1992 and does thereby acknowledge that it is his act and deed and that the facts stated herein are true.
     
 
  /s/ A. Robert Colby
 
   
 
  A. Robert Colby
 
  Sole Incorporator

 

EX-3.22 21 c98562exv3w22.htm BY-LAWS OF POLYBLEND CORPORATION exv3w22
 

Exhibit 3.22
POLYBLEND CORPORATION
(Delaware)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE ONE
STOCKHOLDERS
     SECTION 1.1 Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders to elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be presented to the meeting shall be held at such place as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix, at 11:00 a.m. on the first Monday of August in each year or, if that day shall be a legal holiday in the jurisdiction in which the meeting is to be held, then on the next day not a legal holiday.
     SECTION 1.2 Special Meetings. A special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock that would be entitled to be voted on such matter or matters if the meeting were held on the day such request is received and the record date for such meeting were the close of business on the preceding day. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting and as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting.
     SECTION 1.3 Notice of Meeting. For each meeting of stockholders written notice shall be given stating the place, date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and, if the list of stockholders required by Section 1.9 is not to be at such place at least 10 days prior to the meeting, the place where such list will be. Except as otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be confined to the purposes stated in the call.
     SECTION 1.4 Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to be voted present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, but in the absence of a quorum

 


 

the holders of record present or represented by proxy at such meeting may vote to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is obtained. At any such adjourned session of the meeting at which there shall be present or represented the holders of record of the requisite number of shares, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
     SECTION 1.5 Chairman and Secretary at Meeting. Each meeting of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chief Executive officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no person is so designated, then a person designated by the Board of Directors, and if no such designated person is present, the stockholders at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may elect a presiding officer from among the persons present. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 1.6 Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions of Section 1.10:
          (a) Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by him.
          (b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
          (c) Each matter, including the election of directors, properly presented to any meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
          (d) Election of directors and the vote on any other matter presented to a meeting shall be by written ballot only if so ordered by the chairman of the meeting or if so requested by any stockholder present or represented by proxy at the meeting entitled to vote in such election or on such matter, as the case may be.
     SECTION 1.7 Adjourned Meetings. A meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time or place. Unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, stockholders of record for an adjourned meeting shall be as originally determined for the meeting from which the adjournment was taken. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or 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 stockholder of record entitled to vote. At the adjourned meeting any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
     SECTION 1.8 Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without

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a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if (i) one or more consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and (ii) the consents are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested), its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature and no written consent will be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents sufficient to take such action are delivered to the Corporation within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent so delivered. Notice of the taking of such action shall be given promptly to each stockholder, if any, that would have been entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of stockholders and that did not consent thereto in writing.
     SECTION 1.9 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. At least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared and shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall be produced and kept at the place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
     SECTION 1.10 Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors, by resolution, may fix a date for determining the stockholders of record for any lawful action, which record date shall not be earlier than the date of such resolution. The record date shall be determined as follows:
          (a) The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which the meeting is held. The record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
          (b) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be determined as follows:

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               (i) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution taking such action; and
               (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is not required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation pursuant to Section 1.8.
          (c) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders for any such action shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such action.
ARTICLE TWO
DIRECTORS
     SECTION 2.1 Number; Term of Office; Qualifications; Vacancies. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be three or such number as may be determined from time to time by action of the Board of Directors taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled, subject to Section 2.3, by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
     SECTION 2.2 Resignation. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these By-laws in the filling of other vacancies.

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     SECTION 2.3 Removal. Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more directors be so removed, a new director or directors may be elected by the stockholders at the time of such removal; any vacancy resulting from such removal, if not so filled by such election by the stockholders, may be filled as provided in Section 2.1.
     SECTION 2.4 Regular and Annual Meetings; Notice. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. No notice need be given of any regular meeting, and a notice, if given, need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after an annual meeting of stockholders at the same place as that at which such meeting was held.
     SECTION 2.5 Special Meetings; Notice. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters, appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by at least one director. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or officer calling such meeting. Notice of such meeting stating the time, place and purposes thereof shall be given (a) by deposit of the notice in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, at least three days before the day fixed for the meeting addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the Corporation’s records or at such other address as the director may have furnished the Corporation for that purpose, or (b) by delivery of the notice similarly addressed for dispatch by telegraph, telecopy, cable or radio or by delivery of the notice by telephone or in person, in each case at least 24 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.
     SECTION 2.6 Presiding Officer and Secretary at Meetings. Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no such person is so designated, then by such member of the Board of Directors as shall be chosen by the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 2.7 Quorum. Two directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum a majority of those present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting without notice until such time as a quorum is present. Except as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

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     SECTION 2.8 Meeting by Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors or of such 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 such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
     SECTION 2.9 Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, 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 of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or of such committee.
     SECTION 2.10 Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions, 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, including the power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have such power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the By-laws; and unless the resolution shall expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each such committee shall have such name as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 2.11 Compensation. No director shall receive any stated salary for his services as a director or as a member of a committee but shall receive such sum, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee. He may also be reimbursed for his expenses in attending any meeting. However, any director who serves the Corporation in any capacity other than as a member of the Board of Directors or of a committee may receive compensation therefore.

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ARTICLE THREE
OFFICERS
     SECTION 3.1 Election; Qualification. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a Controller and one or more Assistant Controllers and such other officers as it may from time to time determine. The President shall be elected from among the directors. Two or more offices may be held by the same person.
     SECTION 3.2 Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office from the time of his election and qualification to the time at which his successor is elected and qualified, unless sooner he shall die or resign or shall be removed pursuant to Section 3.4.
     SECTION 3.3 Resignation. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
     SECTION 3.4 Removal. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.5 Vacancies. Any vacancy however caused in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.6 Compensation. The compensation of each officer shall be such as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
     SECTION 3.7 President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall have general direction of its business affairs, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors. He shall, if present, preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties and have such responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
     SECTION 3.8 Vice President. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to the office of Vice President and as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. During the absence of the President, or his inability to act, the Vice President, or if there shall be more than one Vice President, then that one designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Executive Officer.

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     SECTION 3.9 Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall be custodian of the corporate seal and shall affix it or cause it to be affixed to such instruments as require such seal and attest the same and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.10 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, shall have care of all funds and securities of the Corporation and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Treasurer, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.11 Controller. The Controller shall exercise the powers and perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.12 Other Officers. Each other officer of the Corporation shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE FOUR
CAPITAL STOCK
     SECTION 4.1 Stock Certificates. The interest of each holder of stock of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. Each certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any or all of the signatures appearing on such certificate or certificates may be a facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
     SECTION 4.2 Transfer of Stock. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation pursuant to applicable law and such rules and regulations as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.
     SECTION 4.3 Holders of Record. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer the Corporation may treat the holder of record of a share of its stock as the complete owner thereof exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise entitled to all the rights and powers of a complete owner thereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.
     SECTION 4.4 Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The Corporation shall issue a new certificate of stock to replace a certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, if the owner or his legal representative (i) requests replacement before the Corporation has notice that the stock certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; (ii) files with the

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Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such stock certificate or the issuance of any such new stock certificate; and (iii) satisfies such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE FIVE
MISCELLANEOUS
     SECTION 5.1 Indemnity. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
          (b) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

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          (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or a person serving in any other enterprise at the request of the Corporation, has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the Corporation shall indemnify him against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
          (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
          (e) Expenses incurred (including attorneys’ fees) by a director or officer in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
          (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
          (g) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section.
          (h) For the purposes of this Section, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who

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is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
          (i) For purposes of this Section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Section.
          (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
     SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws or any provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time required for such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
     SECTION 5.3 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall start on January 1 in each year.
     SECTION 5.4 Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, and the same may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

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ARTICLE SIX
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
     SECTION 6.1 Amendment. The By-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders; or by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the whole Board.

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EX-3.23 22 c98562exv3w23.htm CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF SWINGLINE INC. exv3w23
 

Exhibit 3.23
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
SWINGLINE INC.
     FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Swingline Inc.
     SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 32 Loockerman Square, Suite L-100, in the City of Dover, County of Kent. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.
     THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
     FOURTH: The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is One Thousand (1,000) shares and the par value of each of such shares is $1.00.
     FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator are as follows:
     
NAME
  MAILING ADDRESS
 
   
A. Robert Colby
  30 Rockefeller Plaza
 
  23rd Floor
 
  New York, New York 10112
     SIXTH: The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation.
     SEVENTH: Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.
     EIGHTH: Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided in the By-laws, or, if not so designated or provided, at the registered office of the Corporation in the state of Delaware. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless and to the extent that the By-laws so provide.
     NINTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights of stockholders herein are subject to this reservation.

 


 

     TENTH: No director of the Corporation shall be liable for monetary damages resulting from a breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent required by law as in effect at the time the claim of liability is asserted.
     THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator above named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, has signed this instrument on the 2nd day of January, 1992 and does thereby acknowledge that it is his act and deed and that the facts stated herein are true.
     
 
  /s/ A. Robert Colby
 
   
 
  A. Robert Colby
 
  Sole Incorporator

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EX-3.24 23 c98562exv3w24.htm BY-LAWS OF SWINGLINE INC. exv3w24
 

Exhibit 3.24
SWINGLINE INC.
(Delaware)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE ONE
STOCKHOLDERS
     SECTION 1.1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders to elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be presented to the meeting shall be held at such place as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix, at 10:30 a.m. on the first Monday of August in each year or, if that day shall be a legal holiday in the jurisdiction in which the meeting is to be held, then on the next day not a legal holiday.
     SECTION 1.2. Special Meetings. A special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock that would be entitled to be voted on such matter or matters if the meeting were held on the day such request is received and the record date for such meeting were the close of business on the preceding day. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting and as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting.
     SECTION 1.3. Notice of Meeting. For each meeting of stockholders written notice shall be given stating, the place, date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and, if the list of stockholders required by Section 1.9 is not to be at such place at least 10 days prior to the meeting, the place where such list will be. Except as otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be confined to the purposes stated in the call.
     SECTION 1.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to be voted present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, but in the absence of a quorum

 


 

the holders of record present or represented by proxy at such meeting may vote to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is obtained. At any such adjourned session of the meeting at which there shall be present or represented the holders of record of the requisite number of shares, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
     SECTION 1.5. Chairman and Secretary at Meeting. Each meeting of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no person is so designated, then a person designated by the Board of Directors, and if no such designated person is present, the stockholders at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may elect a presiding officer from among the persons present. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 1.6. Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions of Section 1.10:
          (a) Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by him.
          (b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
          (c) Each matter, including the election of directors, properly presented to any meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
          (d) Election of directors and the vote on any other matter presented to a meeting shall be by written ballot only if so ordered by the chairman of the meeting or if so requested by any stockholder present or represented by proxy at the meeting entitled to vote in such election or on such matter, as the case may be.
     SECTION 1.7. Adjourned Meetings. A meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time or place. Unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, stockholders of record for an adjourned meeting shall be as originally determined for the meeting from which the adjournment was taken. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or 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 stockholder of record entitled to vote. At the adjourned meeting any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
     SECTION 1.8. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without

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a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if (i) one or more consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and (ii) the consents are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested), its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature and no written consent will be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents sufficient to take such action are delivered to the Corporation within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent so delivered. Notice of the taking of such action shall be given promptly to each stockholder, if any, that would have been entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of stockholders and that did not consent thereto in writing.
     SECTION 1.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. At least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared and shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall be produced and kept at the place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
     SECTION 1.10. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors, by resolution, may fix a date for determining the stockholders of record for any lawful action, which record date shall not be earlier than the date of such resolution. The record date shall be determined as follows:
          (a) The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date on which the meeting is held. The record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
          (b) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date shall be determined as follows:

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               (i) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution taking such action; and
               (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is not required under Delaware law, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation pursuant to Section 1.8.
          (c) The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders for any such action shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such action.
ARTICLE TWO
DIRECTORS
     SECTION 2.1. Number; Term of office; Qualifications; Vacancies. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be three or such number as may be determined from time to time by action of the Board of Directors taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled, subject to Section 2.3, by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.3, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
     SECTION 2.2. Resignation. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these By-laws in the filling of other vacancies.

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     SECTION 2.3. Removal. Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more directors be so removed, a new director or directors may be elected by the stockholders at the time of such removal; any vacancy resulting from such removal, if not so filled by such election by the stockholders, may be filled as provided in Section 2.1.
     SECTION 2.4. Regular and Annual Meetings; Notice. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. No notice need be given of any regular meeting, and a notice, if given, need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after an annual meeting of stockholders at the same place as that at which such meeting was held.
     SECTION 2.5. Special Meetings; Notice. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters, appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by at least one director. Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or officer calling such meeting. Notice of such meeting stating the time, place and purposes thereof shall be given (a) by deposit of the notice in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, at least three days before the day fixed for the meeting addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the Corporation’s records or at such other address as the director may have furnished the Corporation for that purpose, or (b) by delivery of the notice similarly addressed for dispatch by telegraph, telecopy, cable or radio or by delivery of the notice by telephone or in person, in each case at least 24 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.
     SECTION 2.6. Presiding Officer and Secretary at Meetings. Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chief Executive Officer or in his absence the person designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer, or if no such person is so designated, then by such member of the Board of Directors as shall be chosen by the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting.
     SECTION 2.7. Quorum. Two directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum a majority of those present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting without notice until such time as a quorum is present. Except as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

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     SECTION 2.8. Meeting by Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors or of such 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 such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
     SECTION 2.9. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, 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 of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or of such committee.
     SECTION 2.10. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions, 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, including the power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have such power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the By-laws; and unless the resolution shall expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each such committee shall have such name as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 2.11. Compensation. No director shall receive any stated salary for his services as a director or as a member of a committee but shall receive such sum, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee. He may also be reimbursed for his expenses in attending any meeting. However, any director who serves the Corporation in any capacity other than as a member of the Board of Directors or of a committee may receive compensation therefor.

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ARTICLE THREE
OFFICERS
     SECTION 3.1. Election; Qualification. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a Controller and one or more Assistant Controllers and such other officers as it may from time to time determine. The President shall be elected from among the directors. Two or more offices may be held by the same person.
     SECTION 3.2. Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office from the time of his election and qualification to the time at which his successor is elected and qualified, unless sooner he shall die or resign or shall be removed pursuant to Section 3.4.
     SECTION 3.3. Resignation. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
     SECTION 3.4. Removal. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.5. Vacancies. Any vacancy however caused in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.6. Compensation. The compensation of each officer shall be such as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
     SECTION 3.7. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall have general direction of its business affairs, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors. He shall, if present, preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties and have such responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
     SECTION 3.8. Vice President. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to the office of Vice President and as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. During the absence of the President, or his inability to act, the Vice President, or if there shall be more than one Vice President, then that one designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Executive Officer.

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     SECTION 3.9. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall be custodian of the corporate seal and shall affix it or cause it to be affixed to such instruments as require such seal and attest the same and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, shall have care of all funds and securities of the Corporation and shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to the office of Treasurer, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.11. Controller. The Controller shall exercise the powers and perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
     SECTION 3.12. Other Officers. Each other officer of the Corporation shall exercise the powers and shall perform the duties incident to his office, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE FOUR
CAPITAL STOCK
     SECTION 4.1. Stock Certificates. The interest of each holder of stock of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. Each certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any or all of the signatures appearing on such certificate or certificates may be a facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
     SECTION 4.2. Transfer of Stock. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation pursuant to applicable law and such rules and regulations as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.
     SECTION 4.3. Holders of Record. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer the Corporation may treat the holder of record of a share of its stock as the complete owner thereof exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise entitled to all the rights and powers of a complete owner thereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.
     SECTION 4.4. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The Corporation shall issue a new certificate of stock to replace a certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, if the owner or his legal representative (i) requests replacement before the Corporation has notice that the stock certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; (ii) files with the

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Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such stock certificate or the issuance of any such new stock certificate; and (iii) satisfies such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE FIVE
MISCELLANEOUS
     SECTION 5.1. Indemnity. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
          (b) The Corporation shall indemnify, subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

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          (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or a person serving in any other enterprise at the request of the Corporation, has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the Corporation shall indemnify him against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
          (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
          (e) Expenses incurred (including attorneys’ fees) by a director or officer in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
          (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
          (g) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section.
          (h) For the purposes of this Section, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who

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is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
          (i) For purposes of this Section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Section.
          (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
     SECTION 5.2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws or any provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time required for such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
     SECTION 5.3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall start on January 1 in each year.
     SECTION 5.4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, and the same may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

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ARTICLE SIX
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
     SECTION 6.1. Amendment. The By-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders; or by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the whole Board.

