-----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, De5ZmVJMAYkFLCCAu2me9+gGfpuLUhNMznsVERlOTdMDwRp01tRCmfcABy7q7Nvw hiPm7k4ERPq++brdeVlBmA== 0000950123-10-085500.txt : 20100913 0000950123-10-085500.hdr.sgml : 20100913 20100913075944 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-10-085500 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100910 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20100913 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100913 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AARON'S INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000706688 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC [7359] IRS NUMBER: 580687630 STATE OF INCORPORATION: GA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13941 FILM NUMBER: 101068148 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 309 E. PACES FERRY ROAD, N.E. STREET 2: (NONE) CITY: ATLANTA STATE: GA ZIP: 30305-2377 BUSINESS PHONE: 404-231-0011 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 309 E. PACES FERRY ROAD, N.E. STREET 2: (NONE) CITY: ATLANTA STATE: GA ZIP: 30305-2377 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AARON RENTS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K 1 c05888e8vk.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K
 
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 10, 2010

AARON’S, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Georgia   1-13941   58-0687630
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
309 E. Paces Ferry Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia
  30305-2377
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (404) 231-0011
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

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

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

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

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

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

 
 

 

1


 

Item 8.01  
Other Events
On September 13, 2010, Aaron’s, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors had approved, and is recommending to the Company’s shareholders for approval, the conversion of its non-voting Common Stock into voting Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. The transaction is subject to the approval of a majority of the holders of both the Company’s Common Stock and Class A Common Stock, each voting as a separate class. Under the proposal, shares of the Company’s Common Stock, which currently do not have voting rights other than as required by law, will be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, which currently have one vote per share, and the Class A Common Stock and will be redesignated as the Company’s “Common Stock.” The proposal was approved by the Board on September 10, 2010. The Company currently expects the meeting to occur in November 2010, subject to the SEC review process.
Additional Information
Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement regarding the proposed conversion when it becomes available because it will contain important information. Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available), as well as other filings containing information about the Company, without charge, at the Securities & Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) internet site at www.sec.gov, and on the Investor Relations page of the Company’s web site at www.aaronsinc.com. Copies of the proxy statement and any filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to the Corporate Secretary, Aaron’s, Inc., 309 East Paces Ferry Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2377, telephone (404) 231-0011.
The directors and executive officers of the Company and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed conversion. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in the proxy statement dated April 5, 2010 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 4, 2010, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2010. Other information regarding any participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Item 9.01  
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)  
Exhibits
     
Exhibit No.   Description
99.1
  Press Release of the Company dated September 13, 2010.

 

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  AARON’S, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson    
Date: September 13, 2010    Gilbert L. Danielson   
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   
 

 

 

EX-99.1 2 c05888exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1
Contact: Gilbert L. Danielson
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
404-231-0011
Aaron’s, Inc. Announces Share
Reclassification Proposal to Convert all
Common Shares to Voting Shares
ATLANTA, September 13, 2010 — Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN and AAN.A), the nation’s leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved, and is recommending to shareholders for approval, the conversion of its non-voting Common Stock into voting Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. The transaction is subject to the approval of a majority of the holders of both the Company’s Common Stock and Class A Common Stock, each voting as a separate class.
Under the proposal, shares of the Company’s Common Stock, which generally do not have voting rights other than as required by law, will be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, which currently have one vote per share, and the Class A Common Stock will be redesignated as the Company’s “Common Stock.” As a result, if the proposal passes, all shareholders of the Company would have general shareholder voting rights under the Company’s charter and bylaws and applicable law. The combined class of Common Stock is expected to trade under NYSE symbol “AAN,” the existing symbol for the Common Stock.
The proposal was evaluated and recommended by a Special Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, working with an independent financial advisor and legal counsel. The Company expects to file a preliminary proxy statement with respect to the proposed Special Meeting of Shareholders as promptly as practicable. A complete description of the proposal will be included in the proxy statement for the special meeting, and shareholders are encouraged to read the proxy statement before making any decision with respect to the proposal. The Company will announce the time and place of the special meeting as soon as it is determined. The Company currently expects the meeting to occur in November 2010, subject to the SEC review process.

 

 


 

The Company expects to realize a number of benefits from the proposed reclassification, including:
    increasing the trading volume and liquidity of its shares
 
    simplifying its equity capital structure
 
    broadening the appeal of its shares to a larger base of investors
 
    more closely aligning the voting rights of the Company’s shareholders with their economic interests
As part of the proposal, the Company also expects to seek to amend and strengthen various shareholder protection measures included in its Bylaws.
R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., the Company’s Founder and Chairman of the Board, has indicated that he supports the combination. Mr. Loudermilk, Sr. currently holds approximately 61.5% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, and less than 0.05% of the outstanding Common Stock. Upon completion of the combination, it is anticipated that Mr. Loudermilk, Sr. will hold approximately 8.9% of the outstanding shares of the newly designated Common Stock.
Robert C. Loudermilk, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Aaron’s, Inc. stated, “We believe the proposal we announced today should help to strengthen Aaron’s corporate governance and simplify our capital structure, making our shares a more attractive investment. After a thorough review, analysis and discussion with the Special Committee of the Board of Directors, along with its advisors, the Board determined that the proposed reclassification plan was in the best interest of all shareholders and the Company.”
Additional Information
Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement regarding the proposed conversion when it becomes available because it will contain important information. Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available), as well as other filings containing information about Aaron’s, without charge, at the SEC’s internet site at www.sec.gov, and on the Investor Relations page of Aaron’s web site at www.aaronsinc.com. Copies of the proxy statement and any filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to the Corporate Secretary, Aaron’s, Inc., 309 East Paces Ferry Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2377, telephone (404) 231-0011.

 

 


 

The directors and executive officers of Aaron’s and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed conversion. Information regarding Aaron’s directors and executive officers is available in the proxy statement dated April 5, 2010 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 4, 2010, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2010. Other information regarding any participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
About Aaron’s
Aaron’s, Inc., based in Atlanta, currently has more than 1,740 Company- operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. The Company’s Woodhaven Furniture Industries division manufactured approximately $72 million at cost of furniture and bedding at 11 facilities in five states in 2009. The entire production of Woodhaven is for shipment to Aaron’s stores.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this news release regarding Aaron’s, Inc.’s business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include factors such as changes in general economic conditions, competition, pricing, customer demand and other issues, and the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. Statements in this release that are “forward-looking” include without limitation any anticipated benefits to the Company or its shareholders from the proposed stock conversion.

 

 

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