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): December 28, 2015
THE PEP BOYS MANNY, MOE & JACK
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
PENNSYLVANIA |
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001-03381 |
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23-0962915 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(IRS Employer ID Number) |
3111 W. Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Events.
As previously disclosed, on October 26, 2015, The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack, a Pennsylvania corporation (the Company), Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Bridgestone), and TAJ Acquisition Co., a Pennsylvania corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (Merger Sub), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended by the Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 11, 2015, and Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 24, 2015 (the Bridgestone Agreement).
On December 28, 2015, the Company received a letter containing a proposal from Icahn Enterprises L.P. (Icahn) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company for $18.50 per share in cash (the Icahn Letter) and enclosing a proposed definitive agreement and plan of merger (the Icahn Merger Agreement, and together with the Icahn Letter, the December 28 Icahn Proposal), which contained provisions requiring the payment of a $39.5 million termination fee on the same terms as those in the Bridgestone Agreement. The Icahn Merger Agreement also contains a provision requiring, if the Icahn Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with a subsequent competing proposal and in certain other circumstances, a reimbursement to Icahn of its payment on behalf of the Company of the $39.5 million termination fee payable to Bridgestone in connection with a termination of the Bridgestone Agreement.
On December 28, 2015, the Company issued a press release announcing that on December 28, 2015 the board of directors of the Company (the Board) determined, after consultation with the Companys outside counsel and financial advisor, that the December 28 Icahn Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Bridgestone Agreement). The press release also stated, among other things, that the Company delivered notice on December 28, 2015 to Bridgestone of the Boards determination and intention to, at or after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, December 31, 2015, effect a Change of Recommendation (as defined in the Bridgestone Agreement) in response to the December 28 Icahn Proposal and terminate the Bridgestone Agreement to enter into the Icahn Merger Agreement. Until such time, Bridgestone has the right to make proposals to the Company. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Board has not changed its recommendation with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Bridgestone Agreement, nor has the Board made any recommendation with respect to the December 28 Icahn Proposal.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as believe, intend, demonstrate, expect, estimate, anticipate, should and likely and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In addition, statements that are not historical should also be considered forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks include uncertainties associated with the transactions contemplated by the Bridgestone Agreement, including uncertainties as to the timing of such transactions, uncertainties as to how many of the Companys shareholders will tender their shares in the tender offer contemplated by the Bridgestone Agreement, the risk that competing offers will be made, and the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived. These risks also include uncertainties associated with the December 28 Icahn Proposal. Other factors that may cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are discussed in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, and subsequent reports filed by the Company with the SEC. Copies of the Companys filings with the SEC may be obtained at the Investors section of the Companys website at www.pepboys.com or on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements included in this announcement are made as of the date hereof. The Company is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update any of the information in this press release if any forward-looking statement later turns out to be inaccurate whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise may be required by the federal securities laws.
Additional Information
This document is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. This communication is for informational purposes only. The tender offer transaction among the Company, Parent and Merger Sub is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the Schedule TO) filed by Parent and Merger Sub with the SEC on November 16, 2015, as amended from time to time. In addition, on November 16, 2015, the Company filed a Solicitation/Recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the Schedule 14D-9) with the SEC related to the tender offer. Prior to making any decision regarding the tender offer, the Company shareholders are strongly advised to read the Schedule TO and the related Schedule 14D-9. Company shareholders are able to obtain the Schedule TO and the related Schedule 14D-9 at no charge on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. In addition, Schedule TO and the related Schedule 14D-9 may be obtained free of charge from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information Agent for the tender offer, Telephone Number (866) 620-2536, or by directing a request to Pep Boys, Attention: Brian Zuckerman, 3111 West Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132, Telephone Number (215) 430-9169.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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Press Release issued by The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack on December 28, 2015. |
Signature
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.
