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):
June 10, 2015
THE PEP BOYS MANNY, MOE & JACK
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Pennsylvania
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-3381 |
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23-0962915 |
(Commission File Number) |
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(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
3111 W. Allegheny Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19132
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(215) 430-9000
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
x 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))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On June 10, 2015, The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack, a Pennsylvania corporation (Pep Boys or the Company), reached an understanding regarding a settlement (the Settlement) with GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (GAMCO), Pep Boys largest shareholder, to avoid a proxy contest at Pep Boys 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on Friday, July 10, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at Pep Boys Store Support Center located at 3111 West Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19132 (the 2015 Annual Meeting).
Pursuant to the Settlement, Pep Boys has agreed to cause the following three director candidates proposed by GAMCO to be nominated for election to the Pep Boys Board of Directors (the Pep Boys Board): Matthew Goldfarb, F. Jack Liebau, Jr. and Bruce M. Lisman (collectively, the GAMCO Nominees), each of whom the Pep Boys Board has determined will be an independent director pursuant to Section 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. The GAMCO Nominees will be included, together with incumbent directors Robert H. Hotz, James A. Mitarotonda, Robert L. Nardelli, Robert Rosenblatt, Jane Scaccetti, John T. Sweetwood and Andrea M. Weiss, in the slate of director nominees that the Pep Boys Board will recommend for election to its membership at the 2015 Annual Meeting. GAMCO has also agreed that if the Company hires a permanent Chief Executive Officer that such individual may be added to the Pep Boys Board. Pep Boys Board members M. Shân Atkins and Nick White have indicated to Pep Boys that they do not intend to stand for re-election to the Pep Boys Board at the 2015 Annual Meeting.
Pursuant to the Settlement, GAMCO has also agreed to withdraw the notice of nomination it delivered to Pep Boys on April 21, 2015, as amended on May 18, 2015, and the opposition preliminary proxy statement that it filed with the SEC on June 8, 2015, and to cause all of its shares held as of the record date to be counted present at the 2015 Annual Meeting for purposes of determining if a quorum is present at the 2015 Annual Meeting. Upon election to the Pep Boys Board, a GAMCO nominee shall be appointed to each of the Boards Audit, Compensation and Nominating & Governance Committees.
As a result of the Settlement, Pep Boys intends to prepare and file with the SEC, and mail to shareholders a supplement (the Proxy Statement Supplement) to the revised definitive proxy statement that it filed with the SEC on June 3, 2015, together with a revised proxy card. The Proxy Statement Supplement will include, among other things, additional information regarding the GAMCO Nominees and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On June 11, 2015, Pep Boys issued a press release announcing the Settlement with GAMCO, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack, its directors and certain of its executive officers are deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Pep Boys shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at Pep Boys 2015 Annual Meeting. On June 3, 2015, Pep Boys filed a revised definitive proxy statement (as it may be amended and supplemented from time to time, the Proxy Statement) and definitive form of proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) in connection with such solicitation of proxies from Pep Boys shareholders. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, THE SUPPLEMENT THERETO AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY PEP BOYS WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Information regarding the identity of participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Proxy Statement, including the schedules and appendices thereto. Additional information regarding the identity of participants, and
their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the supplement to the Proxy Statement that will be filed with the SEC. Shareholders can obtain the Proxy Statement, the supplement thereto and any amendments thereto as well as any other documents filed by Pep Boys with the SEC for no charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of the 2015 Proxy Statement and any other documents filed by Pep Boys with the SEC in connection with the 2015 Annual Meeting at the SECs website (www.sec.gov), at Pep Boys website (www.pepboys.com) or by writing to Pep Boys Corporate Secretary at The Pep BoysManny, Moe & Jack., 3111 West Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132, by calling Pep Boys Corporate Secretary at (215) 430-9169, or by contacting Pep Boys proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., toll free at 1-800-322-2885.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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Press Release issued on June 11, 2015 by The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack | |
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Date: |
June 11, 2015 |
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Zuckerman |
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Brian D. Zuckerman |
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Senior Vice President - General Counsel & Secretary |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pep Boys and GAMCO Reach Understanding
Three New Independent Directors to Join Pep Boys Board
PHILADELPHIA June 11, 2015 The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: PBY), the nations leading automotive aftermarket service and retail chain, today announced that it has reached an understanding with GAMCO Asset Management Inc., the Companys largest shareholder, to nominate three new directors recommended by GAMCO: Matthew Goldfarb; F. Jack Liebau, Jr.; and Bruce M. Lisman.