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EX-3.25 24 c98562exv3w25.htm CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF VELOBLIND, INCORPORATED exv3w25
 

Exhibit 3.25
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
VELOBIND, INCORPORATED
          1. The name of the corporation is VeloBind, Incorporated (the “Corporation”).
          2. The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, 19801, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
          3. The nature of the business of the Corporation and the objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on by it are as follows: To engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          4. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is twenty million (20,000,000) shares, consisting of fifteen million (15,000,000) shares of common Stock with a par value of fifty cents ($.50) per share and five million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of fifty cents ($.50) per share. The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series, and the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized (i) to fix the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions with respect to any series of Preferred Stock and (ii) to specify the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock.
          5. The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:
Hilary E. O’Brien
Morrison & Foerster
345 California Street
San Francisco, California 94104
          6. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.
          7. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.
          8. To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware statutory or decisional law, as amended or interpreted, no director of this Corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. This Article 8 does not affect the availability of equitable remedies for breach of fiduciary duties. Neither any amendment or repeal of this Article 8, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article 8, shall

 


 

eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article 8 in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article 8, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
          9. Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof, or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code, or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.
          10. Advance notice of new business and stockholder nominations for, and cumulative voting in, the election of directors shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the bylaws of the Corporation.
          11. The following provision is inserted for the regulation and conduct of the business and affairs of the Corporation and is in furtherance, and not in limitation or exclusion, of any powers conferred upon it by statute.
          In all elections of directors each shareholder shall be entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of shares held by the shareholder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and he or she may cast all of such votes for a single director or may distribute them among the number to be voted for, or any two or more of them, as he or she may see fit, which right, when exercised, shall be termed “cumulative voting.”
          12. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
          I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do make this certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is my

2


 

act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of June, 1988.
     
 
  /s/ Hilary E. O’Brien
 
   

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
OF VELOBIND, INCORPORATED,
A DELAWARE CORPORATION,
AND
VELOBIND, INCORPORATED,
A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
          THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the “Agreement”) is made on September 13, 1988, by and between VeloBind, Incorporated, a California corporation (“VeloBind California”), and VeloBind, Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“VeloBind Delaware”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of VeloBind California. VeloBind Delaware and a VeloBind California are sometimes referred to herein as the “Constituent Corporations.”
RECITALS
          A. VeloBind California is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California and has an authorized capital of forty-nine million (49,000,000) shares, consisting of thirty-nine million (39,000,000) shares of Common Stock with a par value of fifty cents ($.50) per share and ten million (10,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of fifty cents ($.50) per share. As of August 30, 1988, four million eight hundred eighty-three thousand one hundred and seven (4,883,107) shares of Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
          B. VeloBind Delaware is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has an authorized capital of twenty million (20,000,000) shares, consisting of fifteen million (15,000,000) shares of Common Stock with a par value of fifty cents ($.50) per share and five million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of fifty cents ($.50) per share. As of September 13, 1988, ten (10) shares of Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
          C. The Board of Directors of VeloBind California has determined that, for the purpose of effecting the reincorporation of VeloBind California in the State of Delaware, it is advisable and in the best interests of VeloBind California that VeloBind California merge with and into VeloBind Delaware upon the terms and conditions herein provided.
          D. The respective Boards of Directors of VeloBind Delaware and VeloBind California have unanimously approved this Agreement, and the Boards of Directors of VeloBind Delaware and VeloBind California have directed that this

 


 

Agreement be submitted to a vote of their respective stockholders and executed by the undersigned officers.
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants set forth herein, VeloBind Delaware and VeloBind California hereby agree, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows:
I. EFFECTUATION OF MERGER
          1.1 Merger. In accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Delaware General Corporation Law and the California General Corporation Law, VeloBind California shall be merged with and into VeloBind Delaware (the “Merger”), the separate existence of VeloBind California shall cease, and VeloBind Delaware shall be, and is herein sometimes referred to as, the “Surviving Corporation,” and the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be VeloBind, Incorporated.
          1.2 Filing and Other Requirements for Effectiveness. The Merger shall become effective when the following actions shall have been completed:
          (a) This Agreement and the Merger shall have been adopted and approved by the stockholders of each Constituent Corporation in accordance with the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the California General Corporation law;
          (b) All of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the Merger specified in this Agreement shall have been satisfied or duly waived by the party entitled to satisfaction thereof;
          (c) An executed Certificate of Merger or an executed counterpart of this Agreement shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and
          (d) An executed Certificate of Merger, an executed counterpart of this Agreement, or a certified copy of this Agreement meeting the requirements of the California General Corporation Law shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of California.
          The date and time when the merger shall become effective, as aforesaid, is herein called the “Effective Date of Merger.”
          1.3 Succession. Upon the Effective Date of Merger, the separate existence of VeloBind California shall cease and VeloBind Delaware, as the Surviving Corporation, (i) shall continue to possess all of its assets, rights, privileges, powers and property as constituted immediately prior to the Effective Date of Merger, shall be subject to all actions previously taken by the VeloBind California Board of Directors and shall succeed, without other transfer, to all of the assets, rights, powers and property of VeloBind California in the manner of and as more fully set forth in Section 259 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and (ii) shall continue to be subject to all of its debts, liabilities and obligations as constituted immediately prior to the Effective Date of Merger and shall succeed, without other transfer, to all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of VeloBind

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California in the same manner as if VeloBind Delaware had itself incurred them, all as more fully provided under the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the California General Corporation Law.
II. MANNER OF CONVERSION OF STOCK
          2.1 VeloBind California Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of Merger, each share of VeloBind California Common Stock, fifty cents ($.50) par value, issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the merger and without any further action by the Constituent Corporations, their shareholders, or any other person, be converted into and exchanged for one fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock, fifty cents ($.50) par value, of the Surviving Corporation.
          2.2 Options, Stock Purchase Rights and Other Convertible Securities. Upon the Effective Date of Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall assume and continue the stock option and all other employee benefit plans of VeloBind California. Each outstanding and unexercised option, other right to purchase, or security convertible into VeloBind California Common Stock shall become an option, right to purchase or a security convertible into the Surviving Corporation’s Common Stock on the basis of one share of the Surviving Corporation’s Common Stock for each share of VeloBind California Common Stock issuable pursuant to any such option, stock purchase right or other convertible security, on the same terms and conditions and at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price applicable to any such VeloBind California option, stock purchase right or other convertible security at the Effective Date of Merger.
          A number of shares of the Surviving Corporation’s Common Stock shall be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options, stock purchase rights and other convertible securities equal to the number of shares of VeloBind California Common Stock so reserved immediately prior to the Effective Date of Merger.
          2.3 VeloBind Delaware Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of Merger, each share of Common Stock, fifty cents ($.50) par value, of VeloBind Delaware issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action by the holder of such shares or any other person, be cancelled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares.
          2.4 Exchange of Certificates. After the Effective Date of Merger, each holder of an outstanding certificate representing shares of VeloBind California Common Stock may, at such stockholder’s option, surrender the same for cancellation to Bank of California, as exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”), and each such holder shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of the Surviving Corporation’s Common Stock into which the surrendered shares were converted as herein provided. Until so surrendered, each outstanding certificate theretofore representing shares of VeloBind California Common Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to evidence ownership of and to represent the number of whole shares of the Surviving Corporation’s Common Stock into which such shares of VeloBind California Common Stock were converted in the Merger.

3


 

          The registered owner on the books and records of the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent of any such outstanding certificate shall, until such certificate shall have been surrendered for transfer or conversion or otherwise accounted for to the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, have and be entitled to exercise any voting and other rights with respect to and to receive dividends and other distributions upon the shares of the Surviving Corporation represented by such outstanding certificate as provided above.
          Each certificate representing Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation so issued in the Merger shall bear the same legends, if any, with respect to the restrictions on transferability as the certificates of VeloBind California so converted and given in exchange therefor, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation in compliance with applicable laws.
          If any certificate for shares of VeloBind Delaware stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of issuance thereof that the certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer, that such transfer otherwise be proper and that the person requesting such transfer pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes payable by reason of the issuance of such new certificate in a name other than that of the registered holder of the certificate surrendered or establish to the satisfaction of VeloBind Delaware that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
III. CHARTER DOCUMENTS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
          3.1 Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of VeloBind Delaware as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of Merger shall continue in full force and effect as the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law.
          3.2 Bylaws. The Bylaws of VeloBind Delaware as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of Merger shall continue in full force and effect as the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law.
          3.3 Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of VeloBind Delaware immediately prior to the Effective Date of Merger shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until otherwise as provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
IV. MISCELLANEOUS
          4.1 Covenants of VeloBind Delaware. VeloBind Delaware covenants and agrees that it will, on or before the Effective Date of Merger:

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          (a) Qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in the State of California and in connection therewith irrevocably appoint an agent for service of process as required under the provisions of Section 2105 of the California General Corporation law.
          (b) File any and all documents with the California Franchise Tax Board necessary for the assumption by VeloBind Delaware of all of the franchise tax liabilities of VeloBind California.
          (c) Take such other actions as may be required by the California General Corporation Law.
          4.2 Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when required by VeloBind Delaware or by its successors or assigns, there shall be executed and delivered on behalf of VeloBind California such deeds and other instruments, and there shall be taken or caused to be taken by it such further and other action, as shall be appropriate or necessary in order to vest or perfect in or conform of record or otherwise, by VeloBind Delaware the title to and possession of all the property, interests, assets, rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises and authority of VeloBind California and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and the officers and directors of VeloBind Delaware are fully authorized in the name and on behalf of VeloBind California or otherwise to take any and all such action and to execute and deliver any and all such deeds and other instruments.
          4.3 Abandonment. At any time before the Effective Date of Merger, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned for any reason whatsoever by the Board of Directors of either VeloBind California or VeloBind Delaware or both, notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of VeloBind California.
          4.4 Amendment. The Boards of Directors of the Constituent Corporations may amend this Agreement at any time prior to the filing of this Agreement (or certificate in lieu thereof) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, provided that an amendment made subsequent to the adoption of the Agreement by the stockholders of either Constituent Corporation shall not: (1) alter or change the amount or kind of shares, securities, cash, property and/or rights to be received in exchange for or on conversion of all or any of the shares of any class or series of such Constituent Corporation, (2) alter or change any term of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation to be effected by the Merger, or (3) alter or change any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement if such alteration or change would adversely affect the holders of any class or series thereof of such Constituent Corporation.
          4.5 Registered Office. The registered office of the Surviving Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, 19801, County of New Castle, and The Corporation Trust Company is the registered agent of the Surviving Corporation at such address.

5


 

          4.6 Agreement. Executed copies of this Agreement will be on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 650 Almanor Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94086, and copies thereof will be furnished to any stockholder of either Constituent Corporation, upon request and without cost.
          4.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
          4.8 Counterparts. In order to facilitate the filing and recording of this Agreement, the same may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
          4.9 Approval of VeloBind California as Sole Shareholder of VeloBind Delaware. By its execution and delivery of this Agreement, VeloBind California, as sole shareholder of VeloBind Delaware, consents to, approves and adopts this Agreement and approves the Merger. VeloBind California agrees to execute such instruments as may be necessary or desirable to evidence its approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger as the sole shareholder of VeloBind Delaware.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement, having first been approved by resolution of the Boards of Directors of VeloBind Delaware and VeloBind California and having been approved by the required vote of the shareholders of VeloBind California, is hereby executed on behalf of each of such two corporations and attested by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
         
 
      VELOBIND, INCORPORATED,
a Delaware corporation
 
       
 
      /s/ Carl J. Swenson
 
       
 
      Carl J. Swenson
President
 
       
ATTEST:
       
 
       
/s/ Grant E. Rollin
       
 
       
Grant E. Rollin, Secretary
       
 
       
 
      VELOBIND, INCORPORATED, a California corporation
 
       
 
      /s/ Carl J. Swenson
 
       
 
      Carl J. Swenson
President
 
       
ATTEST:
       

6


 

     
/s/ Grant E. Rollin
   
 
   
Grant E. Rollin, Secretary
   

7


 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
GBC ACQUISITION CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
INTO
VELOBIND, INCORPORATED
(a Delaware corporation)
          The undersigned corporation, organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:
          FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger (the “Merger”) is as follows:
     
NAME   STATE OF INCORPORATION
GBC Acquisition Corporation
  Delaware
VeloBind, Incorporated
  Delaware
          SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger between the parties to the Merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) of section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
          THIRD: That VeloBind, Incorporated shall be the surviving corporation.
          FOURTH: That the amendments of the Certificate of Incorporation of VeloBind, Incorporated to be effected by the Merger are as follows:
          1. Article Two is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
          2. The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 32 Loockerman Square, Suite L-100, in the City of Dover, Delaware, County of Kent. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.
          2. Article 4 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
          4. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 100, all of which shares shall be common stock, $.50 par value per share.

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          3. Article 11 is deleted in its entirety.
          4. Article 12 is redesignated Article 11.
          FIFTH: That the executed Agreement of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of the surviving corporation. The address of said principal place of business is One GBC Plaza, Northbrook, Illinois 60062.
          SIXTH: That a copy of the Agreement of Merger will be furnished on request and without cost to any stockholder of any constituent corporation.
         
Dated:
      VELOBIND, INCORPORATED,
 
      a California corporation
 
       
 
      /s/ Carl J. Swenson
 
       
 
      Name: Carl J. Swenson
 
      Title: President
 
       
ATTEST:
       
 
       
/s/ Grant E. Rollin
       
 
       
Name: Grant E. Rollin
       
Title: Secretary
       

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CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT
AND
REGISTERED OFFICE
* * * * *
          VELOBIND, INCORPORATED, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
          The present registered agent of the corporation is PRENTICE HALL CORPORATION SYSTEM and the present registered office of the corporation is in the county of KENT
          The Board of Directors of VELOBIND, INCORPORATED adopted the following resolution on the 13th day of May, 1993.
          Resolved, that the registered office of VELOBIND, INCORPORATED in the state of Delaware be and it hereby is changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the authorization of the present registered agent of this corporation be and the same is hereby withdrawn, and THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY shall be and is hereby constituted and appointed the registered agent of this corporation at the address of its registered office.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, VELOBIND, INCORPORATED has caused this statement to be signed by EDWARD J. McNULTY, its VICE President and attested by STEVE RUBIN, its ___ Secretary this 13th day of May 1993.
                 