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The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack | |
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(Registrant) | |
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By: |
/s/ Brian D. Zuckerman |
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Brian D. Zuckerman |
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SVP - General Counsel & Secretary |
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Dated: December 29, 2015 |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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Press Release issued by The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack on December 28, 2015. |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pep Boys Board of Directors Determines Latest Proposal From Icahn Enterprises
Is Superior To Bridgestone Transaction
Philadelphia, PA, December 28, 2015 The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: PBY), the nations leading automotive aftermarket service and retail chain, today announced that, on December 28, 2015, its Board of Directors, after consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors, determined that a proposal, received in the afternoon of December 28, 2015, from Icahn Enterprises L.P. to acquire Pep Boys for $18.50 per share in cash, constitutes a Superior Proposal as defined in the Companys agreement and plan of merger with Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC.
As part of its proposal, Icahn Enterprises delivered to the Company a merger agreement signed by Icahn Enterprises that is not subject to due diligence or financing conditions.
As previously announced, on December 23, 2015, the Company was informed that the Federal Trade Commission had granted early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act with respect to a potential transaction with Icahn Enterprises.
Also on December 28, 2015, the Company delivered notice to Bridgestone of the Pep Boys Boards determination and intention to effect a change of recommendation and to terminate the Bridgestone agreement. Such notice commenced a three business day period that will expire at 5:00pm New York City time on Thursday, December 31, 2015, during which the Company may not change the recommendation nor terminate the Bridgestone agreement, and Bridgestone has the right to make proposals to the Company.
As previously announced on October 26, 2015, the Company entered into the Bridgestone agreement pursuant to which Bridgestone commenced, on November 16, 2015, a tender offer for all outstanding shares of Pep Boys at $15.00 per share in cash. On December 11, 2015, the parties announced that the price per share had been increased to $15.50, and on December 24, 2015, the parties announced that the price per share had been increased to $17.00.
There can be no assurance that a transaction with Icahn Enterprises will result or that Bridgestone will propose any adjustments to the Bridgestone agreement. The Pep Boys Board has not changed its recommendation with respect to the Bridgestone transaction, nor has it made any recommendation with respect to the Icahn proposal.
Rothschild is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to Pep Boys and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is acting as legal advisor.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as believe, intend, demonstrate, expect, estimate, anticipate, should and likely and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In addition, statements that are not historical should also be considered forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks include uncertainties associated with the Bridgestone tender offer and the merger, including uncertainties as to the timing of the tender offer and merger, uncertainties as to how many of Pep Boys shareholders will tender their shares in the offer, the risk that competing offers will be made, and the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived. These risks also include uncertainties associated with the Icahn proposal. Other factors that may cause Pep Boys actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Pep Boys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, and subsequent reports filed by Pep Boys with the SEC. Copies of Pep Boys filings with the SEC may be obtained at the Investors section of Pep Boys website at www.pepboys.com or on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements included in this announcement are made as of the date hereof. Pep Boys is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update any of the information in this press release if any forward-looking statement later turns out to be inaccurate whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise may be required by the federal securities laws.
Additional Information
This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. This communication is for informational purposes only. The tender offer transaction among Pep Boys, Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) and TAJ Acquisition Co. (TAJ) is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) filed by BSRO and TAJ with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 16, 2015, as amended from time to time. In addition, on November 16, 2015, Pep Boys filed a Solicitation/Recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC related to the tender offer. Prior to making any decision regarding the tender offer, Pep Boys shareholders are strongly advised to read the Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) and the related Solicitation/Recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. Pep Boys shareholders are able to obtain the Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) and the related Solicitation/Recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 at no charge on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. In addition, Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) and the related Solicitation/Recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 may be obtained free of charge from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information Agent for the tender offer, Telephone Number (866) 620-2536, or by directing a request to Pep Boys, Attention: Brian Zuckerman, 3111 West Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132, Telephone Number (215) 430-9169.
Contacts:
Investors:
Brian Zuckerman
(215) 430-9169
Media:
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
Dan Katcher / Averell Withers
(212) 355-4449