The GAMCO nominees will be included, together with incumbent directors Robert H. Hotz, James A. Mitarotonda, Robert L. Nardelli, Robert Rosenblatt, Jane Scaccetti, John T. Sweetwood and Andrea M. Weiss, in a supplement to the Companys 2015 proxy statement and submitted for shareholder approval at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Pep Boys to be held on July 10, 2015. Board members M. Shân Atkins and Nick White do not intend to stand for re-election to the Board at the 2015 Annual Meeting.
We are pleased to have reached this understanding with GAMCO, as we believe it is in the best interests of all Pep Boys shareholders to avoid the significant cost and distraction of a proxy contest, said Chairman Bob Hotz. I would also like to thank Shân Atkins and Nick White for their tireless service to the Board and our shareholders. This is a time of significant opportunity at Pep Boys, and we are confident in our plans to grow the business and deliver a differentiated customer experience. We look forward to the insights and experience that the three new directors will bring to the Board as we work together to enhance long-term value for all Pep Boys shareholders.
Mr. Goldfarb joined Cline Mining Corporation in 2013 as a director and chief restructuring officer and currently serves as acting chief executive officer. From 2009 to 2013, he served at Xinergy, Ltd., which he joined as a director and vice chairman and was later appointed chief executive officer. Prior to joining Xinergy, Mr. Goldfarb held senior trading and analyst positions at Pali Capital, Inc., The Blackstone Group/GSO Capital Partners, Pirate Capital LLC, and Icahn Associates Corp. He began his career as an associate at the law firm Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP.
Mr. Liebau serves on the board of directors of Myers Industries, Inc. He has been in the investment management industry for 30 years. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Liebau was with Alleghany Corporation, the subsidiary managing public equities for Alleghanys insurance companies. From 2011 to 2013, he was a partner and portfolio manager at Davis Funds. From 2003 to 2011, he ran Liebau Asset Management Company, which he founded. He began his career as a research analyst with The Capital Group in 1984, and from 1986 to 2003 was a partner and portfolio manager at Primecap Management Company.
Mr. Lisman serves on the boards of directors of Merchants Bancshares, Inc., Myers Industries, Inc., National Life Group and PC Construction Company. In addition, he serves on the boards of American Forests, Smithsonian Libraries, and the National Gardening Association. Mr. Lisman was research director (1984 - 1987) and co-head of the institutional equity division (1987 - 2008) for The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP served as legal advisor to Pep Boys.
About Pep Boys
Since 1921, Pep Boys has been the nations leading automotive aftermarket chain. With over 7,500 service bays in over 800 locations in 35 states and Puerto Rico, Pep Boys offers name-brand tires; automotive maintenance and repair; parts and expert advice for the Do-It-Yourselfer; commercial auto parts delivery; and fleet maintenance and repair. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS (1-800-737-2697) or by visiting www.pepboys.com.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack, its directors and certain of its executive officers are deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Pep Boys shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at Pep Boys 2015 Annual Meeting. On June 3, 2015, Pep Boys filed a revised definitive proxy statement (as it may be amended and supplemented from time to time, the Proxy Statement) and definitive form of proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) in connection with such solicitation of proxies from Pep Boys shareholders. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, THE SUPPLEMENT THERETO AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY PEP BOYS WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Information regarding the identity of participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Proxy Statement, including the schedules and appendices thereto. Additional information regarding the identity of participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the supplement to the Proxy Statement that will be filed with the SEC. Shareholders can obtain the Proxy Statement, the supplement thereto and any amendments thereto as well as any other documents filed by Pep Boys with the SEC for no charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of the 2015 Proxy Statement and any other documents filed by Pep Boys with the SEC in connection with the 2015 Annual Meeting at the SECs website (www.sec.gov), at Pep Boys website (www.pepboys.com) or by writing to Pep Boys Corporate Secretary at The Pep BoysManny, Moe & Jack., 3111 West Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132, by calling Pep Boys Corporate Secretary at (215) 430-9169, or by contacting Pep Boys proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., toll free at 1-800-322-2885.
Contact:
Brian Zuckerman
(215) 430-9169
Pep Boys
3111 West Allegheny Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19132
Internet: www.pepboys.com
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