 
          By:   /s/ Edward McNulty
 
               
 
              Vice President
 
               
ATTEST:
             
 
               
By:
  /s/ [Illegible]            
 
               
 
  Secretary            
EX-3.26 25 c98562exv3w26.htm BY-LAWS OF VELOBLIND, INCORPORATED exv3w26
 

Exhibit 3.26
BYLAWS
OF
VELOBIND, INCORPORATED,
a Delaware corporation

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page  
ARTICLE I
 
           
Offices
 
           
Section 1.
  Registered Office     1  
 
           
Section 2.
  Other Offices     1  
 
           
ARTICLE II
 
           
Stockholders’ Meetings
 
           
Section 1.
  Place of Meetings     1  
 
           
Section 2.
  Annual Meetings     1  
 
           
Section 3.
  Special Meetings     1  
 
           
Section 4.
  Notice of Meetings     2  
 
           
Section 5.
  Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees, and Cumulative Voting     2  
 
           
Section 6.
  Advance Notice of Stockholder Business     3  
 
           
Section 7.
  Quorum and Voting     4  
 
           
Section 8.
  Voting Rights     5  
 
           
Section 9.
  List of Stockholders     5  
 
           
Section 10.
  Action Without Meeting     5  
 
           
ARTICLE III
 
           
Directors
 
           
Section 1.
  Number and Term of Office     6  
 
           
Section 2.
  Powers     9  
 
           
Section 3.
  Vacancies     9  
 
           
Section 4.
  Resignations and Removals     9  
 
           
Section 5.
  Meetings     9  
 
           
Section 6.
  Quorum and Voting     10  
 
           
Section 7.
  Action Without Meeting     11  
 
           
Section 8.
  Fees and Compensation     11  
 
           
Section 9.
  Approval of Loans to Officers     11  
 
           
Section 10.
  Inspectors of Election     11  
 
           
Section 11.
  Committees     12  
 
           

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        Page  
ARTICLE IV
 
           
Officers
 
           
Section 1.
  Officers Designated     13  
 
           
Section 2.
  Tenure and Duties of Officers     14  
 
           
ARTICLE V
 
           

Execution of Corporate Instruments, and Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation
 
           
Section 1.
  Execution of Corporate Instruments     15  
 
           
Section 2.
  Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation     15  
 
ARTICLE VI
 
           
Shares of Stock
 
           
Section 1.
  Form and Execution of Certificates     16  
 
           
Section 2.
  Lost Certificates     16  
 
           
Section 3.
  Transfers     16  
 
           
Section 4.
  Fixing Record Dates     16  
 
           
Section 5.
  Registered Stockholders     17  
 
           
ARTICLE VII
 
           
Other Securities of the Corporation
 
           
ARTICLE VIII
 
           
Corporate Seal
 
           
ARTICLE IX
 
           
Indemnification of Officers, Directors, Employees and Agents
 
           
Section 1.
  Right to Indemnification     18  
 
           
Section 2.
  Authority to Advance Expenses     19  
 
           
Section 3.
  Right of Claimant to Bring Suit     19  
 
           
Section 4.
  Provisions Nonexclusive     20  
 
           
Section 5.
  Authority to Insure     20  
 
           
Section 6.
  Survival of Rights     20  
 
           
Section 7.
  Settlement of Claims     20  
 
           
Section 8.
  Effect of Amendment     20  
 
           
Section 9.
  Subrogation     20  
 
           
Section 10.
  No Duplication of Payments     21  
 
           
Section 11.
  Indemnity Fund     21  
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ARTICLE X
Notices
ARTICLE XI
Fiscal Year
ARTICLE XII
Amendments
iii

 


 

BYLAWS
OF
VELOBIND, INCORPORATED
ARTICLE I
Offices
          Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
          Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at 47212 Mission Falls Court, Fremont, California, 94539, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
Stockholders’ Meetings
          Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the corporation shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or, if not so designated, then at the office of the corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 of Article I hereof.
          Section 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meetings of the stockholders of the corporation, commencing with the year 1989, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or, if not so designated, then at 10:00 a.m. on the third Thursday in June in each year if not a legal holiday, and, if a legal holiday, at the same hour and place on the next succeeding day not a holiday.
          Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, by the Chairman of the Board or the President or the Board of Directors at any time. Upon written request of any stockholder or stockholders holding in the aggregate one-fifth of the voting power of all stockholders, delivered in person or sent by registered mail to the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary of the Corporation, the Secretary shall call a special meeting of stockholders to be held at the office of the corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 of Article I hereof, at such time as the Secretary may fix, such meeting to be

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held not less than ten nor more than sixty days after the receipt of such request, and if the Secretary shall neglect or refuse to call such meeting, within seven days after the receipt of such request, the stockholder making such request may do so.
          Section 4. Notice of Meetings.
          (a) Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, written notice of each meeting of stockholders, specifying the place, date and hour and purpose or purposes of the meeting, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, directed to his or her address as it appears upon the books of the corporation; except that where the matter to be acted on is a merger or consolidation of the Corporation or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of its assets, such notice shall be given not less than twenty (20) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to such meeting.
          (b) If at any meeting action is proposed to be taken which, if taken, would entitle shareholders fulfilling the requirements of section 262(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law to an appraisal of the fair value of their shares, the notice of such meeting shall contain a statement of that purpose and to that effect and shall be accompanied by a copy of that statutory section.
          (c) When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken unless the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or unless after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, in which event a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
          (d) Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, either before or after such meeting, and to the extent permitted by law, will be waived by any stockholder by his or her attendance thereat, in person or by proxy. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.
          (e) Unless and until voted, every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the person who executed it or of his or her legal representatives or assigns, except in those cases where an irrevocable proxy permitted by statute has been given.
          Section 5. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees, and Cumulative Voting.
          Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5 shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors at the meeting who complies with

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the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5. Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. Timely notice shall also be given of any stockholder’s intention to cumulate votes in the election of directors at a meeting. In either case, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event less than thirty (30) days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such person, and (iv) any other 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 (including without limitation such person’s written consent to be named in the proxy statement, if any, as nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice: (i) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of such stockholder, (ii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder, and (iii) whether such stockholder intends to request cumulative voting in the election of directors at the meeting. At the request of the Board of Directors any person nominated by the Board for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare at the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
          Section 6. Advance Notice of Stockholder Business.
     At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be: (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event

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that less than fifty (50) days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business and (v) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in his or her capacity as a proponent of a stockholder proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6. The chairman of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this section 6, and, if he should so determine, he shall so declare at the meeting that any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
          Section 7. Quorum and Voting.
          (a) At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Shares, the voting of which at said meeting have been enjoined, or which for any reason cannot be lawfully voted at such meeting, shall not be counted to determine a quorum at said meeting. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
          (b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, all action taken by the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be valid and binding upon the corporation.

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          Section 8. Voting Rights.
          (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares entitled to vote stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting shall be entitled to vote at such meeting. Shares standing in the names of two or more persons shall be voted or represented in accordance with the determination of the majority of such persons, or, if only one of such persons is present in person or represented by proxy, such person shall have the right to vote such shares and such shares shall be deemed to be represented for the purpose of determining a quorum.
          (b) Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall have the right to do so either in person or by an agent or agents authorized by a written proxy executed by such person or his duly authorized agent, which proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the corporation at or before the meeting at which it is to be used. Said proxy so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
          Section 9. List of Stockholders. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held and which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not specified, at the place where said.meeting is to be held, and the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
          Section 10. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required by statute to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. To be effective, a written consent must be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section to the corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to

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the corporation in accordance with this Section. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
ARTICLE III
Directors
     Section 1. Number and Term of Office. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole of the Board of Directors shall be nine (9). With the exception of the first Board of Directors, which shall be elected by the incorporator, and except as provided in Section 3 of this Article III, the directors shall be elected by a plurality vote of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the stockholders annual meeting in each year and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Elected directors shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Directors need not be stockholders. If, for any cause, the Board of Directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws.

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VeloBind Incorporated, By-Laws Amendment
Effective January 7, 1991
The first sentence of Article III, Section 1 is amended to read:
          “Section 1. Number and Term of Office. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be three (3) directors.”

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VeloBind, Incorporated, By-Laws Amendment
Effective February 13, 2001
The first sentence of Article III, Section 1 is amended to read:
          “Section 1. Number and Term of Office. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be two (2) directors.”

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          As provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, at all elections of directors each shareholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to as many votes as the number of shares so held of record by the shareholder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and the shareholder may cast all of such votes for a single director, or may distribute them among any two or more of the directors to be voted for, as he or she may see fit.
          Section 2. Powers. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised, its business conducted and its property controlled by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
          Section 3. Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and each director so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacant, and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this section in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director, or if the stockholders fail at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (including any meeting referred to in section 4 below) to elect the number of directors then constituting the whole Board.
          Section 4. Resignations and Removals.
          (a) Any director may resign at any time by delivering his written resignation to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
          (b) At a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose in the manner hereinabove provided, the Board of Directors, or any individual director, may be removed from office, with or without cause, and a new director or directors elected by a vote of stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.
          Section 5. Meetings.
          (a) The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after the annual stockholders’ meeting and at the place where such meeting is held or at the place announced by the Chairman at such meeting. No notice of an annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be necessary, and such meeting shall be

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held for the purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may lawfully come before it.
          (b) Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in the office of the corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 of Article I hereof. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may also be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has been designated by resolutions of the Board of Directors or the written consent of all directors.
          (c) Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board or a majority of the directors.
          (d) Written notice of the time and place of all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally to each director or sent by telegram at least 48 hours before the start of the meeting, or sent by first class mail at least 120 hours before the start of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat.
          (e) A majority of the directors present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given, unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four hours, in which case notice of the time and place shall be given before the time of the adjourned meeting, in the manner specified in these Bylaws, to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
          Section 6. Quorum and Voting.
          (a) A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time in accordance with Section 1 of Article III and Article XIII of these Bylaws, but not less than one; provided, however, at any meeting, whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting.
          (b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by a vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.
          (c) Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communication equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

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          (d) The transactions of any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as if undertaken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present shall sign a written waiver of notice, or a consent to holding 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 7. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, 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 of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and such writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
          Section 8. Fees and Compensation. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but by resolution of the Board. A fixed fee, with or without expenses of attendance, may be allowed for attendance at each meeting and at each meeting of any committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.
          Section 9. Approval of Loans to Officers.
          The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist, any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing contained in this Section shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.
          Section 10. Inspectors of Election.
          Before any annual or special meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint any person or persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors of election are so appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or

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fails or refuses to act, the chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
          These inspectors shall:
          (a) Determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;
          (b) Receive votes, ballots or consents;
          (c) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
          (d) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;
          (e) Determine when the polls shall close;
          (f) Determine the result; and
          (g) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.
          Section 11. Committees.
          (a) Executive Committee: The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, appoint an Executive Committee of not less than one member, each of whom shall be a director. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law, shall have and may exercise, when the Board of Directors is not in session, all powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, including, without limitation, the power and authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock, except such committee shall not have the power or authority to amend the Certificate of Incorporation, to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, to recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporations property and assets, to recommend to the stockholders of the corporation a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or to amend these Bylaws.
          (b) Other Committees: The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, from time to time appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.
          (c) Term: The members of all committees of the Board of Directors shall serve a term coexistent with that of the Board of Directors which shall have appointed such committees. The Board, subject to the provisions of subsection (a) or (b)

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of this Section 11, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee; provided, that no committee shall consist of less than one member. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his or her death or voluntary resignation, but the Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member, and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors 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, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
          (d) Meetings: Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section 11 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter; special meetings of any such committee may be held at the principal office of the corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 of Article I hereof; or at any place which has been designated from time to time by resolution of such committee or by written consent of all members thereof, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon written notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of written notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing at any time after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat. A majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
          Section 1. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board of Directors and a President, each of whom shall be a member of the Board of Directors, and one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The order of the seniority of the Vice-Presidents shall be in the order of their nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board or the President may also appoint one or more assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it or he shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless

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specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.
          Section 2. Tenure and Duties of Officers.
          (a) General: All officers, shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed as creating any kind of contractual right to employment with the corporation.
          (b) Duties of the Chairman of the Board of Directors: The Chairman of the Board of Directors (if there be such an officer appointed) shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
          (c) Duties of President: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. The President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
          (d) Duties of Vice-Presidents: The Vice-Presidents, in the order of their seniority, may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of the President is vacant. The Vice-Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
          (e) Duties of Secretary: The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof, and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice, in conformity with these Bylaws, of all meetings of the shareholders, and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
          (f) Duties of Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner, and shall render

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statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Treasurer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties commonly incident to his office and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Treasurer in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, and each Assistant Treasurer shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
ARTICLE V
Execution of Corporate Instruments, and
Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation
          Section 1. Execution of Corporate Instruments.
          (a) The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute any corporate instrument or document, or to sign the corporate name without limitation, except where otherwise provided by law, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.
          (b) Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise required by law, formal contracts of the corporation, promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages and other evidences of indebtedness of the corporation, and other corporate instruments or documents requiring the corporate seal, and certificates of shares of stock owned by the corporation, shall be executed, signed or endorsed by the Chairman of the Board (if there be such an officer appointed) or by the President; such documents may also be executed by any Vice-President and by the Secretary or Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer. All other instruments and documents requiring the corporate signature, but not requiring the corporate seal, may be executed as aforesaid or in such other manner as may be directed by the Board of Directors.
          (c) All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the corporation, or in special accounts of the corporation, shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do.
          Section 2. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairman of the Board (if there be such an officer appointed), or by the President, or by any Vice-President.

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ARTICLE VI
Shares of Stock
          Section 1. Form and Execution of Certificates. Certificates for the shares of stock of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman of the Board (if there be such an officer appointed), or by the President or any Vice-President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in section 202 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
          Section 2. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed.
          Section 3. Transfers. Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed.

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          Section 4. Fixing Record Dates.
          (a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the date on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
          (b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a registered office of the Corporation shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
          (c) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
          Section 5. Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of

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any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
Other Securities of the Corporation
          All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates, may be signed by the Chairman of the Board (if there be such an officer appointed), or the President or any Vice-President or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signature of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
Corporate Seal
          The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the state and date of its incorporation. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE IX
Indemnification of
Officers, Directors, Employees and Agents
          Section 1. Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (as a party, witness, or otherwise) in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (hereinafter a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was

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a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of the Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent (hereinafter an “Agent”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or interpreted (but, in the case of any such amendment or interpretation, only to the extent that such amendment or interpretation permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than were permitted prior thereto) against all expenses, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, and any interest, assessments, or other charges imposed thereon, and any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed on any Agent as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Article) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing in, any Proceeding (hereinafter “Expenses”); provided, however, that except as to actions to enforce indemnification rights pursuant to Section 3 of this Article, the corporation shall indemnify any Agent seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article shall be a contract right.
          Section 2. Authority to Advance Expenses. Expenses incurred by an officer or director (acting in his or her capacity as such) in defending a Proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding, provided, however, that if required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, such Expenses shall be advanced only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article or otherwise. Expenses incurred by other Agents of the corporation (or by the directors or officers not acting in their capacity as such, including service with respect to employee benefit plans) may be advanced upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Any obligation to reimburse the corporation for Expense advances shall be unsecured, and no interest shall be charged thereon.
          Section 3. Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 1 or 2 of this Article is not paid in full by the corporation within 20 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, the claimant 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 claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense (including attorneys’ fees) of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that

19


 

make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. The burden of proving such a defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper under the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant had not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
          Section 4. Provisions Nonexclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. To the extent that any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, agreement, or vote of the stockholders or disinterested directors is inconsistent with these Bylaws, the provision, agreement, or vote shall take precedence.
          Section 5. Authority to Insure. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any Agent against any Expenses, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the Agent against such Expenses under applicable law or the provisions of this Article.
          Section 6. Survival of Rights. The rights provided by this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an Agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
          Section 7. Settlement of Claims. The corporation shall not be liable to indemnify any Agent under this Article (a) for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim effected without the corporation’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (b) for any judicial award if the corporation was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such action.
          Section 8. Effect of Amendment. Any amendment, repeal, or modification of this Article shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any Agent existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, or modification.
          Section 9. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Article, the corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Agent, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

20


 

          Section 10. No Duplication of Payments. The corporation shall not be liable under this Article to make any payment in connection with any claim made against the Agent to the extent the Agent has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, agreement, vote, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.
          Section 11. Indemnity Fund. Upon resolution passed by the Board of Directors, the corporation may establish a trust or other designated account, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of any or all of its obligations arising under this Article and/or agreements which may be entered into between the corporation and its officers and directors from time to time.
ARTICLE X
Notices
          Whenever, under any provisions of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, the same shall be given in writing, timely and duly deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to his or her last known post office address as shown by the stock record of the corporation or its transfer agent. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method hereinabove stated, or by telegram, except that such notice, other than one which is delivered personally, shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary of the corporation, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director. If no address of a stockholder or director be known, such notice may be sent to the office of the corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 of Article I hereof. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall be conclusive evidence of the statements therein contained. All notices given by mail, as above provided, shall be deemed to have been given as of the time of mailing, and all notices given by telegram shall be deemed to have been given as of the sending time recorded by the telegraph company transmitting the same. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving be employed in respect of all directors, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others. The period or limitation of time within which any stockholder may exercise any option or right, or enjoy any privilege or benefit, or be required to act, or within which any director may exercise any power or right, or enjoy any privilege, pursuant to any notice sent to him or her in the manner above provided, shall not be affected or extended in any manner by the failure of such a stockholder or such director to receive such notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation, or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Whenever

21


 

notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
ARTICLE XI
Fiscal Year
          The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed and may be changed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XII
Amendments
          These Bylaws may be repealed, altered or amended or new Bylaws adopted by written consent of stockholders in the manner authorized by Section 8 of Article II, or at any meeting of the stockholders, either annual or special, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the stock entitled to vote at such meeting. The Board of Directors shall also have the authority to repeal, alter or amend these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws (including, without limitation, the amendment of any Bylaws setting forth the number of directors who shall constitute the whole Board of Directors) by unanimous written consent or at any annual, regular, or special meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of directors, subject to the power of the stockholders to change or repeal such Bylaws and provided that the Board of Directors shall not make or alter any Bylaws fixing the qualifications, classifications, term of office or compensation of directors.

