Filing pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
Deemed filed under Rule 14a-12 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Filer: Baker Hughes Incorporated
Subject Company: Baker Hughes Incorporated
Commission File No.: 001-09397
The following announcement was made available to employees of Baker Hughes Incorporated:
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Integration Planning Announcement
To: | All Baker Hughes employees |
From: | Derek Mathieson, Chief Commercial Officer and Integration Lead |
Date: | April 21, 2017 |
April Integration Planning update
The pace has intensified across all workstreams as planning for Day 1 moves into high gear. We are detailing more than 25 “must-haves” for Day 1, ranging from a plan to engage customers to having the ability to report consolidated financial results. These imperatives take into account every part of the combined organization. Though all decisions have not been finalized, where the future state is known, the priority now is to build the new or temporary processes across our systems and test them rigorously.
Our aim is to ensure the transition to a combined company goes smoothly—for both our employees and our customers. We are balancing the need to move quickly to single systems with the recognition that abrupt and heavy change for an organization is difficult. We are working to strike the right balance—by finding ways to consolidate or time the changes to keep them to a manageable level. On the front lines of our organization, we want to minimize changes as much as possible.
For Day 1, we are developing welcome kits, checklists, reference guides, and other resources that will help employees navigate their first few months in the new company. In the coming weeks we will start to communicate more about what to expect on Day 1.
I also want to bring you up to date on the work we are doing to understand the respective culture of each company, and the steps we are taking to create a new, combined company culture. It is a unique opportunity to take a hard look at what works within our company and GE Oil & Gas, what behaviors or characteristics we would prefer to leave behind, and what new elements we will need for the company we aspire to be.
We have started to analyze the combined 5,700 responses of the culture survey from February that I mentioned in my last update. You likely won’t be surprised to hear that both companies enjoy a high level of employee pride and place a strong focus on safety and compliance. Additionally, most respondents feel their input matters and that their managers genuinely care about them. See this infographic to learn more about the similarities and differences between our companies.
The survey results are just one element of this research, and the overall effort has implications beyond the culture we aspire to create. We have reached out to key customers, other industry participants, and our own Edge Groups regarding their perceptions of our company today, and the promise of the combined company. In turn, this data informs the creation of a new brand for Baker Hughes, a GE Company, and represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to articulate who we are and what we stand for in the industry. On this front, we are working jointly not only on a new logo and purpose, but also to create all the corresponding components that guide how we present a promising new company to the world. Building a combined culture and brand is a multi-year effort—and we will be asking all of you to participate in this effort when it is introduced to you on Day 1.
We continue to work cooperatively with the regulatory agencies. This critical activity is proceeding as planned, and we continue to believe we will be able to close the transaction by mid-2017.
The integration planning effort has now expanded beyond the core team to require input from many of our subject matter experts across both organizations as we get into the details of the work programs. We appreciate your continued support as we move into the final phase of planning for our new company.
Global Roadshow
Go/NewBlue FAQs
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Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction between GE and Baker Hughes, on March 29, 2017, the new NYSE listed corporation (Bear Newco, Inc. or “Newco”) filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a preliminary combined proxy statement/prospectus of Newco and Baker Hughes (the “Preliminary Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). The registration statement has not yet become effective. After the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, Newco will file with the SEC a definitive combined proxy statement/prospectus (the “Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) and Baker Hughes will mail the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders and file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus or other documents Baker Hughes and/or Newco may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PRELIMINARY COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THE PRELIMINARY COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, THE COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY BAKER HUGHES OR NEWCO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the Preliminary Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Baker Hughes and/or Newco through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain free copies of the documents filed by Newco and/or Baker Hughes with the SEC on Baker Hughes’ website at http://www.bakerhughes.com or by contacting Baker Hughes Investor Relations at alondra.oteyza@bakerhughes.com or by calling +1-713-439-8822.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
Participants in the Solicitation
GE, Baker Hughes, Newco, their respective directors, executive officers and other members of its management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of GE is contained in GE’s proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2017, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2017, and certain of its Current Reports filed on Form 8-K. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Baker Hughes is contained in Baker Hughes’ proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 9, 2017, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the SEC on February 8, 2017, and certain of its Current Reports filed on Form 8-K. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the proposed transaction between GE and Baker Hughes. All statements, other than historical facts, including statements regarding the expected timing and structure of the proposed transaction; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction considering the various closing conditions; the expected benefits of the proposed transaction such as improved operations, enhanced revenues and cash flow, synergies, growth potential, market profile, customers’ business plans and financial strength; the competitive ability and position of the combined company following completion of the proposed transaction, including the projected impact on GE’s earnings per share; oil and natural gas market conditions; costs and availability of resources; legal, economic and regulatory conditions; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) that one or more closing conditions to the transaction, including certain regulatory approvals, may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the proposed transaction, may require conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals or that the required approval by the stockholders of Baker Hughes may not be obtained; (2) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in the time frame expected by GE or Baker Hughes, or at all; (3) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; (4) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the combined company following completion of the proposed transaction; (5) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including as a result of delay in completing the proposed transaction or integrating the businesses of GE, Baker Hughes and Newco; (6) the ability of the combined company to implement its business strategy; (7) difficulties and delays in achieving revenue and cost synergies of the combined company; (8) inability to retain and hire key personnel; (9) the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the proposed transaction; (10) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction or other settlements or investigations may affect the timing or occurrence of the contemplated merger or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (11) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (12) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions, including oil price changes; (13) actions by third parties, including government agencies; and (14) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in GE’s and Baker Hughes’ reports filed with the SEC, including GE’s and Baker Hughes’ annual report on Form 10-K, periodic quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, periodic current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.
Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. Neither GE nor Baker Hughes undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or development, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.