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EX-5.1 26 c98562exv5w1.htm OPINION OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP exv5w1
 

Exhibit 5.1
[Letterhead of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP]
 
 
October 3, 2005
ACCO Brands Corporation and each of
          the entities listed on Schedules I hereto
300 Tower Parkway
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
     
Re:
  ACCO Brands Corporation
  7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
  Registration Statement on Form S-4
Ladies and Gentlemen:
     We have acted as special counsel to ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the public offering of $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (the “Exchange Notes”) and related guarantees (the “Guarantees”) by the entities listed on Schedule I hereto (the “Guarantors”). The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees are to be issued pursuant to an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) in exchange for a like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 of the Company (the “Original Notes”), together with guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, issued under an indenture, dated as of August 5, 2005, as amended by the Supplemental Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of August 17, 2005 (such indenture, as so amended, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors and Wachovia Bank, National Association, a nationally chartered banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2005, as amended by the Joinder Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2005 (as so amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Nesbitt Corp., ABN AMRO Incorporated, NatCity Investments, Inc. and Piper Jaffray & Co.
     This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

 


 

ACCO Brands Corporation et al.
October 3, 2005
Page 2
 
 
     In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof under the Act (the “Registration Statement”); (ii) an executed copy of the Registration Rights Agreement; (iii) an executed copy of the Indenture; (iv) the certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation or certificate of organization or formation, as applicable, of the Company and each of the Guarantors other than GBC International, Inc., a Nevada corporation (such Guarantors, collectively, the “Covered Guarantors”); (v) the by-laws or company agreement, as applicable, of the Company and each of the Covered Guarantors; (vi) certain resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company and each of the Covered Guarantors relating to the Indenture, the Exchange Offer, the issuance of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees and related matters; (vii) the Statement of Eligibility Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 on Form T-1 of the Trustee filed as Exhibit 25 to the Registration Statement; and (viii) forms of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees. We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and the Covered Guarantors and such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company, the Covered Guarantors and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein.
     In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of documents executed or to be executed, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company and the Covered Guarantors, had or will have the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed (i) the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, by the parties thereto, other than the Company and the Covered Guarantors, (ii) the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents, other than the Company and the Covered Guarantors and (iii) except to the extent we opine on such matters below with respect to the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have also assumed, without independent investigation or verification of any kind, that the choice of New York law to govern such documents, which are stated therein to be governed thereby, is legal and valid under the laws of other applicable jurisdictions. In addition, we do not express any opinion as to the effect on the opinions expressed herein of (i) the compliance or noncompliance of any party to such documents (other than with respect to the Company and the Covered Guarantors to the extent necessary to render the opinions set forth herein) with any

 


 

ACCO Brands Corporation et al.
October 3, 2005
Page 3
 
 
state, federal or other laws or regulations applicable to it or them or (ii) the legal or regulatory status or the nature of the business of any party (other than with respect to the Company and the Covered Guarantors to the extent necessary to render the opinions set forth herein). As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company, the Guarantors and others and of public officials.
     Our opinions set forth herein are limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Corporations Code of the State of California and those laws, rules and regulations of the State of New York and the federal laws, rules and regulations of the United States of America, in each case that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Exchange Offer and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined on Law”). We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Opined on Law or as to the effect of any such non-opined on law on the opinions herein stated.
     Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, when the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees (in the forms examined by us) have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and have been delivered upon consummation of the Exchange Offer against receipt of the Original Notes and the guarantees of the Original Notes surrendered in exchange therefor in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, (i) the Exchange Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and (ii) the Guarantee of each Guarantor will constitute the valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except (A) in each case, to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (1) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (2) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (B) in each case, we do not express any opinion as to the applicability or effect of any fraudulent transfer, preference or similar law on the Indenture, the Exchange Notes or the Guarantees or any transactions contemplated thereby.
     In rendering the opinions set forth above, we have assumed that the execution and delivery by the Company of the Exchange Notes, by each Guarantor of its Guarantee and by the Company and the Guarantors of the Supplemental Indenture, and the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective

 


 

ACCO Brands Corporation et al.
October 3, 2005
Page 4
 
 
obligations thereunder and under the Indenture, do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Company, the Guarantors or their respective properties are subject, except for those agreements and instruments which have been identified to us by the Company as being material to the Company and its subsidiaries and which are listed under Item 21(a) in Part II of the Registration Statement as exhibits thereto (the “Listed Agreements and Instruments”). We note that certain of the Listed Agreements and Instruments are governed by laws other than the Opined on Law. Our opinions expressed herein are based solely upon our understanding of the plain language of such agreements or instruments and we do not express any opinion with respect to the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any such agreement or instrument, and we do not assume any responsibility with respect to the effect on the opinions or statements set forth herein of any interpretation thereof inconsistent with such understanding.
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

 


 

Schedule I
ACCO Brands International, Inc., a Delaware corporation
ACCO Brands USA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
ACCO Europe Finance Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
ACCO Europe International Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
ACCO International Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
Boone International, Inc., a California corporation
Day-Timers, Inc., a Delaware corporation
General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation
GBC International, Inc., a Nevada corporation
Polyblend Corporation, a Delaware corporation
Swingline Inc., a Delaware corporation
VeloBind, Incorporated, a Delaware corporation

 

EX-5.2 27 c98562exv5w2.htm OPINION OF JONES VARGAS exv5w2
 

[Letterhead of Jones Vargas]
 
October 3, 2005
     
ACCO Brands Corporation
  Exhibit 5.2
300 Tower Parkway
   
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
   
         
 
  Re:   ACCO Brands Corporation — Registration Statement on Form S-4 in respect to a registered offer to exchange certain notes for publicly tradeable notes
     Ladies and Gentlemen:
     We have acted as special Nevada counsel to GBC International, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Nevada Guarantor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2005 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), among ACCO Finance I, Inc., a Delaware corporation, various guarantors as set forth therein and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture dated as of August 5, 2005 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and Wachovia, as trustee thereunder, relating to the 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 issued on August 5, 2005 (the “Notes”). This opinion is in connection with the public offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) the $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Notes with publicly tradeable notes (the “Exchange Notes”). The Exchange Offer is to be filed on a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).
     This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.
     In our capacity as such counsel, we are familiar with the proceedings taken by the Nevada Guarantor in connection with the legality of the guarantees provided by the Nevada Guarantor as detailed in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture (the “Nevada Guarantees”) and we have examined the following documents: the (i) the Company’s 144A offering memorandum concerning the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Registration Statement, (iii) executed version of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 5, 2005 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), (iv) executed version of the Indenture, which contains forms of the Note and Exchange Note, (v) executed version of the Supplemental Indenture, and (vi) the Secretary’s Certificate of the Nevada Guarantor, dated August 17, 2005, containing its current charter, bylaws and resolutions authorizing the Exchange Offer (documents (i) through (vi) are collectively referred to as, the “Transaction Documents”). In addition, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals (or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction as being true reproductions of originals) of such documents, corporate records and other instruments, and have obtained such certificates and other representations and assurances, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.

 


 

GBC International, Inc.
October 3, 2005
Page 2
     In rendering the opinions contained herein, we have, with your consent, assumed without inquiry (a) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by all parties thereto, other than the Nevada Guarantor; (b) that the Transaction Documents constitute valid, legal, binding and enforceable obligations of all parties thereto, other than the Nevada Guarantor; (c) that each party to the Transaction Documents, other than the Nevada Guarantor, is duly incorporated, formed or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation; (d) the power and authority, corporate or otherwise, of each party, other than the Nevada Guarantor, to execute, deliver and perform such instruments, documents and agreements to which such party is a signatory and that all necessary requisite action to authorize the execution of the Transaction Documents has been taken; (e) that there are no oral or written agreements or understandings that would in any manner vary the terms and provisions of the Transaction Documents, or which would constitute a waiver of any of the provisions thereof by the actions or conduct of the parties or otherwise, or which would have an effect on the opinions rendered herein; (f) that each natural person executing any of the Transaction Documents is legally competent to do so; (g) that the parties to the Transaction Documents acted in good faith and not with an intent to evade the law of the real situs of such agreements in agreeing to the choice of laws provisions in such agreements; and (h) that the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered in the same form as submitted to us for our review.
     In addition, we note that the choice of law provisions in the Transaction Documents provide for the law of a state other than the State of Nevada to govern the rights and obligations of the parties thereto in certain respects. For purposes of the opinions expressed in this letter we have assumed, with your permission, that all provisions of the Transaction Documents are governed by the laws of the State of Nevada. Notwithstanding the express provisions of the Transaction Documents, we express no opinion as to which law will govern the Transaction Documents. The law covered by this opinion is limited to the law of the State of Nevada (except for securities or Blue Sky laws on which we express no opinion). We express no opinion with respect to the law of any other jurisdiction and no opinion with respect to the statutes, administrative decisions, rules, regulations or requirements of any county, municipality, subdivision or local authority of any jurisdiction. We have assumed that you have complied with all state and/or federal laws and regulations applicable to you arising out of the Exchange Offer and Transaction Documents.
     Opinions
     Subject to the foregoing assumptions and the limitations and qualifications hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that:
     1. The Nevada Guarantor is validly existing and, based solely on a Good Standing Certificate, is in good standing under the laws of the State.
     2. The Nevada Guarantor has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver each of the Transaction Documents to which it is party and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.

 


 

GBC International, Inc.
October 3, 2005
Page 3
     4. The Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized and is a valid and binding agreement of the Nevada Guarantor, enforceable against the Nevada Guarantor in accordance with its terms.
     5. When the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by the Company in exchange for the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture (as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture), the Registration Rights Agreement and the Registered Exchange Offer (as defined in Registration Rights Agreement), the guarantee of the Exchange Notes by the Nevada Guarantor will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Nevada Guarantor.
     6. No Governmental Approval, which has not been obtained or taken and is not in full force and effect, is required to authorize or is required in connection with the Nevada Guarantor’s execution or delivery of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is party or the consummation by the Nevada Guarantor of the transactions contemplated thereby.
     7. The execution and delivery by the Nevada Guarantor of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is party, and the consummation by the Nevada Guarantor of the transactions contemplated thereby will not (i) conflict with the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws; or (ii) violate or conflict with, or result in any contravention of, any Applicable Law.
     Our opinions expressed herein are based solely upon our understanding of the plain language of the Transaction Documents and we do not assume any responsibility with respect to the effect on the opinions or statements set forth herein of any interpretation thereof inconsistent with such understanding.
     Whenever our opinions in this letter with respect to the existence or absence of facts is qualified by the phrase “to our actual knowledge,” or terms of similar import, it is intended to signify that during the course of our representation of the Nevada Guarantor, no information has come to the attention of lawyers currently members of or associated with this firm who have performed services on behalf of the Nevada Guarantor in connection with the Transaction Documents which would give us actual knowledge of any facts inconsistent with this opinion. We have not undertaken any independent investigation to determine the existence or absence of those facts, and no inference as to our knowledge of the existence or absence of those facts shall or may be drawn from our representation of the Nevada Guarantor. As to various questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, except where we have actual knowledge to the contrary, relied upon the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties made by all parties in the Transaction Documents.
     We express no opinion as to:
     1. Any document to which reference is made in any of the Transaction Documents other than the Transaction Documents themselves;
     2. The effect of compliance or non-compliance by the parties to the Transaction Documents and Exchange Offer with any state or federal laws or regulations applicable to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or the nature of its business.

 


 

GBC International, Inc.
October 3, 2005
Page 4
     This letter is issued in the State of Nevada and by issuing this letter the law firm of Jones Vargas shall not be deemed to be transacting business in any other state. Furthermore, by issuing this letter to the Company the law firm of Jones Vargas does not consent to the jurisdiction of any state but the State of Nevada and any claim or cause of action arising out of the opinions expressed herein must be brought in the State of Nevada.
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Jones Vargas

 

EX-10.20 28 c98562exv10w20.htm FORM OF TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT exv10w20
 

Exhibit 10.20

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

     THIS TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 16, 2005, between Fortune Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Fortune”) and ACCO World Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ACCO”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Fortune has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to distribute all outstanding shares of common stock of ACCO Brands Corporation (“ACCO Brands”) on a pro rata basis to the holders of Fortune’s common stock pursuant to a Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005 (the “Distribution Agreement”), by and between Fortune and ACCO; and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto deem it to be appropriate and in the best interests of Fortune and ACCO that Fortune and ACCO, respectively, provide or shall procure the provision of certain services to Fortune and ACCO, respectively, on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     1. Description of Fortune Services. Subject to and conditional upon the Distribution (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) becoming effective, Fortune shall, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, provide to ACCO or a Subsidiary or Affiliate (as such terms are defined in the Distribution Agreement) of ACCO, or procure the provision to ACCO those services described on Exhibit A hereto (the “Fortune Services”). ACCO may, at its option, upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice (or such other period provided in Exhibit A for a particular service or as the parties may otherwise mutually agree in writing), direct Fortune to no longer provide or procure the provision of all or any category of such services.

     2. Consideration for Fortune Services. ACCO shall pay Fortune in accordance with Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement and Fortune shall accept as consideration for the services to be rendered to ACCO hereunder the charges set forth on Exhibit A.

     3. Provision of Fortune Services.

     (a) Fortune shall be responsible for ensuring that it complies with all applicable statutes, regulations and laws relevant to the provision of the Fortune Services.

     (b) For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged that, subject to its obligations to Fortune under the provisions of this Agreement, ACCO shall be free at any time (and without obligation to notify or inform Fortune) to arrange for any service identical to or similar to the Fortune Services to be provided to it by any person whatsoever.

 


 

     (c) Fortune shall exercise reasonable care to ensure that the manner in which it performs or provide the Fortune Services does not have any adverse effect on the name, trading image, goodwill or business of ACCO.

     (d) ACCO shall provide Fortune with such advice, assistance and information in connection with the performance of the Fortune Services as Fortune may from time to time reasonably require. Fortune and ACCO shall also liaise as appropriate to ensure that the Fortune Services are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit A hereto and where reasonably practicable Fortune shall comply with any instructions that ACCO shall reasonably issue from time to time concerning the methods of operation by which the Fortune Services shall be provided to ACCO.

     (e) ACCO and Fortune shall each use reasonable best efforts to keep each other informed of any special requirements applicable to the carrying out of the Fortune Services. To the extent reasonably necessary and appropriate Fortune shall promptly take steps where reasonably practicable to comply with such special requirements. In the event that these steps shall result in any increase or reduction in the actual cost to Fortune of providing the relevant Fortune Services then the fees payable pursuant to Section 2 above shall be increased or reduced accordingly.

     4. Description of ACCO Services. Subject to and conditional upon the Distribution (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) becoming effective, ACCO shall, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, provide to Fortune or a Subsidiary or Affiliate (as such terms are defined in the Distribution Agreement) of Fortune, or procure the provision to Fortune those services described on Exhibit B hereto (the “ACCO Services”). Fortune may, at its option, upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice (or such other period provided in Exhibit B for a particular service or as the parties may otherwise mutually agree in writing), direct ACCO to no longer provide or procure the provision of all or any category of such services.

     5. Consideration for ACCO Services. Fortune shall pay ACCO in accordance with Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement and ACCO shall accept as consideration for the services to be rendered to Fortune hereunder the charges set forth on Exhibit B.

     6. Provision of ACCO Services.

     (a) ACCO shall be responsible for ensuring that it complies with all applicable statutes, regulations and laws relevant to the provision of the ACCO Services.

     (b) For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged that, subject to its obligations to ACCO under the provisions of this Agreement, Fortune shall be free at any time (and without obligation to notify or inform ACCO) to arrange for any service identical to or similar to the ACCO Services to be provided to it by any person whatsoever.

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     (c) ACCO shall exercise reasonable care to ensure that the manner in which it performs or provide the ACCO Services does not have any adverse effect on the name, trading image, goodwill or business of Fortune or any member of Fortune Group (as defined in the Distribution Agreement).

     (d) Fortune shall provide ACCO with such advice, assistance and information in connection with the performance of the ACCO Services as ACCO may from time to time reasonably require. ACCO and Fortune shall also liaise as appropriate to ensure that the ACCO Services are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit B hereto and where reasonably practicable ACCO shall comply with any instructions that Fortune shall reasonably issue from time to time concerning the methods of operation by which the ACCO Services shall be provided to Fortune.

     (e) Fortune and ACCO shall each use reasonable best efforts to keep each other informed of any special requirements applicable to the carrying out of the ACCO Services. To the extent reasonably necessary and appropriate ACCO shall promptly take steps where reasonably practicable to comply with such special requirements. In the event that these steps shall result in any increase or reduction in the actual cost to ACCO of providing the relevant ACCO Services then the fees payable pursuant to Section 5 above shall be increased or reduced accordingly.

     7. Terms of Payment. Each party shall submit in writing an invoice covering its charges to the other party for services rendered hereunder. Such invoice shall be submitted on a monthly basis and shall contain a summary description of the charges and services rendered. Payment shall be made not later than thirty (30) days after the invoice date. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the amount of any monthly service fee shall be pro-rated in the event that the corresponding services were provided for only a portion of a given month.

     8. Method of Payment. All amounts payable by ACCO for the services described on Exhibit A shall be remitted to Fortune in United States dollars to a bank to be designated in the invoice or otherwise in writing by Fortune, unless otherwise provided for and agreed upon in writing by the parties. All amounts payable by Fortune for the services described on Exhibit B shall be remitted to ACCO in United States dollars to a bank to be designated in the invoice or otherwise in writing by ACCO, unless otherwise provided for and agreed upon in writing by the parties. Detailed billing information will be provided upon request.

     9. Taxes. All amounts expressed in this Agreement as being payable by Fortune or ACCO are expressed exclusive of any value added tax or other similar Tax (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) which may be properly chargeable thereon.

     10. WARRANTIES. THIS IS A SERVICE AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT, THERE ARE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES OR GUARANTIES AND THERE ARE NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR GUARANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

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     11. Limitation on Liability.

     (a) In no event shall either party have any liability, whether based on contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence), warranty or any other legal or equitable grounds, for any punitive, consequential, special, indirect or incidental loss or damage suffered by the other party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates (as such terms are defined in the Distribution Agreement) arising from or related to this Agreement, including without limitation, loss of data, profits (excluding profits under this Agreement), interest or revenue, or use or interruption of business, even if such party is advised of the possibility of such losses or damages.

     (b) The limitations set forth in Section 11(a) above shall not apply to liabilities which may arise as the result of fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or willful default of Fortune, ACCO or anyone performing services on their behalf pursuant to this Agreement, or the reckless disregard or breach by Fortune or ACCO of its obligations and duties contained in or arising as a result of or in connection with this Agreement.

     12. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate on completion of all Fortune Services and ACCO Services, but may be terminated earlier in accordance with the following:

     (a) upon the mutual written agreement of the parties;

     (b) by either ACCO or Fortune for material breach of any of the terms hereof by Fortune or ACCO, as the case may be, if the breach is capable of being remedied and is not corrected within thirty (30) calendar days after written notice of the breach has been delivered to the defaulting party; provided that if the breach is not capable of being remedied, the Agreement may be terminated immediately; provided, further, that such termination shall only apply to those services in respect of which the defaulting party is in material breach and shall be without prejudice to the provision or receipt of all other Fortune Services and ACCO Services pursuant to this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination;

     (c) by either ACCO or Fortune forthwith, upon written notice to Fortune or ACCO, as the case may be, if Fortune or ACCO, as the case may be, shall become insolvent or shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall be placed in receivership, reorganization, liquidation whether compulsory or voluntary (except for the purposes of a bona fide reconstruction or amalgamation with the consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or bankruptcy;

     (d) by Fortune forthwith, upon written notice to ACCO, if, for any reason, the ownership or control of ACCO, General Binding Corporation or any of their respective business operations which receive or provide services under this Agreement, becomes vested in, or is made subject to the control or direction of, any direct competitor of Fortune’s consumer products businesses, or any governmental or regulatory authority; provided, however, that termination in the event of a change of ownership or control of a

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business operation of ACCO or General Binding Corporation shall only apply to the services received by or provided to such business operation and shall be without prejudice to the provision or receipt of all other Fortune Services and ACCO Services pursuant to this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding termination of the provision of Fortune Services or ACCO Services to such business operation; or

     (e) by ACCO forthwith, upon written notice to Fortune, if for any reason, the ownership or control of Fortune or any of its business operations which receive or provide services under this Agreement, becomes vested in, or is made subject to the control or direction of, any direct competitor of ACCO, or any governmental or regulatory authority; provided, however, that termination in the event of a change of ownership or control of a business operation of Fortune shall only apply to the services received by or provided to such business operation and shall be without prejudice to the provision or receipt of all other Fortune Services and ACCO Services pursuant to this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding termination of the provision of Fortune Services or ACCO Services to such business operation.

     13. Consequences of Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 12:

     (a) each party shall be compensated for all services performed up to and including the date of termination in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;

     (b) any rights or obligations to which any of the parties to this Agreement may be entitled or be subject to before such termination shall remain in full force and effect; and

     (c) termination shall not affect or prejudice any right to damages or other remedy which the terminating party may have in respect of the event which gave rise to the termination or any other right to damages or other remedy which any party may have in respect of any breach of this Agreement which existed at or before the date of termination.

     14. Term. This Agreement shall be effective from and after the Distribution Date (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) until terminated in accordance with Section l2 hereof.

     15. Amendment. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the agreement of the parties hereto in writing, duly executed by the authorized representatives each party.

     16. Force Majeure.

     (a) Any delays in or failure of performance by any party hereto, other than the payment of money, shall not constitute a default hereunder if and to the extent such delays or failures of performance are caused by occurrences not reasonably foreseeable at

5


 

the date of this Agreement which are beyond the reasonable control of such party (“Force Majeure”), including, but not limited to: acts of God; expropriation or confiscation of facilities; compliance with any order or request of any governmental authority; acts of war; riots or strikes or other concerted acts of personnel; or any causes, whether or not of the same clad or kind as those specifically named above, which are not within the reasonable control of such party, and which by the exercise of reasonable diligence, such party is unable to prevent.

     (b) If and to the extent that either party is prevented or delayed by Force Majeure from performing any of its obligations under this Agreement and promptly so notifies the other party, specifying the matters constituting Force Majeure together with such evidence in verification thereof as it can reasonably give and specifying the period for which it is estimated that the prevention or delay will continue, then the party so affected shall be relieved of liability to the other party for failure to perform or for delay in performing such obligations (as the case may be) and shall not be in breach of the terms and conditions of this Agreement as a result of such failure or delay, but shall nevertheless use its reasonable best efforts to resume full performance thereof as soon as possible; provided, however, that:

          (i) if the Force Majeure continues for a period of two (2) months or more following notification, the party not affected by the Force Majeure may terminate the provision or receipt of the services affected by the Force Majeure by giving not less than thirty (30) days prior notice to the other party, without prejudice to the provision or receipt of all other Fortune Services and ACCO Services pursuant to this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination; and

          (ii) if the Force Majeure continues for a period of two (2) months or more following notification and is such that the party affected by the Force Majeure is prevented or delayed from performing all or a substantial part of its obligations under this Agreement, the party not affected by the Force Majeure may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than thirty (30) days prior notice to the other party;

provided, further, that a notice of termination given under Section 16(b) (i) or (ii) shall be of no effect if the party affected by the Force Majeure resumes full performance of its obligations before the expiration of such notice period.

     17. Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall not be assignable by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

     18. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or

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sent by prepaid cable or telecopy or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified or express mail or reputable overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand, cabled or telecopied, or if mailed, ten days after mailing (two business days in the case of express mail or overnight courier service), as follows:

     
 
  If to Fortune:
     
 
  Fortune Brands, Inc.
 
  300 Tower Parkway
 
  Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
 
  Fax: (847) 484-4490
 
  Attention: Mark A. Roche, Esq.
     
 
  with a copy to
     
 
  Chadbourne & Parke LLP
 
  30 Rockefeller Plaza
 
  New York, New York 10112
 
  Fax: (212) 541-5369
 
  Attention: Edward P. Smith, Esq.
 
  and A. Robert Colby, Esq.
     
 
  and
     
 
  Ungaretti & Harris LLP
 
  3500 Three First National Plaza
 
  Chicago, Illinois 60602
 
  Fax: (312) 977-4405
 
  Attention: William J. Lewis
     
 
  If to ACCO:
     
 
  ACCO Brands Corporation
 
  300 Tower Parkway
 
  Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
 
  Fax: (847) 484-4495
 
  Attention: President
     
 
  With a copy to
     
 
  GBC Corporation
 
  One GBC Plaza
 
  Northbrook, Illinois 60062
 
  Fax: (847) 272-4763
 
  Attention: Steven Rubin, Esq.

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     19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such state, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

     20. Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall constitute a partnership between the parties. Each party hereto is an independent contractor and not an agent or employee of the other party. Neither party shall have the authority or right to make any statements, representations, warranties or commitments of any kind, incur any liability or assume any obligation of any kind or to take any action which shall be binding on the other party, except as may be explicitly provided for in this Agreement or authorized in writing by the other party.

     21. Liability for Acts and Omissions of Others. Any act or omission of any subsidiary, employee, director, officer, contractor, representative or agent of Fortune or ACCO involved in the performance of this Agreement shall be considered in relation to this Agreement as an act or omission of Fortune or ACCO (as appropriate).

     22. Subcontracting.

     (a) Either party may subcontract or delegate the performance of all or any of its duties and obligations under this Agreement to any person without the prior consent of the other party, provided that the subcontracting party shall use reasonable skill and care in selecting such subcontractors or delegates and shall so far as is possible ensure that they are experienced and competent in relation to their respective duties and obligations.

     (b) Any party who subcontracts or delegates any of its duties and obligations in accordance with this Section 22 shall be responsible for every act or omission of the subcontractor or delegate as if it were an act or omission of the party itself.

     23. Cooperation after the Distribution. If, following the Distribution Date (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), it shall come to the notice of Fortune or ACCO that any service or facility provided by the other or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (as such terms are defined in the Distribution Agreement) prior to the Distribution Date to or for it or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates and not covered hereby is not being performed or made available after the Distribution Date and such party considers that the relevant service or facility is necessary or desirable for the effective operation of its business, it may notify the other party giving full details of the relevant service or facility and the parties shall cooperate and negotiate in good faith to the extent reasonably practicable with a view to such service or facility being provided on reasonable commercial terms.

     24. Construction. In this Agreement:

     (a) References to an “Exhibit” are, unless otherwise specified, references to one of the Exhibits attached to this Agreement, and references to a “Section” are, unless otherwise specified, references to one of the Sections of this Agreement and references to a “sub-section” are, unless the context otherwise requires, references to the section in which the reference appears;

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     (b) each of the Exhibits shall have effect as if set out in this Agreement and references to this Agreement shall include each of the Exhibits; and

     (c) in the event of and to the extent that there shall be any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Exhibits, the provisions of the Exhibits shall take precedence notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary.

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

     26. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof. Any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     27. No Waivers. No failure or delay by any party hereto to take any action or assert any right hereunder shall be deemed to be a waiver of such right in the event of the continuation or repetition of the circumstances giving rise to such right, unless expressly waived in writing by the party against whom the existence of such waiver is asserted.

     28. 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 instrument.

     29. Rights. The rights, powers, privileges and: remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers, privileges or remedies, provided by law or otherwise. No single or partial exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy under this Agreement shall prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, privilege or remedy.

[signature page attached]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
         
  FORTUNE BRANDS, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mark A. Roche  
    Name: Mark A. Roche  
    Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary  
 
  ACCO WORLD CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Neal Fenwick  
    Name: Neal Fenwick  
    Title: Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration  

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EXHIBIT A

SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY FORTUNE

OFFICE SPACE AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN HONG KONG, GUANGZHOU AND NINGBO

I.   Fortune, through Fortune Brands International Corporation (“FBIC”) will provide office space in FBIC’s offices located in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Ningbo until April 30th, 2007.

  (a)   The space allocated to ACCO in the Hong Kong office shall consist of 1,510 square feet, at an annual rent of 48,400 USD.
 
  (b)   The space allocated to ACCO in the Guangzhou office shall consist of 840 square feet, at an annual rent of 10,450 USD.
 
  (c)   The space allocated to ACCO in the Ningbo office shall consist of 133 square feet, at an annual rent of 1,200 USD. .

II.   Fortune, through FBIC will provide the services listed below for two (2) years for up to fifteen (15) ACCO personnel housed in FBIC offices:

  A.   Finance and accounting services as follows.
 
  (i)   Payment of all operating expenses on behalf of ACCO.
 
  (ii)   Allocation of expenses by account code in accordance with ACCO’s chart of accounts.
 
  (iii)   Preparation of monthly debit notes with supporting documents.
 
  (iv)   Process payment of corporate credit cards.
 
  (v)   Obtain proper approvals and matching of supporting documents before payments are made.
 
  (vi)   Monitor compliance to local tax ordinance for annual audit and government inspection.
 
  (vii)   Bank accounts maintenance.
 
  (viii)   Preparation of monthly financial package.

 


 

  (ix)   Preparation of annual budget and forecast.
 
  (x)   Provide annual financial statutory audit

B.   Information technology services as follows.

  (i)   Provide hardware/software information technology services in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Ningbo offices.
 
  (ii)   Provide SUN systems software support (or mutually agreeable equivalent) and custom-made reports.
 
  (iii)   Provide ad-hoc trouble shooting of software, laptops, printers and other accessories.
 
  (iv)   Provide website maintenance for Kensington China website.
 
  (v)   Provide reliable email service and Internet roaming access.
 
  (vi)   Provide advice to ACCO in assessing hardware/software purchases.
 
  (vii)   Provide on-going server maintenance support to business application software.
 
  (viii)   Provide Blackberry wireless email solution (or mutually agreeable equivalent) for Hong Kong and Malaysia users.
 
  (ix)   Provide technical support to Kensington Malaysia staff in accessing Kensington Oracle application
 
  (x)   Create VPN tunnels to link up HK and ACCO USA networks to access corporate intranets.

C.   Human resources services as follows.

  (i)   Payroll and pension fund management.
 
  (ii)   Arrangement of annual medical coverage and life insurance.
 
  (iii)   Tracking and update of employees personnel records.
 
  (iv)   Negotiation of employees’ benefits with FESCO for China staffs.
 
  (v)   Liaise with local tax bureau regarding employee income tax filing.
 
  (vi)   Assist in recruitment process by placing advertisement or engagement of outside

 


 

      agencies.
 
  (vii)   Arrange candidate interviews, screening of CVs and reference checking.
 
  (viii)   Arrange medical check-ups for new hires and transfer of individual files through FESCO in China.
 
  (ix)   Provide up-to-date employee handbook.
 
  (x)   Preparation of employment contracts and termination of employment contracts.

D.   Administration services as follows.

  (i)   Receptionist service, courier arrangement and sorting of incoming mail.
 
  (ii)   Car and driver service for traveling within Guangdong province, China.
 
  (iii)   Secretarial service, travel arrangements and travel visa application.
 
  (iv)   Annual renewal of representative office license.
 
  (v)   Pantry service — stocking up of food and drinks.
 
  (vi)   Office cleaning and stationery purchase.
 
  (vii)   Banking deposits and bill payments, parcel pickups and post office mailing.
 
  (viii)   Arrange office security, telephone service and mobile phones purchase & maintenance.
 
  (ix)   Arrange office insurance; report if and follow up on insurance claims.
 
  (x)   Arrange corporate credit cards.
 
  (xi)   Arrange office renovation and furniture purchase.

E.   Logistics services as follows (only available in Hong Kong).

  (i)   Issuance of sales invoice and credit notes to customers.
 
  (ii)   Issuance of purchase orders and matching of purchase orders to suppliers.
 
  (iii)   Create and maintain inventory record by use of stock numbers to track their activities.
 
  (iv)   Prepare monthly sales reports and inventory listings.

 


 

  (v)   Process full set of documents including purchase and sales orders, shipment arrangement.
 
  (vi)   Customs clearance, inventory reports, certificate of origin and L/C documents to bank.

Payment for the services in subsections (A) through (E) above will be calculated in the same manner as they had been calculated during the period of time immediately prior to the Distribution.

LEGAL SERVICES

Fortune will provide the new legal staff of ACCO with the following services at no charge:

I.   Within thirty (30) days of the closing:

  (a)   Provide a summary of all open matters, including the name of the responsible Fortune attorney, outside counsel (if any), upcoming deadlines and the overall status of the matter.
 
  (b)   Provide a complete listing of all files stored at Fortune as well as a listing of files in archive storage.
 
  (c)   Provide a complete listing of all current outside counsel used in ACCO matters as well as historical fee information.

II.   For a period of six (6) months after closing.

  (a)   Fortune attorneys will be available to work, under the supervision of the new legal staff of ACCO, on any matter that existed as of the date of the closing.
 
  (b)   Fortune will, subject to the approval of the new legal staff of ACCO, continue to perform all work on current matters; provided, however, that Fortune will transition all matters that are anticipated to last for longer than six (6) months to the new legal staff of ACCO.

A member of the new legal staff of ACCO must participate in any meetings or conference calls.

MEETING PLANNING SERVICES

I.   Fortune will allow ACCO to continue using Fortune’s dedicated meeting planners, WorldTravel Partners I, LLC (“WorldTravel”).
 
    ACCO will be responsible for paying for its percentage of total time incurred with WorldTravel meeting planners, as well as one-seventh (1/7) of WorldTravel’s meeting planners’ administrative time (formerly paid by Fortune).

 


 

EXHIBIT B

SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY ACCO

STORAGE SPACE IN WHEELING, ILLINOIS

ACCO will provide Fortune space for storage of archived documents at the ACCO location in Wheeling, Illinois for a period not to exceed one (1) year.

  A.   Fortune will be entitled to use the existing storage space used by Fortune at ACCO’s facility located at 770 South Wolf Road, Wheeling, Illinois 60090-6070. The storage space consists of approximately 1080 sq. ft. of space (36’x30’).
 
  B.   ACCO will cause Fortune to be named as an additional insured with respect to the Wheeling, Illinois facility.
 
  C.   Fortune will pay ACCO $7,041.60 per year, payable monthly, in advance for the use of the storage space described herein.

UK EMPLOYEES

ACCO will continue to provide payroll services for up to six (6) months for non-ACCO employees of Fortune or its subsidiaries in the UK. Fortune will reimburse ACCO for its costs in providing these services and will provide cash funds to ACCO in advance of any payments by ACCO. Fortune may elect to discontinue these services upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to ACCO.

 

EX-12 29 c98562exv12.htm STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF RATIO TO EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES exv12
 

COMBINED PRO FORMA
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
  Exhibit 12
                 
$ - Millions   Fiscal Year     Six Months  
    Ended     Ended  
    Dec-04     Jun-05  
Earnings Available:
               
Income (Loss) from continuing ops,
    76.7       25.0  
before prov for taxes on
               
income, min int and
               
extraordinary item
               
 
               
Less: Income (loss) of equity investees
    1.0       0.9  
included above
               
 
               
Less: Capitalized interest on B/S
    0.1       0.1  
 
               
Plus: Distributed Earnings of Equity Investees
    1.4        
 
               
 
    77.0       24.0  
 
           
Fixed Charges:
               
Interest expense
    65.0       32.6  
including capitalized interest on B/S
    0.1       0.1  
& amort of debt discount and exps
               
 
               
Portion of rentals representative of
               
an interest factor
    12.9       6.0  
 
               
 
           
Total Fixed Charges (a)
    78.0       38.7  
 
           
 
               
Total Earnings Available (b)
    155.0       62.7  
 
               
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (b)/(a)
    2.0       1.6  
     
ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
   
                                                         
$ - Millions                                           Six Months  
    Fiscal Years Ended December 27,     Ended  
    2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     Jun-04     Jun-05  
Earnings Available:
                                                       
Income (Loss) from continuing ops,
    (518.6 )     (99.7 )     5.5       39.9       89.6       8.4       42.0  
before prov for taxes on
                                                       
income, min int and
                                                       
extraordinary item
                                                       
 
                                                       
Less: Income (loss) of equity investees
    0.2                   (0.7 )     0.6       0.2       (0.1 )
included above
                                                       
 
                                                       
Capitalized interest
                                         
 
    (518.8 )     (99.7 )     5.5       40.6       89.0       8.2       42.1  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Fixed Charges:
                                                       
Interest expense
    36.4       21.4       12.3       8.0       8.5       3.9       4.1  
including capitalized interest)
                                         
& amort of debt discount and exps
                                         
 
                                                       
Portion of rentals representative of
                                                       
an interest factor
    8.2       8.0       8.6       7.5       8.0       3.6       3.5  
 
                                                       
 
                                         
Total Fixed Charges (a)
    44.6       29.4       20.9       15.5       16.5       7.5       7.6  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Total Earnings Available (b)
    (474.2 )     (70.3 )     26.4       56.1       105.5       15.7       49.7  
 
                                                       
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (b)/(a) (1)
                1.26       3.6       6.4       2.1       6.5  
 
     (1)   Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the years ended December 27, 2000 and 2001 by $518.8 and $99.7, respectively.

EX-23.1 30 c98562exv23w1.htm CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP exv23w1
 

Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of ACCO Brands Corporation of our reports dated April 29, 2005, except for notes 13 and 16 for which the date is September 30, 2005, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of ACCO Brands Corporation, which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Experts” and “Selected Historical Financial Data of ACCO Brands Corporation” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
September 28, 2005

EX-23.2 31 c98562exv23w2.htm CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP exv23w2
 

Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of ACCO Brands Corporation of our reports dated March 15, 2005, except for note 19, for which the date is September 30, 2005, relating to the financial statements, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Experts” and “Selected Historical Financial Data General Binding Corporation” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
September 28, 2005

EX-25 32 c98562exv25.htm FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY exv25
 

Exhibit 25
Registration No. 333-___
 
 
FORM T-1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Statement of Eligibility Under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of a
Corporation Designated to Act as Trustee
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)
Wachovia Bank, National Association
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
United States of America
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization if not a U.S. national bank)
22-1147033
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
One Wachovia Center
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina
(Address of principal executive offices)
28288
(Zip code)
Patrick L. Teague
Wachovia Bank, National Association
NC1179
401 South Tryon Street, 12th Floor
Charlotte, NC 28288-1179
(704) 374-2080
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
ACCO Brands Corporation
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Illinois
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
13-3295276
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
300 Tower Parkway
(Address of principal executive offices)
60069
(Zip code)
7.625% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2015
(Title of the indenture securities)
 
 

 


 

Item 1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
     a. Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
     
NAME   ADDRESS
 
   
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
  Washington, D.C.
 
   
Comptroller of the Currency
  Washington, D.C.
 
   
Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation
  Washington, D.C.
     b. Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
     The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Item 2. Affiliations with the obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
     The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee. (See Note 1 on page 6.)
Item 3. Voting securities of the trustee. Furnish the following information as to each class of voting securities of the trustee:
     As of August 31, 2005 (Insert date within 31 days)
     
COL. ACOL. B    
TITLE OF CLASS   AMOUNT OUTSTANDING
Common Stock   1,555,625,000
Item 4. Trusteeships under other indentures. If the trustee is a trustee under another indenture under which any other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other securities, of the obligor are outstanding, furnish the following information:
     a. Title of the securities outstanding under each such other indenture.
          Not Applicable.
     b. A brief statement of the facts relied upon as a basis for the claim that no conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b)(1) of the Act arises as a result of the trusteeship under any such other indenture, including a statement as to how the indenture securities will rank as compared with the securities issued under such other indenture.
          Not Applicable.

-2-


 

Item 5. Interlocking directorates and similar relationships with the obligor or underwriters. If the trustee or any of the directors or executive officers of the trustee is a director, officer, partner, employee, appointee, or representative of the obligor of any underwriter for the obligor, identify each such person having any such connection and state the nature of each such connection.
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.
Item 6. Voting securities of the trustee owned by the obligor or its officials. Furnish the following information as to the voting securities of the trustee owned beneficially by the obligor and each director, partner, and executive officer of the obligor.
     As of                     (Insert date within 31 days).
             
 
          COL. D
 
      COL. C   PERCENTAGE OF VOTING SECURITIES
COL. A
  COL. B   AMOUNT OWNED   REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT GIVEN
NAME OF OWNER
  TITLE OF CLASS   BENEFICIALLY   IN COL. C
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.
Item 7. Voting securities of the trustee owned by underwriters or their officials. Furnish the following information as to the voting securities of the trustee owned beneficially by each underwriter for the obligor and each director, partner, and executive officer of each such underwriter:
     As of                     (Insert date within 31 days).
             
 
          COL. D
 
      COL. C   PERCENTAGE OF VOTING SECURITIES
COL. A
  COL. B   AMOUNT OWNED   REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT GIVEN
NAME OF OWNER
  TITLE OF CLASS   BENEFICIALLY   IN COL. C
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.
Item 8. Securities of the obligor owned or held by the trustee. Furnish the following information as to securities of the obligor owned beneficially or held as collateral security for obligations in default by the trustee:
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.
             
 
      COL. C    
 
      AMOUNT OWNED   COL.
 
  COL. B   BENEFICIALLY OR   PERCENT OF CLASS
 
  WHETHER THE SECURITIES   HELD AS COLLATERAL   REPRESENTED BY
COL. A
  ARE VOTING OR   SECURITY FOR   AMOUNT GIVEN
TITLE OF CLASS
  NONVOTING SECURITIES   OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT   IN COL. C
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.

-3-


 

Item 9. Securities of underwriters owned or held by the trustee. If the trustee owns beneficially or hold as collateral security for obligations in default any securities of an underwriter for the obligor, furnish the following information as to each class of securities of such underwriter any of which are so owned or held by the trustee:
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.
             
 
      COL. C   COL. D
 
      AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY   PERCENT OF CLASS
COL. A
  COL. B   OR HELD AS COLLATERAL   REPRESENTED BY
TITLE OF ISSUER
  AMOUNT   SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS   AMOUNT GIVEN
AND TITLE OF CLASS
  OUTSTANDING   IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE   IN COL. C
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.
Item 10. Ownership or holdings by the trustee of voting securities of certain affiliates or security holders of the obligor. If the trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral security for obligations in default voting securities of a person who, to the knowledge of the trustee (1) owns 10 percent or more of the voting securities of the obligor or (2) is an affiliate, other than a subsidiary, of the obligor, furnish the following information as to the voting securities of such person:
     As of                      (Insert date within 31 days).
             
 
      COL. C   COL. D
 
      AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY   PERCENT OF CLASS
COL. A
  COL. B   OR HELD AS COLLATERAL   REPRESENTED BY
TITLE OF ISSUER
  AMOUNT   SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS   AMOUNT GIVEN
AND TITLE OF CLASS
  OUTSTANDING   IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE   IN COL. C
     Not Applicable — see answer to Item 13.
Item 11. Ownership or holdings by the trustee of any securities of a person owning 50 percent or more of the voting securities of the obligor. If the trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral security for obligations in default any securities of a person who, to the knowledge of the trustee, owns 50 percent or more of the voting securities of the obligor, furnish the following information as to each class of securities of such person any of which are so owned or held by the trustee:
     As of                      (Insert date within 31 days).

-4-


 

             
 
      COL. C   COL. D
 
      AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY   PERCENT OF CLASS
COL. A
  COL. B   OR HELD AS COLLATERAL   REPRESENTED BY
TITLE OF ISSUER
  AMOUNT   SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS   AMOUNT GIVEN
AND TITLE OF CLASS
  OUTSTANDING   IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE   IN COL. C
     Not Applicable — See answer to Item 13.
Item 12. Indebtedness of the Obligor to the Trustee. Except as noted in the instructions, if the obligor is indebted to the trustee, furnish the following information:
     As of                     (Insert date within 31 days).
         
COL. A
  COL. B   COL. C
NATURE OF INDEBTEDNESS
  AMOUNT OUTSTANDING   DATE DUE
     Not Applicable — See answer to Item 13.
Item 13. Defaults by the Obligor.
a. State whether there is or has been a default with respect to the securities under this indenture. Explain the nature of any such default .
None.
b. If the trustee is a trustee under another indenture under which any other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other securities, of the obligor are outstanding, or is trustee for more than one outstanding series of securities under the indenture, state whether there has been a default under any such indenture or series, identify the indenture or series affected, and explain the nature of any such default.
None.
Item 14. Affiliations with the Underwriters. If any underwriter is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
Not Applicable.
Item 15. Foreign Trustee. Identify the order or rule pursuant to which the foreign trustee is authorized to act as sole trustee under indentures qualified or to be qualified under the Act.
Not Applicable.
Item 16. List of exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility.
  1.   Articles of Association of Wachovia Bank, National Association as now in effect.*
 
  2.   Certificate of Authority of the trustee to commence business.*

-5-


 

  3.   Copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers.*
 
  4.   Existing bylaws of the trustee.*
 
  5.   Not Applicable.
 
  6.   The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
 
  7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.**
 
  8.   Not Applicable.
 
  9.   Not Applicable.
 
*   Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to Form T-1 in connection with Registration Statement Number 333-54465 incorporated herein by reference.
 
**   This report is available over the Internet at the website of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and this report as therein contained is incorporated herein by reference. This website is located at http://www3.fdic.gov/idasp/main.asp. Once at that address, type in “Wachovia Corporation” at the field entitled “Institution Name” then click on the “Find” field above where the name of the bank has been typed in then click on the certificate number for Wachovia Corporation (1073551) then click on the “Generate Report” field.
NOTES:
     Note 1: The trustee is a subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation, a bank holding company; all of the voting securities of the trustee are held by Wachovia Corporation. The voting securities of Wachovia Corporation are described in Item 3.

-6-


 

SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the trustee, Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association [state form of organization] organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the city of Charlotte , and State [or other jurisdiction] of North Carolina , on the 30th day of September, 2005.
         
  WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                   (Trustee)
 
 
  By:   /s/ Patrick L. Teague    
    Patrick L. Teague, Vice President   
    (Name and Title)   
 

-7-


 

EXHIBIT 6
     Wachovia Bank, National Association, pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Act”) in connection with the proposed issuance by ACCO Brands Corporation of its 7.625% Senior Subordinated Notes, consents that reports of examination by federal, state, territorial, or district authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor, as contemplated by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Dated: September 30, 2005
         
  WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Patrick L. Teague    
    Patrick L. Teague, Vice President    
       
 

-8-

EX-99.1 33 c98562exv99w1.htm FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL exv99w1
 

Exhibit 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
offer for all outstanding
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
in exchange for
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
pursuant to the prospectus dated                             , 2005
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                         , 2005, UNLESS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME AND DATE, AS SO EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
The exchange agent for the exchange offer is:
Wachovia Bank, National Association
For all forms of delivery:
Wachovia Bank, National Association
Corporate Actions — NC 1153
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., 3C3
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-1153
Attention: Marsha Rice
     
Facsimile:

(704) 590-7628
  For confirmation call:

(704) 590-7413
      DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
      THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
      The prospectus of ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”) and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer (collectively, the “Guarantors”), dated                     , 2005, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”), and this letter of transmittal together constitute the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ offer, referred to as the exchange offer, to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $350,000,000 of the Issuer’s 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, including the guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “New Notes”), for a like principal amount of the Issuer’s outstanding 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, including the guarantees thereof by the Guarantors (the “Old Notes”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter of transmittal shall have the same meaning given to them in the Prospectus.


 

      This letter of transmittal is to be completed by a holder of Old Notes if either (a) a tender of Old Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account of the exchange agent at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes” and an agent’s message, as defined below, is not delivered or (b) certificates for such Old Notes are to be forwarded herewith. Certificates or book-entry confirmation of the transfer of Old Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, as well as this letter of transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents, such as endorsements, bond powers, opinions of counsel, certifications and powers of attorney, if applicable, required by this letter of transmittal, must be received by the exchange agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the expiration date. In connection with any tender of Old Notes by book-entry transfer, an agent’s message may be delivered as part of the book-entry confirmation in lieu of this letter of transmittal. The term “book-entry confirmation” means a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC. The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted to the exchange agent by DTC which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment that the tendering holder agrees to be bound by the letter of transmittal and that the Issuer and the Guarantors may enforce the letter of transmittal against that holder.
      If Old Notes are tendered pursuant to book-entry procedures, the exchange agent must receive, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, book-entry confirmation of the tender of the Old Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, along with a completed letter of transmittal or an agent’s message.
      By crediting the Old Notes to the exchange agent’s account at DTC and by complying with the applicable procedures of DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, with respect to the tender of the Old Notes, including by the transmission of an agent’s message, the holder of Old Notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of this letter of transmittal, and the participant in DTC confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of such Old Notes all provisions of this letter of transmittal as being applicable to it and such beneficial owners as fully as if such participant and each such beneficial owner had provided the information required herein and executed and transmitted this letter of transmittal to the exchange agent.
      Holders of Old Notes whose certificates for such Old Notes are not immediately available or who are unlikely to be able to deliver all required documents to the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date or who cannot complete a book-entry transfer on time may tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes — Guaranteed Delivery.”
      DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

2


 

      List below the Old Notes to which this letter of transmittal relates. The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby should be printed below, if they are not already set forth below, as they appear on the certificates representing such Old Notes. The certificate number(s) and the principal amount of Old Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes below. If the space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal amount of Old Notes should be listed on a separate, signed schedule affixed hereto.
             
 
DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
 
    Aggregate    
    Principal    
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s)   Certificate   Amount of Old   Principal Amount
(Please fill in, if blank)   Number(s)*   Notes   Tendered**
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
    Total:    
 
* Need not be completed if Old Notes are being tendered by book-entry transfer.
** Unless otherwise indicated in this column, a holder will be deemed to have tendered ALL of the Old Notes represented by the Old Notes indicated in the second column. See Instruction 4. Old Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.
 
o CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 Name of Tendering Institution
 
 DTC Account Number
 
 Transaction Code Number
 
o CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.

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o CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (SEE INSTRUCTION 1):
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s)
 
Window Ticket Number (if any)
 
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
 
Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery
 
If Guaranteed Delivery is to be Made by Book-Entry Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution
 
DTC Account Number
 
Transaction Code Number
 
o CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.*
Name:
 
Address:
 
You are entitled to as many copies as you reasonably believe necessary. If you require more than 10 copies, please indicate the total number required in the following space:                                         .

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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
      The undersigned hereby tenders to the Issuer the principal amount of Old Notes indicated above, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any portion of the Old Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including, if the exchange offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment, the undersigned hereby irrevocably sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the Issuer all right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes.
      The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the exchange agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact, with full knowledge that the exchange agent is also acting as agent of the Issuer and the Guarantors in connection with the exchange offer and as trustee under the indenture governing the Old Notes and the New Notes, with respect to the tendered Old Notes, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (1) deliver certificates representing such Old Notes, together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of the Issuer upon receipt by the exchange agent, as the undersigned’s agent, of the New Notes to be issued in exchange for such Old Notes, (2) present certificates for such Old Notes for transfer and to transfer the Old Notes on the books of the Issuer and (3) receive for the account of the Issuer all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the exchange offer.
      The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (1) the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered hereby, (2) the Issuer will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the tendered Old Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and other encumbrances, and (3) the Old Notes tendered hereby are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies. The undersigned warrants and agrees that the undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents requested by the Issuer or any Guarantor or the exchange agent to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned agrees to all of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer.
      The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to any one of the procedures described in “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes” in the Prospectus and in the instructions accompanying this letter of transmittal will, upon the Issuer’s acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old Notes, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Issuer upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer and that the tendering holder will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any payment in respect of interest or otherwise on such Old Notes accrued up to the date of issuance of the New Notes. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Issuer may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
      Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” below, the undersigned hereby directs that the New Notes be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Notes, that such New Notes be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute certificates representing Old Notes not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Notes, will be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” the undersigned hereby directs that the New Notes be delivered to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned’s signature. The undersigned recognizes that the Issuer and the Guarantors have no obligation pursuant to “Special Delivery Instructions” to transfer any Old Notes from a registered holder thereof if the Issuer does not accept for exchange any of the principal amount of such Old Notes so tendered.
      By tendering Old Notes and executing this letter of transmittal, the undersigned hereby represents and agrees that (i) any New Notes to be received by the undersigned are being acquired in its ordinary course of business, (ii) the undersigned is not engaged in, does not intend to engage in and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the

5


 

“Securities Act”)) of the New Notes, (iii) the undersigned is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Issuer or any Guarantor and (iv) the undersigned is not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations.
      The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that any broker-dealer and any holder of Old Notes using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the New Notes (1) could not, under SEC policy as in effect on August 5, 2005, rely on the position of the SEC enunciated in its no-action letters entitled Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993), and similar no-action letters, and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of New Notes obtained by such holder in exchange for Old Notes acquired by such holder directly from the Issuer.
      If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it acquired the new securities in the ordinary course of its business, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of new securities and it has no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in a distribution of the new securities.
      If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive new securities for its own account in exchange for securities, it represents that the securities to be exchanged for new securities were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
      All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred herein and every obligation of the undersigned under this letter of transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Withdrawal Rights,” this tender is irrevocable.
      The undersigned, by completing the box entitled “Description of Old Notes” above and signing this letter of transmittal, will be deemed to have tendered the Old Notes as set forth in such box.

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TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS
(See Instructions 2 and 7)
PLEASE SIGN HERE
(Please provide a completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9
or a Form W-8, as applicable; See Instruction 11)
 
 
Signature(s) of Holder(s)
Date: 
 
(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for the Old Notes tendered or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information and see Instruction 7.)
Name(s):
 
 
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title):
 
Address:
 
 
 
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.:
 
Taxpayer Identification Number:
 
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(See Instruction 2)
Authorized Signature:
 
Name: 
 
 
(Please Type or Print)
Title:
 
Name of Firm:
 
Address:
 
 
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.:
 
Date:
 

7


 

SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(Signature Guarantee Required —
See Instructions 2, 6, 8 and 15)
     TO BE COMPLETED ONLY if New Notes or Old Notes not tendered or not accepted are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes whose signature(s) appear(s) above, or if Old Notes delivered by book-entry transfer and not accepted for exchange are to be returned for credit to an account maintained at DTC other than the account indicated above.
Issue (check appropriate box(es))
o  Old Notes to:
 
o  New Notes to:
Name
 
(Please Print)
Address
 
 
 
(Include Zip Code)
 
Taxpayer Identification Number
o  Credit unaccepted Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer to the following account at DTC:
 
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(Signature Guarantee Required —
See Instructions 2, 6, 8 and 15)
     TO BE COMPLETED ONLY if New Notes or Old Notes not tendered or not accepted are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes whose signature(s) appear(s) above, or to such registered holder at an address other than that shown above.
Deliver (check appropriate box(es))
o  Old Notes to:
 
o  New Notes to:
Name
 
(Please Print)
Address
 
 
 
(Include Zip Code)

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INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Exchange Offer
      1. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. This letter of transmittal is to be completed by a holder of Old Notes to tender such holder’s Old Notes if either (a) a tender of Old Notes is to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes” and an agent’s message, as defined on page 2 hereof, is not delivered or (b) certificates for such Old Notes are to be forwarded herewith. Certificates or book-entry confirmation of the transfer of Old Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, as well as this letter of transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents, such as endorsements, bond powers, opinions of counsel, certifications and powers of attorney, if applicable, required by this letter of transmittal, must be received by the exchange agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the expiration date. If the tender of Old Notes is effected in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, for book-entry transfer, an agent’s message may be transmitted to the exchange agent, in lieu of an executed letter of transmittal, as part of the confirmation of the book-entry transfer of Old Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, or book-entry confirmation. Old Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000.
      For purposes of the exchange offer, the term “holder” includes any participant in DTC named in a securities position listing as a holder of Old Notes. Only such a registered holder may tender Old Notes in the exchange offer. Any beneficial owner of Old Notes who wishes to tender some or all of such Old Notes should arrange with DTC, a DTC participant or the holder of such Old Notes to execute and deliver this letter of transmittal or to send an electronic instruction effecting a book-entry transfer on his or her behalf. See Instruction 7.
      Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose certificates for the Old Notes are not immediately available or for whom all required documents are unlikely to reach the exchange agent before the exchange offer expires or (ii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on time, may tender their Old Notes by properly completing and duly executing a notice of guaranteed delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes — Guaranteed Delivery” in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures, (i) such tender must be made by or through an eligible institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form made available by the Issuer, must be received by the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date; and (iii) the certificates for the Old Notes, or a book-entry confirmation, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, or an agent’s message in lieu thereof, with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this letter of transmittal, must be received by the exchange agent within three (3) New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such notice of guaranteed delivery for all such tendered Old Notes, all as set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes — Guaranteed Delivery” in the Prospectus.
      The notice of guaranteed delivery may be delivered by hand, facsimile, mail or overnight delivery service to the exchange agent, and must include a guarantee by an eligible institution in the form set forth in such notice of guaranteed delivery. For Old Notes to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the exchange agent must receive a notice of guaranteed delivery on or prior to the expiration date. As used herein, “eligible institution” means a firm or other entity which is identified as an “Eligible Guarantor Institution” in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including a bank; a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; a credit union; a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or a savings association.
      The method of delivery of certificates for the Old Notes, this letter of transmittal and all other required documents is at the election and sole risk of the tendering holder. If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, or overnight delivery service is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date. Delivery is complete when the exchange agent actually receives the items to be delivered. Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent. No letters of transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the Issuer or any Guarantor.

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      The Issuer and the Guarantors will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a letter of transmittal or by causing the transmission of an agent’s message, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
      2. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee on this letter of transmittal is required if:
        a. this letter of transmittal is signed by the registered holder (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a securities position listing as the owner of the Old Notes) of Old Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder has completed either the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” above; or
 
        b. such Old Notes are tendered for the account of an eligible institution (as defined in the fourth paragraph of Instruction 1).
In all other cases, an eligible institution must guarantee the signature(s) on this letter of transmittal. See Instruction 7 for general instructions relating to signatures on letters of transmittal.
      3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned “Description of Old Notes” is inadequate, the certificate number(s) and/or the principal amount of Old Notes and any other required information should be listed on a separate, signed schedule which is attached to this letter of transmittal.
      4. Partial Tenders (not applicable to holders who tender by book-entry transfer). If less than all the Old Notes evidenced by any certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the principal amount of Old Notes which are to be tendered in the “Principal Amount Tendered” column of the box entitled “Description of Old Notes” on page 3 of this letter of transmittal. In such case, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Old Notes that were evidenced by your old certificate(s) will be sent only to the holder of the Old Notes promptly after the expiration date. All Old Notes represented by certificates delivered to the exchange agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. Tender of Old Notes will be accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000.
      5. Withdrawal Rights. Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration date. In order for a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the exchange agent at its address set forth above and in the Prospectus (or the appropriate procedures of ATOP must be complied with) prior to the expiration date. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person that tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn; identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn, including the total principal amount of Old Notes to be withdrawn; and, where certificates for Old Notes are transmitted, the name of the registered holder of the Old Notes, if different from that of the person withdrawing such Old Notes. If certificates for the Old Notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, then the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers of the Old Notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution (as defined in the fourth paragraph of Instruction 1), except in the case of Old Notes tendered for the account of an eligible institution. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes,” the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Old Notes and the notice of withdrawal must be delivered to the exchange agent. Withdrawals of tenders of Old Notes may not be rescinded; however, Old Notes properly withdrawn may again be tendered at any time on or prior to the expiration date by following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes.”
      All questions regarding the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of withdrawal notices will be determined by the Issuer, in its sole and absolute discretion, which determination of such questions as well as its interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including this letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. None of the Issuer and the Guarantors, any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent or any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal, nor will any of them be liable for failing to give any such notice.
      Withdrawn Old Notes will be returned to the holder as promptly as practicable after withdrawal without cost to such holder. In the case of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer through DTC, the Old Notes withdrawn will be credited to an account maintained with DTC.

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      6. Return of Unexchanged Old Notes. If any tendered Old Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the exchange offer for any reason, or if certificates are submitted for more Old Notes than are tendered or accepted for exchange, certificates for such nonexchanged or nontendered Old Notes will be returned, or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, such Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained at DTC, without expense to the tendering holder, as promptly as practicable following the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.
      7. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Assignments and Endorsements. If this letter of transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
      If any Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this letter of transmittal.
      If any tendered Old Notes are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate letters of transmittal or facsimiles hereof as there are different registrations of certificates.
      If this letter of transmittal or any certificates, endorsements, bond powers, powers of attorney or any other document required by this letter of transmittal are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the Issuer, must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Issuer, in its sole discretion, of each such person’s authority so to act.
      When this letter of transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Old Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of certificate(s) or separate instruments of transfer or exchange are required unless New Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). Signature(s) on such certificate(s) or instruments of transfer or exchange must be guaranteed by an eligible institution (as defined in the fourth paragraph of Instruction 1).
      If this letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Old Notes listed, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the certificates, and also must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as the Issuer and the Guarantors or the trustee under the indenture for the Old Notes may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Notes. Signatures on such certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an eligible institution (as defined in the fourth paragraph of Instruction 1).
      8. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions. If New Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this letter of transmittal, or if New Notes are to be sent to someone other than the signer of this letter of transmittal or to an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this letter of transmittal should be completed. In the case of issuance in a different name, the U.S. taxpayer identification number of the person named must also be indicated. A holder of Old Notes tendering Old Notes by book-entry transfer may instruct that Old Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at DTC as such holder may designate. If no such instructions are given, certificates for Old Notes not exchanged will be returned by mail to the address of the signer of this letter of transmittal or, if the Old Notes not exchanged were tendered by book-entry transfer, such Old Notes will be returned by crediting the account indicated on page 3 above maintained at DTC. See Instruction 6.
      9. Irregularities. All questions regarding the form of documents, validity, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Notes will be determined by the Issuer and the Guarantors, in their sole discretion, which determination of such questions as well as their interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer will be final and binding on all parties. The Issuer reserves the absolute right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to reject any tenders determined to be in improper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which, may, in the view of counsel to the Issuer, be unlawful. The Issuer also reserves the absolute right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to waive any of the conditions of the exchange offer set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Conditions to the Exchange Offer” or any condition or irregularity in any tender of Old Notes by any holder, whether or not the Issuer waives similar conditions or irregularities in the case of other holders. A tender of Old Notes is invalid until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. None of the Issuer and the

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Guarantors, any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent or any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders, nor will any of them be liable for failing to give any such notice.
      10. Questions, Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Questions regarding the procedure for tendering Old Notes and requests for assistance may be directed to the exchange agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the front of this letter of transmittal. Additional copies of the Prospectus, the letter of transmittal, the notice of guaranteed delivery and Forms W-8 and W-9 (as defined in Instruction 11) may be obtained from the exchange agent at the address and telephone/facsimile numbers indicated above, or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
      11. Backup Withholding; Internal Revenue Services Forms. Under the United States federal income tax laws, interest paid to holders of New Notes received pursuant to the exchange offer may be subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, you may obtain a refund if you timely furnish the required information to the Internal Revenue Service.
      To prevent backup withholding, if you are a U.S. person, you must provide your correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), which is generally your social security number or federal employer identification number, to the exchange agent on an Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (“Form W-9”), a copy of which is provided herewith. By completing the Form W-9, you are certifying that (i) the TIN provided on the Form W-9 is your correct TIN (or that you are awaiting the issuance of TIN), (ii) you are a U.S. person and (iii) (A) your are exempt from backup withholding, (B) you have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (C) the Internal Revenue Service has notified you that you are no longer subject to backup withholding. If you provide the exchange agent with an incorrect TIN, you may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
      If you are a U.S. person and you do not have a TIN, you should (i) consult the enclosed instructions for Form W-9 (the “W-9 Guidelines”) for information on how to apply for a TIN, (ii) write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN in Part I of the Form W-9 and (iii) sign and date the Form W-9. If you write “Applied For” on the Form W-9 and you do not provide the exchange agent with your TIN by the time of a payment with respect to the New Notes, such payment may be subject to backup withholding. Note: Writing “Applied For” on the Form W-9 means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one in the near future.
      If the New Notes are held in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the W-9 Guidelines for information on which TIN to report.
      Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign holders) are exempt from these backup withholding and reporting requirements. To prevent possible backup withholding, if you are an exempt holder that is a U.S. person, you should check the “Exempt from backup withholding” box on the Form W-9. See the W-9 Guidelines for additional instructions. If you are a nonresident alien or foreign entity, in order for you to qualify as exempt from backup withholding you generally must submit a completed copy of the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (“Form W-8”), signed under penalty of perjury, attesting to your foreign status. A Form W-8 may be obtained from the exchange agent or the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov.
      12. Waiver of Conditions. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions, completely or partially, enumerated in the Prospectus.
      13. No Conditional Tenders. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Old Notes, by execution of this letter of transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of Old Notes for exchange.
      None of the Issuer and the Guarantors, any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent or any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Old Notes, nor will any of them incur any liability for failing to give any such notice.
      14. Mutilated, Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If any certificate(s) representing Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should promptly notify the exchange agent. The holder will then be

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instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the certificate(s). This letter of transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen certificate(s) have been followed.
      15. Security Transfer Taxes. Except as provided below, holders who tender their Old Notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If (i) New Notes issued in the exchange offer are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes tendered or (ii) a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes in connection with the exchange offer, then any such transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, will be payable by the holder or such other person. If satisfactory evidence of payment of, or exemption from, such taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to the tendering holder.
      Except as provided in this Instruction 15, it is not necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes specified in this letter of transmittal.
      16. Incorporation of Letter of Transmittal. This letter of transmittal shall be deemed to be incorporated in any tender of Old Notes by any DTC participant effected through procedures established by DTC and, by virtue of such tender, such participant shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted this letter of transmittal on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of any Old Notes so tendered.

13 EX-99.2 34 c98562exv99w2.htm FORM OF NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY exv99w2

 

Exhibit 99.2
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
offer for all outstanding
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
in exchange for
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
pursuant to the prospectus dated                            , 2005
      This notice of guaranteed delivery, or one substantially equivalent to this form, must be used to accept the above-referenced exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) pursuant to the prospectus of ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer (collectively, the “Guarantors”), dated                    , 2005, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”) and the accompanying letter of transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), if (i) certificates for the Issuer’s outstanding 75/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (the “Old Notes”) are not immediately available or all required documents are unlikely to reach the exchange agent, U.S. Bank National Association, before the Expiration Date, as defined below; or (ii) a book-entry transfer cannot be completed on time. This notice of guaranteed delivery may be delivered by hand, facsimile, mail or overnight delivery service to the exchange agent. See “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes” in the Prospectus. In addition, in order to utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure to tender Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, (a) such tender must be made by or through an eligible institution, (b) a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery must be received by the exchange agent on or prior to the Expiration Date and (c) the certificates for the Old Notes, or a book-entry confirmation, together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, or an agent’s message in lieu thereof, with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the exchange agent within three (3) New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such notice of guaranteed delivery for all such tendered Old Notes.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                         , 2005, UNLESS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME AND DATE, AS SO EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
The exchange agent for the exchange offer is:
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For all forms of delivery:
Wachovia Bank, National Association
Corporate Actions — NC 1153
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., 3C3
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-1153
Attention: Marsha Rice
     
Facsimile:
(704) 590-7628
  For confirmation call:
(704) 590-7413
      DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
      This notice of guaranteed delivery is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on the Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an “eligible institution” under the instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.


 

Ladies and Gentlemen:
      The undersigned hereby tenders to the Issuer, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, and which together constitute the Exchange Offer, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes — Guaranteed Delivery.”
     
Aggregate Principal Amount
Tendered: $ ___________________  *
 
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): 
 
     
Certificate No(s). (if available):
 
 
$
 
(Total Principal Amount Represented by Old Note Certificate(s))
If Old Notes will be tendered by book-entry transfer, provide the following information:
DTC Account Number:
 
Date:
 
 
* Must be in integral multiples of $1,000.
      All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

2


 

PLEASE SIGN HERE
     
 
 
 
     
 
 
Signature(s) of Owner(s) or Authorized Signatory
 
 
Date
Telephone Number:
 
      Must be signed by the holder(s) of the Old Notes as their name(s) appear(s) on certificates for the Old Notes or in a securities position listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsement and documents transmitted with this notice of guaranteed delivery. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below and, unless waived by the Issuer, provide proper evidence satisfactory to the Issuer, in its sole and absolute discretion, of such person’s authority to so act.
Please print name(s) and address(es)
Name(s):
 
 
 
 
Capacity:
 
Address(es):
 
 
 
 

3


 

GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY
(Not to be used for signature guarantee)
      The undersigned, a firm or other entity which is identified as an “Eligible Guarantor Institution” in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including: a bank; a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; a credit union; a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or a savings association, each of the foregoing being referred to as an “eligible institution,” hereby guarantees to deliver to the exchange agent, at the address set forth herein, either the Old Notes tendered hereby in proper form for transfer or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Notes to the exchange agent’s account at DTC, pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus, in either case together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, or an agent’s message in lieu thereof, and any other required documents within three (3) New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of this notice of guaranteed delivery.
      The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver to the exchange agent the Letter of Transmittal, or an agent’s message in lieu thereof, and the Old Notes tendered hereby in proper form for transfer or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Notes to the exchange agent’s account at DTC within the time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result in a financial loss to the undersigned.
     
 
 
Name of Firm
 
 
Authorized Signature
 
 
Address
 
 
Title
 
 
Zip Code
 
 
(Please Type or Print)
 
 
Telephone Number:     Date:  
     
      NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES WITH THIS FORM. CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT ONLY WITH THE PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

4 EX-99.3 35 c98562exv99w3.htm FORM OF LETTER TO BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES AND OTHER NOMINEES exv99w3

 

Exhibit 99.3
ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
offer for all outstanding
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
in exchange for
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
pursuant to the prospectus dated                             , 2005
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON OCTOBER                         , 2005, UNLESS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME AND DATE, AS SO EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and other Nominees:
      ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer (collectively, the “Guarantors”) are making an offer, referred to as the exchange offer, to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $350,000,000 of the Issuer’s 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, including the guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “New Notes”), for a like principal amount of the Issuer’s outstanding 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, including the guarantees thereof by the Guarantors (the “Old Notes”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the prospectus dated                     , 2005 and in the related letter of transmittal.
      Enclosed herewith are copies of the following documents:
        1. the prospectus;
 
        2. the letter of transmittal for your use and for the information of your clients, including a substitute Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 for collection of information relating to backup United States federal income tax withholding;
 
        3. a notice of guaranteed delivery to be used to accept the exchange offer with respect to Old Notes in certificated form or Old Notes accepted for clearance through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company if (i) certificates for the Old Notes are not immediately available or all required documents are unlikely to reach the exchange agent before the expiration date or (ii) a book-entry transfer cannot be completed on time; and
 
        4. a form of letter which may be sent to your clients for whose account you hold Old Notes in your name or in the name of a nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients’ instructions with regard to the exchange offer.
      PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                     , 2005, UNLESS EXTENDED. WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
      The Issuer and the Guarantors have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not pay any fee or commission to any broker, dealer, nominee or other person, other than the exchange agent, for soliciting tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the exchange offer. You will be reimbursed by the Issuer for customary


 

mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding the enclosed materials to your clients and for handling or tendering for your clients.
      Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained by contacting the exchange agent as provided in the enclosed letter of transmittal.
  Very truly yours,
 
  ACCO Brands Corporation
      NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE ISSUER, ANY OF THE GUARANTORS OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER NOT CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUS OR THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

2 EX-99.4 36 c98562exv99w4.htm FORM OF LETTER TO CLIENTS exv99w4

 

Exhibit 99.4
ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
offer for all outstanding
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
in exchange for
75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
and the related guarantees
which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
pursuant to the prospectus dated                             , 2005
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                         , 2005, UNLESS EXTENDED (SUCH DATE AND TIME, AS SO EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
To Our Clients:
      Enclosed for your consideration is a prospectus dated                     , 2005 and the related letter of transmittal and instructions thereto in connection with the offer, referred to as the exchange offer, of ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”) and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer (collectively, the “Guarantors”), to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $350,000,000 of the Issuer’s 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, together with the guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “New Notes”), for a like principal amount of the Issuer’s outstanding 75/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, together with the guarantees thereof by the Guarantors (the “Old Notes”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the prospectus and the letter of transmittal. Consummation of the exchange offer is subject to certain conditions described in the prospectus.
      WE ARE THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF OLD NOTES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT. A TENDER OF ANY SUCH OLD NOTES CAN BE MADE ONLY BY US AS THE REGISTERED HOLDER AND PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU TO TENDER OLD NOTES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT.
      Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender any or all such Old Notes held by us for your account pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the prospectus and the letter of transmittal. WE URGE YOU TO READ THE PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTRUCTING US TO TENDER YOUR OLD NOTES.
      Your instructions to us should be forwarded as promptly as possible in order to permit us to tender Old Notes on your behalf in accordance with the provisions of the exchange offer. THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME ON                     , 2005, UNLESS EXTENDED. Old Notes tendered pursuant to the exchange offer may be withdrawn only under the circumstances described in the prospectus and the letter of transmittal.


 

      Your attention is directed to the following:
        1. The exchange offer is for the entire aggregate principal amount of outstanding Old Notes.
 
        2. Consummation of the exchange offer is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the prospectus under “The Exchange Offer.”
 
        3. Tendering holders may withdraw their tender at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
 
        4. Any transfer taxes incident to the transfer of Old Notes from the tendering holder to the Issuer will be paid by the Issuer, except as provided in the prospectus and the instructions to the letter of transmittal.
 
        5. The exchange offer is not being made to, nor will the surrender of Old Notes for exchange be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.
 
        6. The acceptance for exchange of Old Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn will be effected promptly after the Expiration Date and the issuance of New Notes will be made promptly thereafter.
 
        7. The Issuer expressly reserves the right, in its reasonable discretion and in accordance with applicable law, at any time (i) to extend the Expiration Date, (ii) to delay the acceptance of any Old Notes, (iii) to terminate the exchange offer and not accept any Old Notes for exchange if the Issuer determines that any of the conditions to the exchange offer, as set forth in the prospectus, have not occurred or have not been satisfied and (iv) to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner. In the event of any extension, delay, non-acceptance, termination or amendment, the Issuer will as promptly as practicable give oral or written notice of the action to the exchange agent and make a public announcement of such action. In the case of an extension, the announcement will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
        8. Consummation of the exchange offer may have adverse consequences to non-tendering Old Note holders, including that the reduced amount of outstanding Old Notes as a result of the exchange offer may adversely affect the trading market, liquidity and market price of the Old Notes.
      If you wish to have us tender any or all of the Old Notes held by us for your account, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the instruction form that follows.

2


 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE EXCHANGE OFFER
WITH RESPECT TO THE
$350,000,000 OF 75/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2015
AND THE RELATED GUARANTEES
      THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF YOUR LETTER AND THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN RELATING TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER OF THE ISSUER AND THE GUARANTORS WITH RESPECT TO THE OLD NOTES.
      THIS WILL INSTRUCT YOU WHETHER TO TENDER THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD NOTES INDICATED BELOW HELD BY YOU FOR THE ACCOUNT OF THE UNDERSIGNED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Box 1     o     Please tender the Old Notes held by you for my account, as indicated below.
Box 2     o     Please do not tender any Old Notes held by you for my account.
     
Date: ____________________________  , 2005  
 
 
 
Principal Amount of Old Notes to be Tendered:
 
 

Signature(s)
$ _____________________________________  *
(must be in the principal amount of $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof)
 
 
     
   
Please Print Name(s) Here
     
 
     
 
     
 
   
Please Type or Print Address
     
   
Area Code and Telephone Number
     
   
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number
     
   
My Account Number with You
 
* UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, SIGNATURE(S) HEREON BY BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) SHALL CONSTITUTE AN INSTRUCTION TO THE NOMINEE TO TENDER ALL OLD NOTES OF SUCH BENEFICIAL OWNER(S).

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